Andrew Cassels Brown

“ And whosoever loveth enough, he hath his justification.
15 But woe unto that man who taketh unto himself a wife for the sake of it; a million tears will not suffice for to drown her in.
16 But he that marrieth his beloved in haste, seeking happiness, that man assuredly hath a dog's chance; and he that taketh time about the business, is not his risk also great? ”

“ And it was the light of day that they bestowed, but upon the doings of the war they shed no more light.
6 Now the giving of more light was one of the things that the rulers did wisely, wherefore the people did praise them; and they were amazed, for it was not the custom amongst the men of En to praise the rulers of the land.
7 Neither was there often cause therefor, for a wise ruler is precious beyond price, howbeit many a fool is raised unto an high place;
8 For the fool speaketh sometimes wisdom, and it is recorded. But the foolishness of fools do men forget. ”

“ Verily, many go forth unto the wars but the number of them that return, it is not so great. Therefore is it necessary for them that are of an age to make them families, else in what manner shall the nation endure. ”

“ And he commanded his servants that they should bring unto him the brazen mask, being part of the royal attire; and he did put it on.
13 And after that it was on, he did raise his voice on high, and he spake, saying,
14 What of the land of Amer? And what of it? Verily, a pin that lieth in the way, it is of more account than a spike that lifteth its head at a distance.
15 And the iron heel of Hu, it levelleth all things; neither shall any man dare to withstand it. ”

“ Of what is the oak and of what the trees that were round about?
26 ¶ And Bern answered him, saying, The nurseryman is the Lord of Hosts. The oak that He planted, it is thyself, O king; and the trees that would choke it, they are the nations that dwell round about.
27 The axe is thine army, and the servant of the husbandman is he whom thou shalt make to be the captain over all thine host.
28 And when Willi heard the things that the wise man did say, he was well pleased ”

“ Only amongst the Pharisees was it not so, and these men of 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 should make them a war, there were some that did say, Let us make a war, for an honourable pledge demandeth fulfilment; nought can absolve a nation from its plighted word, and we are what we are. ”

“ Wherefore there was a dearth of paper in the land and the price of it became an high one.
10 And they that were dealers in books demanded five shekels of silver for their wares; and before, they did ask only four shekels of silver and six pieces of copper.
11 Nevertheless, there yet remained some in the land that bought them books for to read: and the rest of the people, recking not the waste of paper, did take up their pens, and they did write. And Artemas, the scribe, he was one of these. ”

“ And when men from the land of Ire took power into their own hands and did rule over En, there was no one amongst the rulers to say them nay.
5 And the men of Ire exacted tribute from the rulers, and the people of the land rebelled not; for penury doth bring forth wisdom, but prosperity breedeth only fools. And the prosperity of the land of En was great. ”

“ Let us therefore hasten about it lest, peradventure, we meet with an hindrance upon the way.
5 For the women of that time were a crafty lot and they did beguile their men with soft words; and the wiles of Bathsheba, that did wash herself, were as nothing in comparison to these, for they were full of artfulness. ”

“ And because they had not done this thing before, 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, these were not sent out for to fight.
28 But some of them were set to work upon matters of health, which was a loathsome duty and abhorred by them who, being without a conscience, went out against the enemy.
29 ¶ And when all the men that were of full vigour had been taken, there was an end to the murmuring of the people. ”

“ CHAPTER II. 1 Peace reigneth in En. 2 Internal discord is loosed. 4 The men of Ire have much power. 6 They obtain their demands. 12 Petty strife prevaileth. 14 The priests see wickedness everywhere. 19 The owners of ships raise their hire. 26 The rulers are blamed. 27 Concerning the war scribes.
Now there was peace throughout all the land of En, and the noise of battle was afar off. And the merchants of the world did bring their wares for to sell them, even fine cloth and spices that were rare did they bring in their ships. ”

“ In our houses there are many fires and the women do put them hot bricks into our beds so that our 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 will make us wet. And a skin that is wet affecteth the nose.
10 And the food that we shall eat, it will lie heavy upon our stomachs; neither will the women sustain us with hot bricks. ”

“ CHAPTER XII. 1 Concerning those that went not forth for to fight. 14 The rulers commune together on the matter. 17 And call out all the young men. 18 But certain are absolved. 25 Wherefore many are combed out. 29 And the people are satisfied. 31 Each man payeth for his own strong drink.
And when the fighters had gone forth unto the war, there yet remained certain men that were strong and sound of limb. And every man that went not forth, he had his reason. ”

“ Men cursed him in the market places, in the sight of the publicans he was a thing unclean, and his name stank vilely in the nostrils of the priests.
8 Verily, to love En and David both, was not thought possible by many. ”

“ I tell thee that I, even I, did take an hand in this thing.
26 And the shape of the tanks was for a long time known only to the few. And some said they were like unto a lizard that is blown out mightily, that walketh as a man plagued with the corns. ”

“ And the hosts of En did receive their portion before all others.
16 Therefore those that were wealthy amongst the people used not their chariots save when there was need; and they that were used to joy ride, they did do so no more. ”

“ CHAPTER VII. 1 The country is bereft of its young men. 2 The rulers send unto the women. 3 Who make them munitions of war. 4 And sell merchandise in the bazaars. 8 And watch over the people. 11 They receive much money. 14 Concerning a certain man that imbibed too freely. 23 The women work on the land. 34 They rebel. ”