240
the joy of beholders, they went forth to meet them, gave gifts, eulogized, reviled them not.
1471. It was as if the sun sat in the firmament[1] amid moons. Many days they journeyed, merry,[2] sagely discoursing, within those great plains on all sides unattained[3] of men. They reached the neighbourhood of that rock where Tariel had been.
1472. Tariel said: "It is seemly that I should be your host this day. Thither will I go where I was while madness afflicted me. There will Asmat'h entertain us; she hath (store of) smoked meat.[4] When I give you fair gifts you shall praise the variety of the treasure."[5]
1473. They went in; they dismounted in that cave of the great rocks. Asmat'h had venison; she carves it for the guests. They were merry, they joked at the passing of those deeds;[6] they thanked God that He had turned their days of woe to joy.
1474. They explored the hollow hill,[7] merry they played; they found those treasures sealed up by Taria, uncounted by any, apprehended by none; they say not with dissatisfied hearts: "We lack!"
1475. He gave many fair gifts, to each what was fitting; then he enriched P'hridon's people, army and generals alike; every man was enriched, (all) those who came with them,[8] but there lay so much treasure it seemed still untouched by man.
1476. He said to P'hridon: "Hard will it be for me to pay the debt I owe thee; but it is said: 'A man who is a doer of good loseth not in the end.'[9] Now the treasure, as much as lieth here or is to be found, let it all be thine, take it away, as it belongs to thee."[10]
- ↑ Samqaro, 1.
- ↑ Laghi, proud.
- ↑ Miumtsvdari.
- ↑ Khmeloba, dryness. Ch. gives "meagreness" (a meagre store); Car. says "roast meat," and connects with root khm in sakhmili, furnace.
- ↑ Lari, 1042.
- ↑ "That all those sad days were past."
- ↑ Kvabovani, Ch., hill abounding in caves; cf. Kart'hl. Tzkhovreba, i., 327.
- ↑ Narebi, 1157, ? camp-followers.
- ↑ Cf. 417.
- ↑ Or, "as it is thy lot."
