The knight in the panther's skin, 1979
214. “Why should the woes I have suffered be all unavailing” he pondered. “Even a bird has an eyrie and the beast some shelter to live in. Wherever he goes I shall follow, though rock faces and forests conceal him. Perhaps I'shall find the balsam to assuage the pangs of my anguish.
215. Two days and two nights they travelled. one pursuing the other. Hunger and thirst were forgotten. and they were weary with riding. Heedless of time they pressed forward, crossing vast plains and mountains. They wept and their tears fell profusely, moistening the plains and the valleys.
216. After another day's journey there rose a mountain before them, A mountain lofty and rocky with a stream flowing beneath it. Then on the third day at twilight they came to the edge of the stream Flowing beneath:great rocks in which were numerous caverns
217. Passing the trees and the stream the youth made his way towards the caverns. Avtandil quickly dismounted, tethered his horse to a tree, Climbed it and watched as.the horseman wended his way to his shelter. Now he could see from his perch that the youth was bitterly weeping.
218. The knight was approaching a cavern when Avtandil saw in amazement A maiden attired in mourning come out of the cavern to meet him; Giving free course to her tears she wept and loudly lamented. The horseman dismounted his stallion and fondly and gently embraced her.
219. Iasmab, he said to the maiden, “alas, our bridges have fallen. Never, o woel shall we find her; our hopes have crumbled ta piece. Weeping strangled his voice and he beat his breast in his anguish. The maiden sank down and fainted. The youth wiped her tears and revived her.
220. The forest grew dense and the seas overflowed from the tearing of tresses. Throwing her arms around him she strained the youth to her bosom. Such was the wailing they uttered that the rocks re-echoed their voices. Avtandil gazed in amazement on their frenzy, and depth of their sorroW.
221. The maiden was first to recover and compose her emotions and spirits. Leading the horse to the cave she unbridled it. took off its harness; Then she took off the armour and unbuckled the sword of the horseman, Whereat they entered the cave and there they stayed until morning.
222. AvtandiI's wonder increased as he watched from his perch in the branches. When it was dawn the maiden came out alone from the cavern. With her veil she furbished the bridle, then bridled the raven-black courser. Then she returned to the cavern and noiselessly brought out the armour.
223. It was the custom, .it seemed, for the horseman to leave in the morning. When he appeared in the doorway she again tore her cheeks and her tresses; Again they embraced one another; then he mounted and rode to the forest. Asmat, repressing her groans, grew even more gloomy and downcast
224. Avtandil saw once again the exquisite mould of his features. “Truly”he said to himself, dhat knight is the sun of the heavensI, The air grew fragrant and sweet as the breeze brought the scent of the cypress. Killing a lion was for him as is killing a goat for a lion.
225. The knight rode out the same road he had come by the day before. He went beyond the rushes and made for the meadow beyond It. Avtandil thought to himself as he gazed at the youth in amazement: I am thankful to almighty God for fulfilling my prayers and my wishesl
226. “could I have fulfilled my desire if God had not helped and sustained me' First I will capture that maiden, then force her to teU me his story. I will also tell her my story. The truth of all that befell me. Why should that swordsman and I slaughter each other in combat'!”
AVTANDIL'S TALE AS TOLD TO ASMAT IN THE CAVE
227. Then he swiftly descended and made at once for the cavern. As he came near it he saw that the door of the cavern was open. The maiden still weeping rushed out on hearing the sound of the stallion, Thinking the knight had returned to the cavern after his wanderings.
228. Seeing a stranger she started, and uttering a scream turned swiftly, Made for the rocks and the woods in a futile attempt to avoid him. Avtandilleaped from his horse and seized her as one would a partridge. The terrified cries of the maiden echoed off the mountain.
229. Frightened, she strove to escape from the grasp ing hand of the stranger. Like a bird in the claws of an eagle she fluttered and trembled in terror. Loudly she called, but in vain, for the help of a certain Tarlel. Flinging himself on his knees Avtandil begged her to hear him.
230. “Tell me, what ill can I do you, I, a mere mortal'Li he pleaded. “Alasl I have gazed on the violet and rose and have seen them grow pallid. Who is that cypress-formed swordsman' Tell me about him. I beg you. Cry not so loudly!)) he said, “Fear not. I come not to harm YOU..
231. Weeping, the terrified maiden, repressing a scream, replied: “If you are not maddened release me; if mad, return to reason. Too lightly you ask me to tell you what tongue is powerless to utter. Try not in vain, I beg you, to make me narrate his story.
232. “From where have you come to annoy me' What do you want she asked him. “Nothing you say or do can force me tell you his story. 'Speakl' you shout and command. But I answer a hundred times, No! As smiles are far better than tears, yet you see how I weep and am grieving .
