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heart: "Your heart is more mine than that of a complete (i.e., born) brother[1]; my life would not be a fitting return, nor the gift of my soul; dying I found from you the balm for my wound.
1446. "Thou knowest of Avt'handil's self-sacrifice for my sake; now I would serve him in return; go, ask, he will reveal what he wants; as he hath quenched my furnace, even so hath his burned enough.
1447. "Say to him: 'O brother, what will repay thee for the grief thou hast seen for my sake? God will grant thee His grace imaged forth[2] from on high. If I cannot do something desirable for thee, contrived for thy sake, I will not see my house, nor hall, not hut.[3]
1448. "'Now tell me what thou wishest of me, or in what I can help thee. I choose that we go to Arabia; be thou my guide.[4] Let us bring to reason the sweet with words, the warlike with swords. If thou be not united to thy wife I will be no husband to mine.'"
1449. When P'hridon told Avt'handil Taria's message, he laughed, he smiled, mirth beautified him. He said: "Why want I a helper? I am not hurt by a wound from any. The Kadjis possess not my sun, nor doth lack of joy afflict her.
1450. "My sun sits upon a throne, powerful by the will of God, respected and honoured, proud, harmed by none, she is by no means oppressed by Kadjis, nor by the sorcery of wizards. Why should I want help with regard to her? Expect me not to speak flattering words.[5]
1451. "When Providence shall come for me, heavenly beings from above, (if) God wills, shall visit my heart, consolations for the furnace; then indeed the radiances of the flashing of the sun will be my lot (when I am) dying; till that time be come, vain are my runnings to and fro.[6]
