their intention, he told them not to quarrel
for his sake, for that he would serve them all in turn.

Then the shipmen left the city of Anton and sailed out to sea, to the
Armenian kingdom of King Sensibri Andronovich. There they cast anchor,
and went into the city to follow their business; whilst Bova went on
shore, and wandered about, playing on the lute. Meantime the port
officers came on board the ship, whom King Sensibri sent to enquire
whence the ship had come, who the merchants were, and what was their
business. But when they heard Bova Korolevich playing, and saw the
beauty of his features, they forgot what they had come for, and
returning to King Sensibri, said only that they had seen a youth of
unspeakable beauty on board the ship, who played on the lute so
wonderfully that they were never tired of listening to him; adding,
that they had quite forgotten to enquire what wares the ship
contained. When the King heard this he went himself to the ship, and
when he had seen Bova, he offered to purchase him, but the merchants
would not sell him for any price, telling the King that he belonged to
them all equally, and relating how they had picked him up on the
seashore. At this King Sensibri flew into a rage, and instantly
ordered them to be driven out of his kingdom, forbidding them ever to
return. On hearing this order, the merchants agreed to sell Bova
Korolevich for three hundred bars of gold.

When Bova was brought to the Court, the King called to him and said:
"Tell me, young fellow, to what class do you belong, and what is your
name?" And Bova replied: "Gracious King, Sensibri Andronovich, I am of
the poor class, and lost my father at an early age: my mother washes
linen for strangers; and thus supports herself and me. My name is
Anhusei, and I will serve thee henceforth faithfully."

When the King heard this he said: "As you are of the lowest class and
cannot remember your father, go into my stables, and you shall be the
head over all my grooms." So Bova made his bow and went into the
stable.

Bova often drove out with his comrades to the forbidden meadows of the
King, to get grass for the horses; but he never took a sickle with
him, but pulled all the grass with his hands, and gathered himself as
much as ten men together could mow. When the other grooms saw this
they were amazed at his strength. His fame at length reached the
King's daughter, the fair Drushnevna, who went to see him: and as soon
as she