The knight in the panther's skin, 1979

39. Woman she is, but a woman born to rule over a kingdom. Truly our hearts declare her worthy to be our sovereign. Her noble deeds, like her radiance, shed brightness and warmth like sunshine. The lion's whelp is a lion, be it male or female"

40. Avtandil, head of the armies, son of Amir-Spassalari, Was slender and tall like the cypress, bright like the sunlight and moonlight, Beardless was he and his visage was pure as the clearest of cristal. Tinatin's raven-black lashes pierced through his heart and senses.

41. Deep in his heart he nurtured love for that beautiful maiden; Absent from her, the roses fled from his cheeks, and he languished; But in her presence the fires were kindled again in his bosom. Pity the woes of the lover, racked by the torments of passion.

42. Hearing words of the king . Aftandil rejoiced greatly ; The raging flames of desire consuming his heart abated. "Now", he said to himself, “I will often gazed upon her This will bring peace to my heart and relife to my troubled spirit"

43. Rostevan, kings of the arabs, announsed through the whole of his kingdom : “I, the father of Thinatin, proclaim her my worthy successor. Her light shall ilumine our country : come, and rejoice in her brightness! Gaze at will on her beauty, give Jubilant tongue praises!"

44. The Arabian people assembled, courtiers and nobles and henchmen. Chief among wariors, Avtandil, head over legions of soldiers; First among sages and elders, Sograt, beloved of his sovereign. The royal throne was brought forth, dazzling men's sight with its splendour.

45. Rostevan led the Tiinatin, bright as the sun's rays at noontide , Plased the crown on her head, placed in her hand the sceptre, Over her sowlders he cast a mantle beffiting a sovereign And sunlike , amniscient, her gaze shed light in the farthest places.

46. Monarch and warriors and nobles bowed down to the sunlike maiden, Hailed her their sovereigh and queen and vowed her eternal allegiance; Loud their voces arose, silencing trumpet and cymbal. And the tears welled up in her eyes and dropped from the wings of a raven.

47. Tinatin wept lest she prove unworthy to rule over the kingdom, Shedding her tears like rain over a garden of roses. Her aged father consoled her:”A child is the peer of its parent. Only now is the torturing fire that raged in my heart extinguished."

48. Rostevan conselled thinatin:”be of good heart my doughter. To you I have yielded my kingdom, made you the queen of the arabs. The welfare and care of my subjects is entrusted to you hereafter. You are indeed wise and prudent, let than your heart be at peace.

49. "like the sun which casts its beams alike on rosebeds and middens, Shed over great and small the kindly beams of your mercy. Kindness makes slaves of the noble and lightens the bonds of the slave. Resemble the mighty ocean which pours back the flood it receives.

50. “Generous deeds adorn a monarch as does a cypress Eden; Even the traitor is won when the hand of the ruler is generous. Spending on feasting and wine is better than hoarding oue substance. That which we gave makes us richer, that which is hoarded is lost.”

51. Tinatin's spirit rose high, as she listened to rostevan's counsel; Unweared , she garnered the words of his life-giving wisdom. Then the king sat down to partake of the feast and rejoicing. Tinatin rivalled the sun, which attempted in vain to outshine her.

52. Tinatin called to her presence her faitful adviser and teacher, Bid him bring all her possessions, belonging her as the princess. The massive chest was delivered, her aged tutor unlocked it; The maiden scattered her bounty, heedless of value or measure.

53. That day she gave away all she had gethered since childhood, Enriched both great and small to cries of joy and wonder. "thus did my father teach me:'Be generous , princely in giving'. Let none keep back my treasure hoarded for me since childhood".

54. Than she commanded her servants to bring her the rest of her treasures, To lead in her horses, her mules, her richly-caparisoned coursers. Gifts so lavishly shovered maddened the hearts of the soldiers. As avid as brigands they swooped on the endless torrent of riches.

55. They pillaged and seized her treasury, carried her horses away, As if the gifts free lavished were trophies wrung from the Turks. Each had a share in the bounty, high and low, youth, maidens, And still the gifts were showered, like snowflakes caught in whirlwind.

56. All day they feasted and revelled; the banquet befitted a monarch. All say the mighty gathering of warriors rejoised and made merry. Only the king appeared troubled, his brow was furrowed with sadness. "what is afflicting our sovereign?”enquired the guests in amazement.

57. Avtandil, leader of heroes, slender and lithe as a panter, Sat at the site of the monarch , the venerable sograt beside him. Rostevan's sorrowful visage perplexed the youth and the seer. Why that glance of displeasure, that countenance moody, they pondered.

58. Avtandil said:”Let as ask him to tell as the cause of his sadness! Surely he nurses some grievance, for here there is nothing to vex him. Let as draw near and endeavour to coax him to break into smiles, Beguile him with jesting and laughter, ask him to speak of his sorrow".