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866. "Wise! Who is wise, what is wise, how can a madman act wisely? Had I my wits such discourse would be fitting. The rose cannot be without the sun; if it be so, it begins to fade. Thou weariest me, leave me, I have no time, I can endure no more."
867. Avt'handil spoke again with words of many kinds. He said: "By my head! by these empty words I shall do thee some good! Do it not! It is not the better deed. Be not thine own foe!" But he cannot lead him away; he can do nothing at all by speech.[1]
868. Then he said: "Well, since thou wilt by no means hearken to me, I will not weary thee; my tongue has hitherto spoken in vain. If death be better for thee, die! Let the rose wither—they all wither![2] One thing only I pray thee, grant me this"—for this his tears were flowing—
869. "Where the Indians (black lashes) engird the crystal (brow) and rose (cheeks) with a hedge of jet[3]—from this am I parted; hastily I went, not quietly. The king cannot keep me by his paternal converse. Thou wilt not unite with me, thou wilt renounce me; now how can I speak my joy!
870. "Send me not heart-sore away, grant me one desire: Mount once thy steed, let me see thee, ravisher[4] of my soul, on horseback; perchance then this present grief will flee away, I shall go and leave thee, let thy will be done!"[5]
871. He entreated him, "Mount!" He begged and prayed him, and said not Alas! He knew that riding would chase away his sadness, that he would bend the reedy stem[6] (of his form), and make a tent of the jet (eyelashes). He (Avt'handil) made him (Tariel) obedient; it pleased (Avt'handil); (Tariel) sighed not nor moaned.
