The Jewel Trader Of Pegu by Jeffrey Hantover Read Free Book Online Page B

her?
    Win told me there were two other merchants, a Portuguese and a Dutchman, who performed this role. The Portuguese had a reputation for roughness. The Dutchman drank so much he often fell asleep in a drunken stupor, and the bride would have to stay until midmorning when he was sober enough to perform.
    —I do not want to see the girl ill-treated, but I cannot do this… act.
    I almost said “barbaric” but held my tongue not to insult Win further.
    Seeing that I could not be moved, Win took several steps back.
    —
I will tell them that you are ill and cannot perform
. Before I could argue with this lie, he turned and was gone.
    I may have been slow to rise in the morning and never made early-morning hymns like the blessed Watchers of the Morning. But how could I do this barbaric act? You know when Ruth of blessed memory died, I cursed God for the pain He brought me. But I never denied Him. How could I lie with another man’s wife? How could I lie with a woman for whom I had no love, not one gram of feeling? Win said after the act was consummated, the girl would quietly leave my bed in the morning, and Khaing would attend to her. What would that matter? I still would be no better than an adulterer, a lecher in the eyes of God. Gentiles may think nothing of taking a temporary wife while they are here, even sanctifying their lust with ceremony and promises of faithfulness. The Peguans think this is a fine arrangement for their daughters, who are left with jewels and good cloth for their dowries and carry no shame in the eyes of future suitors. I am a man, but this is something I will not do. There may be no other Israelites to shame me for this transgression, but God sees all and judges me in this distant land though I be hidden behind cane and palm.
    Can you imagine me doing what Win asked? Even if God did not forbid it, even if these women with their powdered faces and blackened teeth held for me a sliver of attraction, I could not be a lecher and open my bed like a fishmonger to every woman passing by.
    I slept alone last night, as all other nights, as the Law commands.
    But, Joseph, I awoke this morning to find that I had shamed myself. Lilith had seduced me while I slept. I rose quickly and washed my seed from my body with rainwater from a large jar Khaing keeps in the garden. I could not remember all of the psalms I was supposed to read to protect myself, but read the ones that I could remember.
    I told Khaing that my stomach was upset and ate no breakfast. I fasted all day and told Win, when he asked, that it was a special day and my faith required it.
    I cannot remember the last time this happened—it was many years ago. It troubles me. Did a part of me want to deflower that bride, and did Lilith come to me in the night because she smelled the sin of my desire? Maybe I do not know myself as well as I think.
    Your cousin,
    Abraham

----
    26 November 1598
    Dear Joseph,
    The Dutchman took from the young bride what can be taken only once. Win heard from her mother that it was a night of tears. He would not let her leave until he had his way with her a second time.
    He might well have kept her until past noon, but he fell into a deep sleep from wine and exhaustion, and she escaped from under his hairy bulk and now sleeps wanted in the arms of her husband. I am sorry for the young woman’s discomfort, but I had no choice.
    Win has not said anything more, but I can tell by his eyes he wishes me to reconsider. He has several times praised my house as a safe haven from evil spirits that seem numerous as motes of dust in this place. Every tree, hill, rice field, and house has its own spirit that must be kept happy. These spirits are constantly hungry (perhaps you with your ravenous appetite are one of these spirits who has wandered far from his jungle home). These idolaters are always feeding them: coconuts, bananas, a sweet sticky rice, and even chicken. Khaing hangs a coconut in a corner to appease the spirit she