--- title: The Barmecide Feast. — Fifty Famous Stories Retold · full text with trees description: The Barmecide Feast., «Fifty Famous Stories Retold» by James Baldwin: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: There was once a rich old man who was called the Bar-me-cide. --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [tales](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/) / [Fifty Famous Stories Retold](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/) / The Barmecide Feast. # The Barmecide Feast. The Barmecide Feast. of «Fifty Famous Stories Retold» by James Baldwin: the whole text, 62 sentences and 766 words. Every sentence has its own page with its syntax tree and pragmatics, parsed by Mova itself. - [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/1/) — There was once a rich old man who was called the Bar-me-cide. - [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/2/) — He lived in a beautiful palace in the midst of flowery gardens. - [3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/3/) — He had every-thing that heart could wish. - [4](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/4/) — In the same land there was a poor man whose name was Schac-a-bac. - [5](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/5/) — His clothing was rags, and his food was the scraps which other people had thrown away. - [6](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/6/) — But he had a light heart, and was as happy as a king. - [7](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/7/) — Once when Schac-a-bac had not had anything to eat for a long time, he thought that he would go and ask the Bar-me-cide to help him. - [8](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/8/) — The servant at the door said, "Come in and talk with our master. - [9](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/9/) — He will not send you away hungry." - [10](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/10/) — Schacabac went in, and passed through many beautiful rooms, looking for the Barmecide. - [11](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/11/) — At last he came to a grand hall where there were soft carpets on the floor, and fine pictures on the walls, and pleasant couches to lie down upon. - [12](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/12/) — At the upper end of the room he saw a noble man with a long white beard. - [13](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/13/) — It was the Barmecide; and poor Schacabac bowed low before him, as was the custom in that country. - [14](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/14/) — The Barmecide spoke very kindly, and asked what was wanted. - [15](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/15/) — Schacabac told him about all his troubles, and said that it was now two days since he had tasted bread. - [16](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/16/) — "Is it possible?" said the Barmecide. " - [17](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/17/) — You must be almost dead with hunger; and here I have plenty and to spare!" - [18](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/18/) — Then he turned and called, "Ho, boy! - [19](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/19/) — Bring in the water to wash our hands, and then order the cook to hurry the supper." - [20](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/20/) — Schacabac had not expected to be treated so kindly. - [21](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/21/) — He began to thank the rich man. - [22](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/22/) — "Say not a word," said the Barmecide, "but let us get ready for the feast." - [23](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/23/) — Then the rich man began to rub his hands as though some one was pouring water on them. " - [24](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/24/) — Come and wash with me," he said. - [25](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/25/) — Schacabac saw no boy, nor basin, nor water. - [26](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/26/) — But he thought that he ought to do as he was bidden; and so, like the Barmecide, he made a pretense of washing. - [27](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/27/) — "Come now," said the Barmecide, "let us have supper." - [28](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/28/) — He sat down, as if to a table, and pre-tend-ed to be carving a roast. - [29](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/29/) — Then he said, "Help yourself, my good friend. - [30](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/30/) — You said you were hungry: so, now, don't be afraid of the food." - [31](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/31/) — Schacabac thought that he un-der-stood the joke, and he made pretense of taking food, and passing it to his mouth. - [32](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/32/) — Then he began to chew, and said, "You see, sir, I lose no time." - [33](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/33/) — "Boy," said the old man, "bring on the roast goose.--Now, my good friend, try this choice piece from the breast. - [34](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/34/) — And here are sweet sauce, honey, raisins, green peas, and dry figs. - [35](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/35/) — Help yourself, and remember that other good things are coming." - [36](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/36/) — Schacabac was almost dead with hunger, but he was too polite not to do as he was bidden. - [37](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/37/) — "Come," said the Barmecide, "have another piece of the roast lamb. - [38](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/38/) — Did you ever eat anything so de-li-cious?" - [39](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/39/) — "Never in my life," said Schacabac. " - [40](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/40/) — Your table is full of good things." - [41](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/41/) — "Then eat heartily," said the Barmecide. " - [42](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/42/) — You cannot please me better." - [43](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/43/) — After this came the des-sert. - [44](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/44/) — The Barmecide spoke of sweet-meats and fruits; and Schacabac made believe that he was eating them. - [45](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/45/) — "Now is there anything else that you would like?" asked the host. - [46](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/46/) — "Ah, no!" said poor Schacabac. " - [47](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/47/) — I have indeed had great plenty." - [48](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/48/) — "Let us drink, then," said the Barmecide. " - [49](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/49/) — Boy, bring on the wine!" - [50](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/50/) — "Excuse me, my lord," said Schacabac, "I will drink no wine, for it is for-bid-den." - [51](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/51/) — The Barmecide seized him by the hand. " - [52](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/52/) — I have long wished to find a man like you," he said. " - [53](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/53/) — But come, now we will sup in earnest." - [54](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/54/) — He clapped his hands. - [55](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/55/) — Servants came, and he ordered supper. - [56](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/56/) — Soon they sat down to a table loaded with the very dishes of which they had pre-tend-ed to eat. - [57](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/57/) — Poor Schacabac had never had so good a meal in all his life. - [58](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/58/) — When they had fin-ished, and the table had been cleared away, the Barmecide said,-- - [59](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/59/) — "I have found you to be a man of good un-der-stand-ing. - [60](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/60/) — Your wits are quick, and you are ready always to make the best of everything. - [61](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/61/) — Come and live with me, and manage my house." - [62](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/44/62/) — And so Schacabac lived with the Barmecide many years, and never again knew what it was to be hungry. - ← previous: [The Kingdoms.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/43/) - next →: [The Endless Tale.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/45/) - ↑ back to [Fifty Famous Stories Retold](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg18442/)