There were those who travelled specially to other countries, but to return and tell him of all that they had seen, and of how inferior all lands and rulers were when compared with their own.
Dancing women, with the classic limbs and straight black brows of Egypt, sought his favour.
Eyes that were as loadstars in their brilliancy wooed him with a thousand glances.
Circassian women, with sun-flecked tresses, were his willing slaves.
Men of great learning asked nothing better than to gain his ear awhile, but all fatigued him soon.
And, like a child, he cried for something new.
Then one day a stranger from India presented himself at the great gates of the palace, saying that he brought a game called Chess to teach the King. They who loitered round the entrance bade him scornfully to "begone." What would he of the Golden Feet do with red and white figures like that? they contemptuously asked.
But the Indian protested, craving humbly to be granted an audience. Then one, who was more kindly than the rest, led him through the green, silent gardens, with their aisles of gorgeous roses; by spray-splashing fountains, fringed with the lotus-flower; up a flight of marble steps on to a terrace where peacocks strolled; through carved doors, from which stretched an endless vista of halls and rooms filled with numerous attendants, who formed a mass of marvellous colour; carpets and rugs of velvet-like softness were strewn about; ivory of wonderful workmanship; things of all precious metals, together with stuffs of delicate hues and lovely texture; to a chamber handsomer than any that had gone before, where at one end, seated on a couch, clad in an odd, rich fashion, and shaded by a large umbrella, was the King, his bare feet resting on a stool; to his right was a golden spittoon, while to his left stood a slave holding a jewelled betel box and some green cigars.
The Burmese prostrated himself almost full length, motioning the Indian to do likewise, explaining at the same time the object of their presence.
His royal master received them graciously, inquired into the merits of the game, finally declaring that he would be taught it there and then.