CHAPTER IV.
1 The caution of the rulers. 4 They make them a censor. 11 The people complain. 14 They tell the people more. 15 And appoint Balf to speak concerning the navy. 20 He doeth so. 26 And becometh a laughing stock.
Now when the rulers of the land made them a war, they became very wary, fearing lest their enemies should discover those things that they had in store for them.
2 And they said, the one unto the other, It were prudent to say nothing unto the common people concerning what we have done. In this manner shall we preserve their peace of mind, and it will be a means also whereby we may throw dust in the eyes of the men of Hu. But after it is all over, then will we tell the people.
3 And because the thing that they did contemplate was not possible, therefore were they constrained to tell unto the people certain things concerning the war and how went the day.
4 ¶ Nevertheless, they were affrighted lest the people should learn too much, and so they made them a censor. And this was one that would say, This is so, and this only; the rest, it is not so.
5 And they that sold news unto the people were vastly provoked, for it liked them not to be told the things that they should say; also was it an hindrance unto them to be circumscribed by the truth.
6 And when they came into the presence of the censor and bowed themselves low before him (for he was a great man), he would have none of them.
7 And he would say unto them, These three lines, they are official: but the other things that have happened, they did happen not at all.
8 And those amongst the newsdealers that did know something would foam at the mouth in the violence of their rage. And they would spit upon the floor and would utter deep curses.
9 And because he was an orderly man, therefore did the censor make him a scheme for the better administration of all those things that were within his authority. And the scheme that he did make, it was this.
10 After a thing had become known in the land of Hu for the space of thirty days, then would he deliberate in his mind concerning it. And if it seemed good unto him, after seven days had passed he would impart it unto the people.
11 ¶ And there was a great outcry throughout all the land, for this was but one of many things. Verily, the patience of Job was not tried as the patience of the men of En in the days when they waged war.
12 And the people said unto the rulers, Why do ye these things, ye men of little understanding? Are we children that ye treat us thus, and have ye no faith in the strength of our conviction?
13 All those things that are safe for us to know, them shall ye tell unto us. And if the tidings be good, assuredly we will rejoice. And if the tidings be bad, they shall but serve to fortify our purpose. The tempest disturbeth the waters, the tempest revealeth the rock.
14 ¶ And the rulers heard what the people did say, and they hearkened unto them. And they said unto him that was the censor, The people are complaining because they know not how goes the day. Therefore shalt thou tell them more about it: but take care that it be not much more. And he did that which the rulers had told him to do.
15 ¶ And the rulers of the land did also call unto them a certain man, and his name was Balf. And he was over all the vessels of war, a mighty force, supreme upon the seas.
16 And they said unto him, Because thou art thou, therefore shalt thou say unto the people whatsoever seemeth good unto thee.
17 For thou hast a wise head and a still tongue, and whatsoever thou sayest, it will not be too much.
18 Now it came to pass that the vessels of the men of En did fight with the vessels of the men of Hu in a great battle, and it raged for a long time.
19 And before it was come to an end, behold, the vessels of the men of Hu did steal away quickly and did hide them in a mist, for the day had not gone well with them, and they were sore afflicted.
20 ¶ And when word was brought unto Balf concerning the battle, and concerning the numbers that had perished on both sides, he did call the people unto him, and he spake unto them, saying,
21 Woe is this day that hath brought desolation unto En. Know ye, O my brothers, how many be slain of them that sailed against the men of Hu? Assuredly, the number thereof, it is very great. And of the vessels of war, there be many destroyed. Verily is this a day that is full of woe.
22 And when the people heard that which he did say unto them, they were perturbed beyond measure, fearing they knew not what.
23 And after a certain time had passed by, he called the people unto him again, and he spake unto them, saying, Wherefore are ye perturbed and why cast down?
24 Listen unto me, ye men of gloom, and rejoice at my words. For in that battle whereof I have told you, many perished that sailed from En; but amongst the men of Hu there was carnage that was great beyond compare. And that day did see our adversary vanquished in the fight.
25 And they that heard him were amazed and said, the one unto the other, What strange fruits, these, of his philosophy!
26 ¶ But the news-mongers gloried in his foolishness, because he was the mouthpiece of the rulers.
27 Nevertheless, he that was the censor relaxed not his vigilance, so that nothing was known in the land of En save only those things that were necessary for to quiet the people.