Page:Man in the Panther's Skin.djvu/251

 1405. "Now I have the land of the Kadjis and their hoards. O king, all that is good hath happened to me from you: my sun was freed by P'hatman, she was a mother and a sister to her. What can I give thee in return for this? I hate vain promises.

1406. "Come, see us before we have passed thy land. I present to thee outright the kingdom of the Kadjis, accept it from me; let thy men be posted there, hold the castle strongly. I am in haste, I cannot come to see thee, come thou forth, wend towards me.

1407. "On my behalf tell Usen, P'hatman's husband, to send her, the sight of her will please her she freed; whom else can she desire to see more than her who is brighter than the sun, even as crystal is brighter than pitch?"

1408. When Tariel's man was received by the ruler of the seas—it is the custom that the heart is agitated by startling tidings—he gave thanks and glory to God the Just Judge. Straightway he mounted; he needed no other messenger (or invitation).

1409. He loaded baggage, he appointed the making of their wedding, he takes a number of pretty things, not a great quantity of jet. He has P'hatman with him, they made a journey of ten days; the sight of the lion and the sun, the light of the lands, rejoices him.

1410. Afar off the three met the great King of the Seas, they dismounted, he humbly kissed them, they were encompassed by a host of troops; they rendered praise to Tariel, he gave a thousand thanks, when they saw the damsel he (the King of the Seas) was fascinated by her crystal-halo rays.

1411. Slow fire consumed Dame P'hatman at the sight of her, she embraced her, she covered with kisses her hand, foot, face, neck; she said: "O God, I will serve Thee, since