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 up the blood that flowed from him. His swift pace shortened the long course.

655. He came there where he had parted from his armies. They saw him, they knew him, they rejoiced in such manner as was fitting. They told the good tidings to Shermadin too; men quickly ran to him: "He is come for whose sake hitherto joy has been embittered to us."

656. He went to meet him, he embraced him, he put his mouth on his (Avt'handil's) hand, pouring forth tears he joyfully kissed the destroyer in the field. Thus he spoke: "O God, do I see really or darkly? How am I worthy of this, that mine eyes should gaze upon thee (safe and) sound!"

657. The knight saluted him low, he put face upon face; he said: "I thank God that no grief afflicts thee!" The magnates did homage, whoever was worthy kissed him; there was great jubilation, great and small alike rejoiced.

658. They came where a dwelling-house had been built; all the city was assembled to see him; forthwith he sat down to feast, gay, proud, merry; an assemblage of tongues could not fully describe the joy of that day.

659. He told Shermadin, he narrated to him all he had seen—how he had found that knight whom he likened to the sun. Avt'handil was hampered by tears; he said with half-closed eyes: "Without him it seems to me alike to dwell in palace or hut."

660. (Shermadin) told him all the home news: "None knows of thy departure; whatever thou toldst me so have I done." He went not thence that day, he feasted and rested; at dawn he mounted, he set out when the sun enlightened the day.

661. He sat no more at feasting, nor stayed he again private; Shermadin, the bearer of good tidings, went to