CHAPTER XIX.
1 Concerning the women. 3 Certain of them are rewarded. 4 And certain of them go forth with the fighters. 7 And certain of them become scribes unto the rulers. 16 Concerning revelations. 19 The young man and the maiden that was full up.
Now the things that came to pass amongst the women of the land, they were of divers kinds according to the manner of the women.
2 And those that before the war had been wont to ride through the country carrying fire and brimstone, they became full of zeal for the glory of En.
3 ¶ Wherefore they gat their reward, being vouchsafed the right to speak on the choice of the rulers. And they were filled with contentment, saying, the one unto the other, It is the beginning.
4 ¶ And certain of the women did go forth for to be with the fighters of En. And they were of two kinds. And some of them were Waacs, and some of them were Wrens.
5 And those that were Waacs, they were of the land; and those that were Wrens, they were of the sea.
6 And the things that they did do made all men wonder, for they avoided not the hardships of their brothers, but shared with them the trials on the way.
7 ¶ And certain of the damsels did contrive for to get them work at the hands of the governors; and they did go unto those places where the business of war, it was carried on.
8 And after the work of the day, it was come to an end, then would they foregather, and they would commune, the one with the other. And they would say,
9 Hast thou seen the new captain that be come unto our room? Verily, he hath a countenance that pleaseth me mightily, and his eyes, they be blue; moreover, there is hair upon his lip that tempteth exceedingly.
10 Also, he hath looked upon me with a look; and, peradventure, I have found favour in his eyes. Yea, notwithstanding that men do say he hath got shekels in abundance, nevertheless, I have a feeling towards him in spite of it.
11 And the damsel unto whom she did speak, she would make answer, and she would say, Verily, there are many that will envy thee because of thy captain. And now will I tell thee something also.
12 There is a certain man and he is of an high rank, being even one that captains do salute. And he is that man who doth say unto me the things that I shall write.
13 And after that I have brought the writing unto him and he hath made his mark upon it, then doth he reward me; and the manner of the reward, it is a kiss.
14 Peradventure in a little time he will make him an arrangement for to meet me afterwards, the better to say unto me all those things that a man, who loveth much, doth speak to the maiden that hath him.
15 And, because thou art my friend, therefore shalt thou be welcome to mine house when the time cometh that we be wed.
16 ¶ And certain of the damsels did don strange apparel, that was like unto the raiment of men. And their nether limbs did stand revealed; yea, their legs, they were no longer hid.
17 And men perceived their shape, that some of them were straight, and some were of a curve; and the others, they knocked them at the knees.
18 And they cursed the war in their hearts because of these things, that it had revealed them. And they prayed that the days of their innocence might be given back unto them and their faith again made whole.
19 ¶ Now there were some amongst the young men that, being with a maid, did wrongly read the tokens of the damsel's love, and the look of it, thinking, Perchance the damsel fasteth over long.
20 And he would say unto her, Let us now seek out a place where we may regale ourselves with meat, and with choice viands.
21 And with a measure of prepared wheat, and with a little wine also, for I perceive that thy stomach, it troubleth thee somewhat.
22 And the damsel, she would make denial of it, and she would be loth for to go in, feigning to be freshly nourished, and abundantly.
23 And he would strive to cajole her; nevertheless, for a long time, she would hearken not unto the voice of his pleadings.
24 But when he was come to the end of his persuasions and she did perceive that the meal, it was in peril, then would she speak unto him earnestly.
25 And she would say unto him, For thy sake will I do this thing; yea, for none other would I eat at a time when I be full up. And after that she was finished speaking, then would she go in.
26 And if she did know that the taste of his mouth was towards sweetness, then would she seek to gain favour in his eyes, and she would say unto him,
27 Take thou the morsel of sugar that be mine, for the need of thy servant, it is nought in comparison with thine.
28 And so she would win his regard, even with the morsel of sugar would she do it. And, afterwards, she would set about it, and she would eat.
29 And when she had made an end of eating, the young man, he would be amazed. And upon the next day, he would say unto his friend,
30 Verily, it were better to take an hungry man into such a place than a maiden, full up, that holdeth back.
31 Yea, what shall it profit a man that the music tell of a perfect day, if his pockets be empty and the week, it yet young.