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embittered? This is a marvel to me, how he could thus steal his blood! As he had lately come, by the same road went he away.
1096. When the lion, the sun, the sweetly-speaking[1] knight,[2] came into P'hatman's (house), he announced: "I have slain him; no more will that youth see sunny day; thy slave himself I have as witness; make him swear an oath in God's name (that I did the deed); behold the finger and the ring, and I have my knife bloodied.
1097. "Now tell me of what thou spakest, why thou wert so furiously enraged. With what did that man threaten thee? I am in great haste (to know it)." P'hatman embraced his legs: "I am not worthy to look on thy face; my wounded heart is healed; now am I ready to extinguish my fires.
1098. "I and Usen[3] with our children are now born anew. O lion, how can we magnify thy praises! Since we may boast that his blood is spilt, I will tell thee all from the beginning; prepare to listen.
XXXV
P'HATMAN TELLS AVT'HANDIL THE STORY OF NESTAN-DAREDJAN
1099. "In this city it is a rule that on New Year's Day[4] no merchant trades, none sets out on a journey; we all straightway begin to deck and beautify ourselves; the sovereigns[5] make a great court banquet.
1100. "We great merchants are bound to take presents to court; they (the sovereigns) must give gifts befitting us. For ten days there is heard everywhere the sound of the cymbal[6] and tambourine;[7] in the public square,[8] tilting, ball-play,[9] the stamping of horses.
