The knight in the panther's skin, 1979
596. They heard and were vexed, It seem at the thought that I scorned and disdained them. But they approached us stealthily and surrounding my men with their soldiers, Blocked up the road that led to my soldiers and ship by the seashore. With swords in their hands, my cousins rushed on my soldiers and slew them.
597. I heard the loud shouts of their men, beheld the flash of their lances. Begging a boat of the boatman, I sailed down the creek to the seashore. Like the waves of a swelling sea, they rushed upon me in hundreds With brandishing swords, but In vain did they try to compass or engage me
598. The troops In the front drove me back where another great host was advancln.l. I brandished my sword and wheeled round just as they charged upon me. Suddenly my sword broke to pieces; my shafts were also exhausted. Uerlng yells of savage delight they closed in upon me.
599. 'Thus to my utter despair they surrounded and advanced to seize me, But with the speed of an arrow my courser leaped into the water. 'Curse himl' they shouted in fury and straightway destroyed all my soldiers. Thus I escaped certain death from the hands of my treacherous cousins.
600. As there is a God In Heaven so will my blood be avengedl May God grant me strengtb and the power to bring my boast to fulfilment! They wil lament their existence and their lives will be one en.dless wailing, And of their cursed bodies will ravens and crows make a banquet",
601. Thereat did love and esteem awake in my heart for tile stranger. 'There is no need', I told him, 'for you to hasten without me. I shall go forward with you and do vengeance upon thqse traitors. We two are warriors. Not cowards, no fear can alarm or possess us,
602. You know not'. I said; 'who I am nor have :you heard my story, But I shall tell it to you at leisure when we have time' . 'What joy can be weighed against this to me!' was Pridon's reply. I swear by your life and by Heaven to devote all my life in your servise.
603. After resting a while we went to his beautiful city Where we were met by his armies who wept on seeing him wounded. They wailed and scratched their faces. rent their garments to pieces. First they warmly embraced him, then kissed the hilt of his sabre.
604. “I was received by them all with loud acclamations and praises. We went and surveyed his city. Never has man seen such splendoursl There every man was attired in rich and magnificent garments. You. O bright sun', they exclaimed, 'are sent to dispel our darkness I.
TARIEL'S AID TO PRIDON
605. “Pridon's wound was now healed. He was ready to go to battle, So we prepared the galleys and equipped ourselves in our armour. A mortal needs heaven-sent strength to gaze on the might of that herol Now let me tell you how Pridon worked vengeance and woe on his cousins.
606. We saw from afar the enemy also preparing for battle. They sent out to sea eight of their ')oats full of their soldiers. One of the boats I upset as I gave it a blow with my heel. The drowning soldiers screamed as they sank bewailing themsel ves.
607. “Then I turned to another and lifting it up with one hand Flung it away in the sea and drowned the panic-struck soldiers. The rest fled from us in terror and quickly made for the harbour. All who were present and saw what we did marvelled and praised us.
608. “But when we disembarked, the enemy. Mounted on horses, Rushed out from their ambush, attacked us. Again we engaged in battle. Nuradin's prowess amazed me; his blows fell like bolts from heaven. In face, in form. He was a sun, in battle a lion.
609. “With his broad sword he cast on the ground both of his cousins; First he cut off their hands, thus crippling the two for life, Then they were bound with thongs and carried away as captives. He made their warriors weep. While his knew no bound to their gladness.
610. All of their soldiers now fled and were scattered about in confusion; We broke all their legs with stones. Tanned their skins into leather! Wasting no time we entered and recaptured Nuradin's city. No lading or stowing could empty the treasuries of riches.
611. “Pridon inspected the treasures and put his seals upon them. He himself Jed his cousins away, the perfidious traitors; “exchange for the blood they had shed, with their blood he watered the meadows. Nuradin's men said of me: 'Oodplants such trees but in Edenl'
612. “As we rode on to his palace, the people swarmed out to meet us; Deafening shouts of gladness and plaudits attended our progress; Blessings, good wishes, and prayers swelled up from jubilant hearts. ' Through the strength of your arm', they said, 'is the blood of our foes still flowing",
613. “The soldiers blessed Pridon their king, and acclaimed me monarch of monarchs. They pledged their fealty to me and called me their lord and sovereign. They knew not the pain I endured, deprived of my rosland my sunlight, Nor did, they know my tale which no tongue could lightly speak of”.
