Caucasian Legends

of the 11

bmission and zeal of the princes Orbeliani fully repaid this distinction. They occupied from generation to generation the post of Sparapet, that is, of general in chief of all the Georgian forces, and astonished the world with their bravery. When George went to war with the Greeks, Kaiours was taken prisoner, and as this took place during the battle of Shirimna, where a great many Georgian leaders, among them the generals Ratt and Zovatt, brothers

of the Orbelianis that I would consent to give

illed them. The general confidence in the warlike capacities of the princes Orbeliani was so boundless that many openly said: "Let only Kaiours come back and by him we shall not only regain possession of all our fortresses, but with the help of God we shall obtain the foreign ones!" There was no end to joy when he returned home. More than all rejoiced his twelve-year-old daughter Tamara. The ca

. "Tamara tries by her courtesy to take the place of my princess," he said, "the Lord is not without mercy; during my captivity he gave me a son in exchange for the one whom he took away. Plinii," Kaiours says, turning to a handsome youth, standing behind him, "help thy sister and me to serve the guests."

ignitary, a favorite of the Emperor and did not need the friendship of the prisoner, nevertheless not a day went by that he did not visit me. We related to each other our war reminiscences and soon began to love each other like brothers. When I received news of the death of my wife and son, his friendly sympathy was my sole consolation. He told me about his life and thus I found out that he had lost his loving companion on the day of Plinii's birth. The boy is now eighteen years old and healthy, but n

s seem an eternity to me." At these words the old men retired, and when they returned they were carrying bowls of horn, filled with wine. With a gay countenance they addressed the feasting crowd. "Friends," said Alexander, "congratulate me and help me to thank Kaiours, who gives me the very best he possesses: I asked the gift of the hand of his dau

she knows neither European languages nor those arts by which the women o

to say a word." The old men stared at him; he stood before th

that is to be learned in our country. I easily learned the sciences, and if you permit me

ow to accustom it to the rules of music. A harp was obtained, and for whole hours at a time they rejoiced in song. To the young people days, weeks, and months went by with extraordinary rapidity, they were perfectly happy and for a long time could not imagine how they had become so dear to ea

torture, Plinii could not restrain his feelings and found occasion to have a secret interview with Tamara. With tears in his eyes he implored

wait! God is omnipotent! He knows, sees and esteems everything in due measure. He knows very well whether we find it easy not to be able to see each other, and I am sure that

she started on a pilgrimage to some distant monastery where there lived an old man of ascetic life. To him Tamara revealed her grief and the old man led her into his garden. There in the presence of all he

the Lord has heard us sinn

is she?"

agrant lily, which had suddenly appeared in the midst of hi

re were many Mahometans, searched the whole monastery, all the surrounding woods and bushes, and not finding Tamara anywhere, they killed the holy old man and burned down the monastery. The ancient building stoo

e was nobody, everything else represented a field of coal and ashes. Tamara was nowhere to be

ed. He noticed that when Plinii's tears fell on the coal surrounding the lily, her tender leaves gre

thou we see?" a

tle breeze and Kaiours and Plinii heard

I, fa

n the fields and gardens and the young maidens sang Tamara's song. The lovely melodious composition was as fragrant and clean as the dear flower which they glorified. This song, indeed, is Tamara's very prayer, showing all her childish faith in God's almightiness. It ends with an invocation of Plinii, who, they say, always appears in the form of a warm, beneficial rain. I heard even that these lilies preserved a rare capacity, viz., sometimes to grow red, sometimes yellow, and our maidens thus concluded that