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expressed by man's tongue! Thou art the fulness of all; Thou fillest us with Thy sun-like radiance.[1] If I praise Thee, how can I praise Thee? What can I say in praise of Thee, who art not to be praised by the intellect? Glory to Thee! Thou hast not slain me by the shedding of tears for them."[2]
898. Tariel said: "Ah, sister! for this have my tears flowed here. For that she erstwhile made us smile, Fate makes us weep in turn; 'tis an old law of the world, not one newly to be heard of! Alas! were it not for pity of thee, death would be my joy.
899. "If he be athirst, what sane, reasonable man would pour away water! I marvel why I am soaked[3] in tears from mine eyes! Lack of water[4] slays, water flows never dried. Alas! the opened[5] rose, the beauteous[6] pearl, is lost!"
900. Avt'handil, too, was reminded of his sun and beloved. He said: "O mine own, how can I remain living without thee! Apart from thee my life is for me pitiable. Who can tell thee how I suffer, or how sore a fire burns me!
901. "How can the rose think, 'If the sun go away I shall not wither'? Or what, alas! will be our lot when the sun sets behind the hill? Heart, it is better for thee to harden thyself, petrify thyself wholly. Perchance it may happen to thee to see her; let not thy spirit be utterly spent!"
902. They calmed their souls, they were silent, fire burned both. Asmat'h followed, went in; like them, a furnace consumed her. She stretched out the panther's skin he formerly used. They both sat down; they spoke of whatever pleased them.
903. They roasted meat and[7] made a meal fitting the occasion; there the meal was breadless,[8] and there was no multitude of guests.[9] They begged (Tariel) to eat; he had
