The knight in the panther's skin, 1979
331. “They made me sit by their side as one would a son or an equal. Gently they spoke of niy duties before my people and country. But it was painfull to me to think of replacing my father. But they insisted. I yielded, and bent before them in homage
332. Years have passed since then and my brain is confused and clouded, Yet I shall tell you the Whole of my tale though the, telling will kill me. False is this world and delusive, the doer of bad and evil. Sparks from its flint-like heart have kindled hot fires within me!
TARIEL TELLS THE TALE OF HIS FALLING IN LOVE
333. When he had wept for some time he again began his story: One day we returned to the palace after a morning of hunting; The king took meoy the hand and said: 'Let us visit my daughtet'. It is indeed a wonder that I live to remember that hour. '
334. “He commanded me to take ,some partridges to her. I took”them, alas, and. Went to burnmyseU in a furnace. Then I began to pay the debt”of ruthless fate. . . It needs a lance of adamant topierce a heart of rock; .
335. “The king led the way through portals, where cloth of gold were the curtains, Into a beautiful garden, fair as the garden of Eden, Where the sound of the singing birds vied with the song of the sirens Where rose-scented water flowed from sparkling fountains for bathing.
336. “The king made his way through the curtains shrouding the place of the sun-maid. None but her father might venture to stand in her virginal presence. Only his voice I heard, bidding her maid to come forward And take from the hands of the Amirbar the partridges brought for her mistress.
337. Quick to obey, the attendant drew back a fold of the curtains, And my eyes had a vision of beauty and my head was devoured in an instant By flames that were kindled within me and never have ceased to consume me. I had looked on the face of the maiden and my soul was pierced by her beatify"
338. The light that the sun looked on in envy grew suddenly dim. He could not speak any longer f he bitterly groaned. Then fainted. Asmat and Avtandil wept; the mountains echoed their voices. “Alas!” they said, . The arms that destroyed heroes are helpless.,
339. She sprinkled water on Tarlel; he soon regained consciousness. He could not speak for a while but was melancholY and sad. Then he sat up and moaned; the earth received his tears. At last he said: Woe is me! You see how thoughts of her kill me!
340. “The world scatters gifts on its servants, flatters their highest ambitions. But it ever contrives to betray them at the time when their need is the sorest. The Wisest resist its temptations and shrink from its treacherous kindness. I will recount my adventures while I have strength to do so.
341. “The maiden went back with my offer. but my limbs were deprived of their power. I fainted and fell to the ground. When I came back to my senses The household stood weeping around me, as if they could see me embarking On to the heaving deck of a ship setting off on a voyage.
342. I was stretched on cushions of silk on a bed in a stately chamber; Beside me the king and his consort, tearing their hair in despair, Weeping unquenchable tears, while the mullahs, like birds of iIl-omen, Declared I was under a spell, bewitched by The Evil One's power.
343. Great was the joy of the king when he saw me open my eyelids. He fell on my neck and embraced me, 'My son,' he cried, 'are you living'? Speak to me but one word!' But I was unable to answer. I could not utter a sound, but fainted again in my weakness.
344. “The sages and mullahs stood round me, busily searching the I(oran, For words of wisdom to counter the sinister spells of the devil. I heard not a word of their ravings, lifeless I lay on my pillow. Unquenchable flames burnt within me, none could extinguish their raging.
345. “Amazed were the learned physicians, they knew not the cause of my illness. His sickness is not of the body. He is a prey to dejection'. Such were the words that they uttered, as they watched me leaping and writhing, And heard my words of delirium. While the queen's tears flowed like a river.
346. For three ays I lay in the palace. Like one neither dead nor living, But at last I recovered my reason, remembered all that had happened. I Am I alive”I exclaimed, and beseeched the Creator for patience. I humbled myself before Him, begged Him to hear my entreaty.
347. “'Abandon me not!' I implored, 'but hear my lowly petition I Oive me the strength to endure, that I may rise from my sickbed, Lest I reveal in my weakness the secret I nurse in my bosom!" With the help of the Lord, I recovered, and braced my heart for endeavour.
348. I raised myself on the couch. And those who were watching me hastened To carry the news to the king: 'He has raised himself, all unaided'. The queen broke into my chamber, the king bareheaded ran after, He gloried God in amazement, and all kept silence around him.
349. On either side of my couch the royal couple were seated. I sipped from a cup of broth, and told them my heart was stronger. 'Bring me my horse', I implored. 'I would gaze upon mel,ldow and river'. They did as I asked, and the king mounted his horse and came with me.
