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1575. This is such a world as is not to be trusted by any; it is a moment to the eyes of men, and only long enough for the blinking of the eyelashes. What seek you, what do you? Fate is an insulter. For him whom Fate deceives not it is better to be (happy) in both (worlds).[1]
1576. Mose Khoneli praised Amiran, son of Daredjan; Shavt'heli, whose poem they admired, praised Abdul-Mesia; Sargis T'hmogveli, the unwearying-tongued (praised) Dilarget'h; Rust'haveli (praised) Tariel, for whom his tear unceasing flows.[2]
- ↑ Professor Marr's rendering (xii. 53, 012, a mere expansion of 1572): "Such is this world; nobody can trust in it. It is but one moment, outstripping the winking of man's eye and eyelashes. What or whom do you seek? With what do you busy yourselves? Fate will put (you) to shame. Well it is if there be any she deceive not, if she attend any in both (worlds)."
- ↑ Professor Marr's rendering (xii. 54, 0): "Moses of Khoni sang of Amiran Daredjanisdze; Shavteli, whose verse is renowned, (sang of) Abdul Mesia; Sargis of T'hmogvi, with fluent discourse, (sang of) Dilarget'h; his Rustaveli, not drying the tear for him, (sang of) Tariel."
For the places, cf. Wakhoucht, op. cit.
The Odes of Shavteli have been edited by Professor Marr (v. Bibliographical Note, Appendix II.).
quatrain (xii. 54, 022): "How shall I sing to David's psaltery (emendation of knari into knarit'h) these strange (either exotic, foreign, or wondrous, beautiful) stories of the agility and battles of foreign monarchs! I chanced upon ancient, praiseworthy customs and deeds of those kings, and turned them into verses; thus we entertained ourselves."
