53
tinually to rejoice. Now Fate has sundered me from the crystal-ruby-faced!
323. "My father died; the day of his death was come. This event brought to nought all sign of merriment for P'harsadan[1]; it rejoiced those whom terror of fear of him as a foe exhausted; the loyal began to mourn and recall the reproaches of their enemies.
324. "I sat in the dark (mourning) for a year, annihilated by Fate; by day and by night I groaned, calmed by none; then courtiers came to conduct me, they told me the king's command; he said: 'Son Tariel, wear mourning no longer!
325. "'We are even more grieved (than thou) at the loss of our peer.' He gave a hundred treasures, and commanded that I should put off my black (raiment). He gave me all the lordship[2] that had belonged to (my father). 'Thou shalt be Amirbar; fulfil the duties of thy father.'
326. "I was inflamed; inextinguishable furnaces burned me for my father's sake. The courtiers standing before me led me out from the dark; the monarchs of India made jubilation[3] at my coming forth; they met me afar off, they kissed me with regard like parents.
327. "They seated me near their thrones, they honoured me like their son, they both told me gently of my obligation of duty; I was recalcitrant, and to behave as he (my father) had done seemed a horror to me. They would take no denial; I submitted, and bent to them (did homage) as Amirbar."[4]
VI
TARIEL TELLS THE TALE OF HIS FALLING IN LOVE WHEN HE FIRST FELL IN LOVE
328. When he had wept for some time he again began to tell his tale: " One day the king and I had come home from the chase, and he said: 'Let us see my daughter!'
