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than a man's arm. They looked and liked to look at that wondrous sight.[1]
86. A slave went forth to speak to the knight of the woe-stricken[2] heart, who, weeping with downcast head, seems not a spectacle for jesting[3]; from a channel of jet (his eyelashes) rains a crystal shower. When (the slave) approached, he could by no means bring himself to speak a word (to Tariel).
87. The slave was much perturbed; he dared not address him. A long time he gazed in wonder till his heart was strengthened; then he said: "(The king) commands thee (to attend him)." He (the slave) came near, (and) greeted him gently; he (Tariel) wept on and heard not, he knew not that (the slave) was there.[4]
88. He heard not a word of the slave, nor what he said; he was wholly unconscious of the shouting of the soldiers, he was sobbing strangely, his heart burnt up with fires; tears were mingled with blood, and flowed forth as from floodgates.[5]
89. Elsewhither his mind was wafted, by the weight of his head![6] Once again the slave uttered the king's message, but (Tariel) ceased not from weeping and heard him not, nor was the rose-bouquet (of speech) plucked from his lips.
90. Since he answered not, the slave went back and said to Rosten[7]: "I have told him what you said, but he will not listen. Mine eyes were dazzled as by the sun; my heart was sorely troubled. I could not make him hear a word though I have tarried there so long."
91. The king wondered, he was wroth, he was vexed in heart against him. He sent the twelve slaves standing before him; he commanded: "Take weapons of war in your hands; go and bring hither him who sits yonder."
- ↑ After this quatrain var. E C. inserts one in which Rostevan orders a slave to go an summon Tariel. There is evidently something missing from the printed texts.
- ↑ Mdughare, boiling. 84.
- ↑ Ar dchrelith molizgharisad; lizghi. 1059.
- ↑ Car. "The slave was surprised thereat."
- ↑ Nagubari, dam, pool. 397.
- ↑ Car. interprets misman t'havisa tsonaman as an oath.
- ↑ i.e., Rostevan.
