The knight in the panther's skin, 1979

1116. “Day was slowly declining when I rose and opened the window. Wishing .to shake off the sadness I felt increasing within me; I turned my eyes towards the sea where I suddenly saw In the distance Something that looked like a bird or a beast afloat on the waters.

1117. “When it came nearer I saw that the thing was a very small vessel, In which were seated two negroes who looked more like giants than mortals. Cautiously looking about them they slowly approached the sea coast. They nimbly leaped onto the sand, reassured that no one was watching.

1118. “Dragging the boat ashore, they stopped in front of the garden. Here, once again, they looked to see that no one was watching. Seeing nothing to alarm them, no living creature or being. For I was concealed in my chamber and watched from behind the curtain,

1119. “They unloaded the vessel and placed a very large chest near the garden. When they lifted the lid out stepped a beautiful maiden Clad in a bright green dress. Half-concealed by a flimsy black mantle. Such radiant light did she scatter that the brightness dazzled my eyes.

1120. “When she turned her face towards me, radiant rays J;'ose above her. The light of her cheeks flashed far over the land and the sky. I blinked my eyes, for to gaze upon her was to gaze on the sun. I quietly closed the window unperceived by them whom I watched.

1121. “Thereat I summoned four slaves to appear at once before me. I said to them: 'Beholdl what a beauty those negroes have captured! Now I command you to hasten to them, yet calmly approach them. Ask them to sell her. Give them whatever they ask for that maiden.

1122. If they refuse to sell her then seize her by force and slay them. Go, fulfil my command. Bring me that moon-like maiden", As qUick as ifthey had wings my slaves went down to the seashore. Though they entreated and bargained the blacks were deaf to their pleadings

1123. But when I saw to my rage that the blacks would not yield up the maiden 'Slay them!' I cried and straightway my slaves drew their knives and killed them. They seized them and cut off their heads and hurled them into the waters. Then they conveyed her to me. I eagerly ran to meet her.

1124. “How can I praise the exqUisite charms of her heavenly beauty! She, Hot the sun, is the sun, so gloriously bright is her radiance. She is beyond all description, for eyes that behold her are blinded. I am willing to be scorched and consumed by the fires she has kindled”.

1125. When she had ended these words she tore her face and wept loudly. Avtandil also abandoned himself to unrestrained weeping. Thoughts of that sun-like maiden deprived them of peace and of reason. Tears flowing down from above now melted the new-fallen snowflakes.

1126. Heaving a sigh he said: Go on with your story, Patman: Patman continued: I gave my heart and soul to that maiden. I Though she was wearied she suffered herself to be kissed and admired. I made her sit on the couch and gently soothed and caressed her.

1127. “'Tell me, o sun, who are you and who were those men?' I asked her. 'Where have you come from. Where is your road, o star of heaven?' But she was silent and said not a word nor gave me an answer, Save from her eyes her tears poured down in unceasing streams.

1128. “O how I begged her to speak, entreated and pressed her with questions. Softly she wept and sighed as sobs burst forth from her bosom. Streams flowed through jet from narcissus pools over crystal and ruby, Gazingupon her I burned and my heart sank fainting within me.

1129. “'You are a stranger", she said, 'yet more loving to me than a mother. Since I am doomed by fate unavailing is all I may tell you. Fate has made it my lot to wander alone in my sorrow. Speak not to me, I implore you, lest God cast His curses upon you",

1130. “'He who attempts', I thought, 'to make the sun rise at midnight Is mad without doubt and wholly devoid of wits and of reason. A request however prudently phrased or expressed must be timely. Patience will gain me her trust and time reassure and calm her".

1131. “Then I conducted the maiden whose praises no mortal can utter. Though she Was dressed in brocades and thick folds of satin and velvet, Yet they could scarcely conceal the eye-blinding rays of her brightness! Tears fell like hail, the roses were frosted, and blasts burst from lashes:..

1132. “Thus I led to my home that sun-faced and cypress-formed maiden. I furnished a chamber, a secret retreat where I stealthily took her. Here I concealed that sun of all suns from curious eyes. I and a servant who served her were the only persons who saw her.

1133. "How can I tell you in words the heart-rending sorrow she suffered, Of the unceasing torrents of tears she shed in her anguish? If I entreated her she ceased weeping for but a moment. Alas! Woe is me! I marvel how I can live without her!

1134. “Never ceasing to weep, large pools of tears stood before her. The jet-black abyss of her eyes was concealed by ebony lances, And from the ebony lakes tears of blood flowed profusely, Twin ranks of pearls glittered bright between the coral and ruby.

1135. Such was her grief that I dared not inquire the cause of her sorrow. If I but asked: 'Who are you'?' or 'Why do you weep so sorely?” Like a fountain or stream of blood would the tears flow from the aloe. Only a heart of stone could endure such torturing anguishl