The knight in the panther's skin, 1979
693. “Who can confide in a man whose words are carelessly uttered? He for whose sake we suffer has placed his hope in my promise, For I have given my word to return and never forsake him. o sun. I have sworn by your life. So can I, my dear one, deceive him?
694. “A friend never spares any pains to assist a friend who is troubled. Heart should be given for heart, and love be the bridge of true friendship. When the beloved is grieved the lover should grieve and give succour. What is my life without him? Absence from him is torture!,
695. “The desire of my heart is fulfIlled”, said the sun-like maiden to Avtandil. “You have returned in safety; you have attained what you sought for. Worthy, indeed, are you of the love I implanted within you. You have brought balm for my heart till now consuming in fires.
696. “Fate, like the weather. Is fickle; sometimes it smiles upon us, Sometimes it whirls down like a tempest straight from wrathful heaven. I was deprived of gladness, but now. Thanks to you, I am happy. Why should we grieve and be sad since the world smiles again upon us,
697. “Your promise to him is, indeed. a pledge both binding and sacred. The vow of friendship and love should not be forgotten or broken. You must render him aid by healing the pains of his anguish. But how, alas, can I live if the sun of my heaven is hidden?,
698. Your nearness has flamed up my love with a tenfold fury), he answered . Can one who is frozen feel warmth by blowing on icy-cold water' Vain Is the kiss we send from below to the sun of the heavens. Yet to be absent from you is fraught with unbearable anguish.
699. lf in my wandering alone, the flames of my anguish slay me. And my sad heart be the target of arrows shot by Satan. The woes I must bear, alas. wlll shorten the days of my life. Could I but hide from my sorrow, but, woe, it is late to seek refuge.
700. “Your words are wise and prudent; I shall yield to the counsel you give me. Must one be scratched and wounded by thorns while plucking the rose? Shine, o bright sun in heaven, shed your warm rays upon me. Give me, I pray, some token to strengthen my heart as I wander”.
701. Then did that hero of heroes entreat the sun-faced maiden. Love gave a charm to his words. An eloquent tum to his phrases. Fulfilling his wish Tinatin gave him a beautiful pearl. Grant that their lives, o Heaven. Be blessed with delight and rejoicing!
702. It is joy to the heart for the jet to approach the ruby and crystal, Or plant and nurture together the aloe tree and tbecypress. AU who behold them are gladdened, all else is shrouded in sorrow. Pity the lover condemned to wander alone in his sorrow.
703. Happiness overflowed in their hearts as they gazed in delight at each other. He left, but his heart was dissevered. a prey to tormenting reflections. The sun also groaned and wept loudly, shedding blood tears in abundance . pate finds joy, alas, in drinking our bloodlt, she lamented.
704. Agony gnawed at his heart and he smote his breast to uproot it. Love makes the heart grow languid and melts It with groans and with weeping. When a dark cloud hides the sun, the earth is wrapped up in darkness; Thus does the dawn tum to darkness when the lover departs from his loved one.
705. Blood and hot tears intermingled and flowed down in myriads of channels. 'One must accomplish more than sacrifice life,' said my: loved one. O, How my adamant heart is branded and burned by her lashes. Till I behold her. O World, grant me no gladness, I beg YOU !
706. He who tm now was a cypress planted and succGlured in Eden. Is pierced through the heart by fate with a ruthless thrust of its dagger. Wool my poor heart is caught in a net of unquenchable firesl This transient world is false, like a dream delusive and fieetingl
707. Buried in harrowing thoughts he writhed in the throes of his anguish. Groaning, he trembled and shuddered as sobs burst forth from his bosom. The rapture of being together was embittered, alas. By the parting! Wool in the end a shroud and a . Grave is the lot of a mortall
708. Avtandil entered his chamber. sinking, half-fainting in languor. Sometimes he weeps and swoons, but in spirit is near his beloved. His face is haggard and pale like verdure covered with hoar-frost. See how the lack oi the sun has made the fair rose wither.
709. Cursed is the heart of man, insatiable, greedy and reckless. For pleasure and joy he endures unheard of grief and afflictions. Blind is the heart of man, the slave and the sport of passions, Yet for all tliat no king upon earth. Even death, can rule It.
710. Thus he conversed to his heart in phrase3 relentlessly bitter. He took from his pocket the bracelet of pearls, the gift she had given him. The bracelet had encircled her arm. He compared the pearls to her teeth. TenderIy kissing the token, his tears flowed profusely and freely.
711. Early next morning there came a summons to go to the palace. Though he was sleepless and weary, he at once obeyed and went forward. A host of spectators had come and were thronging the palace to see him. Ciarion and drum resounded and the king was attired for the chase.
712. How can tongue describe that day of pomp and rejoicing' The beating of drums and of trumpets d,'owned the sounds of the voices. The sun was darkened by falcons, and hawks, and the field by hounds. The field was dyed red that day with the blood of the beasts they slaughtered.
