The knight in the panther's skin, 1979
1156. “'Illustrious King', said Usen. bowing low before him, "You are the shedder of beams from above, our strength and supporter. Whose are my riches, o King, if not yours. be it gold or rare jewels? I am indepted to you for all my treasures, your highness!
1157. “'Why do you speak of gratitude? No, it becomes not a sovereign. I have a bride for your son; a maiden whose charms have no rival. When you behold that maiden then will your majesty thank me. Then will you say that the Lord has made you the happiest of sovereigns
1158. Why should I lengthen my speech' He broke the pledge he had given. Thus he disclosed my secret, told all he knew of that maiden. Melik, the king, was delighted and the news filled his heart with gladness. He gave command that the maid be at once conveyed to his palace.
1159. “Meanwhile I sat in my chamber whiling my hours in leisure, To my surprise the chief of the royal slaves entered my chamber. Sixty black slaves were behind him all armed and awaiting his order. I was astonished and thought: 'What business have they, what mission.'
1160. “Bowing before me, he said: 'We come in the name of the sovereign. Usen has promised the king a maiden who rivals two suns. Now by his majesty's order we have come to convey' her away'. Thus did the Lord in His wrath heap upon me a mountain of curses.
1161. “Thereat I asked in amazement: 'Tell me what maid have you come for” They said to me:”The one with the face that flashes forth lightning'. Woe! I could do nothing. Would to God I had perished that moment! I was so struck by the news that I thought I would faint in my anguish.
1162. “Straightway I rose and went to the maid who sat silently weeping. I said to her: 'O sun, black fate has cruelly deceived me. It has frustrated my hopes and hurled down its vengeance upon me. The sovereign summons you, sun. He desires your presence before him'.
1163. “She said to me: 'O sister, why marvel at woes and afflictionsl Fate has condemned me to suffering. Made me the plaything of evil. You should not marvel at evil but at good if it happens to me. Sorrow no longer surprises but lies like a load in my bosom".
1164. “Bright like a sparkling pearl was each tear that fell from her eyes. Yet she rose before me fearless and proud like a panther. Joy was as naught to her now. Nor did woe seem woe any longer. She only asked for a cloak or a veil to conceal her completely.
1165. Stralghtway I went to my room where I kept all my jewels and treasures. There I selected the best and most brilliant of pearls and of jewels. Each lovely pearl was worth far more than a prosperous city. I girded a belt round her waist full of these pearls and jewels.
1166. “Take this with you, my dear one; perhaps you may need it', I told her. Weeping. I gave her away to the chief of the slaves of the sovereign. Warned of her coming. The king advanced with joy to receive her. But she was silent and grave as she calmly and slowly approached him.
1167. “Multitudes flocked round about her; all was one din and confusion. Guards could not keep off the crowds, nor stop their clamour and uproar. When Melik beheld her, coming towards him, he said in amazement: 'O sun, have you come here from heaven? Who are you, where is your country.
1168. “Sun-like, she dazzled and blinded the eyes of all who beheld her. I have seen wonderful sights but none can be likened to this one. Who but the Lord of Heaven can conceive or create such beauty? He who beholds her is dazzled; he who loves her is maddened.
1169. “The king made her sit beside him, addressed her with eloquent phrases: Tell me, o sun', he said. 'who are you? From where have you journeyed' But she replied not a word and sadly continued her silence. And though she sat silent and sad. There was grace and pride in her bearing
1170. Though he discoursed she heard not nor showed any sign she was Iistening. Her mind seemed to be elsewhere, a prey to bitter reflections. Roses were glued to each other and the pearls were enveloped in darkness. All were awed, and the longer they gazed the more did they marvel.
1171. “'Would she but speak', thought the king, 'and assuage the fires in our bosoms From where has she come and why' and where is she going. I wonder' Truly. She must be in love and absorbed in thoughts of her lover. She has no eyes for man save for him of whom she is thinking
1172. “'Or she may be some superior being. Surpassing all mortals. Though sorrow is heaped upon her she seems indifferent to sorrow. Happiness, joy and misfortune are mere fairy stories to her. She flies elsewhere, and her thoughts like a dove soar high in the heavens.
1173. “'Or she may be some superior being. Surpassing all mortals. Though sorrow is heaped upon her she seems indifferent to sorrow. Happiness, joy and misfortune are mere fairy stories to her. She flies elsewhere, and her thoughts like a dove soar high in the heavens.
1174. “Now let me tell you of him whom the monacrh desired for her husband. He was a noble and chivalrous prince, of surpassing beauty. At that time he was fighting in far-distant lands contending for glory. Meanwhile Melik-Surkhav had ordered that she should be honoured.
1175. “She was arrayed in rich garments befitting a royal princess. The robes were embellished with many a ray of glittering jewels. And on her head they placed a crown made of one single ruby. Over the rose flowed the lucid and flashing bright rays of the crystal.
