For years I've been a trader
who set sail upon the seas.
I've had my lumps. The nadir
must for sure be one of these:
A merchant, pale and haggard,
looked inside my bag and hurled.
A snake-bite left me staggered,
nearly took me from this world.
My good name once was tarnished
and my wares were stripped away.
My wages once were garnished.
I had thirteen wives and they,
to my regret, were eaten,
an event that I regard
as so tragic one can't sweeten
its unpleasantness with nard.
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