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have old age like an infection.[1] Serve him as well as you have served me,[2] keep my command."
1523. The soldiers and the magnates bent, humbly they did homage; they said: "Let us be as the earth to them that dispose of our lives[3]; them who magnify those of us who are obedient, who liken the disobedient unto corpses, who make the arms of foes to fail (and) encourage our hearts!"
1524. Tariel too spoke with a eulogy[4] the glorification of hope; he said to the maiden: "You are united, no longer the heat of fires burns thee, thy husband is my brother, I desire too that you be my sister, I will bring to nought those who are false and opposed to thee."
XLVII
HERE IS THE MARRIAGE OF AVT'HANDIL AND T'HINAT'HIN BY THE KING OF THE ARABS
1525. That day Avt'handil sits as lord and is high king; tendernesses[5] beautify Tariel who sits with him. Nestan-Djar,[6] the amazer of onlookers, is with T'hinat'hin; it is as if heaven had bent down to earth, (and) two suns are united.
1526. They began to bring bread[7] to plenish the armies; beeves and sheep are slain more abundant than moss. There was made an offering of presents, fitting to them (i.e., to each after his rank). The ray of the faces of them all lightens like the sun.
1527. The bowls[8] were of jacinth, the cups were of ruby; moreover, wondrously coloured vessels bear passing
