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680. He recounted all his misfortunes and sorrows by the road during the quest. Then he told her how God had thought him worthy to find what he desired. "World, life,[1] man, (all) seems to him as to a beast; alone he roams mad with the brutes, he weeps in the field.
681. "Ask me not, what praise can I speak, how couldst thou understand from me! nothing can please one who has seen him; the eyes of the beholders are weakened as by the brilliance of the sun; the rose is not become saffron, now the violet is gathered in nosegays."[2]
682. He told her in detail what he knew, what he had seen, heard: "Like a panther he has a trail,[3] and for house and abode a cave; a damsel is there ready to cherish him, to maintain his life and bear his sorrows. Alas! Fate[4] makes all dwellers in the world to shed tears!"
683. When the maiden heard this story she had attained the fulfilment[5] of her will; her moon-like face shone as 'twere with radiance at the full. She said: "What answer can I make to give comfort to him, and pleasure,[6] and what is the balm for the healing of his wound?"
684. The knight replied: "Who has confidence in a rash[7] man? He for my sake sacrifices himself to be burned, he who must not be burned. I have appointed the time of my return; I have promised him to sacrifice myself for him. I swear it by my sun whom I contemplate as a sun!
685. "A friend should spare himself no trouble for his friend's sake, he should give heart for heart, love as a road and a bridge.[8] Then, again, the grief of his beloved should be a great grief to a lover. Lo! without him joy is nought to me, and myself I hold of none account."
- ↑ Sop'hels qop'ha, being in the world.
- ↑ Ch. says this means, "the pallor of T.'s cheeks is concealed by tears of blood." Another interpretation is, "the rose was not saffron; now it is a nosegay of violets" (?).
- ↑ Tzavarna, footpath; but Car. suggests Lat. taberna (?).
- ↑ "World" and "Fate" are often synonyms.
- ↑ Tsadili, 678.
- ↑ T'hneba, to please, give pleasure, 877, 1450, 1455.
- ↑ Momtzkap' havi, one who speaks before he thinks, one who lacks foresight.
- ↑ Means to aid his friend in the attainment of his ends.
