The Knight in the Tiger Skin by M. S. Wardrope

	The Taking of the Castle of Kadjet'hi and the Saving of Nestan-Daredjan
1407	I SAW those heroes shining with rays excelling the sun; those three are covered by the seven planets with a column of light. Tariel with slender form sits on the black horse; they consumed their foes in fight as their admirers by gazing.
1408	NOW, this is what I shall say is their image and likeness: When clouds rain down, and the stream pours from the mountains, it comes and glides through the glens, turmoil and uproar is heard; but when it unites with the sea then is it even so calm.
1409	THOUGH P'hridon and Avt'handil are unrivalled in valour, yet to engage with Tariel is to be desired of none; the sun hides even the planets, nor do the Pleiads shine. Now give heed, O listener; thou shalt hear of fierce fights.
1410	THE three split up into three, one for each gate; with them they had three hundred men all equal to heroes. That night they hastily made a reconnaissance, not illusory. Day dawned, they appeared, they set forth, they each had his shield.
1411	FIRST they went quietly in the guise of some travellers; those inside could not perceive, they could not meet them alertly, they had no fear in their hearts, quietly they stood at ease. They approached; for the time being they covered over their helmets.
1412	SUDDENLY they spurred their horses, their whips swished. When they saw, they opened the gates, a tumult came forth from the city. The three set out in three different directions, thus risking their lives. They played on fifes and drums; they made the trumpets sound shrill.
1413	THEN the measureless wrath of God struck Kadjet'hi. Cronos,¹ looking down in anger, removed the sweetness of the sun; to them also in wrath turned round the wheel and circle of heaven. The fields could not contain the corpses; the army of the dead was increasing.
1414	THE sound of Tariel's mighty voice made men unwounded faint, he rent the armour, the strength of the chain-mail was brought to nought; they attacked the gates on three sides, they found no difficulty in cutting them down; when they entered the city they began swiftly to destroy the castle.
1415	AVT'HANDIL and the lion P'hridon met inside, they had wholly destroyed the enemy, whose blood flowed in streams; they shouted and saw each other, they rejoiced greatly; they said: "How goeth it with Tariel?" Their eyes roved round seeking him.
1416	NONE of them knew; they could hear nought of Tariel. They wended to the castle gate, no care had they for the foe; there they saw a bank of armour, shattered chips of sword-blades, the ten thousand guards lifeless, like dust.
1417	ALL the castle guard lay like sick men, every one wounded from head to foot, their armour rent in pieces, the castle gates open, the fragments of the gates flung aside. They recognized Tariel's handiwork, they said: "This is his doing."
1418	THEY found the roads prepared, they entered and crept up the passage; they saw: the moon was freed from the serpent to meet the sun; he raised his helmet, his reedy hair thrown back became him well, breast was glued to breast, neck was riveted to neck.
1419	THEY embraced each other, they kissed and shed tears; they were like when Musht'har and Zual are united. When the sun surrounds the rose it becomes fair and reflects the rays. They that have hitherto seen griefs will henceforth rejoice.
1420	THEY kissed each other, they stood neck-welded; again full oft they glued the roses of the opened lips. Now Avt'handil and P'hridon came forth also, the three sworn brothers were gathered together; they gave greeting to that sun. they presented themselves as they were called on.
1421	THE sun met them with lovely, laughing face, the proud one kissed her helpers with gentle mien, she humbly gave them thanks with dainty words; both together talked with fair discourse.
1422	THEY greeted Tariel too, that tree like an aloe sapling, they wished him joy of the victory, they asked news of one another; it irked them not, they regretted not, for their armour had not failed them; they themselves had quit themselves as lions, those that fought against them had been as hinds and goats.
1423	OUT of the three hundred men, a hundred and sixty came in with them; it grieves P'hridon for his troops, but on the other hand he rejoiced; they sought out and suffered not to live whatever adversaries were left. What treasures they found, now how can their number be told!
1424	THEY collected mules, camels, whatever they could find that was swift, they loaded three thousand with pearls and gems, every gem cut, jacinths and rubies; they placed that sun in a palanquin, precautions are taken by them.
1425	THEY appointed sixty men to guard the castle of Kadjet'hi. They led away that sunhard would it be to ravish her from them-they set out for the City of the Seas, though long is the way thither. They said: "We must see P'hatman; we owe her a due recompense."