Page:Man in the Panther's Skin.djvu/232

 wished. I shall show you our enemies wounded and thereby woe-stricken.

1291. "Go and tell P'hridon this unvarnished story. I cannot see him, I am hurried, my road is one of haste. Let him strengthen his great voice to make it still more bold. I will give you all the treasure taken by me as booty.

1292. "Great is the debt laid upon me by you; I will show my gratitude in another way when I join P'hridon again. For the nonce, take away all that was reft from the pirates; I can give you no more than this, I know that so I shall seem to you niggardly.

1293. "I have no home near; I have no power to dispense gifts." He gave them a ship full, beautiful things, a host in number. He said: " Go, take them away, travel the road to that same region. Give this letter from me, his sworn brother, to P'hridon."



1294. He wrote: "Exalted P'hridon, supremely blest, king of kings, lion-like in stout-heartedness, O sun, recklessly shedding rays, mighty, joyous, spiller of the blood of foes—thy youngest brother from far, far away barks thee a greeting.

1295. "I have seen troubles, and I have, too, received recompense for what pains I have suffered. Well hath fallen out the matter planned by me: I have truly learned the story of that face likened to a sun, the sustainer of that lion who was buried under the earth.

1296. "The sovereign of the Kadjis has that sun; she is captive in Kadjet'hi. To go thither seems to me sport,