Page:Man in the Panther's Skin.djvu/220

 return home I will make a daughter-in-law of her who is praised as heaven's sun." She has set her in the castle; one eunuch attends her.

1219. She (Dulardukht) took with her all those skilled in sorcery, for perilous is the road, her foes are ready for the fray; she has left at home all her bravest knights. She will tarry; but little time has already passed.

1220. The city of the Kadjis has hitherto been unassailable by foes; within the city is a strong rock, high and long; inside that rock is hollowed out a passage for climbing up. Alone there is that star, the consumer of those who come in touch with her.

1221. At the gate of the passage are continually on guard knights not ill-favoured, there stand ten thousand heroes all of the household, at each of the three city gates three thousand.' O heart, the world hath condemned thee; I know not, alas! what binds thee."

1222. When Avt'handil the sun-faced but woeful (?) heard these tidings he was pleased, he showed nothing else. The lovely creature rendered thanks to God: "Somebody's sister has told me joyful news!" (?)

1223. He said to P'hatman: "Beloved, thou art worthy to be loved by me, thou hast let me hear a welcome story, not with louring looks ; but let me hear more fully about Kadjet'hi ; every Kadj is fleshless, how can it become human?

1224. "Pity for that maiden kindles me and burns me with flame; but I marvel what the fleshless Kadjis can do with a woman!" P'hatman said: "Harken to me! Truly I see thee here perplexed (? timorous). They are not