Page:Man in the Panther's Skin.djvu/46

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shall I do, then, when I cannot see thee for along time? This shall be my law: death for the beloved is fitting.[1]

139. He lay down on his bed, he weeps, it is difficult for him to wipe away the tears,[2] he shivered and swayed, like an aspen[3] in the wind; when he fell into a slumber[4] he dreamed his beloved was near, he starts, he cries out loud, his suffering increases twentyfold.

140. Separation from his beloved made him jealous.[5] Tears like pearls were shed[6] upon the rose, making it tender. When day dawned he apparelled himself, fair to look upon; he mounted his horse, set out, and came to court for an audience.

141. He sent a chamberlain[7] into the hall of audience with a message from him to the king, saying: "O king, I venture to tell you what I have thought: all the face of the earth is subjected to you by your sword; now, if it be better, I shall make known these tidings to all the vicinage.

142. "I will go, I shall travel, I shall wage war, I shall go the rounds of the marches,[8] I shall, by piercing the heart of your enemies, announce T'hinat'hin's accession; I shall cause the obedient to rejoice, the disobedient will I make to weep, I shall send[9] you gifts incessantly, I shall not be sparing of greeting."

143. The king expressed his great gratitude; he said: "O lion, stretching thine arm in battle irks thee not.[10] Behold, this thy counsel is matched by thy valour.[11] Thou mayst go, but what shall I do if it happen that thou tarry long?"

  1. Var. E. C., l. 3, … dghe crulma, ma momeakhlos cvla adre; l. 4, … damitseria me adre.
  2. Var. E. C., tzkheli tzremli ekhotzebis, he wipes away the hot tear.
  3. Verkhvi.
  4. Milulnis. Cf. ruli, 377, 1184, 1193.
  5. Ghazo, A., P., ? faint, unconscious.
  6. Var. E. C., tsvims, rains.
  7. Edjibi A.
  8. 148, 162, 303, 388, 761. Cf. Dr. Bury's Romances of Chivalry, p. 17.
  9. Var. E. C., gcadre.
  10. M., "he deigned to say: 'O lion, it is not characteristic of thee to avoid war.'" Var. E. C., gardukhdeloba, inexpertness.
  11. Kveloba, kveli, 1016, 1442.