1The beginning of Flag Days. 7The nature thereof. 10The plight of the males. 14Their efforts to escape. 17The generosity of the people. 19The disadvantage of a new alliance.
Now it came to pass that those whowerein the land of En made them a custom, and they did sanctify certain days of the year unto charity.
2 And the days that were sanctified theydidcall Flag Days.
3 Now these are certainof theFlag Days that were set aside unto charity in the land of En in the days of the Great War.
4 There was Our Day, and Star and Garter Day, and Roll of Honour Day, and Red Cross Day, and Blue Cross Day.
5 And there was France's Day, and Russia's Day, and Serbia's Day, and Italy's Day, and Montenegro's Day, and Roumania's Day, and Portugal's Day.
6 And there were other Flag Days in great number so that I, even I, Artemas, the scribe, remember not one half.
7 ¶ And on a day thatwasa Flag Day the young maidens of the cities would gather themselves together ere the morning was weaned, and they wouldset out.
8 And they would hie them unto the populous places of the cities and they would place themselves in ambush behind the corners of the streets; yea, each one would take unto herself a certain corner as her own, and shewouldlie low.
9 And when any man approached nigh unto the place where she was hid, then would she spring outon a suddenand shewouldtackle him.
10 ¶ And she would pin a flag unto his garment, even unto the lapel ofhiscoat would she pin her flag; andwhatsoevermoney he did have for to buy him bread,thatwould she take from his pouch for to pay her, wherefore he needs did fast.
11 And there was no way of escape open unto him, for the young girls of that time were a slimlotand theyknewthe manner of working it.
12 And so it came to pass that, when the night was come, the damsels that had sold them flags were bowed down beneath a great weight of gold. And the men thathadpaid, these were sent empty away.
13 And they returned unto their habitations, each man being wonderfully adorned; yea, from the crowns of their heads unto theturn-upof their nether garmentswere theygay with coloured flags.
14 ¶ Now there were certain men that, seeking to throw dust in the eyes of the sellers of flags, did build them dungeons underneath the ground, saying, with a sly look, It will be a safe place if, perchance, a Zeppelincomethnigh.
15 Nevertheless, on a night when the Zeppelins did hoverabove them, then were they on the roofs of their habitations with glasses that did magnify;
16 But on the days thatwereFlag Days, then did they betake themselves stealthily away and they did hide in the far corner of the Zeppelin dungeon that was deepest down.
17 ¶ And because much good flowed from the Flag Days, and because the number of mites that was gathered in was very great, thereforedidthe peoplestickthem, each man giving according to his means.
18 Yea, even those that did retire unto their Zeppelin cellars did give to anextent, for the young girls followed them thitherwards, so that there was no means of escape left unto them; verily, they were like unto a spiderthat iscaught in the meshes of its own web.
19 ¶ Wherefore it came to pass that when another nation did join with the people of En, and did fight with them against the men of Hu, there were some in the land that did foreseethings, and their hearts misgave them.
20 And when one spake chidingly unto them, saying, Why do ye not rejoice, O men of little satisfaction? Behold, there is yet another that fighteth with us. Then would they make answer and would say, Assuredly is there another ally come to join us. And there isalsoanother Flag Day that bringeth greater persecution at the corners of the streets. And they were full of forebodingconcerning it.
21 But the Flag Days found favour amongst the women of the land, for then was man delivered into their hands andthey needednot to spare him.
1The young men go out for to fight. 2Many take unto themselves wives. 11Some think it not wise. 19Some transgress the law. 22The matrons are rejoiced. 23All the maidens would wed amongst the officers. 27Concerning the damsels that were left over.
Now in the land of En the young men did hurry them away unto the war, and amongst the maidensthere weremany sad at heart.
2 ¶ And when the time drew nigh unto a young man that he must gird up his loins and go, thenwouldhe speak unto the damsel of his choice.
3 And he would say unto her, Thou knowest that there yet remaineth unto me onlyso manydays; let us therefore arrange matters quickly that webemarried.
4 And because the time was short andit washer chance, she would answer and would say unto him, Thou art my lord, and whatsoever thou commandest, it shall be done. Let us therefore hastenabout itlest, peradventure, we meet with an hindrance upon the way.
5 For the women of that timewerea crafty lot and they did beguile their men with soft words; and the wiles of Bathsheba, thatdidwash herself, were as nothingin comparisonto these, for they were full of artfulness.
6 And when she had told her mother and themthat wereabout the place, she would take the young man unto the priest for to makethema day; andafterit was in order, then would they go unto the ringmaker and she would try on whatsoever came unto her hand. Yea,manyrings would she place upon her finger; butthe ringthat she did choose, that did she not try on, fearing lest it prove unluckyin theafterwards.
7 Now it happened in certain cases that the damsel needed not to furnish her with garments for the wedding, inasmuch as she was prepared, being readyagainst the occasion.
8 But when it was not so, then would the damsel setaboutit, and she would makethingshum. And she and those that were related unto her and her handmaidens also, they would haste them unto the bazaars. And whatsoever was necessary unto the marriage, that thing would they buy; andof the thingsthat were not necessary unto the marriage, they would also buy them some of these.
9 And when the last minute was come, then would they send theoldman for to buy thatwhichwas forgotten, saying unto him, Get thee quickly,thoufool. And hewouldget him quickly.
10 And when the hour was come for the young man to take the damsel unto him, behold, shewasthere. And throughout all the land of En there was no case known of a damsel thatdid cometoo late.
11 ¶ And because therewasa great number of them that did wed in this wise, therefore was there much talkconcerningit, both in the public places and in the habitations of the people.
12 And somedidsay it was a foolish thing to do. And they did speak darkly concerning the future, what it did hide, for it wentfor a sayingamongst them that a marriagethatis hasty bringeth early regret.
13 And others said, Let the young men wed. Verily, many go forth unto the wars but the numberof themthat return, it is not so great. Therefore is it necessary for them that areof an ageto makethemfamilies, else in what manner shall the nation endure.
14 And the young things heeded not these arguments, for theywereyoung and did love. And whosoever lovethenough, he hath his justification.
15 But woe unto that man who taketh unto himself a wife for the sakeof it; a million tears will not suffice for to drownherin.
16 But he that marrieth his beloved in haste, seeking happiness, that man assuredlyhatha dog's chance; and he that taketh timeaboutthe business, is not his risk also great?
17 And thereweresome that did marry for love and thereweresome that did marry for a pension; but thereweresome that did marry because it was a discreet thing to do.
18 And the number of them that did marry wasbeyondanything that men could remember, so that the priests did gather them an harvest ofexceedingrichness and they did bless the unions with many piouswords.
19 ¶ Now certain men did take unto themselves more wives than one, whichwasa wicked thing to do, for in the land of En it was not lawfulfor a manto marry two wives.
20 And this was passing strange, for the seduction of a maiden was a thing that waswinked at. Yea, the father of a child begotten guiltily, he was absolved by the payment of five pieces of silver every week. But the man whose wife did bear him a son, hispunishmentwas greater than this.
21 And in those days was man judgedaccording toa rule, and an hurt transgressing not the rule, that was forgiven unto him. And to marry two wives,that wasagainst the rule; but to keep two score of concubines,that wasa lawful thing to do.
22 ¶ And because there was war, therefore did many motherspull offforlorn hopes at the last minute, which rejoiced them greatly. For therewasmuch competition amongst the daughters of En, andthe numberof young men did not suffice for all.
23 ¶ And every maiden did seek forto gether an officer, forthese weregreat men whom the common soldiers did salute in the public places, so that to walk with such an onewasindeed pleasurable.
24 And there was much cackling in all the hen-roosts of the land of En, andamongst thosefamilies that did get them an officer there were loud manifestations of joy.
25 And the pride of these wasbeyondall telling, and theywouldhold up their heads on high and theywouldsay unto them that did live next door, Bow ye down before us and make obeisance. Know ye not that Miriam, our first-born,hathtaken a captain to husband?
26 And because theydidknowitand becausetheirdaughter had succeeded only as high as a corporal of the lance, they would bow themselves down and would speak words of flattery, for she that waswifeunto a captain was a power in the confines ofthecities.
27 But thereweremany maidens that no man took unto him for wife, and the days of these were bitter living; neither did their sisters that hadclickedrefrain from telling themabout it.
28 Wherefore some of the damselsthat were left overdid journey into the wilderness for to meditate concerning the matter, for the airs of a woman that is married areasa goad unto her that languisheth alone.
29 And so it came to pass that certainof themdid get them war work from the makers of munitions, and certainof themdid get them war babies from no man knew whither. Yea, every one did act according to her lights anddiddo all those things that the occasion did demand.
1Concerning those that went not forth for to fight. 14The rulers commune together on the matter. 17And call out all the young men. 18But certain are absolved. 25Wherefore many are combed out. 29And the people are satisfied. 31Each man payeth for his own strong drink.
And when the fighters had gone forth unto the war, there yet remainedcertain menthat were strong and sound of limb. And every man that went not forth,he hadhis reason.
2 And some said, To kill men in battle is a wickedthing. Would ye therefore have usto goagainst our consciences?
3 And when the people questioned these, they replied unto them, saying, The wise man giveth obedience unto his conscience lest it torment him; neitheris thereany escape from it. And we are men of wisdom.
4 And if one of the men of Hu shall ravish our eldest daughter,thenshall we offer unto him shethatis next unto her that he may ravish her also; for so it is written.
5 And they that questioned them forbore to ask them more, deeming a consciencesuch as thiswas assuredly come from the devil.
6 And there were some that, being affrighted, hid themselves away. And the numberof thesewas small and, whenthe timecame, they werecombedout.
7 And there were others that were grown selfish, because theydidgain much recompense by their labours, and these were loth to leave their habitations. And they did say,
8 Wherefore should we go forth for to fight? In our housesthere aremany fires and the women do put them hot bricks into our bedsso thatour feet suffer not when the night groweth cold.
9 And if we go out for to fight, verily, the rain from heaven will fall upon us and it willmakeus wet. And a skinthatis wet affecteth the nose.
10 And the food that we shall eat, it will lieheavyupon our stomachs; neither will the women sustain us with hot bricks.
11 And because of all these things, they went not forth unto the waruntilthe time came when they werecombedout.
12 And there were many men throughout the land that were willing to go atthe timeappointed, eachmanin his turn.
13 And these did say, "Wherefore should we depart from our habitations and wherefore leave our wives amongst strange people? Send first the young menthat arehanging back; and, afterwards, when our timecometh, we shall be ready. And ye shall find us in the forefront of the battle.
14 ¶ And because that which they had said was just, therefore the rulers of the land could not gainsay them. And they communed together in the council chamberconcerning it.
15 And some, knowing notthe spiritof the people, did say, Let us now do nothing rash lest, if we call up all the young men, they raise an outcry throughout the land.
16 But there were others that said,It issufficient that we have need of men for to send against the enemy. Let us thereforesee about it.
17 ¶ And they overruled those thatwereagainst them, and did make them a law whereby all the young men were called out for to fight.
18 ¶ But they absolved them that were in the workshops making the munitions of war, and acquitted them alsothat wereplagued with a conscience.
19 And because the men of Ire said, We will nothaveit, therefore the rulers dared not to saythemnay, for the men of Ire were rulers in the land of En.
20 And they appointed them tribunals, a mixed lot of men, so thatthosethat were called out might show them areasonagainst it.
21 And because the net that was spread in the sight of the young men was widein themesh, therefore was the haul thereof fraught with disappointment. And the young men did work themselves free in ways thatwerevarious.
22 And some hied them unto the workshops to become makers of munitions of war, saying, the one unto the other,By this means, assuredly, shall we save our skins. And for a long timeit wasso.
23 And others did cry their woes before the tribunals. Andthe talesthat they did tell were pitiful indeed, and they did move the tribunals unto compassionso thatthey absolved them.
24 And the rulers, that didoughtto set an example, made lusty youths for to be their scribes, and they did put them for to do women's work. And the numberof themthat were absolved in this wise became a crying shame that washeardthroughout all the land.
25 ¶ And when the rulers were questioned hotlyconcerningthese men andconcerningthose that had hidden themselves behind the rampart thatwasmunitions, they bestirred themselves somewhat and didcombthem out.
26 And the number that they didcombout was very great. And because they had not donethis thingbefore, but had waited until the people raised them a clamour, therefore were the rulers blamed exceedingly.
27 Nevertheless, those that rebelled against it because they did have consciences,thesewere not sent out for to fight.
28 But some of them were set to work uponmatters of health, which was a loathsome duty and abhorred by them who,beingwithout a conscience, went out against the enemy.
29 ¶ And when all the men thatwereof full vigour had beentaken, there was an end to the murmuring of the people.
30 And all were of one mind that this thing should have been done before, for they saw that the taking was just, no man suffering beyond his neighbour, and every man fighting for his own.
31 ¶ Now it was made a law that whosoever should enter into a tavern for to buy him strong drink, that man must pay forhis own.
32 And there were some, being them that drank beyond their means, that had a grievancebecauseof it, for to pay fortheir own, they had forgotten the way.
33 Wherefore they did suffer exceedingly andwerefor ever dry; andtheirlook, it was a thirsty one.
34 And whenthe damselsheard about it, they set them out for to finda meansto circumvent it, for the thing was not agreeable unto them.
35 And when a maiden approached unto a tavern, being with a man that had a leaningtowardsher, then would she stop outside, and she would say unto him, Give thou unto me five pieces of silver that I may pay formine own. And whatsoever remaineth over, that will I give thee back afterwe arecome out.
36 And they would enter into a tavern. And she would call the serving man unto her and she would speak unto him in a soft voice, saying, Bring unto me a small portion ofthatwine which cometh from Oporto that I may nourish my bones.
37 And the serving man would bring it unto her, and he would set it down before her. And the damselwouldpay for it out of the five pieces of silver that she had received from her man. And whatsoever was left over,thatwould she place in her purse.
38 Andafterwards, she would smile upon the man that was with her, and she would say unto him, Thy beard becometh thee well. Thou art strong and thy wisdom is great and thine eyes absorb meutterly. Verily doth thine handmaiden feel small in the sight of her lord.
39 All this would she say unto him, and more also; but concerningthat whichwas remaining over from the five pieces of silver she would say no word.
40 And this is ever the way of women that by their artfulness they dowangle it, and whatsoever cometh upcontrary, that do they work for to be an advantage unto them.
1Concerning David. 7His unpopularity amongst certain of the people. 9The rulers disagree. 11David speaketh out. 14He findeth favour with his enemies. 17The things that he did do. 24He reacheth unto high office. 27The Pharisees fall away from him. 29His greatness.
Now there was a certain man and his name was David, and his placewasamongst the rulers of the land of En.
2 Though small of stature, yet was he of a fiery spirit, and the hair upon his face wasasthe bristles of a badgerthat isroused.
3 And his tongue was for ever loose and did wag itself continually, being like unto the tail of a small dog that scenteth its foodfromafar.
4 Now David was one of them thatdidcome from the land of Cam, but the language of his kindred did he speak only upon occasion;
5 And at othertimeshe did speak as the men of En, save only when he delivered him a warning unto them that wouldbuttin; and in such case his words were those of the land of Amer.
6 Now at the time when Willi did lead out his hosts for to fight, Davidwasthe chief tax gatherer in the land of En.
7 ¶ And his name was an abomination throughout the land. Men cursed him in the market places, in the sight of the publicans he was a thing unclean, andhisname stank vilely in the nostrils of the priests.
8 Verily, to love En and David both, was not thought possible by many. Only amongst the Pharisees was it not so, andthese menof little mind did glorify him with a great praise.
9 ¶ Now it came to pass when the rulers of the land of En took counsel, the one with the other, concerning whether they shouldmakethem a war, there were some that did say, Let us make a war, for an honourable pledgedemandethfulfilment; nought can absolve a nation fromitsplighted word, and we arewhatwe are.
10 And there were othersthat werethe Pharisees, and they did say, Why hasten ye towards the shedding of men's blood? Better a peace that obeyeth divine precept than a warthatupholdeth the word of a nation.
11 ¶ And when David heard the things that the Pharisees did say, behold, he arose from his seat in the council chamber and spake unto allthemthat were there.
12 And he lashed the Pharisees with his tongue, sparing them not. And because he wasofthem, therefore were the words that he did say unto them passing apt, so that theydidwriggle in their seats as wormsthat areupon an hot plate.
13 And them that would preserve the nation's honour at a costofblood, these did he sustain with the strength of his doings and the whole might ofhisoratory.
14 ¶ Andwhenthe publicans and the priests and those that had cursed him in the market places were told what he haddone, they were amazed that such a thing could come to pass.
15 And they said unto each other, What manner of man is this that hath for so longbeenagainst us, yet now speaketh our very minds?
16 And they raised him up and made himto beruler over them, and he did find more favour amongst those people than he had found amongst the Pharisees in the time thatwasgone.
17 ¶ And it came to pass that whatsoeverthere wasto be done, that thing did David do; verily, his capacities were as manifold as the lies of a woman accused.
18 And they made him chief over the munitioners, and he did make him engines of war and instruments of siege, and other implements of battlealso, the quantity whereof exceeded calculation.
19 And nobody throughout all the land excelled him in energy and in ingenuity of the mind. And he did even make the workers to work; and thiswasa thing that was neverbeforeknown in the land of En.
20 And when the men of Ire,becausethey were never content, waxed angry, the one with the other, and there was like to be rebellion amongst them, and therewasneed of a mediator for to judge between them,
21 Then the choice of the people fell upon David, and they did send him unto the land of Ire for to speak the soft wordthatcharmeth away wrath.
22 And David went. And after he had finished speaking unto the men of Ire, he returned him unto his seat amongst the rulers.
23 And becausehe wasthe first man that did go for to pacify the men of Ire, yet stirred not up further strife, therefore was his name honoured above any, and poets did sing his praises on the feast daysof theEisteddfod.
24 If And the rulers did choose him to succeed unto a great soldier, and they did place him over the hosts of En, making of him a mighty captain. Andbecausethe people would have none other, therefore was he chosen.
25 And the work that wasalreadybegun, that did he continue. And he did make the hosts of En great beyond all conception, and the strength of En was as the foundations of the earth.
26 And his popularity with the people did grow day by day, wherefore men said, in jest, Behold, herecomethDavid, George that is the Sixth. And they that had hated him before did worship him as a god.
27 ¶ But the Pharisees knew not what to do, for he was become as a revelation unto them. Therefore did they say very littleconcerninghim; and when it happened that they had occasion to utter his name, then would they do sowitha sniffuponthe word.
28 Forsuch isthe way of the Pharisees. And these do place peace above the honour of a nation and an unctuous word before the doing of a thing that is right. And in them there is no stomach for the fray.
29 ¶ But David cared not at all for such as these, and there was no man greater in all the land. And whenthe timecame, he did sit upon the highest seat amongst the rulers of the land, because he was the chosen of the people, and they would have none other.
1The implements of war. 8The engines that did fly. 14Concerning the Mad Major. 25The men of En employ tonics. 34Wherefore the men of Hu cry out.
Nowthese bethe implements of war, and all these things did men use at that time when the nations of the earth banded themselves together for the fight.
2 Now there were guns of great magnitude thatdidhit hard so that there was nothing that could withstand them, and, against them, the fortifications of the citieswereas snow when the sun cometh out.
3 And the guns did scatter death onallsides, above and about, so that there was no living thing left nigh unto the place where theydidstrike; and the compass of a gun, it wasbeyondthe sight of human eye.
4 And there were mines that the engineers did make themunderneaththe ground; and all that which was above the ground,thatdid they scatter unto the heavens so that when it returned again to earth, behold, itwasnot.
5 Also was there gas, and it was made of a vile poison; and when any man did deeply breathe of it, that man would most assuredly die; and the manner of his death, itwasterrible.
6 And they that first made use of the gas that was poisonwerethe men of Hu, for it wasin themto do so because their minds did travel unto such things.
7 And there was liquid thatwasfire, and it was sent against an host for to burn up the fleshof themthat came in the way. And this was alsofromthe men of Hu and was bred of their refinement. And neither of these things did the nations of Eur use in any war that they did wagebefore.
8 ¶ And there were engines that did fly through the air, fearsome weapons of war thatdiddeal out death and destruction from an ambush of clouds.
9 And they were of two kinds. And the Zepswerefat-bellied, being of the men of Hu.
10 These did carry on their goings out a great weight ofmatterthatwasdeath. And they did drop itat a ventureso that it fell amongst peaceful dwellers in the land; and the women and children that did perish by this means, itwasa great number.
11 And there were also engines that did fly which men called planes: andthesewere of both sides. And they were speedy thingsandnimble.
12 And those that did ride in them were brave men and skilful. And the men of Hu prospered not with the planes save onlyin theflight, at which they were exceeding quick.
13 And so there came a time when the men of Hu forbore to go up into the air for to fightbecausethe hazard of such an enterprise, it was very great.
14 ¶ Now the bravery of the warriors of En that did ride in the planes was in the mouths of all the peoplesofthe earth. And there was one whom mendid callthe Mad Major because of his daring.
15 And it was said concerning him that he and death played them a long game wherein the dice were loaded onthe sideof death.
16 And he would venture forth and would fly from the camp of the men of En until he came unto a place whence he could see the hosts of Huspread outbeneath him.
17 Then would he choose him a target from amongst the strongplacesthat were below, and he would swoop him downon a suddenso that he was but a few cubits on high.
18 And the men of Hu would useallmanner of weapons against him, and they would send projectiles that did scatteraboutfor to bring him down amongst them.
19 Yea, from the places thatwerenigh unto him and from the places thatwereafar off would they send of their munition, seeking only that they might slay him. And the heavens were filled with a multitude of balls so that men said, Verily, in the placewherehe is, in that place only is it possible for man to live.
20 And when he that was called the Mad Major waslow enough, then would he drop him a bomb. And it came to pass that all that which wasunderneath, it was destroyed, and the men thatwerethere did assuredly perish.
21 Then would he ascend into the air unto a certain height, for that which he had come for to do,it wasdone.
22 And he would loop hima loop; yea, even over the hosts of Hu would he loop hima loop, for he was of a merry spirit and it wasin himto laugh in this manner.
23 And when he had looped hima loophe would return unto the men of En, and hewouldsay unto them, The bombs that thou gavest unto mewentoff. Give me, therefore, some more that I may disposeof themin likewise.
24 And he was not alone in the things that he did do, for thereweremany like unto him. And concerning the deeds of some thou shalt find it writ in the books; but concerning many, thou shalt find no record oftheirdeeds in the chronicles of that time.
25 ¶ And the men of En did make them chariots of strange and wonderful design, and theydidcall them tanks. And there was no man throughout all the land that did say, I made not this chariot; but every man did draw his neighbourunto the side, and did speak unto him privily, saying, Shush! Let it not be known. I tell thee that I, even I, did takean handin this thing.
26 And the shape of the tanks was for a long time known only to the few. And some said they werelike untoa lizard that is blown out mightily, that walketh as a man plagued withthecorns.
27 And others said they werelike untoan hippopotamus that doth wobble itself amazingly so that no man knoweth whither it intendeth; yet,of a certainty, doth it get there.
28 And others said they werelike untonothing on earth, being for the most part belly of a fashionthat isgiven unto no living thing.
29 And thatwhichwas a shield and a covering unto the tanks was tough past all belief; yea, even the hide of the rhinoceros did not compare unto this. And all the missiles that the men of Hu did sendagainstit were as peas upon a roof that is whole, and it availed them nothing.
30 And in its gait it was like unto a man that hath taken strong drink, having first devoured much rice. For in such case does the belly grow big and the footsteps dobecomeunsteady. Wherefore it was a thingforlaughter amongst the men of En; but in the hosts of Hu it was a thingforfear.
31 And men told strange tales of thethingsthat it did do. And it was said that upon an occasion it did sally forth and, in its adventuring, it did meet with an habitation.
32 And it did go up unto the habitation and itdidlook upon it. And it did goagainstthe habitationwith a purposeso that the walls did fall about it and there was ruination on all sides.
33 And after it had shaken itself free from all thatwhichhad fallen upon it, it did betake itself with modesty unto another place as a man that is overcome with shyness and seeketh topass it over. Verily, it reckednothingof the thing that it had done.
34 ¶ Wherefore, and because it did smite them hip and thigh, sparing not any man that did come up against it, the men of Huwereafraid, and they did cry out with loud lamentations, saying, Why do ye so despitefullyuseus? Know ye not that it is notin the warto do these things?
35 And because menknewthem, they heeded not their groans, so that it availed them nothing; and the tank remained a thing of terror throughout all their hosts.
36 And in this thing the men of Enwerefirst amongst all the fighters of Eur, forit wasnew. And the people rejoiced, being satisfied that it was given unto them as a sign that the rulers werebecomingawake.
1Concerning the land of Amer. 4And the ruler thereof. 11Certain men of Amer are slain. 12Wudro, the son of Wyl, writeth an epistle. 26He writeth again. 27He writeth many times. 28Certain men do question him. 38He revealeth himself.
Now the land of Amer was at the other side of the seathat isAtlantic, and it was many days' sail in a ship from the island of En.
2 And the bounds of that land were set far apart, and the people that did live there were more numerous than the waves of all the seas.
3 And it was a fertile land of extreme fruitfulness, and the earthunderneathit yielded precious metals in abundance. And the people were for ever extolling its greatnessamongstthe nations of the earth.
4 ¶ Now the ruler of the land of Amer was a certain man and his name was Wudro, the son of Wyl; and it happenedin this wise.
5 Whilst Wudro, the son of Wyl, was tending his flock of young men in the pasturethat isknowledge, and after he had taught them how they should go and what things they should know,
6 Behold, the men of Amer came unto him, saying, We have chosen thee for to rule over us; and we havebroughtthee an high hat for to wear as the badge of thine office; and the size of the hat,it issix seven-eighths.
7 And because he knew not what he was letting himselfin for, he gave way to their importuning, and did put on the high hat, thesizewhereof was six seven-eighths.
8 And it came to pass that when the men of En fought against the men of Hu, they did send messengers unto the land of Amer for to buy them munitions for the war. And they tookwith themgold in great quantity wherewith to satisfy the merchants that did sell unto them. Therefore did the land of Amer prosper exceedingly.
9 Now when the men of Hu found out thatthere wasperil in the enterprise, they forbore to send out vessels of war for to fight; in place thereof, they did send them out for to murder those thatwerepeaceful and didsailthe seas without any weaponwherewithto defend themselves.
10 And coming upon a large ship unawares, they did send it unto the bottom of the sea so that alltheythat did travel upon it were cast into the waters for to drown. Yea, even the women and children that were aboard the vessel, all these perished miserably, and the men of Hu did watch their struggles with death unheeding.
11 ¶ Now amongst those that the men of Hu did slay there werecertainmen of the land of Amer.
12 ¶ And when word was brought unto Wudro, the son of Wyl,concerningit, and how the men of Hu had slain his servants, he waxed very wroth. And he betook himself unto a quiet place,fearing lestin the height of his indignation he should do violence untoanyman.
13 And although he was enragedbeyondendurance, nevertheless he was a patient man withal.
14 Therefore he did sit him downandhe did write an epistle unto Willi, being him that ruled overthe menof Hu.
15 And he saidunto him, Knowest thou not that thy servants have slain certain of the men of Amerbecausethey did sail upon the sea?
16 And Willi answered him, saying, Verily, all that thou sayestistrue. Let us therefore put on sackcloth and ashes, and rend our garments, for it isa dayof mourning unto thee, and I,also, am full of sorrow because of it.
17 And when Wudro, the son of Wyl, heard all that Willi had said, and how he made answer unto him in softwords, he knew not what to do, forhe wasa peaceable manandthe land of Amer was prospering greatly.
18 So he sat him down and did write unto Willi again, saying unto him, Thy tearsare asan healing ointment. Butthe thingthat thou hast done, that shalt thou do not again,forthere is a penalty unto it. Take heed, therefore, and obey, for I am a terrible man, and fierce.
19 And Willi answered him and did say, Thouhastsaid so and so, for I haveseenit with mine own eyes. Let us now speakconcerningother matters.
20 And he called unto him a messenger and did command him to deliver the epistle unto the ruler of the land of Amer.
21 And after he was gone, he set to work secretly and didmakehim preparation, for it was his intendment to do againthat thingregarding which Wudro, the son of Wyl, had forewarned him.
22 And when the opportunity came, he did sink more ships, and he did leave those that wereon themto perish. And because they were all vessels of peace, and without armour, therefore was he strongagainst them.
23 And a messenger came unto Wudro, the son of Wyl, in hot haste, and he told him of the things that Willi had done andhow thathe had slain yet more of the men of Amer.
24 Andbecausehe was much agitated at the tidings that were brought unto him,thereforedid Wudro, the son of Wyl, swear an oath, making divers newwordsfor the occasion.
25 And he said unto the courier, The matterconcerning whichthou hast spoken unto me is fraught with evil consequences, for I will write unto Willi another epistle, and I will use mighty words, and Iwillaffright him. Also, there shall bean afterwards.
26 ¶ So he sat him down and did write unto Willi another epistle; and the wordsof itwere so terrifying that the hand of his scribedidtremble even in the putting of it down.
27 ¶ And for a long time it came to pass that whenever Willi did slay any of the men of Amer,thendid Wudro, the son of Wyl, send an epistle unto him, abounding in fearsome words and writ upon onesideof the paper only.
28 ¶ And certain men,beingof a curious mind, questioned him, saying, It is true that the epistles that thou writest are thingsforterror, and thatthe manwho reads them, his blood becometh frozen so that it circulateth not.
29 And it is true, also, that the things which thou threatenestaredire. But thethingsthat thou doest, what are they? Is it not an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth? Yet thou hast sold our livesforgold. Thy threats are idle, and thy words serve but to tickle, not to scratch.
30 And Wudro, the son of Wyl,havingknowledge, did reason with them. And he spake unto them in these words,saying: What mean ye? Are not the epistles to your liking? Are not my words strongandwell chosen, and is not my meaning plain to all?
31 And they answered him, saying, Verily, these things are so. Have we not said it? Nevertheless, the man that is wounded by a word, heshewethno scar.How thenis the marksman to know?
32 And hast thou not perceived that Willi laughs at thee before thy face; and,behindthy back, he doth extend his fingers towards thee, pointing themfromthe apex of his nostrils.
33 At thy threats doth he scoff aloud, and thy servants doth he usein a mannerthat is abominable.
34 If these things find not favour in thine eyes, send forth thine hosts that he may know thatthere ismight behind thy write.
35 And Wudro, the son of Wyl, did loose his tongueupon themand he upbraided them, soundly, saying, Am I a fool and a blind manthatrule over you?
36 Wherefore, then, should ye upbraid me, and who are ye to choosethe time? Verily, I sayunto youthat a lack of understanding, it shineth from your eyes. And your words, they are wantingofany wisdom.
37 But I am trusted of my people; neither shall I betray that trustbecauseof your importuning. And when he had spoken unto them in this wise, he sent them away. And he satisfiedthemnot on that day.
1Wudro delivereth a warning. 5Willi seeketh advice. 9And taketh it. 10Wudro acteth according to his word. 11Whereat Willi is amazed. 13He speaketh boastfully. 17Wudro setteth about the matter. 22He frighteneth Willi. 23Who perceiveth the blessings of peace.
Now the longest rope,it hathan end. Wherefore it came to passin timethat Wudro, the son of Wyl, did send unto Willi, that was the King of the Hu, and he said unto him,
2 Such things and such things hast thou done,all thesebeing against thy plighted word; and thine iniquity, it hath tormented me for a longtimepast. Now, therefore, hearken unto me,andpay attention:
3 Because I am a man of peace, therefore have I borne with thee longenough; and I am become sick unto deathwiththy carryingson. And the blood of my murdered people, it crieth out for retribution.
4 Take heed,therefore, and mend the evil of thy ways, for,on thenext occasion, assuredly shalt thou rue the day.
5 And when Willi had heardthesethings that Wudro, the son of Wyl, did say unto him, he sent in haste unto his chief captains, and he did communewith them.
6 And he questioned them closely concerning the words of Wudro. And he said unto them, Think ye that this man, he meanethanything?
7 And they made answer unto him, saying, Be of good cheer and heed him not, for he is a man that acteth onlyaccording tohis advantage. And to make war, it would advantage him nothing. For the land of Amer, it prospereth exceedingly; and the miller turneth not awaythat streamwhich worketh his wheel.
8 Also, he liveth afar off and his servants,they areunready. Verily, the threats of such an one, they be full of emptiness; and whatsoever he sayeth, that hath healsosaid before.Nevertheless, we will smite himbecauseof it when the time is ripe.
9 And after Willi had heard all the things that the captains of his host did say unto him, his heart was rejoicedwithinhim, and he said unto them, Assuredly are ye men after mine own understanding. Let us, therefore, seeaboutit. And they did seeaboutit.
10 And when word was brought unto Wudro concerning these things and how Willididset his warning at naught, making mock of his threats, then was he very wroth, and he cried out in the violence of his anger, saying, Am I, then, Job,that beborn again, to be tormented thus?
11 And hestraightwaycalled the people unto him, and he spake unto them. And after he had told themeverything, he said unto them, Is it, therefore, amatter forwar? And they answered him with a mighty voice, saying, It is amatter forwar.
12 And when Willi heard what was come to pass,he wasamazed, and his knees, they did tremble beneath him. And he commanded his servants that they should bring unto him the brazen mask, being part of the royal attire; andhe didput it on.
13 And after that it wason, he did raise his voice on high, and he spake, saying,
14 What of the landofAmer? And whatofit? Verily, a pin that lieth inthe way, it is of more account than a spike that lifteth its headat adistance.
15 And the iron heel of Hu, it levelleth all things; neither shallany mandare to withstand it.
16 And when he had finished speaking, he sent out messengersuntothe four corners of the earth, instructing them that they should tellthese thingsunto all people, for he was a boastful fellow and a braggart,for everholding forth in large manner for to be heard of all the world.
17 Now Wudro, the son of Wyl,after thathe had made him war, he cried not out from the housetops what things he would do, but he gat him about it forto dothem.
18 And he opened wide the strings of his purse so that the shekels, they gushedforthas the waters of a brook after rain.
19 And he sent much munition of war unto them that werewith him, and he commanded his physicians that they should go out for to succour the wounded.
20 And hedid sendhis vessels of war also, which were useful things and ready for the fray. And of men that did flyinthe air, he sent alsoof these, an eager bandandvaliant.
21 Neither was he backward in the matter of food, making due provision inallthings. And he did set him about it for to build him an army, a mighty hostsuch asnever before was seen. And he rested him not, neither in the day nor in the night did he rest him, doingalwaysthose things that were requisitefor theundertaking.
22 And when word was brought unto Willi that Wudro, he had taken the coat from off his back, and that he was labouring without any respite, he grew sore afraid, andhe didshake all over with the violence of the tremble of his knees.
23 And when he was recovered by a potion of strong drink, hedidcall the Ministers of State unto his chamber, and he spake unto them, saying, Is there no onenowamongst the men of peacethat willraise his voice against this bloody war?
24 And, lo, straightway,there wasa voice, and it spake concerning peace. And it was blown along by the wind, even unto the land of Amerwas itblown.
25 And when it was come unto the ears of Wudro, that was the son of Wyl, he made answer unto it, and he did say, Verily, it hath a goodly sound.Nevertheless, this peace, it shall not come to pass, for the king of Hu,he hatha lying tongue, and his plighted word, hath he not broken it before?
26 And because he iswhathe is, therefore shall the compact of peace be made only with that man which he is not.
27 And the words of Wudro, they were blown along by the wind, even back from the land of Amerwere theyblown on the wings of the wind.
Take heed, my son, and hearken unto the words of Artemas, for therearemany that will give thee counsel, yet wisdomcomethonly from the few.
2 Put not thy trust in princes, for their bond is of paper that tearetheasily. And their plighted word melteth like butter, before the heat of their necessity.
3 Beware of the king whose pledge runnethawaylike water, for the skins of such shall paper the walls of hell.
4 A man devoured of ambition, he lieth easily; nevertheless,there cometha time when even fools believe him not.
5 Beware of the woman that followeth thee about, for she isafterthy regimental buttons.
6 And if she is safe, then is she a fool; but if she isotherwise, then is she the devil.
7 A woman hunteth thee. She lieth in wait to surprise thee, and willout upon theewhen the time cometh.
8 Flee unto the mountains; pitch thou thy tentafarin the wilderness; take thou sail across the waters until thou comest unto a strange coast. Nevertheless,becauseshe has marked thee down,thereforewill she have thee.
9 When thou goest forth for to fight, take care that thou smitest thine enemy in the back, forit isthe mark of a good fighter so to do.
10 Also, he that shooteth his enemythroughthe head sheddeth light upon his understanding.
11 When the foe doth stand two in a line, shoot thou thy bolt, for then will thine execution be twofold. Verily I say unto thee,Awaitthine opportunity, for a shell in time is as good as a mine.
12 Remember, my son, that the sum of two and twomakethfour; yet in the reports of thine enemy thou shalt find it otherwise.
13 And becausethe penis mightier than the sword, therefore believe it not, else shalt thou surely be deceived.
14 Verily I say unto thee, Blessed is the man thathathimagination, for his countryshallwin many battles.
15 Take ye heedof thelone voice, for in a multitude of counsellors thoushaltfind confusion.
16 And an arsenal that is full of munitions is better than an hundred rulers fullofwords.
17 Hearken not unto the boasting of thine enemy and regard him not, for no man knoweth whatthe daymay bring forth.
18 And in the time of its adversity the soul of a country revealethitself.
19 Get thee about it and do things, for the voice of the sluggard dieth in his throat, but the worker is heard from afar off.
20 Make thou thy task according to thy strength, for no man that weareth costly teeth doth gnaw at the bones of an elephant.
21 Makethy lifewisely, O my son, lest thy neighbours speak ill concerning thee. And if thou shouldst strayfromthe narrow path, remember the other, that it is of sand.
22 Wherefore,treadlightly. For he that leaveth his footprintbehind, his foolishness condemns him. But theprudentsinner is exalted unto heaven,andhis name, it exhaleth a very sweet perfume.
23 For whosoever sups with the devilin a placewhere men pass by, shall he not,therefore, turn out the light?
24 Woe unto the peacemongers that entice theewithwords, for these do seek thine undoing.
25 Thy way leadeth over stony ground, and to go back, it isthe mannerof a coward.
26 For whosoever setteth his hand to the plow, he shall not turn back; and he that finisheth a furrow,he hathnot plowed the field.
27 What man gathereth him the blossom of the apple tree? Rather doth he wait until the fruit cometh, big and full of juice; then doth he eat of it.
28 Avoid thou them that seek to divide the people, one against the other, forthey aretraitors in the land.
29 Turn not away from instruction, O my son, but open thine ears full wide, for wisdom maketh a fair mistressandshe is youthful for all time.
30 And he that followeth after her, his life shall be well ordered and his affairs shall fall outjust so.
31 Thou shalt rulethycomings in andthygoings out according to circumstance, so that nothing ariseth amiss; for a thirstthat isborn at a proper time, it maketh the publican smile; but a thirst that cometh late is an affliction unto him thathathit.
32 Take heed, my son, and hearken unto the words of Artemas, for therearemany that will give thee counsel, yet wisdomcomethonly from the few.