When Bova Korolevich heard this, he staggered, and for a time could
not utter a word. At length he came to himself, and said to the
fisherman: "Land me on the other side, my good fellow, and I will
reward you handsomely." Then he divided among the ship's crew the
property of the merchants he had slain, took leave of them, and went
to the Sadonic kingdom. On landing, Bova directed his steps towards
Marcobrun's chief city. For two days he went on and on without meeting
anyone. On the third day he met the pilgrim who had given him the
sleeping powder and robbed him of his sword, his battle-axe, and
steed. Then Bova seized and flung him on the ground, saying: "Villain!
you robbed me with a pitcher of water, carried off my brave steed, and
left me helpless in a desert, to be torn to pieces by wild beasts. Now
take your reward and die."
Then the pilgrim entreated Bova for mercy: "Brave knight, have pity
and grant my life! I will give back your horse, your sword, and
battle-axe, and, for my crime, three powders besides. Wash yourself
with one of these and you will become old, so that no one will
recognize you; if you wash with the second, you will grow young as
before; and if you put the third powder into any person's drink he
will sleep as soundly as if he were dead for nine days."
When Bova Korolevich heard this, he took the powders, the battle
sword, and the battle-axe; but gave back the horse and his clothes to
the pilgrim. Thereupon he washed himself with the first powder, and
went to the royal court and began to beg alms in the kitchen, in the
name of Bova Korolevich. One of the cooks, hearing this, seized a
brand from the hearth, beat Bova on the head, exclaiming: "Be off, you
worthless fellow! don't come begging here in Bova's name: it is
forbidden in this country to utter his name under pain of death."
Bova did not feel the blow, but seized a brand, belaboured the cook,
and said: "What mean you, scoundrel, to beat your betters? You might
first have tried words before coming to blows." But the poor cook had
already given up the ghost, and this exhortation was thrown away upon
him. When his comrades saw this they ran out and told the Seneschal,
who went into the kitchen and asked Bova how the matter stood. Then
Bova said to the Seneschal: "Noble sir, I know not the customs of this
country, and have heard nothing of your prohibition. I begged alms of
your cook, in the name of Bova Korolevich, knowing that he was
everywhere honoured for his valour; but the man beat me with a cudgel,
without saying a word; I returned the blows and have killed him
unintentionally."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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