The knight in the panther's skin, 1979
1235. They are a singular people yet as human as all other mortals. Being excellent magicians they are skilled in the art of enchantments. Though they maltreat and do evil to others no harm can be done them. AlI who dare battle with them turn back disgraced and in terror.
1236. They do marvellous things: they blind the eyes of their foes, Give rise to fearful tempests, make ships founder on oceans. They walk on the sea as on land, they dry up the seas by their magic, Or if they wish they can darken the day. Or lighten the darkness.
1237. “And for this reason the neighbouring people caIl them the Kajls. Otherwise they are as we are -human beings not spirits”. Avtandil heartily thanked her: You have extinguished my fever. I am grateful to you for the pleasant things you tell me
1238. He lifted his heart to God and joyfully wept as he prayed: He said: O God. I thank You for You have diminished my sorrow. You were and are and will be beyond understanding of mortals. Thus unaware, o God, You have spread Your mercy upon me”.
1239. He magnified the Lord in fervent prayers of thanksgiving. Patman jealously gazed and the fires in her heart were rekindled. He revealed not the cause of his joy but Yielded himself to her passion. Patman, burning with passions. Embraced and ardently kissed him.
1240. Patman enjoyed to the utmost lying that night with Avtandil. Though he embraced and kissed her. yet In his heart he was troubled. The thought of Tinatin's eyes pierced his heart and slew him. His heart, like one who is mad, rushed away to roam in the forests.
1241. Avtandil secretly wept. His tears flowed to mingle with oceans. Two vessels of shining black jet shone brightly in ebony pools. “See me, o lover!”. he thought, a nightingale far from its rose Now like a carrion-crow sits and sings on the dungheap!
1242. Even the stones would have melted on seeing the flow of his tears Which damned the thickets of jet and flowed over a field of roses. Patman rejoiced in his love believing herself the loved one. If a black crow finds a rose it imagines itself a nightingale.
1243. When it was morning he rose and refreshed himself by bathing. Magnificent garments of costly fabrics were spread out before him, Turbans and coats and mantles, exqUisite and choicest of perfumes. She said to him: Be not shy, put on the best and the richesb.
1244. Avtandil said to himself: “It is time to reveal my secret”. Hence he resolved not to wear the robe he had worn as a merchant. And he attired himself in robes befitUng a noble. The lion resembled the sun, so enhanced and bright was his beauty.
1245. Meanwhile the dame had prepared a sumptuous feast in his honour. Avtandil entered the hall with his spirit uplifted and happy. She gazed upon him astonished that he wore not his merchant's garb. She said: cSuch beauty as yours can but madden him who sees you!
1246. She was so moved by his beauty that she seemed stunned and spellbound. Avtandil smiled to himself and seemed unaware of her rapture. “She is so stunned”, he thought. “it seems she does not know meJ. Yet, for the sake of his sun, he behaved as a courteous gallant.
1247. When they had merrily eaten Avtandil rose and retired. Having drunk wine he lay down on his bed and was soon fast asleep. At eventide he awoke; he shed his rays on the meadows. “Come", he invited Patman, "come. I am alone".
1248. Patman hastened to him. He heard her complaining and moaning. 'How can my heart bear the love for that cypress-formed youth”she lamented. Taking her hand he made her sit down on a cushion beside him. The shade from the eaves of dark lashes fell on the garden of roses.
1249. Avtandil said: “O Patman, now I have something to tell you, Which, like the bite of a snake, will startle you out of your senses. As yet you know nothing of me, nor the truth concerning me. I am slain by the forest of jet and pierced by raven-black lashes
1250. “I am no head of a caravan nor a prosperous merchant, But Commander-in-Chief in the powerful realm of Arabia. A mighty spaspeti and vassal, chief of myriads of armies. The measureless wealth of the kingdom and the arsenals are in my hands.
1251. l will confide my secret to you for you can be trusted. The king has one beautiful daughter. A sun that illumines the heavens. It is she who consumes me, she for whom I am dying. And for the quest she sent me I deserted my sovereign, her father.
1252. “By her request I am seeking that maiden of whom you have told me. I have travelled the world in search of that sun-like maiden. I have also seen him who roves for her sake in forests. Now he is wasting himself, worn-out with weeping and longing'.
1253. The knight related to, Patman the whole of his marvellous story, Of the adventures of Tariel, who wore the skin of a panther. “You are, my Patman”he said, “a beacon of light in the darkness, The light which will raise the raven-black lashes now lowered in sorrow.
1254. “Help me to find her”, he pleaded, det us find means to heal him. We may, perhaps, bring relief and joy to those star-like lovers. And for this deed our names will be praised and exalted to heaven. O would to God these lovers meet one another again!
