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unhappy,[1] have not time to stay; another fire also consumes me. A long road, an urgent deed I have to do, I shall be very late.
995. "Right is he who sheds tears at parting from thee. To-day without fail[2] I depart, therefore it is that another fire burns me; to tarry is a mistake of a traveller, he will do well to teach himself this; lead me to the seashore where thou sawest that sun (Nestan)."
996. P'hridon answered: "Nothing shall be said by me to hinder thee. I know thou hast no more time; another lance pierces thee. Go! God will guide thee, may thy foes be destroyed! But tell me, how shall I bear the lack of thee?[3]
997. "This I venture to tell thee: It is not fitting that thou go away alone, I will give thee knights[4] with thee to serve and attend thee, armour and beasts,[5] a mule, a horse. If thou take not these thou wilt have trouble, tears will flow on the rose cheeks."
998. He brought out four slaves,[6] trustworthy in heart,[7] complete armour for each man, with armpieces[8] and greaves,[9] sixty pounds[10] of the red (gold), full weight, not with any shortage, a peerless stallion with complete harness.[11]
999. On a strong-legged mule he packed bedding. He set out, and P'hridon mounted and went forth with him also. Now fire burned and consumed him who awaited the parting. He laments: "If the sun were near us, winter could not freeze us!"
- ↑ Dghe-crulsa; Ch. Dict. interprets "unfortunate"; but cruli is "bound, fettered," as well as "cursed," so the compound may mean the fixed date for Avt'handil's return to Tariel.
- ↑ Tsarnvali, inevitable, fatal.
- ↑ Ushenoba, Ch. usheshoba, ? misprint.
- ↑ Qmani, ? squires, men, servants.
- ↑ Sakoneli, property, goods; also cattle, live-stock.
- ↑ Monani as synonom of qmani seems to conflict with the note to 70. Cf. 88, 1111.
- ↑ To whom one could trust one's heart.
- ↑ Kap'hi, P., 1392; Ch. Dict., "chain worn over the shoulder."
- ↑ Sabarculi, 1345.
- ↑ Litra, Ch. Dict., "nine pounds; in ancient times the litra was equal to the pound weight of the present day."
- ↑ Unagiri, saddle.
