The knight in the panther's skin, 1979

253. Stay there,' he called to the man, 'stay there and wait for me, comrade. I go to bring ropes,' he added, 'to pull you out of that hole" The man in the well laughed loudly and, greatly surprised, he answered: 'Just as you ask, my friend. What else can I do but be patient?

254. “The rope round my neckt, said Avtandil, cis now in your han ds, o sister. What can I do without you? Only you have the power to assist me. You are my only refuge, the comforting balm in my madness. Who but a madman would bind a head that is sound with a bandage?”

255. The maiden replied: ,Your discourse and well-spoken words give pleasure. You are, no doubt, respected and praised by the wise and the worthy. Since for her sake you have suffered, now listen to me with attention. Then will you surely attain the fulfilment of all your desires.

256. “Though you may seek the wide world you will never hear tidings about him. No one but he can relate the wonderful things that befell him. My advice is to wait in this cave until he comes back from the forest. Freeze not nor snow up the rose with the flood of your tears, I entreat you.

257. “First I will tell you our names if your wish is to know them”, she said. “The knight who wanders alone, distracted and maddened, is Tariel I, whom hot fires are consuming. am known by the name of Asmat. Sigh upon sigh rend our bosoms; sorrOW weighs heavy upon us.

258. I cannot relate his story. Only this, my friend, will I tell you: He wanders alone in the forests, overwhelmed and maddened by sorrow. I sit in this cavern alone while he roams or hunts in the forest. When he will come, I know not. It may be sooner or later.

259. Leave not the cavern but wait here till he returns from the forest. I promise to plead for your cause; perhaps I will make him receive you. Maybe, when you know one another, he will love you and tell you his story. Your wish will then be fulfilled whereby your sun will rejoiceJ.

260. Avtandil's joy knew no bounds and he gladly followed her counsel. Startled, they suddenly heard the sound of a splash from the marshes, And like the moon shedding brightness they saw the horseman approaching. Fearing the knight would behold them they hastily entered the cavern.

261. “May the great Lord hear your prayers and fulfil your desire5), said Aimat. “Quickly, hide lest he sees you. In the lower end of the cavern. Go, for no human being can withstand his invincible prowess. Perhaps I may soften his heart with persuasive and eloquent phrase5).

262. Taking his hand the maiden hid him deep in the cavern. Then she went out to the horseman who was now dismounting his stallion. Weeping they greeted each other; their tears flowed down to the ocean. Avtandil hidden from view gazed on the sight and marvelled.

263. The flow of hot tears turned the crystal, alas. To the colour of amber. Long did the swordsman and maiden indulge in heart-rending weeping. Then she unbuckled his armour and together they entered the cavern. They were silent. The sabre-like lashes of jet cut the flow of their tears.

264. Avtandil watched fro m the opening, a captive now freed from his dungeon He saw how she spread on the ground a panther skin for the horseman. Tariel sat down upon it; sigh upon sigh was redoubled. The jet-black lashes were plaited by tears intermingled with blood

265. Striking a light with a flint the maiden kindled a fire. Thinking him hungry she placed some roasted fowl before him. He seemed not to relish the food and scarcely partook of the meal, Listlessly biting a piece, then spitting it out without chewing.

266. Then he reclined on the skin, and soon he was fast asleep. All at once he jumped up and screamed like one bereft of his senses. Weeping, he smote his breast with a stone and his head with a cudgel. Gazing upon him the maiden scratched her cheeks and wept loudly.

267. “Why have you come so soon? Has anything happened “she asked him. He said: “Far away on a plain I encountered a king who was hunting. He had countless soldiers with him, heavily loaded with luggage. And was enjoying good sport on the plain where beaters were scattered.

268. “When I set eyes on those hunters the fires within me burned fiercer, For, as you know, I avoid them and detest the sight of all beings I turned round my horse and left them to conceal myself in the forest. Tomorrow at daybreak, I said, I shall go if no one pursues me'.

269. Her tears flowed a hundred times more, a thousand times more as she answered,: “With the wild beasts you wander. Alone in the deepest of forests, Shunning the friendship of man. And the world with its joys and its pleasures. How can you render her aid if you spend all your days in weeping'

270. Over the face of the earth you have wandered in search of your loved one. Strange that you met not a soul to confide in and afford you some pleasure! But if your rage is increased on seeing a man approach you. Would it diminish your sorrow if one or the other is slaughtered?,

271. “This is”, he said, “the desire of your well-meaning heart, my sister. But there is no balm upon earth with which I can soothe my wound. Nor is there man in this world with whom I can share my affliction. My only hope is in death, the severance of soul from body.

272. “Though I may wish for a comrade to confide in and have as companion. Why should God cause another to suffer the same fate as I do' Who could endure what I suffer or even endeavour to bear it? I have no one but you in this world who can share my misfortune”.