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beast he would roam in the fields; it is better for me to go round by the rushes." He bethought himself, he looked about; thus he spoke and turned, he went towards the plains.

1309. He canters along and sings with merry heart; he shouts to him by name with cheerful voice. He went a little farther, there appeared the sun in full splendour, at the edge of the rushes stands Tariel with sharp[1] sword.

1310. Tariel had slain a lion; its blood anointed his sword. He stood dismounted at the edge of the rushes; his horse was not with him. He heard Avt'handil's shout, he was astonished; he looked at him, recognized him, started, ran towards him, bounded.

1311. Tariel flung aside his sword and went towards his adopted brother.[2] The knight alighted from his horse; it seemed to him that he had attained his goal[3] (?). They kissed each other; their necks were as if riveted together.[4] There was the sugary[5] sound of the rose frequently opening.

1312. Tariel, weeping, uttered polished,[6] exquisite[7] words—the tear of blood dyed the jetty thickets crimson, the fountain of tears, many streams,[8] waters[9] the aloe[10]: "Since I have seen thee, what matters it to me if eight[11] pains oppress me?"

1313. Tariel weeps and Avt'handil was speaking to him laughing, he smiles, he opens his coral (lips), the flash from his teeth quivers; he said: "I have learned tidings

  1. Momakhva, to sharpen.
  2. Dzmobili, 1349, 1359, 1366.
  3. Etli, planet, fate, happiness, wheel, carriage; stsroba, to overtake; stsori, equal. Car. renders the phrase, "he looked like a planet" (?). For etli, cf. 1304.
  4. Gadadchdobili, from dchdeva (vulg. dchdoba), 929, 1544.
  5. Shakari, P.
  6. Natip'hi, 204, 1104, according to Ch., means "hewn or polished stone"; M., iv., p. r n th, says it is the Arabic natif, pure, elegant; Abul. suggests P. latif, agreeable, beautiful.
  7. Mdchevri. Cf. M., iv., p. r m e, beautiful, eloquent; 676, 1039.
  8. ? the phrase may also mean, "tears sent forth many streams to water his form"; or alva may be "honeyed" (halva).
  9. Mortsqavs, waters, irrigates (tsqali).
  10. Alva, ? poplar, plane-tree; also (A., P.) aloe. Cf. John xix. 39; Song of Solomon iv. 14; Abul., s.v.; M., iv., r m a.
  11. The sense is obscure: for "seven or eight," 622, 1563; "eight upon nine," 1022.