Vis and Ramin

202 VISKAMIANI
If thou slayest her, know thou wilt regret, 1 and afterwards
it will avail thee nought. If the colour (henna) of former
days please thee, then dye thy hand with the same now.
When she was away from thee I have seen thee then, how
thou didst sometimes roam senseless in the plains like a
wild goat, and sometimes didst swim in the sea like a fish.
There remained not to thee any place where thou didst not
see grief while going in quest of her. Now soon hast thou
forgotten those woes through which thou didst pass for love
of her, and we, thy slaves, rejoice not at all in our life
because of our thoughts of you. Now, remember Shahro's
honour, Viro's love and service, and thine own oath which
thou swarest by God and all His saints. 2 Break not thine
oath, for the breaking of an oath never fails to bring hurt
to a man of whatever rank he be. However guilty she was
before, now doubtless she is innocent. Thou seest how she
231 lies alone in this garden, and |
this
is not wonderful. If
somebody had been here, he could not have escaped over
such high walls. Impute not guilt to the innocent. We
found the iron doors closed. If anyone had been here tonight,
he could not have hidden himself from us. It is
impossible for a man to escape hence. Inquire
3
canst make her say something, that thou mayst know the
; surely thou
truth. Thus thou shalt make her repent. Otherwise, by the
death of this innocent thou wilt harm thyself more."
This speech of entreaty 4 of Zard softened Moabad's heart ;
he took hold of her hand and led her in. He said to Vis :
" I know thou art neither a dev nor an eshma (devil). By
.what witchcraft didst thou come forth, by what means didst
thou descend into this garden?"
He made her swear by the power of God, the Creator, and
by fire, to speak the truth. Then Vis made answer, and
said:
" God is always merciful to me. He never abandons me,
and is the Ruler 5 of my fate. I care nought for thy wrath,
1 GhaidchreUloXL into (regret), 228, 266.
2 Reference to saints? the addition of the Georgian translator.
3 Nuthu-ra vit'hra.
*
Adjit'ha, 402. E., 17, 270.
5 Mouravi.