220
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.
1352. "We will carry off the herd, he will come and hear that the herd is reived; 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."
1353. They began to seize the steeds,[1] P'hridon's finest. There the herdsmen made a torch,[2] they struck steel.[3] They shouted: "Who are ye, knights, who do such high (-handed) deeds? This herd is his who strikes the foe with his sword without making him to sigh."[4]
1354. 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.[5]
1355. 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.
1356. When Tariel knew P'hridon, "Now have I seen him I want," said he; he raised his helm,[6] 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."
1357. 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 magnates also kissed them, whoever knew them.
1358. P'hridon said: "Why tarried ye? I expected ye sooner. I am ready; I shall not lag[7] in any service of
