Vis and Ramin

MOABAD'S WKATH 109
guide. When the priest plays the ordzali (a two-stringed
what can the deacon do but dance ?" l
instrument),
Immediately he sent a man to Viro, he summoned him
and complained of his sister, he narrated
"
detail, and said : How has this thy sister
everything in
been brought
up ? - What is fitting and right that | will I put on her as a 122
punishment. Have no pity on the nurse, even unto death.
If I should requite her, I myself should suffer exceeding
heart pain. I shall burn out Vis's eyes ; I shall, of course,
kill the nurse ;
I shall chase Ramin out of this land, and as
long as I live I shall not mention him. I shall rid the land
of three wretches."
Although Vis was (by
had reft her of shame.
nature) modest, the deed of love
Now behold what reply she gave
to Shah Moabad before her brother ; how love had deprived
her of patience, fear, and reserve ; how passion made her
devote herself to death; how she gave up the world and
youth for its sake. Like an asp, 3 she rose in wrath from
her couch before Moabad, clasped 4 her hands over her
breast, and said :
"
mighty and exalted 6 sovereign ! Thou canst by no
means terrify us by thy wrath and threat of punishment.
What thou sayest is all true and well, and thou dost better
that thou hidest not our shame. Now, if thou wishest,
strangle me or burn out mine eyes ; if thou wilt, drive me
out ; if thou wilt, let me remain fettered for ever. If thou
wilt, make me walk naked among the troops;
do to me
whatsoever thou wishest, everything is in thy power. I
cannot gainsay this : I prefer Ramin before everything in
heaven and earth ; I will exchange my head and soul for his
need ; he is the light of mine eyes and the joy of my heart ;
he is the loving and precious ravisher of my heart, the
of patience to me. And what boots it to me if I
:ico one soul for his sake ! Though
I had ten thousand
is is evidently the addition of a Georgian translator or copyist.
Ordtali, 68, 208.
1
Ttuart'ha, 60.
*
Atpiti, 192. R., 1209. AfoufcfauifM.
6
Maghali, 24, 181.
Ra mg*m+ 100.