Page:Man in the Panther's Skin.djvu/128

 snowfall on fresh snow, a dew on the rose ; generously they gave gifts, pearls like small coin.

669. The drinking was done, the drinkers separated each to his own home; they suffered not the magnates to go, they set the knight near before them. The king inquires, and he relates what trials he had undergone, and then what he had seen and heard concerning the stranger.

670. "When I speak of him, be not astonished if I ceaselessly lament, saying: 'Ah me!' To the sun alone can I liken him, or the face of him, the extinguisher of the mind of all who see him; a waited rose among thorns, alas! he is far away!

671. "When unendurable Fate makes a man suffer grief, the reed becomes like a thorn, the crystal turns to saffron colour." While Avt'handil was telling this his cheeks were bedewed with tears. He told in detail the story he had heard from (Tariel).

672. "Having captured the caves in battle, he has for his house the abode of the Devis. He has the damsel of his beloved as his attendant. He is clad in panther's skin; he despises brocade and cloth of gold. No more sees he the world; an ever-new fire consumes him."

673. When he had finished the story—the matter of his grief—the sight of the light of that sun, not ugly to look upon, gladdened him. They praised his rose-like hand which had been firmly held. "This prowess is sufficient for thee since thou art the undoer of grief."

674. T'hinat'hin rejoiced at the hearing of this news. That day she was merry at the drinking, and eating was