შოთა რუსთაველი - ანდერძი ავთანდილისა როსტევან მეფის წინაშე
Shota Rustaveli- Avtandil’s Testament

790 (788). დაჯდა წერად ანდერძისად, საბრალოსა საუბრისად:
"ჰე მეფეო, გავიპარე ძებნად ჩემგან საძებრისად;
ვერ დავდგები შეუყრელად ჩემთა ცეცხლთა მომდებრისად;
და შემინდევ და წამატანე მოწყალება ღმრთეებრისად.

Wardrop 769. He sat down to write the will, thus piteously inditing: “O king! I have stolen away in quest of him I must seek. I cannot remain sundered from him, the kindler of my fires. Forgive me and be merciful to me like as God.

Urushadze 779. Avtandil then sat down to write the testament of his wishes.
“O King”, he wrote, “I have left you to wander in search of the lost one.
I must find him or perish from the flames he has lit in my bosom.
Forgive me, O King, as a father who pardons his penitent children.

Vivian: He set himself to compose his testament, which he addressed to king in moving words. ‘O king, I am leaving the kingdom in quest of him whom I am bound to seek. He has lit as it were a fire in me and I cannot endure to be away from him any longer. Grant me the favour of your forgiveness and show yourself merciful as God is merciful.

Stevenson: Avtandil sat down to write his testament; well might its words rouse pity! – “O King, I have fled away to return to the friend whom I cannot abandon, from whom I cannot endure to be parted, for whose sake fires burn in my breast. Forgive me and, even as God is, be merciful.

791 (789). „ვიცი, ბოლოდ არ დამიგმობ ამა ჩემსა გაზრახულსა.
კაცი ბრძენი ვერ გასწირავს მოყვარესა მოყვარულსა;
მე სიტყვასა ერთსა გკადრებ, პლატონისგან სწავლა-თქმულსა:
და „სიცრუე და ორპირობა ავნებს ხორცსა, მერმე სულსა“.

Wardrop 770. “I know that in the end thou wilt not blame this my resolve. A wise man cannot abandon his beloved friend. I venture to remind thee of the teaching of a certain discourse made by Plato: ‘Falsehood and two-facedness injure the body and then the soul.’

Urushadze 780. “You will not blame me for ever, you will perceive my dilemma.
Sages of old have taught us to honour the claims of friendship.
Permit me, O King, to recall to your mind the teaching of Plato:
‘Falseness and double-dealing are destroyers of body and soul’.

Vivian: I know that in the end you will not think I am to blame. No one of understanding can abandon a friend who is dear to him. I venture to recall to you the saying of Plato, that lying and duplicity are injurious to both body and soul.

Stevenson: “I know that in the end your displeasure must pass away; a wise man will never forsake a comrade he holds dear. I will venture to cite one of the precepts of Plato: “Falseness and duplicity do injury first to the body and then to the soul.

792 (790). „რათგან თავია სიცრუე ყოვლისა უბადობისა,
მე რად გავწირო მოყვარე, ძმა უმტკიცესი ძმობისა?!
არა ვიქმ, ცოდნა რას მარგებს ფილასოფოსთა ბრძნობისა!
მით ვისწავლებით, მოგვეცეს შერთვა ზესთ მწყობრთა წყობისა.

Wardrop 771. “Since lying is the source of all misfortunes, why should I abandon my friend, a brother by a stronger tie than born brotherhood? I will not do it! What avails me the knowledge of the philosophizing of the philosophers! Therefore are we taught that we may be united with the choir of the heavenly hosts.

Urushadze 781. “Since the sin of deception is the source of our sorrows and troubles,
What shall avail me the lessons instilled by the wise in all ages,
Philosophy’s golden treasure, making us one with the angels,
If I abandon the friend who is dearer to me than a brother?

Vivian: Since deceit is the root of all misfortune, how should I desert the friend who is closer to me than a brother? What is the knowledge of the Sages worth to me if I do not act on it? The purpose of their teaching was to perfect our nature and raise us to the order of the heavenly beings.

Stevenson: Falseness is the source of all ills, indeed – how can I forsake the friend who is more than a brother to me? If I will not act, how can the wisdom of the philosophers, the knowledge that should unite us with Heavenly Harmony, avail me?

793 (791). „წაგიკითხავს, სიყვარულსა მოციქულნი რაგვარ წერენ?
ვით იტყვიან, ვით აქებენ? ცან, ცნობანი მიაფერენ.
„სიყვარული აგვამაღლებს“, ვით ეჟვანნი, ამას ჟერენ,
შენ არ ჯერ ხარ, უსწავლელნი კაცნი ვითმცა შევაჯერენ!

Wardrop 772. “Thou hast read how the apostles write of love, how they speak of it, how they praise it; know thou it and harmonize thy knowledge: ‘love exalteth us,’ this is as it were the tinkling burden of their song; if thou conceive not this how can I convince ignorant men?

Urushadze 782. “The apostles have written of love, accounting it first of all virtues.
‘It is love that exalts our souls,’ this the refrain of their singing.
None knows this better than you, and if you should fail in discernment,
How can I hope to enlighten the ignorant man and the mocker?

Vivian: Have you not read what the Apostles wrote of love, how their praise of it resounds? “Love ennobles us!” Their words ring out like a chime of bells. O King, remember those words and let them create harmony in your mind, for if they have no meaning for you how can the ignorant be convinced of their truth?

Stevenson: “You will have read how the Apostles write of love; how they speak of it; how they give it praise. Learn this and mark it: ‘By love are we exalted!’ Thus, like a sounding bell, their message comes. But if you have no faith in it, how will simple men give belief?

794 (792). „ვინ დამბადა, შეძლებაცა მანვე მომცა ძლევად მტერთად;
ვინ არს ძალი უხილავი შემწედ ყოვლთა მიწიერთად,
ვინ საზღვარსა დაუსაზღვრებს, ზის უკვდავი ღმერთი ღმერთად,
იგი გაჰხდის წამის-ყოფით ერთსა ასად, ასსა ერთად.

Wardrop 773. “He who created me, even He gave me power to overcome foes; He who is the invisible Might, the Aid of every earthly being, who fixes the bounds of the finite, sits immortal God as God, He can in one moment change a hundred into one and one into a hundred.

Urushadze 783. “God has acknowledged His creature. My foes He has helped me to conquer.
He, the unseen and almighty, who has not forsaken His children,
He, the immortal Creator, directing the earth in its orbit,
To Him is a hundred as one, and one is to him as a hundred.

Vivian: ‘He who endowed me with life gave me the power also to overcome my adversaries. He, the invisible power sustaining every creature on earth, setting bounds to everything finite, reigning immortal, God in Godhead: He in an instant can create unity from a hundred, hundreds out of one.

Stevenson: “He who created me, who gave me power to vanquish foes, who is Might Invisible, the aid of every earthly being, who has fixed creation’s bounds, who reigns as God till everlasting – he can in an instant change a hundred into one and one into a hundred.

795 (793). „რაცა ღმერთსა არა სწადდეს, არა საქმე არ იქმნების.
მზისა შუქთა ვერ-მჭვრეტელი ია ხმების, ვარდი ჭნების,
თვალთა ტურფა საჭვრეტელი ყველა რამე ეშვდინების;
მე ვით გავსძლო უმისობა, ან სიცოცხლე ვით მეთნების!

Wardrop 774. “What God wills not will not become fact. The violet fades, the rose withers, if they cannot gaze on the sunbeams; every lovely thing is desirable for the eye to gaze on. How can I endure the lack of him, or how can life please me!

Urushadze 784. “What the Almighty decrees not, no mortal can force into being,
The rose and the violet must wither, deprived of the life-giving sunlight.
Beauty was sent among mortals for the eye to discern and rejoice in.
How can I live in his absence? How can I savour life’s pleasure?

Vivian: Nothing can come to pass but that which He has willed. As flowers wither and fade when they cannot behold the rays of the sun, as the eyes have need to feast themselves on beauty, so will my spirit grow weary of life deprived of the presence of Tariel. I am like one who is captive, without the power to resist this longing.

Stevenson: Everything in this world comes to pass as he wills it… The violet fades, the rose withers, if it cannot gaze upon the sun: the eye longs always to behold what is fair. Denied my comrade’s companionship, how could I endure to live longer?

796 (794). „რაზომცა სწყრები, შემინდევ შეცვლა თქვენისა მცნებისა.
ძალი არ მქონდა ტყვე-ქმნილსა მე მაგისისა თნებისა;
აწ წასლვა იყო წამალი ჩემთა სახმილთა გზნებისა;
სადა გინდ ვიყო, რა მგამა, ყოფამცა მქონდა ნებისა!

Wardrop 775. “However angry thou art, forgive me that I have not kept your command; enthralled, I had no power to fulfil it. No! to go was the remedy for the flaming of my furnaces. Wherever I may be, what matters it to me if a have but my freewill?

Urushadze 785. “Have no wrath for your servant, for failing to do your commandment.
I was enthralled, I was helpless, my sole cure lay in departure.
Nothing else could heal my distemper, extinguish the flames in my bosom.
I care not what may befall me, I cleave to my freedom only.

Vivian: If it leads me act in opposition to your commands, I earnestly beg your forgiveness; but indeed departure is the only cure for this fever that rages in me. What is it to me where I am, so long as I am free to live according to my own will?

Stevenson: “Great though your anger be, let my disobedience have pardon: I was a captive, I could not obey your commands. Only by going forth were the flames in my breast to be quenched. It matters nothing to me where I am if I can have what my heart desires.

797 (795). „არას გარგებს სიმძიმილი, უსარგებლო ცრემლთა დენა;
არ გარდავა გარდუვალად მომავალი საქმე ზენა;
წესი არის მამათაგან მოჭირვება, ჭირთა თმენა,
არვის ძალ-უც ხორციელსა განგებისა გარდავლენა.

Wardrop 776. “Sadness avails thee not, nor useless flow of tears. The deed which is inevitably decreed above cannot be avoided. It is a law with men that they should struggle and suffer woes, and no creature of flesh hath power to thwart Providence.

Urushadze 786. “Sadness and weeping avail not, vain is our bitter repining,
Destiny is not evaded, no man can cheat the Almighty.
We are born to sorrow and struggle, anguish is every man’s portion,
Therefore bewail no longer the Creator’s immutable rulings.

Vivian: It is useless to weep and despair, for no man can escape what is ordained for him on high. It is one of the laws of men that they should suffer and endure adversity, and no mortal man can prevail against Providence.

Stevenson: “Sorrow will avail nothing, tears will not help you; what heaven has ordained cannot be avoided; it is the part of a brave man to endure grief uncomplainingly; no creature that breathes can thwart the purpose of Providence.

798 (796). „რაცა ღმერთსა გაუგია თავსა ჩემსა გარდასავლად,
გარდამხდეს და შემოვიქცე, აღარ დამრჩეს გული ავლად;
თქვენვე გნახნე მხიარულნი დიდებით და დავლა-მრავლად;
მას რა ვარგო, დიდებად და კმარის ესე ჩემად დავლად.

Wardrop 777. Whatever God has predestined to come to pass upon me let it be fulfilled, and when I return my heart will no longer remain ashes. May I see you also joyful in majesty and manifold wealth. What I can do for him is my glory, and this is sufficient booty for me.

Urushadze 787. “The fate the Almighty bequeaths me I receive with unmurmuring submission,
I shall return as the phoenix springs from its funeral ashes.
May I find you rejoicing, ever more rich and majestic.
For me, to have served my friend is the sole reward I desire.

Vivian: Whatever God has decreed for me, let His will be done, so that I may return with a heart free from torment. May I have the happiness of beholding you once again, O King, in continuing power and prosperity. If I can be of service to him, that will be reward enough for me.

Stevenson: “Let God’s will be done: when I return, may my heart be in ashes no longer; may I find you happy and prospering here in all splendor. For me there will be glory and riches enough in what I have done for my friend.

799 (797). „მეფეო, ესე თათბირი, მომკალ, ვინ დამიწუნოსა!
მეფეო, ნუთუ წასლვამან თქვენ ჩემმან დაგაჭმუნოსა?
ვერ ვეცრუვები, ვერ ვუზამ საქმესა საძაბუნოსა,
პირის-პირ მარცხვენს, ორნივე მივალთ მას საუკუნოსა.

Wardrop 778. “O king, this is my decision. Slay me! if anyone can disapprove! O king, can it be that my going grieves thee! I cannot be false, I cannot do a cowardly deed; he would shame me when we meet face to face in that eternity whereto we both shall come.

Urushadze 788. “You have heard my decision, O Ruler! Slay me, If such is your pleasure!
I know my departure offends you, I grieve to incur your displeasure,
But I was not bred for a coward, I cannot be false to a brother.
He would look in my face and shame me, when we meet in the great Hereafter.

Vivian: ‘Who can dispute the truth of this, O King? I cannot believe that you will be displeased at my going. How could I encounter that knight in the world to come if I were to be exposed through-out all eternity as a coward and betrayer?

Stevenson: “O King, no man will censure my resolve! O king, can then my going cause you grief? I cannot play the coward, break the word I have sworn – shamed should I be when I met him face to face in eternity.

800 (798). „არ-დავიწყება მოყვრისა აროდეს გვიზამს ზიანსა;
ვჰგმობ კაცსა აუგიანსა, ცრუსა და ღალატიანსა.
ვერ ვეცრუვები, ვერ ვუზამ მას ხელმწიფესა მზიანსა.
რა უარეა მამაცსა სულ-დიდსა, წასლვა-გვიანსა!

Wardrop 779. “Mindfulness of a friend ne’er doeth us harm. I despise the man who is shameless, false, and treacherous. I cannot be false; I cannot do it for a mighty king. What is worse than a hesitant, tardy-going man!

Urushadze 789. “Has ever a man been injured for keeping his faith with his brother?
What is more vile than a traitor, who pledges his word and forswears it?
I cannot be false to my friend, no, not for the mightiest monarch!
I cannot be tardy and grudging, once I have given my promise.

Vivian: One can never do wrong by remaining true to a friend. I think shame of deceit and double-dealing, and I cannot be false to that prince who is like the sun on earth – I cannot break my word to him.

Stevenson: “We can never come from our care for a friend; falsehood I hold in scorn, with dishonor and treachery; I must keep my faith with that prince, with the sun-fair one.

801 (799). რა უარეა მამაცსა ომშიგან პირის მხმეჭელსა,
შემდრკალსა, შეშინებულსა და სიკვდილისა მეჭველსა!
კაცი ჯაბანი რათა სჯობს დიაცსა ქსლისა მბეჭველსა?
და სჯობს სახელისა მოხვეჭა ყოველსა მოსახვეჭელსა!

Wardrop 780. “What is worse than a man in the fight with a frowning face, shirking, affrighted and thinking of death! In what is a cowardly man better than a woman weaving a web! It is better to get glory than all goods!

Urushadze 790. “The man who goes forth to battle with countenance heavy and downcast,
Shirking the bloody encounter, shrinking from death and disaster,
A creature, wretched and weak. Let him weave at the loom amongst women.
The valorous knight craves glory, he cares little for booty.

Vivian: What is worse than the man of noble spirit who is laggard in action, or one who shrinks from death and cowers in terror on the battlefield? A coward is no more of a man than woman at her loom. Glory is worth more than anything a man can gain!

Stevenson: What is baser than a warrior slow to set forth? Miserable indeed is the wretch who, face contorted with terror, fearful of death, will shrink back in battle! In what way is a coward of more worth than a weaving-woman? Better to win glory than all else beside.

802 (800). „ვერ დაიჭირავს სიკვდილსა გზა იწრო, ვერცა კლდოვანი;
მისგან გასწორდეს ყოველი, სუსტი და ძალ-გულოვანი;
ბოლოდ შეყარნეს მიწამან ერთგან მოყმე და მხცოვანი.
და სჯობს სიცოცხლესა ნაზრახსა სიკვდილი სახელოვანი!

Wardrop 781. “A narrow road cannot keep back Death, nor a rocky one; by him all are levelled, weak and strong-hearted; in the end the earth unites in one place youth and greybeard. Better a glorious death than shameful life!

Urushadze 791. “Death finds his way unimpeded, be the path narrow or rocky;
He smites the hero and coward, the youth and the aged together,
None may delay when he summons, all must unite in the tomb,
Better a glorious death, than life dragged out in dishonor.

Vivian: There is no path so narrow or so steep that it can halt the advance of death. Weak and strong, young and old, we are brought to the same level in the grave. It is better to die with glory than to live in dishonor.

Stevenson: “Death is not to be kept back by a narrow road, nor yet by a rocky; it brings all to a level, the weak and the strong. The earth receives in the end boys together with greybeards; better a glorious death than a life without honor!

803 (801). „მერმე ვიშიშვი, მეფეო, თქვენდა კადრებად ამისად:
სცთების და სცთების, სიკვდილსა ვინ არ მოელის წამისად,
მოვა შემყრელი ყოველთა ერთგან დღისა და ღამისად,
და თუ ვერა გნახე ცოცხალმან, სიცოცხლე გქონდეს ჟამისად.

Wardrop 782. “And now I fear, O king, to make this request to you: mistaken, mistaken is he who expects not death momentarily; it which unites us all comes alike by day and by night. If I see thee not living, life will be fleeting for me.

Urushadze 792. “In fear and trembling, O King, I offer my only petition.
He is mistaken who thinks that death is not lying in wait
Day and night for us all. If I should see you no longer,
My life will be naught until I lay down my existence.

Vivian: ‘With the utmost respect, O King, I venture to say that anyone who does not live in the constant expectation on death is again and again misled; for death unites all things, day and night.

Stevenson: “O King, I scarce dare address words such as these to you…. Mistaken, mistaken is the man who does not look for death every instant; the stroke which cuts all to one measure falls by day and by night…. If I do not return, be assured I have found a grave before due time.

804 (802). „თუ საწუთრომან დამამხვას, ყოველთა დამამხობელმან,
ღარიბი მოვკვდე ღარიბად, ვერ დამიტიროს მშობელმან,
ვეღარ შემსუდრონ დაზრდილთა და ვერცა მისანდობელმან, -
და მუნ შემიწყალოს თქვენმანვე გულმან მოწყალე-მლმობელმან.

Wardrop 783. “If Fate, the destroyer of all, destroy me, an orphan I shall die travelling, unmourned by parent, nor will those who brought me up, nor the friend whom I trust, enshroud me; then indeed will your merciful, tender heart have pity on me.

Urushadze 793. If I should die on my journey, then let me fall by the wayside,
Wretched, unmourned, unshrouded, forgotten by all who have loved me.
Yes, when you hear I am gone, let not your mercy forsake me.
Drop but a tear for the traveller, remember my humble entreaty.

Vivian: If I do not live to behold you once again, may your life be long! If I am struck down in this transitory life, which has ruined everything of mine, I shall die a homeless wanderer without parents, or trusted friend, or anyone whom I have taught, to give me burial. Then in the goodness of your heart you will feel compassion for me.

Stevenson: “If Fate, the destroyer of all, cuts short this life of mine I shall die a stranger in a strange land, with no parent to weep for me, no friend to give me a shroud. Let your heart show its mercy then, let it pity me!

805 (803). „მაქვს საქონელი ურიცხვი, ვერვისგან ანაწონები,
მიეც გლახაკთა საჭურჭლე, ათავისუფლე მონები,
შენ დაამდიდრე ყოველი ობოლი, არას მქონები:
და მიღვწიან, მომიგონებენ, დამლოცვენ, მოვეგონები.

Wardrop 784. “I have countless possessions weighed by none: Give the treasure to the poor, free the slaves; enrich every orphan without means; they will be grateful to me, remember me, bless me; I shall be thought of.

Urushadze 794. “Countless are my possessions, none has measured their value,
Spread them among the poor, free the slaves of my household.
Give to the penniless orphan, give to the weak and the ailing,
Then I shall be remembered and blessed by those I have succoured.

Vivian: I have great wealth and possessions. Let my treasure be given to the needy and my vassals freed, and yourself distribute my riches among the orphans and the destitute. They will bless me and I shall live in their memory.

Stevenson: “I am possessed of wealth that is boundless, beyond any man’s reckoning. Give my treasure to the poor, let my slaves have their liberty. Let every orphan and beggar have riches, that they may think of me, remember me, bless me.

806 (804). „რაცა თქვენთვის არ ვარგ იყოს საჭურჭლესა დასადებლად,
მიეც ზოგი ხანაგათა, ზოგი ხიდთა ასაგებლად;
ნურა ნუ გშურს საქონელი ჩემი ჩემთვის წასაგებლად!
და შენგან კიდე არვინ მივის ცეცხლთა ცხელთა დამავსებლად.

Wardrop 785. “Whatever is not worthy of being kept in your treasury, give part to build orphan homes. Part to build bridges; be not sparing in the spending of mine estate for me: I have none save thee to quench the hot fires.

Urushadze 795. “All that is deemed unworthy of a place in your kingly storehouse,
Use for the building of bridges, of homes for the homeless orphan.
Let not your hand be sparing, freely distribute my treasure,
There is none other but you to assuage the flames that consume me.

Vivian: Whatever you do not find worth storing in your treasury, let it be allotted to the building of bridges, and homes for poor. Spend my wealth freely for this purpose, for my sake.

Stevenson: With what is not found worthy of a place in your treasury, build bridges and make provision for the shelter of travelers. Do not be sparing with the wealth that belonged to me: none but you can quench the fires that burn in my breast.

807 (805). „ამას იქით ჩემგან ჩემი ამბავიცა არ გეცნევის,
ამად გვედრებ სულსა ჩემსა, წიგნი გკადრებს, არ გეთნევის,
არას არგებს, ეშმაკისა საქმეთაგან დაეძლევის,
და შემინდევ და შემივედრე, მკვდარსა რაღა გარდმეხდევის!

Wardrop 786. Henceforth thou shalt learn no more news from me, herewith I commit my soul to thee; this letter tells thee so, without flattering thee; the devil’s deeds shall not seduce (my soul), it will prevail; forgive me and pray for me; what can be exacted from me dead?

Urushadze 796. “Tidings of me will not reach you; I commit my soul to your mercy.
True are the words of my letter, I would not dissemble or flatter,
The Evil One shall not seduce me, I will resist his temptations.
Pray for me, then, and forgive me, for it I perish, I perish.

Vivian: ‘After you have received this you will hear no more from me. I commit my soul to you. I have presumed to write thus plainly, without seeking to please you. I will not fall victim to the devil, with all his wiles. I entreat you to forgive me and to pray for me – nothing can be reproached me after I am dead!

Stevenson: “No more will you hear from me; I commit myself to your mercy. In this letter I tell you the truth without flattery. The devil’s lures will not prevail; mine will be the victory. Forgive me and pray for me – for what can be got from a dead man?

808 (806). „გვედრებ, მეფეო, შერმადინს, მონასა ჩემსა რჩეულსა, _
ნაკად აქვს ჭირი სამისოდ ამა წელიწადს წლეულსა, _
ნუგეშინის-ეც წყალობით, ჩემგან წყალობა-ჩვეულსა,
და ნუ დაადინებ თვალთაგან ცრემლსა, სისხლითა ფრქვეულსა.

Wardrop 787. “I entreat thee, O king, for Shermadin my chosen servant. This year he hath an added day of grief. Comfort him with the favour I was wont to favour him withal; make not the tears to flow from his eyes welling with blood.

Urushadze 797. “Shermadin merits your favour, he, the best-loved of my vassals,
Do not increase his afflictions, do not bring tears to his eyelids.
The year of his grief will be lengthened, for remember, is this not leap-year?
Therefore, O King, console him; comfort him while I am absent.

Vivian: ‘May I bespeak your favour, O King, on behalf of my vassal Shermadin, the chosen of all my men? This is a leap-year for him, a year with an extra day of care on my account. He will be much grieved at my going and in need of your gracious consolation.

Stevenson: “Shermadin, my most trusted servant, I commend, O King, to your favor: this year has brought to him more than his share of grief. Show him such kindness as he has always received from me, that blood-mingled tears may not flow from his eyes.

809 (807). „გასრულდა ჩემი ანდერძი, ჩემგან ნაწერი ხელითა.
აჰა, გამზრდელო, მოგშორდი, წავე გულითა ხელითა.
ნუ სჭმუნავთ ჩემთვის მეფენი, ნუ ხართ მოსილნი ბნელითა,
და სუფევით ხართმცა თავითა, მტერთაგან საკრძალველითა!“

Wardrop: “My testament is ended, written by mine own hand. Behold, mine upbringer, I have parted from thee; I am gone away with maddened heart. Let not the sovereigns be grieved for my sake, be ye not clad in gloom, but be ye in your sovereignty feared by foes.”

Urushadze 798. “This is the will I bequeath you, with my own hand it is written.
Guide of my youth, I leave you, though my heart is sore with contrition,
Let not the sovereigns bewail me, do not be clad in dejection,
But be majestic in power, so that your enemies tremble”.

Vivian: ‘So ends this testament that I have written with my own hand. Dear lord and master, I am leaving you, distraught in mind – do not grieve for me, my sovereigns, or put on mourning, but may your reign be long and your enemies stand in dread of you!’

Stevenson: “My testament, written by my own hand, now reaches its ending. My dear lord, I am gone from you, and my heart is distracted. Do not grieve for my sake, do not wear garb of mourning. – May your power strike terror always into the hearts of your enemies!”

810 (808). მისცა ანდერძი შერმადინს, რა გაათავა წერითა,
უთხრა: „ჰკადრეო მეფესა საქმითა მეცნიერითა,
შენ დაგამეტებს ვერავინ მსახურებითა ვერითა“.
და მოეხვია და ატირდა ცრემლითა სისხლთა ფერითა.

Wardrop 789. When he had made an end of writing he gave the will to Shermadin. He said: “Convey this to the king discreetly; none can excel thee in any service.” He embraced him and wept over him bloody-hued tears.

Urushadze 799. Avtandil wrote no more, to Shermadin handed the paper,
Bidding him choose a moment to convey his will to the monarch.
“I trust it to you”, he told him, “for none can excel you in service”.
Then they embraced one another, blood with their tears commingling.

Vivian: Avtandil finished writing and handed the document to Shermadin. ‘Give this to the king,’ he said – ‘it will make the matter clear to him. No one but you could know so well how to perform this service.’ The knight embraced his squire and bade him farewell with many tears.

Stevenson: When Avtandil had done he put the testament into Shermadin’s hands. “Give this to the king,” he said, “choosing the moment with judgement; there is no one like you to discharge any duty”. With that he embraced him, and shed blood-colored tears.