99
sail over the sea, seek her out for us, fulfil the desire of her lover; undergo a thousand hardships for this, not merely seven or eight.'[1]
623. "He appointed men wherever there were havens[2] for ships; he gave orders: 'Seek out everywhere, wheresoever you hear of her.' Waiting seemed to me a consolation, my pains became lightened; absent from her I felt joy, and for the sake of that day I am ashamed.
624. "P'hridon set up a throne for me in the place for the overlord. He said to me: 'Hitherto have I erred, I could not comprehend what I should have understood; thou art the great king of the Indians; who can please thee? Wherewithal? How? Who is the man who would not be thy subject!'
625. "Why should I lengthen (the story)? From all sides came the seekers of news, empty, and wearied of empty places;[3] they had learned nothing at all, they knew not any news. As for me, afresh the undrying tear flowed still more from mine eyes.
626. "I said to P'hridon: 'How this day seems horrible to me, I have God for my witness thereto; to speak thereof is hard for me; without thee[4] night and day alike seem eventide to me; I am loosed from all joy, my heart is bound with grief.
627. "'Now since I may no longer expect any news of her, I can no longer stay; give me leave, I seek thy permission.'[5] When P'hridon heard this he wept, he watered the field with blood, and said: 'Brother, from this day vain is all my joy!'
628. "Though they tried very hard, they could not hold me back; his armies came before me on bended knees, they embraced me, kissed me, wept and made me weep 'Go not away; let us suffer for thee as long as life is ours.'
