The knight in the panther's skin, 1979
732. “This is, in short. my messaga, Avtandil said to the vizier. Go. Be the first to acquaint the king of all I have told you. Let your persuasive phrases prevail on his heart, my Sograt. And for this service to me I will richly reward you with gold.
733. “Keep your reward for yourself”answered the vizier smiling. It is favour enough for me that you honour my house with your presence. How dare I tell the sovereign what you have told me in secret? He will reward me, be sure, and load me with wealth for such tidingsl
734. I swear by your life, he will slay me the moment he hears the tidings. Keep all your gold for yourself and dig a grave for my body. Nothing in this world is dearer to man than life. Yet destroy me! Do what you will but no power on earth can compel me to tell him.
735. “Why should I sacrifice life since all my attempts will be futile. He will unleash violence against me for daring to bring him such tidings!' How could you come', he will say, 'and bring me such news, you madman!' Life is far dearer than death, so why should I perish beforehand'
736. “Granted the king lets you go, but why should your hosts be imposed on' Why should you leave them in darkness deprived of their sun and their leader' If you depart you must know that our foes will grow bold and assail us. Can we allow the sparrows to turn to hawks against us'.
737. Avtandil wept as he pleaded: Why pierce my heart with a dagger! Truly you know not love nor the joys and woes of a lover. Nor have you ever, o vizier, given the pledges of friendship, Else you would know that no joy in life can I have without him.
738. “The glorious sun has turned. No more does he shine upon us. Let us befriend the youth who in turn will banish our darkness. Who can judge better than I what embitters or sweetens my life' Words idly uttered have power to poison and madden the reason.
739. “Can I. deprived of my reason. be of any avail to my armies' Endlessly weeping and sighing, maddened and ravaged by passions? Oaths prove a man, It is said. Can I break the pledge I have given' Is there a man who has suffered the woes that youth is enduring?
740. How can your heart, o vizier, be so callous and calm to my pleadings' Now in your place not rocks but ,iron would melt in compassion. Though the Gibeon flow from my eyes I cannot weep more for that hero. Do this for me; in return I will repay you with favours.
741. “Secretly I shall depart, unknown to his highness, the sovereign. For that knight I am ready to yield my life as an offering to Heaven The king, though enraged at my deed, will not harm or disgrace you, o vizier. Promise to go to the king. Plead well my cause, I entreat you
742. Sograt said gravely: Avtandil, I burn in the fires that consume you. I can no longer endure the sight to behold you bitterly weeping. Speech may be better than silence but we often spoil things by speaking. Happen what may. Though I die, I shall do all in my power to help you».
743. Saying this, the vizier rose and went forth to the palace. Where the sovereign sat in state with his sun-like countenance smiling. Sograt grew pale as his eyes encountered those of the sovereign. Wavering he stood bewildered, at a loss for words and expression.
744. Rostevan saw with surprise the dejected air of his vizier. Puzzled, the monarch demanded: cWhat means your frown and your silence?' The vizier bowed and said: “Your highness, great sorrow afflicts us. Death will be my desert when I tell you the cause of my sadness.
745. “Neither my tears nor lamenting can express the sorrow I suffer. I am speechless with fear though it befits not an envoy to waver. Avtandil bids you farewell and entreats your forgiveness and mercy. For he declares that the world is as nothing without that swordsman,.
746. Sograt told Rostevan all that he knew in timorous phrases. Sighing he added: cAlas! No words can express what he suffers, Of the unceasing tears that he sheds in the throes of his anguish. That I should live after this is for you to decide. Your highness”.
747. "Bids me farewell!" said the monarch like one bereft of his senses. Then he grew livid as death and a violent rage overcame him. "You are a madman", he shouted “Who else would have dared to relate this? He who is evil delights in being the first to speak evil.
748. “Like one with good tidings to tell, you hastened to me, you traitor. Even If you had destroyed me more harm you could never have done mel Only the tongue of a maniac would venture to utter such madnessl Truly. a madman like you is unworthy of being a vizierl
749. “Should not a man spare his master all that is vile and irksome, Words which are carelessly uttered, words which profane and embitter Godl had my ears been deafened before you arrived with your tidingsl o could I slay you. You villainl But why should I burden my conscience"
750. "If he had not sent you to me" Rostevan said in his fury, “By God! I would cut off your head and at once reduce you to ashes. Out of my sight! Begone! you double-faced, insolent madman. No one save you, he said with a sneer, “could have been so courageous!”.
751. He snatched up a chair in his rage and hurIed it at Sograt, the vizier; He missed his aim but the chair was smashed on the wall into pieces. How could you tell me that he, that cypress of Heaven has departed'» But Sograt stood silently shedding hot tears which flowed in deep channels.
