The knight in the panther's skin, 1979

866. Wisdom is yours, yet, my friend, you know not what is true wisdom. If you renounce the world can you ever fulfil your desire? Can you attain your desire by weeping and roaming the forests Why do you 'open a scar or bind a sound head with a bandage?

867. Who has never known love, who has not burned in its fires? Who has not seen affliction, nor languished and swooned for one's loved one? Why should your spirit forsake you when all this is life and living? Know that a rose without thorns has never been plucked, my Tariel.

868. “They asked the fair rose: 'In face and in form who made you so lovely? Why have you thorns, sweet flower, why is it painful to pluck you?” You find the sweet with the bitter; loveliness cheapened is worthless'. Thus speaks the rose that is only a soulless, inanimate flower.

869. “Can a man ever harvest joy without the ordeals of labour? He who is tempted by Satan can never aspire to be happy. Tell me has sin been rewarded or the deeds of the devil commended? Why do you murmur at fate? What has it done unusual!

870. Listen to what I have said, and now let us mount and go riding. Yield to the will of your steed and fling to the wind your frenzy. Be not enslaved by the maddened desires of the will of your judgement. Follow the counsel I give you, it is wise and judicious

871. Tariel said: “My tongue strives in vain to express my emotions. Anguish has pillaged my mind and I am powerless to hear you. He who feels not my grief can easily say: 'Be patient!” The time of my joy draws near for, brother, death now approaches

872. Dying for her I pray that God have mercy upon me. Though we are parted on earth God grant we again meet in Heaven. There, in eternal joy, we will be united forever. Only one favour I ask: when I die. Bury and mourn me.

873. How can a lover know joy when absent from her whom he worships? Therefore I gladly die for death puts an end to one's sorrows. There will we welcome each other with tears of joy and devotion. Listen to hundreds for counsel but do as your own heart tells you.

874. All I have said. O brother. Is the truth my heart has prompted. Leave me, for death is approaching; soon I will yield up my spirit. Of what avail will I be if I live thus distracted and maddened? Freed from dissolving matter my spirit will fly up to Heaven..

875. What you have said I conceive not, nor have I leisure to hear it. Leave me, for death is approaching, short is the time allowed me. Life is irksome to me. Full of afflictions and sorrow. There do I go where my tears have flowed in the night of my sorrow.

876. “What is true wisdom? Who are the wise? Can a madman act wisely' Had I my wits and my reason then such words would be fitting. Even the rose deprived 9f the sun droops low and withers. Go now and leave me: I am tired unto death by your discoursell

877. Avtandil strove once again to persuade him with even more fervour, “Tell me of what avail is death to you or your loved one? Why be a foe to yourself? Why be the doer of eVilD But all in vainl No entreaties nor force could persuade or move him.

878. “Since you are deaf to my pleadings I will no longer fatigu e you. All my attempts are in vain to bring you. a madman. to reason, Die if you must, die! Let the fair rose that is withering wither. But grant me one favoufll. He said and his tears flowed down as he pleaded:

879. “For you I have left my kingdom. the crystal, the rose and the jet. And with a beating heart I eagerly hastened to meet you. Even the sovereign king with his fatherly words could not hold me. Tell me what joy can I hope for when you. my brother, renounce me?

880. “Since we must part forever. grant me one favour. I beg you; Let me behold you on horseback, mounted upon your charger. This may assuage for a while the unendurable pain I must suffer. Then I shall go and leave you, and you can fulfil your desire.

881. "Mountl, he entreated, “but once for the sake of our love and friendship! Avtandil pondered: “Urged by the will of his high-mettled courser. His spirit will surely be roused, and his sadness unfettered and lightened" And to his joy he perceived that Tariel was no longer moaning.

882. "Bring me my horse", said Tariel, after a moment's silence. Avtandil helped him to mount and at once they set out together. Tariel gracefully swayed as he rode the impetuous stallion. Yielding himself to the will of his steed, he soon recovered.

883. Tariel's mood grew softer. Avtandil strove to divert him. Soothing and elegant words poured forth from the lips of the coral. The flow of his speech would have made the ears of the aged young. Thus he poured balm on the wound and the pain was allayed and softened.

884. When Avtandil saw the wondrous change he had wrought in Tariel Happiness lighted the rose of his crystal-like ruby-hued visage. Avtandil was the leech of the reasonable, the despair and woe of the foolish. Thus he who had raved like a madman now spoke with wisdom .and reason.

885. So passed the time in discourse and their hearts warmed in soft conversation. Avtandil said: “Let us open our hearts and be frank to each other. This do I know that this armlet is hers for whom you are grieving. Tell me is there a jewel dearer to you than this bracelet.”