Now, as it happened, when they came thither the King of Tat was away
making war upon another king whose country lay upon the coast, but after
they had dwelt for many weeks in the place, this King, who was named
Janees, returned victorious from his war and prepared to celebrate a
triumph.
While he was making ready for this triumph his courtiers told him of
these pearl-merchants, and, desiring pearls for his adornment on that
great day, he went in disguise to the house of those who sold them. As
it chanced he arrived late, and requested to see the gems just as Tua,
according to her custom, was playing upon her harp. Then she began to
sing, and this King Janees, who was a man of under forty years of age,
listened intently to her beautiful voice, forgetting all about the
pearls that he had come to buy. Her song finished, the veiled Asti rose,
and bowing to all the company gathered in the street, bade her servants
shut up the coffers and remove the goods.
"But I would buy pearls, Merchant, if you have such to sell," said
Janees.
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