CHAPTER V.
1 Concerning the land of Russ. 4 The dividing up of it. 6 Confusion ariseth. 10 All men are equal. 11 Concerning Tino, the King of the Greeks. 16 Jon smiteth him. 10 He getteth him thence. 22 Willi speaketh unto the nations. 24 His lamentation in secret.
Now it came to pass in the land of Russ that all the people cried out against the king because of his tyranny.
2 And they did come upon him suddenly, and they did take him. And they cast him into prison, so that he no longer ruled over them.
3 And they straightway set about it for to make all men equal throughout the land. Yea, rich and poor, the wise man and the fool, the workers and the sluggards, the good men and the evil. All these did they strive to make equal together.
4 ¶ And they did divide the land into pieces, being a piece unto each one of them. And the money that was in the treasury, that also did they share amongst them.
5 Nevertheless, there were some, being the nimble ones, that did profit by it exceedingly. And every man's hand, it was turned against his neighbour, for they feared very dreadfully lest he had too much.
6 ¶ And a legion of devils broke loose amongst the people, and they did contend together concerning the equal division of power, so that it was a time of confusion, no man knowing what he would get of it.
7 Verily, it was like unto a cauldron of boiling broth wherein the meat cometh up according to the seething of it; and whosoever did clutch at a piece, he adventured to find it too hot.
8 And some did make peace, and some did make war; and some did borrow money, but none did repay it unto the lenders.
9 And every man in the land, he was equal unto his fellows; and more so was it so with them that did rightly choose the leader to be over them.
10 ¶ Yea, the wise of an high estate, they were brought down very low; and the foolish of low degree, they were lifted up higher than these.
11 ¶ Now there was one amongst the kings of Eur, and his name, it was Tino, the king of the Greeks. And Sophia, that was sister unto Willi, the king of Hu, she had taken him to husband. Yea, verily, she had taken him.
12 And Tino was a crafty man and artful. And whensoever he did speak, behold, there was oil upon his words, so that afterwards he could slide them both this way and also that way, as did him most advantage.
13 Verily, he was as full of lies as the hide of a dog is full of fleas; and he was for ever scheming for to hurt the people of En.
14 And after he had continued in his evil ways for a long time, then did all the peoples that were joined together against the men of Hu cry out in a loud voice, saying with one accord, Is there no one amongst all our brethren that will rid us of this turbulent beast?
15 And there was one, amongst them, a certain man, and his name, it was Jon. And he straightway set sail in a boat, and on the third day he came to Athens.
16 ¶ And after he was arrived there, he did make his way into the presence of Tino, that was the king, and he did smite him one.
17 Yea, he lifted up his foot against him, and did catch him with a lusty stroke.
18 And he commanded his servants that they should bring him a caravan for to carry Tino thence. And Sophia did he put into it also, and Tino's oxen, and his ass, and everything that was his.
19 ¶ And after it was ready, then did Tino get him thence. And he departed into a far country, even unto that place where his caravan now resteth.
20 And he did leave his second born for to rule in his stead, thinking in his heart, This one, he shall keep warm the seat for me.
21 Now when word was brought unto Willi concerning Tino, that was his brother, and concerning all the things that had happened unto him, then waxed he very wroth.
22 ¶ And he spake unto all the nations of the earth, crying out in a loud voice, and saying, Who shall lay hands on the king? And who lay hands on the Lord's anointed?
23 Verily, the time draweth nigh when I will vanquish mine enemies utterly, and Tino, he shall go up again unto that place from whence he hath come down.
24 ¶ And after he had spoken these words unto all the nations of the earth, then did he repair unto the secret chamber of his palace. And he called unto him certain of his servants; and Mud, that was his son, him also did he call unto him.
25 And he put on sackcloth and ashes and did raise his voice in lamentation over Tino, and over Sophia, that was his wife, saying, How are the mighty fallen, and those of an high estate cast down from their high places!
26 I am disturbed because of thee, my Tino, for thou wert more unto me than a brother. Very pleasant hast thou been unto me, and wonderful thy ways towards me.
27 Thine heart, it was deeper than water, and thy tongue as subtil as the smile of a woman that knoweth.
28 The ball of thine eye was a full moon that ripeneth corn, and thy teeth stood out like sentinels of ivory without the gate of Paradise.
29 Thou hast fallen very low, my Tino; very low hast thou fallen indeed, for thou liest with thy face in the dust, neither is there any help in thee.
30 How are the mighty fallen, and those of an high estate cast down from their high places!