The knight in the panther's skin, 1979

AVTANDIL SETS FORTH IN QUEST OF THE KNIGHT

175. Wise Dionysius and Ezra, witness the truth of the saying: It is sad when the rose in its beauty, fairer thpn Badakhshan ruby, Is nipped by the chill blast of winter. And sadder stiU when the lover. Wanders in dreary solitude, unable to find consolation.

176. Avtandil flew like the lightning over the plains of the Arabs, Till he left its borders behind and rode in the lands of the strangers. Widening the distance that lay between himself and the sun-maid. Till the anguish of separation struck at the roots of his being.

177. Snow drifted down from the heavens. blasting the rose's petals. Longing to end his affliction, Avtandil lifted his dagger. I have left the world and Its pleasures, Its music and song”, he murmured. Ninety and a hundred fold has the world Increased my sorrow,.

178. Deprived of the warm sun's radiance the rose-leaves wilted and faded; He did not fall by the wayside, but said to his heart: Be patientl, Passing through strange habitations unknown to the hardiest traveller. He greeted the lone wayfarer, striving to gather tidings.

179. He shed inexhaustible tears which flowed to increase the ocean. To hint'the earth was a couch and his arms a pilloW to sleep on. Though I am fan, he pondered. Emy heart is with you, my beloved. Death for your sake, my sun, is bliss I would joyfully welcome"

180. Avtandil roamed the earth's surface, he neglected no turning, Sought in vain for tidings of him for whom he was looking. Year followed year in its passage, the season appointed drew nearer, Three short months lay before him to bring his quest to fruition.

181. He came to a desolate region, void of the children of Adam, For thirty days he traversed it, and met not a single'being. The sorrows of Vis and Ramln Were as nothing to all that he suffered. By day and by night he was ravaged by the flames of despairing passion

182. On the slope of a frownIng mountain he halted and rested his charger. Below stretched an empty desert. a sevenday's ride to the skyline: At the foot of the mountain flowed a river that could not be bridged; Both sides were covered with forests down to the water's edge.

183. Avtandil halted to reckon the time that remained for his mission. Sixty full days no longer! He had little cause for rejoicing. There he remained for a while, lost in bitter reflection. Who can turn evil to blessing? Destiny knows no denial.

184. “If I return empty-handed what shall I say to the bright one? Must I confess I have wandered three long years to no purpose' That I have brought no tidings of him I have sought the world over? How can I come in her presence' How can I answer her questions?

185. If I return not at all, once more I must start on my journey. In search of the stranger-knight, resuming my hopeless errand. When the time appointed has come, Shermadin, trembling and weeping, Will enter the audience chamber, entreating the monarch to hear him.

186. “He will tell the king of my death, such were my parting injunctions. There will be mourning and weeping. My people will think I have perished. Can I, after travelling so long, return at last disappointed?, Avtandil pondered long, and cried to God in his sorrow,

187. “Why have you turned from Your servant? How have I earned Your displeasure? Why were my diligent efforts crowned with misfortune and failure? Joy from my heart is uprooted, grief has sprung up to replace it, My eyes are blinded with weeping, and my tears flow on like a river.

188. “Yet I will be patient, I will lift up my eyes to my Maker. Without Him my struggles are useless. my tears and complaints unavailing. That which will happen will happen; destiny's hand is not halted. And none can force into being that which is not to be.

189. I have conversed with and met all living beings under heaven, But not a soul have I met who could tell me some news of that stranger. Doubtless they spoke the truth who called that horseman a kaji. Therefore as tears avail not why should I weep or be downcast

190. But he mounted his steed and descended, till he came to the bank of the river. He pushed his way through the forest. and forded the threatening torrents. The trees, and the roar of the waters fretted his weary spirit, Humbled his pride and his power at the height of his youthful

191. But at the thought of returning he almost broke down in his anguish. Groaning, he turned round his stallion, approached the plain at a gallop. F or a whole month he had travelled but no man had he seen or encountered, And though there was plenty of game. he neither hunted nor

192. Though he was maddened with sighing, wild with heart-groaning and weeping, Yet he grew hungry and weary after the wont of all mortals. So he killed game with his arrow, with an arm that was stronger than Rostom's; Then he dismounted and kindled a fire on the edge

193. While he was roasting the meat he let loose his stallion to pasture. Suddenly far in the distance he saw six horsemen approaching. Avtandil thought: “They are brigands. Who would come here but marauders. Here in this desolate region where only wild animals