161
1000. The rumour of the knight's departure spread, they gave themselves up to grief; the burgesses flocked together, those who sold silk goods[1] like those who sold fruit; the voice of their lamentation was like thunder in the air; they said: "We are removed from the sun; come, let us close our eyes."[2]
1001. They passed through the city, they went on, they came to the seashore where P'hridon had formerly seen the sun (Nestan) seated (? landed); there they shed a rivulet of blood from the lake of tears. P'hridon tells the story of that shining captive.[3]
1002. "Hither the two slaves brought by ship the sun, white-teethed, ruby-lipped—a black sight![4] I spurred my horse, I determined to steal her by sword and arm; they saw me from afar, they soon fled from me, the boat seemed like a bird."
1003. They embraced each other, they multiplied the springs of tears; they kissed, and both their fires were renewed; the inseparable sworn brothers parted like brothers. P'hridon remained, the knight went away, the form the slayer of gazers.
XXVIII
AVT'HANDIL'S DEPARTURE FROM P'HRIDON TO SEEK NESTAN-DAREDJAN
1004. The knight speaks as he goes on his way (majestically) like the full moon; there is the thought of T'hinat'hin to gladden his heart. He says: "I am far from thee; alas! the falseness of cursed Fate! Thou hast the healing balsam for my wound.
- ↑ Lari, 1042.
- ↑ Tsukhili, ? grief: "let us yield our eyes to grief."
- ↑ Mnat'hobisa tqvisasa, ? captive luminary (planet).
- ↑ "The two black-faced slaves landed from a ship …" (Abashidze). Sakhedvit'ha shavit'ha, "with a black sight," may refer to the slaves, or their clothes, or their black looks, or all these combined.
