PREFACE

BY AGATHANGELOS

HISTORY

To bring the voyagers safely to the harbor Harbor: A common literary metaphor in ancient and medieval Armenian literature, signifying the successful completion of a difficult task, the end of a voyage, or the reaching of a spiritual goal. is a peaceful joy for those who have long desired it. For in the midst of the surging waves that rise up against them, they must prepare for battle with spirits born of the storm, struggling against those who are greedy for wealth and thirsty for profit.

When the time has come, many unite to restrain and guide with their oars those wooden steeds original: "erivars takhtakagortsatsn." This is a poetic, high-style metaphor for ships, literally "steeds made by wood-workers." which were fastened with iron by the blacksmiths. They encourage one another, even while their hearts are filled with a cautious fear upon the blue, pathless field The author refers to the open sea as a "pathless field," emphasizing the danger and uncertainty of the journey. of the waters.