The Coming to India of Khvarazmsha's Son and His Slaying by Tariel
547	"A MAN came. 'The bridegroom cometh,’ announced he; but, wretched man! he knew not what God was preparing for him. The king looked pleased, he spoke no woeful words; he bade me sit near him; 'Come,' said he, and inclined his head.
548	"HE said to me: 'For me this is a day of joy and merriment. Let us celebrate the wedding in a palace as befits our sister Nestan; let us send a man, let us have all the treasures brought from every part, generously let us distribute, let us till them with treasure; avarice is clownishness.'
549	"I SENT in all directions men carrying treasure. The bridegroom also came, they were no laggards; our men met them from inside, from outside came the Khvarazmians; the sum of their soldiers could not be contained even by the fields.
550	"THE king commanded: 'Prepare the moedan with tents, let the bridegroom rest, let him tarry there a little while; the other armies can go thither without thee to see him, thou shalt see him here, go not, the knights will be sufficient to see him.'
551	"I RAISED on the moedan tents of red satin. The bridegroom arrived, he dismounted; it seemed not like Easter Eve; those inside began to go out, there was a host of courtiers there, the soldiers began to form in ranks according to their regions.
552	"I WAS wearied, as is the wont of one who has done duty: tired, I turned homeward, and wished to sleep. A slave came and gave me a letter from Asmat'h the sweet: 'Come quickly! She who is like a full-grown aloe commands thee.'
553	"I DISMOUNTED not; I went quickly obedient. Asmat'h had been weeping; I asked her: 'Why flow thy tears ?' She said to me: 'Being engaged in thy defence, how can I avoid weeping? How can I justify thee unceasingly, whatever kind of advocate I may have become!'
554	"WE went in, we saw her seated on a cushion, her brows puckered; the sun could not more illume the vicinage than she. I stood before her. She said to me: 'Why standest thou there ? The day of battle comes—or, wert thou forsaking me, wert thou false to me and deceiving me again ?'
555	"I WAS angered, I said nothing, hastily I went out again: I called back: 'Now shall it be seen if I did not wish it! Am I become so cowardly that a woman urges me to fight ?' I went home, I concerted his slaughter, I was not idle.
556	"I COMMANDED a hundred servants: 'Prepare for battle!' We mounted, we passed through the city without letting anyone perceive us. I went into the tent. It is a horror to tell with the tongue how the bridegroom was lying; I killed that youth without shedding of blood, though it was necessary for blood to flow.
557	"I CUT the tangled edge of the tent, I tore it, I seized the youth by his legs and struck his head on the tent-pole. Those lying at the door cried; their lamentation was marvellous. I mounted my horse, departed, my coat of chain-mail protected me.
558	"AN alarm was raised against me; there was cry to pursue me. I went on, they began to follow, I slew my pursuers. I had a strong city, impregnable to the foe; I reached it safely, pleasantly, unhurt.
559	"I SENT a man, I made known to all the soldiers: 'Let all who will aid me come hither!' My pursuers did not weary of coming in the depth of dark night; when they recognised me they kept their heads whole.
560	"I AROSE at daybreak; I apparelled myself when night dawned into morn. I saw three lords sent by the king; he sent a message, saying: 'God knows I have fostered thee like my son; why hast thou thus changed my rejoicing into heaviness ?
561	"WHY didst thou make Khvarazmsha's innocent blood to fall on our house! If thou didst desire my daughter, why didst thou not tell me so ? Thou hast made life distasteful to me, thine aged foster-father; thou thyself hast brought it about that thou remainest not with me till the day of my death.'
562	"IN answer I sent a message: 'O king, I am stronger than copper, and this alone hinders me from being destroyed by the fire and flame of death; but, as you know, a king should be a doer of justice; by your sun! I am far from desiring your daughter.
563	"THOU knowest how many palaces and thrones are in India; I am the sole heir left, all has fallen into your hands. all their heirs have died out, their heritage remains to you: by right the throne belongs to none but me.
564	"I SWEAR by your virtue, I cannot flatter you, now this is not just: God gave thee no son; thou hast an only daughter. If thou appointedst Khvarazmsha king, what would have been left for me in exchange ? Can another king be seated on the throne of India while I wear my sword ?
565	"I WANT not thy daughter, marry her, rid her of me. India is mine, to no man else will I give it; whoever contests my right, him will I cause to be uprooted from the earth; kill me! if I need any foreign helpers.'