The knight in the panther's skin, 1979

808. Sograt took leave of the king and hastened to Avtandil's palace, But he was told by the slaves that the youth had already departed. “Woe! I will not return to the king and ten him such tidings' Nor will I suffer again the violent rage of his fury”.

809. When the old vizier returned not. the king sent a servant to call him But the man on learning the tidings dared not return to his master Who suspecting the truth fell a prey to bitter reflections . He who alone slays a hundred has stolen away”, he lamented.

810. Lowering his head the sovereign conversed with himself and pondered. Then with a sigh he rose and called at once for a servant. "Bid that double-faced villain appear before me", he ordered. The vizier hastened to him with a countenance troubled and haggard.

811. With spirit gloomy and saddened he entered the audience chamber. Rostevan asked Is he gone' Has the sun like the moon grown fickle? Sograt then gave an account of Avtandil's secret departure. The sun shines,no longer upon us and we are now left in the darkness!lI

812. When Rostevan heard this he cried and uttered a wail of despair. Woel Thllt my sorrow-struck eyes shall behold you, my son, no longer!lI All who were present marvelled as he tore his beard in his anguish. “Where have you gone and where have you hidden that pillar of brightness?

813. “Better than riches, myson. Is strength of mind and of spirit. Deem not yourself an orphan if your mind is guided by 'wisdom, You have forsaken and left me an orphan, tormented by longing. Till I behold you again. No tongue can describe what I suffer!

814. When shall I see you return from the chase rejoicing and happy, Or from the game of ball, you cypress-formed, unblemished jewel? Woe unto me, for the sound of your voice will delight me no longer! Of what avail is my wealth. My palace and throne without you?

815. “Hunger I know, will not kill you, however far you may wander. Your dauntless skill arid the unerring flight of your shafts will provide you. God will, perchance, be your guide, and lighten your grief in His mercy. But if rdie, my son, who shall lament and mourn me?

816. Soon a great noise filled the air as the nobles came thronging the palace. Entering the hall, they seized their beards and tore all their garments. All beat their breasts and their heads. The hall was filled with loud wailing: “Cursed is our day by night since our sun has departed from heavenI

817. Rostevan. seeing his nobles, joined his complaints with their wailing. Groaning he said: “Behold the gloom that has fallen upon usl Why has he parted from us, in what have we vexed or annoyed him' There is no one amongst us to replace him as lord of the armiesll

818. Long did they weep till at length. exhausted, their wailing subsided. Go and inquire if that sun went alonell, the sovereign commanded. Shermadin, Avtan'dil's vassal, shamefaced and anxious, stepped for Ward. Summoning up all his courage he handed the will to the monarch.

819. He said: “Illustrious monarch, I found this will in his chamber Where his attendants stood weeping, tearing their hair apd lamenting. He has They told me, stolen away with no one to tend him. Slay me, o King, for now my life is a dolorous burden',

820. Then was the testament read. And again rose the sound of loud wailing. “Let not my troops”, said Rostevan, “wear their gay-coloured garments. Let the distressed and the orphan. The downtrodden pray for his soul. Let us now pray to the Lord that his journey be happy and speedy!

AVTANDIL'S SECOND DEPARTURE AND HIS MEETING TARIEL

821. When the moon is far from the sun its lustre grows brighter by distance, For the bright rays of the sun obscure its light and consume it. But can the rose without the sun's rays be fresh and sweet-scented? Thus does the lover sink in his grief when far from his loved one.

822. Now I will tell how Avtandil, sadder than ever, rode onward. Rode with a boiling heart almost rent by unrestrained weeping. Drawn were his eyes to the sun wherein he beheld her image. He prayed: “O sun, shed upon me your rays for I freeze without you

823. He was so overwhelmed that his firmness of spirit forsook him, And like the flood of the Tigris his tears fell unceasing .downwards. Vainly he sought to find means of lightening the load cast upon him. When he went forward he knew not whither his stallion had borne him

824. He said: “Accursed is he who is sundered apart from his loved one. Since my thoughts are with you take also my heart in your keeping. My eyes, exhausted from weeping, desire to behold your image. Love, it is said, finds its way to love through hell and through suffering.

825. “What can afford me more joy than the joy of gazilJ upon you'? I would sooner die than be sundered from you thu.s cruelly. But it would grieve you, I know, if my heart recoiled and grew craven. Hence let me struggle and live; let my tears fall in unceasing torrents.

826. He said: cO sun, who are truly the image of the sunny night, Of God, one in. unity of being, beyond time, everlasting. God whom all heaven obeys, spurn not my prayers, I implore you, Doom not my life, I beg You, with futile longing to see her