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 beheld Bova, she was enraptured with his uncommon beauty. And
one day she said to the King: "My gracious father, you are indeed
powerful and renowned, not only in your own kingdom, but in all
countries far and near, and no King, Tsar, or Knight can compare with
you; but, O King! you have no trusty and clever steward in your
household. Now, I have heard that there is a young lad in our royal
stables whom you have purchased from some shipmen; his name is
Anhusei. This lad will prove trusty and useful in your service; order
him to be taken from the stable and employed in your household."
King Sensibri replied: "My dear daughter, I have never refused to
grant any one of your wishes, and in this matter too you are free to
do as you will." When the Princess Drushnevna heard these words, she
thanked her father, made her obeisance, and went out. Then she ordered
Bova to be called and desired him to leave his old task and to enter
on his new employment in the household.
The next day she called Bova to her and said: "Hark ye, Anhusei,
to-morrow my father will have a great feast, and all the princes,
boyars, and knights will be present to eat and drink and sport; you
must stand near me at the table to do my bidding." Thereupon Bova made
his bow and was going away, but the Princess Drushnevna called him
back, and said: "Tell me the truth, young fellow, what class do you
belong to--of boyar or kingly race? Or are you the son of some brave
knight, or of a merchant from a foreign land? And what is your true
name? I believe not that you are born of common folk as you told my
father." Then Bova replied: "Gracious Lady, I have told your royal
father truly my name and condition, and can only repeat it to you."
And so saying he left the room.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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