CHAPTER II.
2 Concerning David. 9 Concerning Simon. 12 Concerning Horatio. 17 Concerning Frances. 22 Concerning Lazz. 24 Concerning Reding. 27 Concerning Lanz.
Now these be the names and these the manner of men; and as it is writ about them, so also is it.
2 ¶ There was David, that was the chief ruler over all the land. And he continued in the way that he was going, gaining favour with the people continually, and filling the minds of them that hated him with bitter envy.
3 Verily, he became more so than ever before, and whatsoever there was to be done, that thing of a surety he would do. Neither was there any occasion when he was found wanting.
4 Wherefore it came to pass that those who ruled with him, after that they had got them into an hole, then they did come unto David for to raise them up again; and always he did do it.
5 And when the hearts of the men of En grew heavy within them because of the soreness of their lot, which was an hard lot, being full of trials,
6 Then would he open his mouth full wide and he would speak. And the words that he did utter, they poured forth in a fiery stream that did set the hearts of the people aflame.
7 Wherefore his enemies, they did gnash their teeth in secret, being consumed with the violence of their rage. And they did conspire together for to do him hurt; yea, his greatness, it did fret them beyond endurance.
8 Nevertheless, there was none other amongst them that did come up unto David, that ruled at a time of trouble such as never before was known in all the world.
9 ¶ Now Simon was that man who had erstwhile been a thorn in the flesh of the rulers because he did abominate the war, nor comprehend that it was requisite. Wherefore there were many that did call him Simple.
10 But after that he had perceived things, and the men of Hu, he had seen that which was in their minds, then did he gird on his armour and he did go out for to fight. For the lust of blood, it was entered into his bones.
11 Moreover, he did take a damsel unto him to wife.
12 ¶ Now Horatio, being the scribe of the new apocrypha, he refrained not from writing concerning Horatio, and concerning the things that Horatio, he would do.
13 And on an occasion he spake unto the people in a loud voice, saying unto them, Hearken unto my voice, ye men of En, and pay heed to the words of my mouth. For who shall be keeper of the victuals? And who the chief larderer of En?
14 Verily, there is such a man that be fit for to undertake it. And the name of the man, behold, it is Horatio!
15 And when the people had heard the things that he did say, they began to observe him closely. And they perceived that though he was given over to fatness, yet had he also an hungry eye.
16 Wherefore they made him not the chief larderer of En, neither did they choose him for to be the keeper of the victuals; for they were a crafty lot, and the size of his stomach, it was against him.
17 ¶ Now Frances, that was surnamed Loid, he was the chief of all the soldiers that were in Lon.
18 And he was for ever making him ordinances so that the fighters that were in Lon, they should know the things that they should do.
19 And on a time he did stand forth in the presence of the people, and he cried out in a loud voice, saying unto them, Why speak ye concerning my soldiers, that they be boys?
20 Know ye not that they be men, full grown and vigorous. Also, they do acquit themselves valiantly in the face of the enemy, so that all the world, it is amazed at their prowess. And he upbraided them soundly because of it.
21 Wherefore many condemned him for a fool, because he understood not that which was in the people's hearts nor perceived the meaning of the word.
22 ¶ And there was a certain man, and his name, it was Lazz. And he was one of them that was born of the enemy.
23 And because he did have friends in an high place, therefore, whatsoever he did do, that thing, it was judged in secret. Nevertheless, the judges, they did put him away.
24 ¶ Now, he that was the chief judge in the land of En, his name, it was Reding.
25 And he was one of the children of Israel, a man of honour, and of good repute throughout all the land. Also, he was a man that did follow after wisdom, having a full head and abhorring the ways of the foolish.
26 Nevertheless, the rulers did send him to uphold the dignity of En amongst the men of Amer; whereat many wondered, because he was a most fit man.
27 ¶ And there was a certain man, being of the nobles of the land, and his name it was Lanz.
28 And on an occasion he did hold forth concerning peace and concerning the blessings thereof. Wherefore there were some that said, Behold, he is possessed of a bolo.
29 And although he perceived that men, they understood him not, nevertheless he did hold forth again; and his folly was a bye-word in the land.