The Knight in the Tiger's Skin, 1938

78. They coursed over the whole of that plain only they had travelled over. There on the farther edge of the plain flows a stream;on thebank of the stream are rocks. The game fled into the wood, where horse could not follow. Rostevan and Avt’handil were both fatigued,how spirited they were!

79. Each laughingly said to the other: "’Tis I that have won!" Merry were they; they sported, hither and thither they frolicked. Then came the slaves who had tarried, and the king said: "Tell the truth; we seek not flattery from you."

80. The slaves said: "We shall speak the truth; think not we shall deceive you, O king; we may by no means liken you to him. Slay us at once if you will, it matters not; this cannot help you in any way. We observed the beasts stricken by him; they could not move a forward step.

81. "Together ye have slain in all a hundred score, but Avt’handil killed more by a score; he missed not even one at which he aimed his bow, but of yours we cleaned up many which left blots on the earth."

82. The king heard this with as little concern as result of a game of backgammon, he rejoiced so at the victory of his foster-son; he loved him as the rose loves the nightingale; smiling he made merry, all grief was gone from his heart.

83. There they both sat to cool themselves at the foot of the trees; the soldiers assembled and stood round them, countless as chaff; near them were the twelve slaves, bravest of the brave. As they sported they gazed at the stream and the edge of the glens.

HOW THE KING OF THE ARABIANS SAW THE KNIGHT CLAD IN THE PANTHER'S SKIN

84. They saw a certain stranger knight; he sat weeping on the bank of thestream, he held his black horse by the rein, he looked like a lion and a hero; his bridle, armour and saddle were thickly bedight with pearls; the rose (of his cheek) was frozen in tears that welled up from his woestricken heart.

85. His form was clad in a long coat over which was thrown a panther's skin, his head, too, was covered with a cap of panther's skins; in his hand he held a whip thicker than a man's arm. They looked and liked to look at that wondrous sight.

86. A slave went forth to speak to the knight of the woestricken heart, who, weeping with downcast head, seems not a spectacle for jesting; from a channel of jet (his eyelashes) rains a crystal shower. When (the slave) approached, he could by no means bring himself to speak a word (to Tariel).

87. The slave was much perturbed; he dared not address him. A long time he gazed in wonder till his heart was strengthened; then he said:"The king commands thee to attend him."He came near,and greeted him gently; he wept on and heard not, he knew not that (the slave) was there.

88. He heard not a word of the slave, nor what he said; he was wholly unconscious of the shouting of the soldiers, he was sobbing strangely, his heart burnt up with fires; tears were mingled with blood, and flowed forth as from floodgates.

89. Elsewhither his mind was wafted, by the weight of his head! Once again the slave uttered the king's message, but he ceased not from weeping and heard him not, nor was the rose-bouquet of speech plucked from his lips.

90. Since he answered not, the slave went back and said to Rosten: "I have told him what you said, but he will not listen. Mine eyes weredazzled as by the sun; my heart was sorely troubled. I could not make him hear a word though I have tarried there so long."

91. The king wondered, he was wroth, he was vexed in heart against him. He sent the twelve slaves standing before him; he commanded: "Take weapons of war in your hands; go and bring hither him who sitsyonder."

92. The slaves went forth, they drew nigh to him, their armour clanked. Then indeed the knight started up, he wept still more woefully; he raised his eyes and looked round, he saw the band of warriors. But once he said, "Woe is me!" and spoke no word more.

93. He passed his hands over his eyes, he wiped away the hot tears, he made fast his sabre and quiver, and braced his strong arms. He mounted his horse–why should he heed the words of slaves? He wended his way elsewhither, and healed not their troubles.

94. The slaves stretched forth their hands to seize that knight; he fell upon them–alas! even their enemies would have pitied them; he beat one against another, he slew them without raising (on high) his hand, some with his whip he smote, cleaving them down to the breast.

95. Wrathful was the king, and annoyed; he shouted to the slaves. The youth looked not back nor heeded his pursuers till they were upon him; as many as overtook him he made to look like dead men, he threw down man on man; Rosten lamented thereat.

96. The king and Avt’handil mounted to follow the youth. Proud and haughty, his form swayed to and fro, his steed was like Merani, the sun shone brightly on the field; he perceived that the king pursued him.