1340
AVT’HANDIL sat down to weep; he mourns with
melodious voice, full of the tears his raven locks, he sweeps
them from the crystal roof, he brake the ruby polished with
a hammer of adamant, thence issue streams which I likened
to coral in hue.
1341
HE scratches his face; blood flows from his cheeks while
gazing at Tariel. “What I have done neither madman nor
fool hath done. Why did T in my haste pour water on a fire
difficult to quench! The heart struck hastily by exceeding
joy cannot bear it.
1342
“I HAVE slain my friend! What befits me disgraced? I
blame myself for a deed not thought out with heed. A
stupid man cannot do well in a difficult matter. It is said:
‘Chidden slowness is better than praised haste.'”
1343
TARIEL lay unconscious, as if scorched. Avt’handil rose,
he passed through the rushes in search of water; he found
the lion’s blood, he carries it to quench the flame, he
sprinkled it on Tariel’s breast; the lapis lazuli became
ruby-hued.
1344
AVT’HANDIL sprinkled the breast of that lion with the
lion’s blood. Tariel started up, the ranks of the race of
India moved, he opened his eyes, he received power to sit
up; blue seems the ray of the moon diminished in ray by the
sun.
1345
WINTER makes the roses fade, their leaves fall; the ardour
of the summer sun burns them, they bemoan the drought.
but upon them nightingales complain with lovely voice;
heat consumes, frost freezes; the wounds hurt them in
either case.
1346
EVEN so is it hard to deal with the heart of man; it is
mad alike both in grief and in joy; it is always wounded,
the passing world is never whole for him. He only can
trust ihis world who is his own foe.
1347
TARIEL gazed again on the writing of his slayer; he
reads, though the reading other letter maddens him; his
tears blind him to the light, dark seems the beam of day.
Avt’handil rose, he began to speak with rough words.
1348
HE said: “Such behaviour is unworthy of an instructed
man! Why should we weep now ? It behoves us to set about
the making of smiles. Arise, let us go in quest of that lost
sun. Soon shall I lead thee to her; I must bring thee to thy
desired one.
1349
“WHAT joy befits us, therewithal let us first rejoice.
Then let us mount and set out, let us go towards Kadjet’hi.
Be our swords our guides, let us make them turn their
backs: untroubled shall we return, we shall reduce them
to carrion.”
1350
THEN Tariel asks for tidings; he no longer swooned. He
looked up, he raised his eyes, the black and white lightning
glittered, as a ruby by the sun so was his colour increased.
Who is worthy that towards him the sky turn ever in
mercy ?
1351
TO Avt’handil he gave thanks; he conversed with him:
“How shall 1 speak thy praise, worthy to be praised by the
wise! Like a spring up on a mountain thou hast watered
the flower of the plain; thou hasi cul off for me the flow of
tears of the pool of the narcissi.
1352
“I CAN never make thee a return; may the God of heaven
repay thee! May He in my stead reward thee from His
height!” They mounted and went home; they made great
rejoicing. Now the world will indeed state Asmat’h so long
hungering.
1353
AT the door of the cave Asmat’h sits alone, not fully
dressed; when she had looked she recognized Tariel, and
with him a knight on a white horse; both were sweetly
singing like songster nightingales. Immediately she
recognized them, she rose hastily, bare but for her smock.
1354
HITHERTO she had ever seen him come to the cave
weeping, now she wondered to behold him singing, laughine;
seized with fear she rose, her understanding was like a
drunkard’s; she heard not yet the news she so longed for.
1355
WHEN they saw her they shouted to her, laughing and
showing their teeth: “Ho! Asmat’h! God’s mercy is comp
down on us from on high; we have found the lost moon;
what we desired that have we done; now we shall have our
fires quenched by Fate, our sorrows turned to joy.”
1356
AVT’HAJMDIL alighted from his horse to embrace Asmat’h:
she laid hold of the aloe, pliant to the touch was its branch;
she kisses his neck and face; she sheds tears. “Tell me what
thou hast discovered, what thou hast done. Beseeching
thee, I weep on the field.”
1357
AVT’HANDIL gave to Asmal’h the letter of her charge,
the aloe with faded branch, the pale moon. He said: “See
the writing other who hath passed through troubles; the
sun approaches us, it hath given us the putting away of
shadow.”
1358
WHEN Asmat’h saw the letter she knew Nestan’s hand;
she marvelled, fear seized her, she quakes like one possessed, from head to foot overwhelming wonder laid hold on her; she says: “What have I seen, what do I hear, is it indeed true?”
1359
AVT’HANDIL said: “Fear not, this story is true, joy is
given to us, all sore grief is put away from us, the sun is
come nigh us, darkness is no longer dark for us. Good hath
overcome ill; the essence of good is lasting.”
1360
THE King of the Indians merrily spoke somewhat with
Asmat’h; they embraced each other, joy made them weep;
the raven’s tail dropped light dew upon the rose. God
forsaketh not man if man comprehend this.
1361
THEY gave God great thanks. They said: “Thou hast done
to us what was best; now we recognize that your mouth
would not have adjudged to us the worst.” The King of the
Indians, with uplifted hand, joyously shouted this. Merry
they went into the caves; Asmat’h made ready somewhat
for their refreshment.
1362
TARIEL said to Avt’handil: “Hearken to these words: 1
will tell thcc something, think me not a tedious narrator.
Since the time when I captured the caves and slew droves of
Devis, their precious treasury lies here.
1363
“NEVER have I seen it, for I have not wished to do so.
Come and let us open it; let us see how much treasure there
is.” Tt pleased him; both arose, nor did Asmat’h stay seated.
They broke down forty doors; it was no great struggle for
them.
1364
THEY found unequalled treasure, hitherto unseen by
their eyes. There stood a heap of jewels of fair workmanship.
There were seen pearls each as big as a ball for play. Who
could make account of the gold not to be numbered by
any!
1365
INSIDE those forty rooms were full. They found an
armoury built for storing armour; there all kinds of armour
were placed like preserves; therein was a coffer, sealed,
unopened.
1366
UPON it was written: “Here lieth wondrous armour:
chain helmet, habergeon, steel-cutting sword. If the Kadjis
attack the Devis it will be a hard day. Whoever openeth
at any other time is a slayer of kings!”
1367
THEY opened the coffer; they found in it three suits of
armour fit for three warrior knights to don; coats of mail,
swords, helmets, greaves of like sort; they were in emerald
nests, as it were shrines.
1368
EACH clothed himself with each, they tested them on
themselves; chain helmet and habergeon nought could
dent; they struck the swords on iron, they cut it like
cotton-thread. I tell you they prize them more than all
the world; they would not barter them for it.
1369
THEY said: “As a sign this is enough for us; we are in
good luck. God has gazed on us with His eye, looking down
from above.” They took up that armour, each put it on his
neck; they bound up one set with leather thongs to
present to P’hridon.
1370
THEY took with them some gold, some rare pearls; they
went forth, they sealed up the forty treasuries. Avt’handil
said: “Henceforth will I fasten my palm to the sword;
no-where shall I go to-night, when day dawns I shall not
tarry.”
1371
NOW, painter, limn the sworn brothers more steadfast
than brothers, these lovers of stars, excelled by none, both
heroic knights renowned in bravery. When they go to
Kadjet’hi you shall see a battle of piercing lances.
1 Quaissi, i. e., Madjnun, the lover of Leila, in the poem Leila
and Madjnun, by Nizami,
2 Salaman, the hero of the Arabian story Salomon and Absal.
Tariel and Avt’handil Go to P’hridon
1372
WHEN day dawned they set out; they took Asmat’h with
them. Till they came to Nuradin’s land they mounted her
behind them; there a merchant gave them a horse for a
price in gold, he made not a gift of it. As guide Avt’handil
sufficed; whom else need he take!
1373
THEY wended their way and met with Nuradin’s herdsmen,
they saw the herd of horses; it pleased them, who had come
for P’hridon. There said the Hindoo to Avt’handil: “I will
have thee do a good piece of fooling: Come, let us play a
joke on P’hridon, let us chase his herd.
1374
“WE will carry off the herd, he will come and hear that
the herd is reaved; he will prepare to do battle, to dye the
plain with gore. Suddenly he will recognize us, he will be
surprised, he will calm his heart. Pleasant is good joking;
it makes even the proud merry.”
1375
THEY began to seize the steeds, P’hridon’s finest. There
the herdsmen made a torch, they struck steel. They
shouted: “Who are ye, knights, who do such high deeds?
This herd is his who strikes the foe with his sword without
making him to sigh.”
1376
THEY seized their bows, they pursued the herdsmen; the
herdsmen shrieked aloud, they raised their voices: “Help,
help! Brigands are massacring us!”” They made an outcry,
they united, they appealed to P’hridon, they were not
bashful.
1377
P’HRIDON arrayed himself, he mounted, he rode forth in
full array. They made an outcry, they united, the regiment
covered the fields. Those suns whom winter could not
freeze came forward; they were covered up, helmets hid
their faces.
1378
WHEN Tariel knew P’hridon, “Now have I seen him I
want,” said he; he raised his helm, he smiled, he laughed;
he said to P’hridon: “What dost thou wish ? Why doth our
coming annoy thee? Bad host! Thou meetest us to fight.”
1379
P’HRIDON swiftly dismounted; he fell down and saluted.
They also alighted, they embraced—ay, kissed him. P’hridon
with upraised hand gave God measureless thanks. The
lords also kissed them, whoever knew them.
1380
P’HRIDON said: “Why tarried ye? I expected ye sooner.
I am ready; I shall not lag in any service of yours!” It
seemed as if two suns and a moon were united there; they
beautified one another. They set out, they departed.
1381
AT P’hridon’s fairly-builded house they both alighted;
he sits down beside his sworn brother Avt’handil; Tariel sat
on a throne covered in cloth of gold. To P’hridon, renowned
as a hero, they presented that armour.
1382
THEY said: “At this time we have no other gifts for
thee, but we have many other fair things lying in a place
we wot of.” He laid his face to the ground, he wasted no
time: “Such a gift to me is worthy of you.”
1383
THAT night they rested as P’hridon’s guests; baths he
gave them, he gave them gifts of garments in plenty, he
clad their beauty in beauty, each garment fairer than the
other; he gave them rare jewels and pearls in a golden
basin.
1384
HE said: “This is the speech of a bad host; ‘tis as if
hospitality to you, wise ones, wearied me as if you were
mad; but tarrying now avails not, it is better to travel the
long road; if the Kadjis outstrip us there is a risk of trouble.
1385
“WHY should we use great hosts? We want good and few;
three hundred men suffice us, let us go swift like runaways;
in Kadjet’hi for fighting the Kadjis we shall put basket-hilts
on our swords; soon shall we find her whose pleasant aloe
form will slay us.
1386
“ONCE aforetime I was in Kadjet’hi; you shall see it,
and you, too, shall find it strong; on all sides round about
is rock, a foe may not come up to it; if we may not go in
privily, it is impossible to engage openly; so we need no
army, the squadron cannot follow us secretly.”
1387
WITH what he said, they too agreed. They left there the
maiden Asmat’h; P’hridon bestows a gift upon her. They
took with them three hundred horsemen equal to heroes.
At the last God will give the victory to all who have been
distressed.
1388
ALL three sworn brothers crossed the sea. P’hridon knows
the way; going day and night they travel. P’hridon said:
“Now are we coming nigh the regions of Kadjet’hi;
henceforth we must travel by night so that we be not
discovered.”
1389
THE three behaved according to this advice of P’hridon’s;
when it was daylight they stopped, and by night they went
swiftly on. They arrived; the city appeared; they could not
count the guards; outside was a rock, the noise of the
sentinels in crowds increased.
1390
AT the gate of the passage ten thousand braves kept
guard. Those lions saw the city; the shining moon stood
upon it. They said: “Let us advise what is best, now is
choice difficult; a hundred can overcome a thousand if
they choose the best way.”
THE COUNSEL OF NURADIN – P’HRIDON
1391
P’HRIDON said: “I will speak a word, I think I am not at
fault: We are few, the city is only expungable by many; we
have not strength for a direct attack – this is no time for
boasting – in a thousand years we could not anywhere win
in if they shut the gate against us.
1392
IN my childhood my tutors instructed me in rope dancing,
they taught me tricks, they made me leap, they
trained me, I used to go along a rope so that eyes could not
follow me; whatever little boys looked at me they also
desired to do it.
1393
NOW, whichever of you knows best how to cast a noose,
let us throw the end of a long rope to that tower, it seems
as easy for me to cross as a field; I shall make it a trouble
to you to find a sound man inside.
1394
TO me it seems nought to cross in armour, no trouble
to bear a shield; nimbly shall I leap down inside, strike
like a wind, slay the soldiers; I shall open, you will see the
opening of the gate, you too come thither where you hear
the uproar of alarm.”
The Counsel of Avt’handil
1395
AVT’HANDIL said: “Ha, P’hridon! friends cannot
complain of thee; thou hast hope in thy lion-like arms,
wounds hurt not thee; thou counsellest hard counsel to
make foes lament; but hearest thou not how very near the
garrison shouts!
1396
“WHEN thou goest over, the garrison will hear the
clatter of thine armour, they will perceive thee, they will
cut the cord, of this thou must be assured. Everything will
turn out ill for thee; only the vain attempt will remain to
thee. That counsel is of no value; let us help ourselves in
some other way.
1397
“THIS is better; you stay hidden in ambush. These men
will not lay hands on a traveller coming into the town. I
will dress myself as a merchant, I will do a treacherous
deed; I will load a mule with helmet, hauberk and sword.
1398
“IT is of no use for the three of us to go in, there is risk
that they would perceive it; I shall go alone as a merchant,
and well shall I win in unnoticed; secretly shall I don
mine armour, I shall appear, I shall deceive them. God
grant that I may make channels of blood to flow generously
in there!
1399
“WITHOUT any difficulty I shall remove the guards inside;
you strike outside the gate, all like heroes; I shall shatter
the locks, I shall open, stone and mortar will not stop me. If
aught else would he better, say so; I am for a plan of this
sort.”
The Counsel of Tariel
1400
TARIEL said: “I recognize your heroism exceeding that
of heroes; your counsel and advice is like your own
stout-heartedness; I know you desire fierce fight, not a vain
brandishing of swords, when the battle becomes perilous
then are ye men.
1401
“BUT let me too have some choice in the matter. The
sound will be heard by her who maddens me; like the sun
she will be standing aloft; you will have fierce fight, she
will see me as a non-combatant! This will be a slur on me.
Nay, speak no flattering words!
1402
“BETTER than that counsel is this-let us do as I say:
Let us divide the men by hundreds; when night turns to
dawn let the three of us start out from three places,
swiftly let us urge on our horses; they will send out to
encounter us, we shall seem insignificant to them, we shall
lend a powerful palm to the sword.
1403
“SWIFTLY shall we engage them, we shall get round them;
they will not be able to shut the gates against us; one of
the three will go in, the others from outside will strike the
foe that is outside; that one who is inside will fall on those
within, making their blood now; again let us lay hold of the
arms mightily used by us!”
1404
P’HRIDON said: “I understand, I perceive, I know what it
Is. None could forestall at the gates that horse that once
was min. when I gave it I knew not that we should want
to mount guard over the Kadjis in Kadjet’hi; if so, I tell
thee I would by no means have given it to thee, such is
mine avarice!”
1405
P’HRIDON, the gay, jests with such discourse as this;
thereupon they, the eloquent, wise-worded ones, laugh, they
joke one with another, with merriment beseeming them.
They dismounted and arrayed themselves; they mounted
their excellent steeds.
1406
AGAIN they interchanged words, not tart to the mouth.
They resolved on that plan proposed by Tariel. They
divided among them by hundreds the men, all equal to
heroes. They mounted their horses; they covered their
heads with their helmets.
The Taking of the Castle of Kadjet’hi and
the Saving of Nestan-Daredjan
1407
I SAW those heroes shining with rays excelling the sun;
those three are covered by the seven planets with a column
of light. Tariel with slender form sits on the black horse;
they consumed their foes in fight as their admirers by
gazing.
1408
NOW, this is what I shall say is their image and likeness:
When clouds rain down, and the stream pours from the
mountains, it comes and glides through the glens, turmoil
and uproar is heard; but when it unites with the sea then is
it even so calm.
1409
THOUGH P’hridon and Avt’handil are unrivalled in valour,
yet to engage with Tariel is to be desired of none; the sun
hides even the planets, nor do the Pleiads shine. Now give
heed, O listener; thou shalt hear of fierce fights.
1410
THE three split up into three, one for each gate; with them
they had three hundred men all equal to heroes. That
night they hastily made a reconnaissance, not illusory. Day
dawned, they appeared, they set forth, they each had his
shield.
1411
FIRST they went quietly in the guise of some travellers;
those inside could not perceive, they could not meet them
alertly, they had no fear in their hearts, quietly they stood
at ease. They approached; for the time being they covered
over their helmets.
1412
SUDDENLY they spurred their horses, their whips
swished. When they saw, they opened the gates, a tumult
came forth from the city. The three set out in three different
directions, thus risking their lives. They played on fifes and
drums; they made the trumpets sound shrill.
1413
THEN the measureless wrath of God struck Kadjet’hi.
Cronos,1 looking down in anger, removed the sweetness of
the sun; to them also in wrath turned round the wheel and
circle of heaven. The fields could not contain the corpses;
the army of the dead was increasing.
1414
THE sound of Tariel’s mighty voice made men unwounded
faint, he rent the armour, the strength of the chain-mail
was brought to nought; they attacked the gates on three
sides, they found no difficulty in cutting them down; when
they entered the city they began swiftly to destroy the
castle.
1415
AVT’HANDIL and the lion P’hridon met inside, they
had wholly destroyed the enemy, whose blood flowed in
streams; they shouted and saw each other, they rejoiced
greatly; they said: “How goeth it with Tariel?” Their eyes
roved round seeking him.
1416
NONE of them knew; they could hear nought of Tariel.
They wended to the castle gate, no care had they for the
foe; there they saw a bank of armour, shattered chips of
sword-blades, the ten thousand guards lifeless, like dust.
1417
ALL the castle guard lay like sick men, every one wounded
from head to foot, their armour rent in pieces, the castle
gates open, the fragments of the gates flung aside. They
recognized Tariel’s handiwork, they said: “This is his
doing.”
1418
THEY found the roads prepared, they entered and crept
up the passage; they saw: the moon was freed from the
serpent to meet the sun; he raised his helmet, his reedy hair
thrown back became him well, breast was glued to breast,
neck was riveted to neck.
1419
THEY embraced each other, they kissed and shed tears;
they were like when Musht’har and Zual are united. When
the sun surrounds the rose it becomes fair and reflects the
rays. They that have hitherto seen griefs will henceforth
rejoice.
1420
THEY kissed each other, they stood neck-welded; again
full oft they glued the roses of the opened lips. Now
Avt’handil and P’hridon came forth also, the three sworn
brothers were gathered together; they gave greeting to that
sun. they presented themselves as they were called on.
1421
THE sun met them with lovely, laughing face, the proud
one kissed her helpers with gentle mien, she humbly gave
them thanks with dainty words; both together talked with
fair discourse.
1422
THEY greeted Tariel too, that tree like an aloe sapling,
they wished him joy of the victory, they asked news of one
another; it irked them not, they regretted not, for their
armour had not failed them; they themselves had quit
themselves as lions, those that fought against them had been
as hinds and goats.
1423
OUT of the three hundred men, a hundred and sixty came
in with them; it grieves P’hridon for his troops, but on the
other hand he rejoiced; they sought out and suffered not
to live whatever adversaries were left. What treasures
they found, now how can their number be told!
1424
THEY collected mules, camels, whatever they could find
that was swift, they loaded three thousand with pearls and
gems, every gem cut, jacinths and rubies; they placed that
sun in a palanquin, precautions are taken by them.
1425
THEY appointed sixty men to guard the castle of
Kadjet’hi. They led away that sun—hard would it be to
ravish her from them-they set out for the City of the Seas,
though long is the way thither. They said: “We must see
P’hatman; we owe her a due recompense.”
1 Cronos—Saturn (Greek).
The Going of Tariel to the King of the Seas
1426
TO the presence of the King of the Seas he sent a messenger
of good tidings; he bade him announce: “I, Tariel, come,
vanquisher of foes, their destroyer and slayer; from
Kadjet’hi I bring my sun, piercer of me with lances; I
desire to see thee with honour, as father and parent.
1427
“NOW I have the land of the Kadjis and their hoards. O
king, all that is good hath happened to me from you: my sun
was freed by P’hatman, she was a mother and a sister to
her. What can I give thee in return for this? I hate vain
promises.
1428
“COME, see us before we have passed thy land. I present
to thee outright the kingdom of the Kadjis, accept it from
me; let thy men be posted there, hold castle strongly. I am
in haste, I cannot come to see thee, come thou forth, wend
towards me.
1429
“ON my behalf tell Usen, P’hatman’s husband, to send her,
the sight of her will please her she freed; whom else can she
desire to see more than her who is brighter than the sun,
even as a crystal is brighter than pitch!”
1430
WHEN Tariel’s man was received by the ruler of the
seas-it is the custom that the heart is agitated by startling
tidings-he gave thanks and glory to God the Just Judge.
Straightway he mounted; he needed no other messenger.
1431
HE loaded baggage, he appointed the making of their
wedding, he takes a number of pretty things, a great
quantity of jet. He has P’hatman with him, they made a
journey of ten days: the sight of the lion and the sun, the
light of the lands, rejoices him.
1432
AFAR off the three met the great King of the Seas,
they dismounted, he humbly kissed them, they were encompassed
by a host of troops; they rendered praise to Tariel, he gave
a thousand thanks, when they saw the damsel the King of
the Seas was fascinated by her crystal-halo rays.
1433
SLOW fire consumed Dame P’hatman at the sight of her,
she embraced her, she covered with kisses her hand, foot,
face, neck; she said: “O God, I will serve Thee, since my
darkness is lightened for me; I recognize the shortness of
evil, Thy goodness is everlasting.”
1434
THE maiden embraced P’hatman; sweetly she speaks, not
angry; “God hath enlightened my rent, faded heart; now
am I as full as formerly I was waning; the sun hath shed
his beams upon me, therefore I appear a rose unfrozen.”
1435
THE King of the Seas celebrated there an exceeding great
wedding; he thanked Tariel too for Kadjet’hi; he would not
let them go for seven days; generously he dispensed gifts,.
the treasure he had loaded; they wore out by treading upon
it the scattered gold coin as if it were a bridge.
1436
THERE stood a heap of silk, brocade and satin. He gave
to Tariel a crown, a price could not be set on it, of a whole
jacinth, yellow, exceeding pure, likewise a throne of gold,
red, refined.
1437
HE presented to Nestan-Daredjan a mantle adorned with
gems, red jacinths, rubies of Badakhshan and rubies; they
both sat, the maid and the youth, with faces flashing
lightning; they that looked on them burned with new fire.
1438
HE presented to Avt’handil and P’hridon measureless great
gifts, a valuable saddle, an excellent horse, to each a
jewelled coat shedding rare-hued rays; they said: “What
thanks can we utter! Prosperous be your state!”
1439
TARIEL rendered thanks with his tongue in fair words:
“Greatly have I been pleased, O king; first at seeing you,
then you have filled us with many fair kinds of gifts; I wot
we did well not to pass by afar off from you.”
1440
THE King of the Seas says: “O king, lion, valorous, life
of those near you, slayer from afar of those that cannot look
on you, what can I give you like unto yourself, O fair to
look upon! When I am away from you what shall avail me,
O desirable to be gazed on !”
1441
TARIEL said to P’hatman: “I adopt thee as my sister.
O sister, great is mine unpayable debt to thy heart! Now
whatever treasure of the Kadjis I have brought with me
from Kadjet’hi I give it to thee, take it, I sell it not.”
1442
DAME P’hatman made obeisance, she proffered exceeding
great thanks: “O king, thy sight burns me with
unquenchable fire. When I shall be away from thee what
shall I do! Thou wilt leave me like one bereft of sense. Ah,
blessed are those near thee; woe to him that cannot gaze on
you.”
1443
THE three radiant ones spoke to the King of the Seas;
their teeth were crystals, their lips as pearl-shells. “When
we are deprived of you we desire not merrymakings, flutes,
harps and kettledrums. But give us leave, it is time, let us
depart, we are in haste.
1444
“BE our father, parent and hope! But this indeed we
beseech of thee: grant us a ship!” The king said: “T grudge
not to give myself to earth for yon; since thou art in haste,
what can I say to thee! Go! Thine arm be thy guide!”
1445
THE king fitted out a ship on the shore. Tariel set out;
those who were parted shed tears, they beat their heads,
they tore their hair and beards and cast them away.
P’hatman’s tears in their flow even augmented the sea.
1446
THE three sworn brothers crossed the seas together,
again they confirmed by their word what they formerly
affirmed; singing and laughter were beseeming to them,
who were not ignorant thereof; the ray from their lips shone
upon the planks of crystal.
1447
THENCE they sent a man to Asmat’h as a messenger of
good tidings; also to P’hridon’s chief to tell them of the
fight: “He comes hither, as the sun he rises high, reinforcing
the planets; we erstwhile frozen shall be frozen now no
more.”
1448
THEY seated that sun in a palanquin; they wended their
way along the coast. They sported like children; the passing
away of woe gladdened them. They came where was the
land of the hero Nuradin, they were met, they heard the
sound of frequent song.
1449
THERE all P’hridon’s lords met them. Asmat’h, full of
joy, whose wounds no longer appeared, was riveted to
Nestan-Daredjan so that axes could not unloose them.
Now she had ended all her faithful services.
1450
NESTAN-DAREDJAN embraces her, kisses her face with
her mouth. She said: “Mine own, woe is me, I have filled
thee too with grief. Now God hath granted us grace, I
acknowledge His boundless bounty. I know not with what
I can repay so great a heart as thine!”
1451
ASMAT’H said : “Thanks be to God, I have seen the roses
unfrozen. At length understanding hath thus revealed things
hidden. Death itself seems to me life when I see you happy.
Better than all friends are suzerain and vassal? that love one another!”
1452
THE lords did homage, they rendered great praise: “Since
God hath caused us to rejoice, blessed is His divinity; He
hat shown us your face, no longer doth the burning of fires
consume us; even He that gave the wound. He hath the
power to heal it.”
1453
THEY came and put their mouths on their hands; thus
they kissed them. The king Tariel said: “For our sake have
your brethren sacrificed themselves. They have found joy in
eternity, a reality and no dream. They have attained
communion with the One; their glories are increased a
hundred-and-twenty-fold.
1454
“THOUGH their death is sore to me and grievous, yet the
great immortal gift hath there fallen to their lot.” This he
spake, gently he wept, and the rain of tears was mingled
with the snow. Boreas blows from the narcissi; January
freezes the rose.
1455
THERE all wept when they saw him in tears; whoever had
lost any kinsman moaned, weeping and sobbing. All were
hushed. Then they said respectfully to Tariel: “Since sages
liken thee to the sun, it befits them that look upon you to
be merry; wherefore should they lament!
1456
“WHO is worthy of your so great weeping and sorrow ?
Death for your sake is far better than walking upon th e
earth!” Then P’hridon said to the king: “Make not
bitterness to thyself from aught. May God in return render
to thee a thousand joys!”
1457
AVTHANDIL also sympathized; he speaks with great
sorrow. They rendered praise, and said: “Let us now yield
ourselves to smiling; since the lost lion has found the
vanished sun, no more will we weep what is deplorable, no
longer will we set canals in our eyes.”
1458
THITHER they went where is the great city Mulghazanzar.
They played trumpet and kettledrum, there was trampling
and uproar; the sound of drum and copper drum blended
fairly; the burgesses crowded round, they left the bazaar.
1459
THE merchants came from their rows, on all sides there is
a host of onlookers; the officers kept a wide space round
them, they had arms in their hands; families came crowding
in, causing trouble to the officers; their entreaty is to be
allowed there to look upon them.
1460
AT P’hridon’s they alighted, they saw a pleasing palace,
many slaves with golden girdles met them, they have
nought but gold brocade as a carpet for their feet; they
threw up gold above their heads, the crowd marching there
picked it up in heaps.
The Wedding of Tariel and Nestan by P’hridon
1461
THEY placed for the maid and the youth a throne white
and coral-hued, prettily sprinkled with red and yellow gems:
for Avt’handil one of mingled yellow and black; they came,
they sat down. The spectators, I ween, were impatient for
them.
1462
THE minstrels came forth; the sound of sweet singing was
heard. They made the wedding; the presentation of soft silk
stuffs was multiplied by P’hridon, the good entertainer, not
an abashed host. A smile, a tooth-glimpse, beautifies
Nestan-Daredjan.
1463
THEY brought out incomparable gifts from the wealthy
P’hridon: nine pearls in size like a goose’s egg; also one
gem like to the sun with augmented ray: before it at night
a painter could have painted a picture.
1464
LIKEWISE he presented to each a necklace to throw over
the neck, of gems cut into spheres, of whole jacinths. He
also brought a tray scarcely to be held in the hand. a gift
for the lion Avt’handil from the generous P’hridon.
1465
THAT tray is full of plump pearls; he gave all to
Avt’handil, with not unseemly words. The house was filled
with brocade and soft cloth of gold; Tariel the proud gave
thanks with sweet words.
1466
FOR eight days P’hridon made measureless wedding
festivities, every day they offer priceless presents prepared;
Day and night castanets and harp cease not to sound.
Behold a youth and a maiden worthy each of the other have
attained each other.
1467
TARIEL one day spake to P’hridon words of the heart:
“Your heart is more mine than that of a born brother; my
life would not be a fitting return, nor the gift of my soul;
dying I found from you the balm for my wound.
1468
“THOU knowest of Avt’handil’s self-sacrifice for my sake;
now I would serve him in return; go, ask will reveal
what he wants; as he hath quenched my furnace, even so
hath his burned enough.
1469
“SAY to him : ‘O brother, what will repay thee for the
grief thou hast seen for my sake ? God will grant thee His
grace imaged forth from on high. If I cannot do something
desirable for thee, contrived for thy sake, I will not see my
house, nor hall, nor hut.
1470
“NOW tell me what thou wishest of me, or in what I can
help thee. I choose that we go to Arabia; be thou my guide.
Our swords and sweet words will arrange our business. If
thou be not united to thy wife I will be not husband to
mine.'”
1471
WHEN P’hridon told Avt’handil Tariel’s message, he
laughed, he smiled, mirth beautified him. He said: “Why
want I a helper ? 1 am not hurt by a wound from any. The
Kadjis possess not my sun, nor doth lack of joy afflict her.
1472
“My sun sits upon a throne, powerful by the will of God,
respected and honoured, proud, harmed by none, she is by
no means oppressed by Kadjis, nor by the sorcery of wizards.
Why should I want help with regard to her ? Expect me
not to speak flattering words.
1473
“WHEN Providence shall come for me, heavenly being
from above, if God wills, shall visit my heart, consolations
for the furnace; then indeed the radiances of the flashing of
the sun will be my lot when I am dying; till that time be
come, vain are my runnings to and fro.
1474
“GO and report to Tariel the answer spoken by me: ‘What
thanks are needed, O king, however great is thy compassion;
even from my mother’s womb am I born to be your servant,
and, by God, let me be but earth till thou be recognized
as king.
1475
“THOU hast said: “I desire thy union to thy beloved'”
This is like your compassionate heart. There my sword cuts
not, nor breadth of tongue. It is etter for me to await the
deed of yon celestial Providence.
1476
“THIS is my wish and my desire, that I may see thee
powerful in India, enthroned upon the thrones, the heavenly
planet, too, sitting by thy side, the face flashing lightning;
that your foes be exterminated, that no adversary appear
there.
1477
‘”WHEN these the desires of my heart have been fulfilled
to me, then indeed shall I go to Arabia, it will befall me to
be near that sun; when she wills she shall quench the
burnings of this fire for me. Nought else do I wish from you,
I hate all kinds of flattery.'”
1478
WHEN P’hridon reported to Tariel these words of the
knight, he said: “That will I not do; for that it needs no
wizard. As he found the cause of the existence of my life,
even so he too shall see the valour of a brother in his favour.
1479
“GO, speak on my behalf words not of adulation; ‘I will
not remain without seeing thy foster-father. I suspect I slew
many servants beloved by him. 1 will only beg forgiveness,
and so I shall return.’
1480
“SPEAK thus: ‘send me no more messages. Tomorrow I
Shall not fail to set out; I shall have no more of the word
“if”; the King of the Arabs will not make my words to be
of no avail: pleasantly shall I beg his daughter, I shall
entreat of him, I shall persuade him.'”
1481
P’HRIDON told Avt’handil Tariel’s message: “Hi will not
stay.” quoth hi; “vain is it for thee to speak of waiting !”
It oppressed him: again the smoke and glow burned his
heart. Thus respect is due to kings, devotion from knights.
1482
AVT’HANDIL went to beseech Tariel on bended knee; he
embraces his feet, he kisses them, he no longer looks up to
his waist. He says: “What I have sinned against Rostevan
this year is enough; make me not again to be a breaker,
a shatterer of loyalty.
1483
“WHAT thou desirest God’s justice will not give thee. How
can I dare do a treacherous deed to my foster-father, how
can I undertake aught against him who for my sake is
become pale, how can the servant use his sword upon his
master!
1484
“SUCH a deed will make discord between me and my
beloved. Woe is me if she become angry, displeased, if
wrath compel her heart! Then will she even stint me of
tidings, and make me languish for a sight of her. No man of
flesh can exact forgiveness for me.”
1485
TARIEL, that radiant sun, spake laughing. He took
Avt’handil’s hand, raised him, set him on his feet: “Thy
help hath done me every good, but it is better that thou
also shouldst rejoice my joy with thine.
1486
“I GREATLY hate too much fear, respect and ceremony
in a friend, I hate unbroken sternness, gloominess, majesty;
if one be a hearty friend let him tend towards me; if not,
I for myself, he for himself, separation is much better.
1487
“I KNOW the heart of thy beloved with regard to thee:
the visit of me who have met thee will not displease her. Now I can venture to speak somewhat plausibly to the king: I only desire to see the desirable sight of them.
1488
“THIS only will I say to him entreatingly and respectfully:
that he should give thee his daughter of his free will. Since
the end is union, how can you endure separation ? Beautify
each other; fade not apart.”
1489
WHEN Avt’handil knew from Tariel that he would not be
hindered from going, he ventured not to dispute, he added
thereto assent, P’hridon counted over select men as a
convoy; he set out with them, of course he travelled the
road with them.
Tariel Goes Again to the Cave and Sees the Treasure
1490
THIS hidden thing Divons1 the sage reveals: “God sends
good. He creates no evil. He shortens the bad to a moment,
He renews the good for a long time, and His perfect self He
makes more perfect. He degrades not Himself.”
1491
THOSE lions, those suns, set out from P’hridon’s country.
They lead with them the sun-faced, the maiden, the amazing
to beholders; the raven’s tail, ordered, hangs coiled by the
crystal; beauty, tenderness, there adorned the ruby of
Badakhshan.
1492
THAT sun sat in a palanquin, and thus they made her fare.
They followed the chase; there caused they blood to flow.
Wherever they came upon a land they were the joy of
beholders, they went forth to meet them, gave gifts,
eulogized, reviled them not.
1493
IT was as if the sun sat in the firmament amid moons.
Many days they journeyed, merry, sagely discoursing,
within those great plains on all sides unattained of men.
They reached the neighbourhood of that rock where Tariel
had been.
1494
TARIEL said: “It is seemly that I should be your host this
day. Thither will I go where I was while madness afflicted
me. There will Asmat’h entertain us; she hath store of
smoked meat. When I give you fair gifts you shall praise
the variety of the treasure.”
1495
THEY went in; they dismounted in that cave of the great
rocks. Asmat’h had venison; she carves it for the guests.
They were merry, they joked at the passing of those deeds:
they thanked God that He had turned their days of woe to
joy.
1496
THEY explored the hill abounding in caves, merry they
played; they found those treasures sealed up by Tariel,
uncounted by any, apprehended by none; they say not with
dissatisfied hearts: “We lack!”
1497
HE gave many fair gifts, to each what was fitting; then he
enriched P’hridon’s people, army and generals alike; every
man was enriched, all those who came with them, but there
lay so much treasure it seemed still untouched by man.
1498
HE said to P’hridon: “Hard will it be for me to pay the
debt I owe thee; but it is said: ‘A man who is a doer of good
loseth not in the end.’ Now the treasure, as much as lieth
here or is to be found, let it all be thine, take it away, as it
belongs to thee.”
1499
P’HRIDON humbly did homage, he expressed exceeding
gratitude: “O king, why thinkest thou me stupid and thus
mazed ? Every enemy seems to thee as straw, however much
he may be like a thick cudgel. My joy lasts but so long as
I shall be a gazer on thee.”
1500
P’HRIDON made men go back to bring camels to take
away all this treasure to his home. Now they set out thence
on the road leading to Arabia. Avt’handil is a minished
moon by longing to be united with the sun.
1501
WHEN many days were passed they reached the boundaries
of Arabia; they saw villages, castles, frequent,
uninterrupted; those dwelling therein had clothed their
forms in blue and green, all are bathed in tears for
Avt’handil.
1502
TARIEL sent a man to the presence of King Rostevan to
say: “I venture, 0 king, to wish you the fulfilment of your
desires; I, King of the Indians, come to your royal court;
I will show thee the rosebud, unfaded, unplucked.
1503
“FORMERLY the sight ofme-the ground under your
feet-made you angry: thou didst ill in attempting to capture
me, to urge thy horse against me; I showed thine armies
some sign of anger, I massacred many slaves,
servants of your palace.
1504
“NOW therefore I come before you, I have gone out of my
way; you will pardon me that in which I sinned against
thee, let thy wrath be sufficient. We have no offerings, as
P’hridon and his knights can testify; the only gift I have
brought you is your Avt’handil.”
1505
TONGUE cannot shortly te11 how they rejoiced when the messenger of these good tidings come to the king; the brilliancy of three rays was added to T’hinat’hin’s checks, the shadow of eyebrows and lashes makes fairer the crystal and ruby.
1506
THEY beat the kettledrums and peals of joyous laughter
were heard, the soldiers ran hither and thither, they
desired to run to meet them, they began to lead out the
horses and to bring out saddles, a multitude of knights,
swift-armed, stout-hearted, mounted.
1507
THE king mounted, the princes and the armies entire go
to meet them; whoever hears, others from diverse parts
come to his presence; all give thanks to God, they raise their
voices, they say: “Evil hath no existence; good things are
ever ready for thee!”
1508
WHEN they met and the meeters perceived each other,
Avt’handil said with tender words to Tariel: “Behold,
seest thou the dust-dyed plains ? Therefore a furnace
consumes me, my heart is fevered and sad.
1509
“THERE is my foster-father; he is come to meet you.
I cannot go thither, I am ashamed, a furnace consumes my heart; living man hath never been shamed as I am. What you intend to do for me you know, also P’hridon who is beside you.”
1510
TARIEL said ; “Thou dost well to show respect to thy lord.
Now stay, come not thither, stay alone without me. I will
go; I will tell the king of thy hiding. With God’s help I
think I shall soon unite thee to that sun with the form of an
aloe.”
1511
THE lion Avt’handil tarried there; a little tent was put up.
Nestan-Daredjan also stayed there, the amazer of beholders;
the zephyr of her eyelashes is wafted like a north-east wind.
The King of the Indians departed, straight, not secretly.
1512.
P’HRIDON went with him; of a truth they were a long
time crossing the field. Tariel went forward alone, his
figure swayed. The king knew of their coming; he
dismounted and did homage to the bold one strong as a
lion; he does honour to the King of the Indians as a father.
1513
TARIEL also did homage; he goes to kiss, to greet. The
king kissed his neck to give pleasure to his lips; in wonder
he speaks, in order to embolden him; “Thou art the sun;
separation from thee turns day into night.”
1514
THE king marvelled at his beauty and good looks, he gazes
with wonder on his face, he praises the hardihood of his
arms. Then P’hridon also greeted him; he did homage to
the king, to the king eager for the sight of Avt’handil.
1515
THE king shrinks from praising Tariel, and is discouraged.
Tariel says; “O king, hereby is my heart subjected to thee;
I marvel how you can think thus of my worth; since
Avt’handil is thine, how can any other please thee!
1516
“DOST thou not wonder at not seeing him, and at his
tarrying! Come and let us sit down, 0 king, pleasant is this
meadow of verdure; I will venture to tell you the reason
why I could not bring him before you; I have a favour to
ask of you, now I must beg leave of you.”
1517
THE kings sat down; the multitude of the host stood
round. A smile brighter than a lamp flits over Tariel’s face;
the sight maddens the beholders of his bearing and gestures.
He began to relate to the king a speech wisely chosen:
1518
“0 KING, 1 hold myself unworthy to mention this, but I
am come before you to entreat, to beg; he himself beseeches
who seems a sun-like shedder of rays, he who is my light and
enlightener.
1519
“NOW we both venture to approach thee with prayer and
entreaty. Avt’handil gave me balm befitting him; he forgot
that woes quite equal to ours afflicted him. I will not weary
thee; a long story is beyond our powers.
1520
“YOUR children love each other, the maid loves him and
he the maid; therefore I think on him pitiful, tearful and
wan, on bended knee I entreat thee, let them no longer be
consumed by flame, but give your daughter to the
strong-armed, stout-hearted one.
1521
“NO more than this will I ask of thee, neither short nor
long.” He drew forth his handkerchief, tied it round his
neck, rose up, bent his knee, besought him as a teacher.
It astonished all men who heard this story.
1522
WHEN he saw Tariel on his bended knees, the king was
dismayed; he went back a long way, he did homage, he fell
down to the earth. He said: “0 monarch, all my joy is
blown away from me; this abasement of you thus has
saddened for me the sight of you.
1523
“HOW could it be that man should not grant thee whatever
thou desirest, or that I should grudge my daughter if thou
didst wish to devote her to death or slavery even! If you
had ordered it from your home, not even then would my
tears flow; none other can she find like him if she fly up
even to heaven!
1524
“I COULD not find a better son-in-law than Avt’handil.
Myself I have given the realm to my daughter, she has it
and it befits her; the rose blooms anew, my flower is blown.
What objection can I make? Only let him be satisfied!
1525
“IF thou wert to marry her to some slave, even then I
would not grudge her to thee. Who could refuse thee, how
could any save a madman quarrel with thee! If I loved not
Avt’handil, why did I thus yearn for him? Verily, 0 God,
I am in Thy presence, this is confirmed by me.”
1526
WHEN Tariel heard this speech from the king, he bowed
himself, humbly did homage, fell on his face. Then the king
did homage to him, he came forward, he stood before him.
They thanked each other, nor were they at all annoyed.
1527
P’HRIDON mounted, he galloped as herald of good tidings
to Avt’handil-indeed, he also rejoiced at this great joy-he
went and took him, led him and accompanied him; but he
is abashed before the king, darkly he shed his beam.
1528
THE king arose, met him; the knight dismounted when the
king came; in his hands he had a handkerchief, therewith
he hid his face. The sun was concealed by a cloud, it grew
gloomy, the rose was chilled; but how could anything hide
his beauty!
1529
THE king would have kissed him, tears no longer flow,
Avt’handil embraced his feet, the ray streams down; the
king said: “Arise, be not ashamed, thou hast revealed thy
prowess; since thou art loyal to me, be not ashamed; why
shouldst thou be ashamed before me ?”
1530
HE embraced him, he kissed him all over his face; he said:
“Thou hast quenched my hot fire, though tardily hast thou
appeared to me as water; to her who has herded in the jet
and the vicinity of the eyelashes lo-morrow I shall unite
thee, O lion, with the sun, come quickly to her.”
1531
THE king embraced the neck of that lion and hero-like one,
he seats him close, he speaks to him, kisses him, gazes on his
face. That sun so met royalty, as he was worthy of it. Then
is joy pleasant, when a man hath passed through grief.
1532
THE knight says to the king: “I marvel that thou speakest
of something else, why thou desirest not to see the sun, or
why thou delayest! Meet her gaily, conduct her to your
house; be clothed in her rays, set them around as a light.”
1533
HE told Tariel also; they mounted and went to meet the
lady. The cheeks of those three Goliaths were dyed to sun
colour; they met what they desired, they found what they
sought; they had handled their swords, not girded them
idly on their loins.
1534
DISMOUNTING afar off, the king greeted the lady, the
lightning flashing from her cheeks blinded his eyes; she met
him, sitting in the palanquin she kissed him. The king began
a eulogy; he was wholly bereft of his wits.
1535
HE said: “0 sun, how shall I praise thee, O light, and
maker of good weather! For thy sake understandings are
mad, and not for nought. O sun-like and moon-like, to what
planet do they liken thee! No longer do I wish to look on
you, O ye roses and violets!”
1536
ALL they that saw her marvelled at the shedding of her
rays. Like a sun she blinded the eyes of the onlookers by
the sight of her light; wheresoever she appeared crowds
came running towards her; burned by her they found the
comfort of their hearts in gazing.
1537
THEY mounted, they all went homewards, they have the
seven planets to compare with that sun; her beauty is
incomprehensible, it is beyond their understanding. Soon
they came to the place of the king’s dwelling-house.
1538
. THEY came in, they saw T’hinat’hin, the bestower of woe
on them that look on her; the wearing of the purple
beautified the sceptre and crown-bearer; the radiance of her
face rested on the faces of the new-comers. The King of the
Indians entered, that hero-like sun.
1539
. TARIEL and his wife humbly saluted the maid, they met,
kissed and held pleasant converse, they illumined that hall,
they made not the light to fade; they turned crystal and
ruby of Badakhshan into cheeks, jet into eyelashes.
1540
THINAT’HIN invited them up to the lofty royal throne.
Tariel said: “Sit thou; it is desired by the Supreme Judge;
this day more than all days thy throne benefits thee, I seat
the lion of lions beside thee, the sun of suns.”
1541
BOTH took him by the hand and set him on her throne;
they placed Avt’handil by the side of her for desire of whom
he was slain; she is better than the seen and the unseen,
better than all sights. Think not any were like them in love,
not even Ramin and Vis.
1542
THE maiden was bashful and astonished to have
Avt’handil seated by her side; her colour paled and her
heart shot forth a tremor from within. The king said:
“Child, why art thou so bashful before me ? The sages say
that love in its end will not fail.
1543
“NOW, children, God grant you a thousand years’ length
of life, happiness, prosperity, glory, and, moreover, freedom
from ills; may heaven not make you fickle, may it fall to
your lot to be steadfast like it, may my fate to be have the
earth heaped over me by your hands.”
1544
THEN the king commanded the armies to do homage to
Avt’handil: “This is your king,” quoth he, “such was God’s
will. This day he hath my throne, I have old age like an
infection. Serve him as well as you have served me, keep my
command.”
1545
THE soldiers and the lords bent, humbly they did homage;
they said: “Let us be as the earth to them that dispose of
our lives, 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!”
1546
TARIEL too spoke with a eulogy 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.”
1 Dionysius, the Areopagite.
Here Is the Marriage of Avt’handil
and T’hinat’hin by the King of the Arabs
1547
THAT day Avt’handil sits as lord and is high king;
tendernesses beautify Tariel who sits with him. Nestan-
Daredjan, the amazer of onlookers, is with T’hinat’hin; it is
as if heaven had bent down to earth, and two suns are
united.
1548
THEY began to bring bread to plenish the armies; beeves
and sheep arc slain more abundant than moss. There was
made an offering of presents, fitting to them. The ray of the
faces of them all lightens like the sun.
1549
THE bowls were of jacinth, the cups were of ruby;
moreover, wondrously coloured vessels bear passing
wondrous seals. The panegyrist of that wedding would be
praised by the sages. O inlooker, thou wouldst have said
unto thy heart: “Be not loosed, be bound there!”
1550
THE minstrels approached from all sides, there was heard
the sound of the cymbal; heaped like a hillock of gold and
cut rubies of Badakhshan; for drinkers flows a fountain of
wine from a hundred runlets, like a canal; from twilight to
dawn, there was noise, the time of mourning passed.
1551
NONE remained without a gift, neither lame nor crippled;
pearls rolled to and fro, scattered, thrown about; satin and
solid gold were of none account, to be carried away. For
three days the King of the Indies was as a groomsman to
Avt’handil.
1552
ON the morrow the King of the Arabs again entertains; he
is not listless. He said to Tariel: “Pleasant it is to gaze on
thy sun! Thou art king of all kings, and she queen. It
behoves us to be your slaves, to pierce our ears for earrings.
1553
“NOW, O king, it is not fitting that we should sit on a level
with you!” The royal throne Rostevan placed for Tariel,
and another couch apart; he placed Avt’handil and his wife
gifts for Tariel; they lie in a heap.
1554
THE King of the Arabs plays the host, he does nothing but
entertain; sometimes he approaches these, sometimes those,
he stands not upon his royal dignity; he gives, and all
praise his ungrudging generosity. P’hridon sits near
Avt’handil, as one accustomed to kingship.
1555
THE King Rostevan did honour to the daughter of the
Indies and her husband, he gave them love and gifts, as to
a son and daughter-in-law; it is impossible to tell even a
tenth of what he gave, to each a sceptre, purple and jewelled
crowns.
1556
STILL he gave to both gifts fitting their fate; a thousand
gems like the eggs of a Romany hen; then a thousand pearls
like a dove’s egg; a thousand steeds, in size each like a hill.
1557
TO P’hridon he gave nine trays full to the brim with pearls,
nine steeds richly saddled. The King of the Indians does
homage with dignity, wise, not drunkenly; he gave thanks
soberly though he had drunk of the wine.
1558
WHY should I lengthen speech? The days of one month
passed. They sported, they ceased not at all from drinking.
To Tariel they presented wondrous jewels of ruby stone
Their radiance like the sun’s covers them all.
1559
TARIEL was like a rose, and a light snow shower fell from
his eyes; he sent Avt’handil to Rostevan to ask for leave;
he gave him this message: “To be near thee is enough for
me as full joy, but enemies hold my kingdom, I know they
are eating up the land.
1560
“THE knowledge and art of the learned destroy the
unlearned. I think any hurt to me would bring somewhat of
sadness unto you too. I go that tarrying here may not bring
evil upon me, soon again may I see you happy, may God’s
will grant it!”
1561
ROSTEVAN said: “0 king, why art thou so bashful?
Whatever is best for you do it, look into it, examine it.
Avt’handil will accompany thee, go with a great host; rend
in pieces and cut up your enemies and them that are
traitors.”
1562
AVT’HANDIL said to Tariel those two words that
Rostevan had said. Tariel said: “Speak not thus; guard the
rows of crystal. How canst thou, O sun, depart from the
newly united moon!” Avt’handil said: “I shall not be
seduced by thee with this.
1563
“OF a truth thou wishest not to forsake me while thou
goest away slandering me, saying: ‘He loveth his wife,
forsooth; he hath forsaken me, ‘twas like him!’ Am I to
remain sundered from thee and an object of pity to myself!
For a man to forsake his friend!. . . Ugh! Ugh! he will do
ill!”
1564
TARIEL’S smile is like the sprinkling of crystal from
roses. He said: “Absent from thee I bewail myself more than
thou. Since thou wishest it, come away with me, accuse me
not of flattery.” Avt’handil commands troops to be
summoned to him from all sides.
1565
HE assembled the armies of Arabia, no time is wasted;
eighty thousand men were all arrayed, man and horse
clad in armour of Khvarazmia. The King of the Arabs eats
the gall of bitterness at their separation.
1566
PARTING each from other, both maidens, the adopted
sisters, sworn with the oath of sisterhood, trusting in each
other’s word, with breast welded to breast, with neck
riveted to neck, wept. The onlookers, too, had their hearts
consumed.
1567
WHEN the moon is on a level with the star of dawn, both
shine equally; should one go away, the other also is
removed; if it go not away, the sky will make it remove; to
look at them the inlooker must become a hill and a
mountain.
1568
HE who created them such. He Himself shall sunder them,
though of their own will they desire not parting. They glue
together and cleave the rose, they weep and tears flow; all
those who parted from them thought their lives of no
account.
1569
NESTAN-DA REDJAN said : “Would that 1 had never come
to know thee! Separated from the sun I should not now be
thus melted by parting. Thou shalt know tidings of me; let
me have news of thee, speak to me in letters. As I am
burned up for thy sake, thou shalt melt for mine.”
1570
T’HINAT’HIN said: “O sun, delight of them that gaze on
thee! How can I give thee up, or how can I endure parting
Instead of praying for days from God, I shall desire death.
Mayst thou have as many days as I shall shed tears!”
1571
AGAIN they kissed each other, those ladies parted; she
who was left there could not take her eyes away from her
who was gone; she too looks back, therefore flames
consumed her. I cannot write down a tenth part of that
I could wish!
1572
ROSTEVAN at their departure was made more mad than
madmen; a thousand times he says, “Woe is me!” not
merely once doth he sigh; hot flows the spring of tears, as if
a cauldron were being heated. Tariel’s face is drawn, the
soft snow falls gently, it wastes away.
1573
THE king crushed Tariel’s rose with embracing and
kissing. Quoth he: “Your presence hitherto seems like a
dream to me; when thou art gone afar from me I shall
remain with my sufferings twentyfold increased. Life
was given to us by thee; by thee also shall we be slain.”
1574
TARIEL mounted and parting from the king gave him a
farewell greeting; all the soldiers shed tears moistening the
meadows, they said: “The sun hastes to greet thee, haste
thou too to meet him.” He said: “For your sake I weep
more than Sala.”1
1575
THEY set out and departed with many troops and much
baggage—Tariel, P’hridon, Avt’handil, all elegant in form;
he had eighty thousand men with worthy steeds; the three
went on, helpful one to another.
1576
THE three went their way—God can never create their like
again! They were met; none dared withstand them. In the
plain they tarried for dinner when morning was past. As
was fitting they feasted; they drank wine, not buttermilk.
1 Sala—Salaman.
Tariel Hears About the Death of the King of India
1577
ON the summit of the mountain, a great caravan appeared,
men and mules were all in black; the tresses of their hair
were woven round their heads. The king commandcth:
“Bring them here, we must tarry yet a while.”
1578
THEY brought those merchants and their chief. The king
asked: “Who are you, why are your bodies robed in black?”
The men answered: “Such is the custom in the countries
from which we come. We came to India from Egypt and
have travelled a long way.”
1579
TARIEL, P’hridon and Avt’handil rejoiced to hear that
those merchants had come from India; they feigned
indifference and abandoned themselves not to their
feelings. Tariel began to speak to them in a foreign language,
they did not understand Indian and they also answered in
Arabian.
1580
THEY said: “Give us, O merchants, some tidings from
India.” Those answered: “The wrath of God has fallen on
India from on high. and great and small shed tears which
fall from their eyes drop by drop; the sages living among
them have lost their minds.”
1581
THE chief of the merchants spake to them in words of
great eloquence: “P’harsadan, King of India, was a happy
king. He had a daughter, a star, more sun than the sun.
Her teeth were pearls, her form the aloe-tree, her cheeks
were rubies from Badakhshan, her hair was raven black.
1582
“DEARLY did that maid and the Amirbar love one
another. The Amirbar killed the bridegroom, news of it
spread rapidly. A tempest raged devastating all of India.
From her childhood this maiden had been reared by her
aunt.
1583
“HER aunt was a Kadj, most cunning in matters of sorcery.
Thus she undertook a most fearful task, depriving the earth
of sun. And she, unfortunate one, died being unworthy of
life. The maiden disappeared, she planted elsewhere the
shoot of the aloe-tree.
1584
“HAVING learned this, the Amirbar, the lion, set forth
in quest of the sun. He disappeared, the sun was dimmed in
India, the moon was tarnished; both are lost, there is no
hope of finding them. The king said: ”O God, why dost them
burn me on a slow fire!’
1585
“THE king was wrathful, to find them was beyond his
power; the sound of the cymbals and harps gave place to
woe. A brief time more he endured the burning of the
furnace. Now he too is dead, the processions and the sound
of footsteps have come to an end.”
1586
HAVING conveyed these tidings the merchant continued to
speak. The woman cried out violently, and tore the veil
from her head. Tariel too cried out, disclosing what had
been hidden. A torrent flowed from the narcissi, the snow
melted.
1587
KILL me, if the sun could disobey the bare-headed woman!
Her fragrance is like unto the perfume of the rose, she, the
bare-headed one, is like a poppy. If even the sage praiseth
her, they will tell him: “Stop!” as to a donkey. Her teeth
are like twin-pearls set in a crystal shell.
1588
BITTERLY the woman laments her father’s death, she is
like a nightingale. She tears her hair which streams about
her, her eyes are filled with tears; the rose become saffron,
the ruby is like moss. A cloud covers the sun, dimming its
rays.
1589
SHE scratches her face, she tears her hair, she weeps and
wails in a clamorous voice. Blood and tears flow in torrents
from her eyes. “O father, let me die for thy sake! I, thy
unworthy child, I have done nought for thee, in nothing
have I pleased you.
1590
“MY father, who is no more, was the light of my eyes. Who
will bring thee mv tidings, consoling thy heart therewith!
O sun, of what use is thy light, why dost thou shine of the
world! O world, why dost not perish! O mountain, why
yearn to rise aloft!”
1591
TARIEL lament? weeping: “O master, what is this I hear!
I marvel that the gun still shines, that it manifests no grief!
You are dead, sun of everything living, the world is no
longer yours. For God’s sake be merciful, forgive me the
grief I have brought upon you!”
1592
ONCE again they spake: “Tell us the rest of this tale!”
The merchants answered: “O protector, a great battle is
being fought in India. The troops of the Khatavians came,
they surrounded the town, a certain King Ramaz is their
lord.
1593
“ALTHOUGH the queen is still alive, she is more dead
than the dead. The Indian troops are fighting, yet have they
already abandoned all hope. All the fortresses on the
boundaries are taken and destroyed. O sun, shed your rays,
see how unclement is the weather.
1594
“ALL those living there and we amongst them made
ourselves black robes. We presented ourselves to Ramaz and
made ourselves known as Egyptians; our king is great, and
therefore Ramaz wished to maintain peace with him. He
released us, we set forth, he caused us no harm.”
1595
HAVING heard this Tariel set forth in haste; in one day
he traversed a three days’ journey; he raised his banner,
nor did he shield himself. Now look how staunch is his
giant’s heart!
The Arrival of Tariel in India and His
Conquest of the Khatavians
1596
TARIEL arrived in India; hills were there and the crest of
a great mountain; countless troops appeared, he marvelled
at their number. Tariel said: “O knights, what hope do you
give me! I swear by God and by your happiness that I shall
soon be free of them.
1597
“THESE troops have already felt the edge of my sword:
once they engaged in battle with me, I pierced their armour,
I crushed them utterly.” Avt’handil said: “Why speak
words of violence ? We shall make dust of them and trample
them under our feet.”
1598
PROUDLY they made ready for battle, acting most
dexterously; they mounted their best steeds and gave rein
to them; they urged the steeds to outdistance one another.
Those who looked on them praised. They galloped down
the slope over the crest of the mountain, flinging up columns of
dust.
1599
THE front ranks of the warriors came upon the guard of
the Khatavians. Tariel’s warriors put them to flight, they
pursued them, they threw them from their horses and
brought them to Tariel and Avt’handil. Those cried:
“Whose men are ye?”
1600
THEY answered: “O, lord, we have been deceived, we were
sent here as guards, we are warriors of King Ramaz.”
Tariel commanded: “Go, ye wrathful fools, go, inform your
master: “They come, those brave of heart.’
1601
“SAY: ‘It is the order of Tariel, the proud and mighty king,
the courageous lord who strikes fear into his enemies: thine
own guards will bring thee tidings of me, fear will not save
thee from death, grief is of no avail.
1602
“‘WHO but a madman would think of intimidating the
great! How didst thou dare to make an assault on India,
thou maddest of the mad! I have come- the fire that shall
utterly consume thee. I shall blunt my sharpened steel on
thy body.'”
1603
THE guards went, each trying to outdistance the other.
They related everything to Ramaz, they could hold back
nothing: “The king of India has come, he commands
excellent warriors; who can hide himself from them ? One of
them alone is worth two of any other.”
1604
TARIEL raised his banner and the flag of his country. The
banner of the Arabian king was also raised: all know that
the lance is the weapon of the Arabs. P’hridon, the sun, is
there too, the knight who spilled a pool of blood.
1605
THEY went a little farther, five hundred horsemen
appeared. The Arabian knights who were there wished to
engage in battle. Tariel said to them: “Do not thus”. He
made them to sue for forgiveness. The horsemen came up,
Ramaz appeared, he had no armour, nor had he even a
knife.
1606
HE embraced the legs of Tariel’s horse; sinking to his
knees he began to entreat Tariel. He said to him: “Pity me
for the sake of Him who created thee; do not let me live, let
them carry me away dead. Fate has so smitten my heart
that it must belong to you.
1607
“TEN years have passed since you departed, since you
disappeared. The birds are without a master, the eagle has
broken its wings; that is why I have undertaken this affair
over which we are contending. Long since has the world
been lost to me as one loses at a game of dice.”
1608
THEY all swore by the Almighty, fell on their knees
before him: “For the sake of Him who created thee thus, do
not kill.” Tariel became pensive, Ramaz fell on his face
before him. God giveth joy to repentant sinners, what man
then can but forgive ?
1609
STUDYING the writings of the sages, I found the
following: The greatest courage for a man is not to kill his
conquered enemy, but to stop in time—if you want to be
truly brave, remember these words.
1610
THEREAT Tariel’s heart softened, he was righteous, like
unto God. He said: “I shall kill no more; if the conquered
is seized with fear. he will twist aright what was wrongly
twisted. Now I have set right all that was wrong.”
1611
THEY all made obeisance to him and blessed him, they
implored God to make greater their joy. They were saved
from death, having received life from Tariel. Tariel’s
sword is unappeased, it hungers for the flesh of the warriors.
1612
MUSHT’HAR appeared in order to see Tariel. With his
gentleness Tariel calmed the fire of his wrath. They came
to gaze at him; the troops of Ramaz could scarce find place.
In India a light like unto a column descended from the
sky.
1613
A MAN came to these troops as a messenger: “He will not
kill you, he has mercy on you.” All blessed him. They
sounded the bell and joyously they said: “He has come, that
knight who single-handed has killed so many.”
1614
THEY went forth to meet Tariel, they greeted him from
afar. The Indians recognized their banner among the troops
who raised their flag aloft, but they did not dare to trust
them. They said: “They are plotting some treacherous
deed.” They expected not Tariel, they bathed in tears.
1615
TARIEL drew closer and cried: “It is I your king! My star
is high, her eyes flashing lightning. From on high the
Almighty has given the wings of an eagle—come forth, I
cannot endure to have you so far.”
1616
ONLY then did they recognize Tariel, they began to run
up from all sides. The terraced roofs and great walls
beamed with light. They conversed in loud voices, crying:
“Our ailment has left us, now the Almighty, hitherto
wrathful, has shown us His mercy!”
1617
THEY opened the door, they brought the keys: all those
who came to look upon them were dressed in mourning.
The woman and the knight both wept, the roses of the
garden were moistened; they screamed, they beat their heads, their raven hair fell on the crystal.
1618
. THE pupil, as was fitting, lost his senses for his master, the
tears that fell from his eyes were more burning than fire;
he beat his head, screamed, wept with fearful grief. He
raked the thicket of jet with a crystal rake.
1619
WHEN he saw the viziers of the court apparelled in
mourning, once again Tariel uttered a shrill cry. Blood and
tears flowed from his eyes in torrents. The viziers came and
embraced him as a brother, as a son.
1620
THE lords embraced him, they expressed their sympathy
to the bridegroom and bride. The maid lost consciousness;
she did not venture to lament for her father; the branches
fell from the rose bush, no one could raise it. You could not
meet there a laughing or a smiling man.
1621
THE queen ran forth to see them. “Who is weeping and
why weep you?” quoth she. She was angry and said: “God
hath changed His wrath to mercy, we must thank Him, we
have no time for grief, no time to say ‘Alas’.”
1622
SHEDDING hot tears she embraced Tariel. She said: “My flaming fire is out.
now a slow fire consumes me; he silent,
be calm, hear my tidings; God, who makes joyful the orphans, hath rejoiced me sending thee back alive.”
1623
THE weeping maiden addressed her mother: “O mother,
what must I do! When I left thee, in red and yellow raiment
wert thou clad, but now I see thee in black. My father has
abandoned his throne. Alas, no longer does he sit thereon!”
Her mother dried the maiden^s tears: “Do not weep, be
silent, ill-omened one!”
SHE kissed her face and the delicate roses of her lips. She
crushed the rose with her mouth, she drowned the aloe-tree.
She said to Nestan-Daredjan: “Why should we speak
ill-omened words? We must all enjoy a thousand felicities,
not merely one.”
1625
WHEN some time had passed, the lords came to do homage,
presenting themselves. Those suns came forth to meet them
and embraced them with heartfelt love. They kissed and
greeted each one separately.
1626
AVT’HANDIL and P’hridon expressed their sympathy to
the queen. Tariel said; “O queen, you do not know them.
They are our saviours, we have no time at present for
lengthy discourse. We both have received l ife through
them.”
1627
THEY rose and went into the town, they entered their
palace. The queen said a few words, addressing them as it
were: “God hath destroyed our foes, no more can they do
us harm; therefore am I joyous and glad of heart.”
1628
SHE commanded: “Put off your mourning, beat the drums
and the cymbals, let a great noise and exultation come from
our court, engirdle your brocades with golden belts. Laugh
and sing, let the murmuring of your tears cease.”
The Wedding of Tariel and Nestan-Daredjan
1629
THE queen took the bride and the bridegroom by the hand,
she placed them together on the royal throne, she
abandoned her sadness, she made staunch her womanly
heart, she changed her grief into joy, she obliged no one
to weep any longer.
1630
TARIEL and his bride, sitting together on the royal throne,
suited each other, the woman suited the knight; whose
mind or whose tongue can express their praise—what son of
Adam can be like them ?
1631
THE queen attired herself, she doffed her black garments,
she prepared gay robes for the lords, rejoicing the eye. She
dressed them all, augmenting their joy. Quoth she: “Let us
forget grief since joy has come to us.”
1632
WHAT Tariel and his wife had desired fell to their lot,
seven royal thrones, seats of joy, incomparable; this present
solace makes them forget their sufferings, A man
unacquainted with sorrow cannot find pleasure in joy.
1633
SEE the two sitting together; even the sun could not be
better! They blow the trumpet and proclaim him king,
copper drums make the voices sound sweet; they give him
the key of the treasuries, they gave themselves into his
hands as subjects. “This is our king!” they cried, and they
acclaimed him.
1634
THEY caused two thrones to be prepared for Avt’handil
and P’hridon, they sat royally thereon, they extolled their
majesty, what other human beings did God create like
them! They related their sorrows; they revealed them to all.
1635
THEY drank, ate, made merry, they increased the
household; as befits a wedding so did they celebrate it;
to both they gave presents, equally to each. They gathered
together treasure to give to the poor.
1636
ALL the Indians considered Avt’handil and P’hridon to be
helpers. “From you every good happens to us,” said they
ceaselessly; they looked upon them as lords, whatever they
willed that they did, they came before them continually to
pay court to them.
1637
THE King of the Indians said to Asmat’h, the sharer of
his sorrows: “What thou hast done, neither upbringer nor
upbrought hath done. Now I enthrone thee over one-seventh
part of the kingdom of India, thine let it be, serve us,
sweet to the sweet!
1638
“WHOMSOEVER thou desirest as husband wed him, rule
the kingdom, henceforth serve us, be subject to us.”
Asmat’h covered his feet with kisses. “From thee is my
power,” quoth she; “what can I find, what better service
can I have than thine!”
1639
THE three sworn brothers tarried together a few days.
They sported, they received more incomparable gifts;
what rare pearls, what excellent horses! But longing for
T’hinat’hin made Avt’handil to show lines on his face.
1640
TARIEL perceived that longing of the knight for his
wife. He said: “Of a truth thy heart is angered against me.
Now woe is me! Thought hath made of thy seven griefs
eight. T shall be separated from thee; the passing world
grudges me my joy.”
1641
THEN P’hridon begged leave of him. “I will go home,”
quoth he; “my foot will oft tread this court and land if
thou wilt command me as an elder to a younger. I shall
desire thee as the deer the fountain.”
1642
AS presents for Rostevan, Tariel made Avt’handil take
with him beautiful short robes, also a vessel full of cut
gems, not spoons, not ladles. “Take them from me, go,”
quoth he, “disobey me not!” Avt’handil said: “T know not
how I shall survive without thee!”
1643
THE lady Nestan sent to the lady T’hinat’hin a short
cloak and a veil; who save her was worthy of such
garments! A jewel-he who carried it off could not say:
“I have carried it in vain !”-at night it gives light like the
sun; it is visible wherever thou lookest.
1644
AVT’HANDIL mounted, he departed, he said farewell to
Tariel, the flame of the fire of separation burned them
both; all the Indians wept, the tear moistened the mead.
Avt’handil said: “The poison of this world slays me!”
1645
P’HRIDON and Avt’handil journeyed together for a few
days; the road separated them, each went his way weeping;
the things they had planned had turned out well for them;
Avt’handil came to Arabia, he had not seen troubles in
vain.
1646
THE Arabs came forth to meet him, he beautified the
realm; he saw his sun, the affliction of his desires fled; he
sat with her on the throne, he rejoiced at the joy of the
onlookers. The Most High from above endowed his crown
with sovereignty.
1647
THOSE three sovereigns loved one another, they visited
one another, their desires were fulfilled, they that disputed
their rule were put to the sword, they enlarged their
kingdoms, they were sovereign, they increased their might.
1648
THEY poured down mercy like snow on all alike, they
enriched orphans and widows and the poor did not beg,
they terrified evil-doers; the lambs did not suck from
strange ewes, within their dominions the goat and the wolf
fed together.
Epilogue
1649
THEIR tale is ended like a dream of the night. They are
passed away, gone beyond the world. Behold the treachery
of time; to him who thinks it long, even for him it is of a
moment, I, a certain Meskhian bard, the bard Rust’hveli,
I write this.
1650
FOR David,1 god of the Georgians, whom the sun serves in
his course, I have put this story into verse, for his
entertainment who strikes terror from East to West,
consuming those who are traitors to him. rejoicing those
who are loyal.
1651
HOW shall I sing David’s deeds, heroic, loud-sounding,
these wondrous tales of strange, foreign monarchs! Old-time
customs and deeds, praises of those kings, have I found
and done into verse. Thus have we chattered!
1652
THIS is such a world as is not to be trusted hy any; it
is a moment to the eyes of men. and only long enough for
the blinking of the eyelashes. What seek you, what do you ?
Fate is an insulter. For him whom Fate deceives not it is
better to be in both worlds.
1653
MOSE Khoneli praised Amiran, son of Daredjan; Shavt’heli,
whose poem they admired, praised Abdul-Mesia; Sargis
T’hmogveli, the unwearying-tongued, praised Dilarget’h;
Rust’hveli praised Tariel, for whom his tear unceasing
flows.
1David-the consort of Queen T’hamar.
