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1491. Tariel also did homage; he goes to kiss, to greet. The king kissed his neck to give pleasure to his lips; in wonder he speaks, in order to embolden him:[1] "Thou art the sun; separation from thee turns day into night."

1492. The king marvelled at his beauty and good looks, he gazes with wonder on his face, he praises the hardihood[2] of his arms. Then P'hridon also greeted him; he did homage to the king, to the king eager for the sight of Avt'handil.

1493. The king shrinks from praising Taria, and is discouraged. Tariel says: "O king, hereby is my heart subjected to thee; I marvel how you can think thus of my worth; since Avt'handil is thine, how can any other please thee!

1494. "Dost thou not wonder at not seeing him, and at his tarrying! Come and let us sit down, O king, pleasant is this meadow[3] of verdure; I will venture to tell you the reason why I could not bring him before you; I have a favour to ask of you, now I must beg leave[4] of you."

1495. The kings sat down; the multitude of the host stood round. A smile brighter than a lamp[5] flits[6] over Tariel's face; the sight maddens the beholders of his bearing and gestures.[7] He began to relate to the king a speech wisely chosen:[8]

1496. "O king, I hold myself unworthy to mention this,[9] but I am come before you to entreat, to beg; he himself beseeches who seems a sun-like shedder of rays, he who is my light and enlightener.

1497. "Now we both venture to approach thee with prayer and entreaty. Avt'handil gave me balm befitting him;[10] he forgot that woes quite equal to ours afflicted

  1. ? "it is bravery on his (the King's) part (to praise Tariel)."
  2. Sialp'he, 487, 1017.
  3. Cordi.
  4. P'harman, P., firman; 627.
  5. Bazma.
  6. At'hks.
  7. Zma, deed, behaviour, jest, play upon words, etc. Cf. Engl, jest, gesture.
  8. Nacazmi, used of the sorting of grain; sifted, winnowed.
  9. Misad, ? "him (Avt'handil)."
  10. Darebit'h, 1515; darebad, 80, 595.