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.
Now it came to pass that all the young men went forth for to fight, and there remained only those that were old or infirm and some that had sneaked them through.
2 ¶ And because there was much work to be done, therefore did the rulers of the land send word unto the women, saying, Come ye unto the workshops of the cities and there do all those things that the young men were wont to do. And they came as with one accord.
3 ¶ And they did make them munitions of war of many kinds, and did become skilled artificers, both in metal and in wood; and they rested not from their labours, save only on the days appointed.
4 ¶ And there were others that did sell merchandise in the bazaars. And so it fell out that when a man went forth for to buy him under-vestments, the damsel that was in the bazaar would say unto him, What is thy need, O son of man?
5 And he was ashamed to tell her all that which was in his heart, and he knew not what to say; wherefore was he halting in his speech and his countenance did take on the colour of blood.
6 But the maiden that did tend unto his wants, she was in no wise disquieted, and she did beseech him to impart unto her the name of the thing.
7 And, afterwards, she did hold up the leg of the garment for appraisement and did raise her voice in praise of it. And the young man was brought into a proper state upon the instant, so that he did buy whatsoever she did shew unto him. And his going out from that place was quicker than his coming in.
8 ¶ And there were women appointed for to see that the people did no wrong thing. And certain of these did betake them on the dark nights unto the quiet places at a time when the mating season was nigh.
9 And they did flash them a light on those that were unready; but those that did know about it, them did they find better circumstanced.
10 And the people liked it not, for there was no place that was safe unto them, and the course of true love was an hard one and much beset with spies.
11 ¶ And because the women were given high places in the land, therefore was their recompense high also, and the money that they did earn, it was a large sum.
12 And so it came to pass that certain men that were mean of spirit forsook their labours and became idle. And when men spake unto them concerning it and upbraided them, they answered them, saying, Wherefore should we go about it? And why should we toil? Are not our wives diligent, and do they not provide for us according to their means?
13 And they that heard them were filled with a great aversion, and they were glad in their hearts that in all the land of En there were few men like unto these.
14 ¶ Now there was a certain man and he did imbibe of the juice of the grape in a manner that was not wise.
15 And every night when he returned unto his habitation he was full up with strong drink; and because he sought his bedchamber in vain, therefore would he make him a couch upon the mat that was nigh unto the gate.
16 And it was a sore trial unto his wife, for she knew not what to do. And she did cast about in her mind, seeking to devise some means whereby to make him whole.
17 And because she was a woman wise beyond the most, being also strong and lusty, therefore did she contrive a plan; and she became one of them that looked after the people.
18 And the same night when her husband returned unto her, walking in soulful meditation because he was drunk, then did she go forth for to greet him; and she came upon him in the way.
19 And she called unto her two women, mighty of stature, that were lying in ambush near by. And the muscles of their arms were of a size and their strength was very great. And they took him.
20 And it came to pass upon the morrow that he was brought before the judge. And when he had heard all that the women had to say, he said unto him, Assuredly thou art a guilty man.
21 For thine indiscretion thou shalt be mulcted in forty shekels of silver; and if thou payest not upon the nail, then shalt thou be cast into prison, there to remain during fourteen days.
22 And because he was a wise man when the morning was come, therefore he paid up; and he returned unto his home much chastened. And from that day forth he put all strong drink away from him, wherefore he was called Tam-ed, which signifieth, One that hath been through it.
23 ¶ Now when the harvest was ripe, and there were no labourers in the fields for to gather it in, the husbandmen that were on the land became cast down and they did make them an outcry.
24 And certain women approached unto them, and said, Wherefore are ye cast down, ye wealthy men of the fields?
25 Behold, we and our sisters will gather in the standing corn, and in the winter we will prepare the ground for the crops that are to be.
26 And because it is not in them to be otherwise, therefore the husbandmen changed not their countenances that were woeful; but they said unto the women,
27 Forget ye not that ye are what ye are. Nevertheless, because ye say it, therefore it shall be so. First shall ye reap the harvest, and afterwards shall ye do the other things whereof ye speak.
28 And so the women laboured all day in the fields. And they did take them cooling drinks amongst the corn when the sun was high, and they did eat cream that was rich unto yellowness, and also pasties in abundance. Nevertheless, when night was come they did sleep; neither did the things that they had eaten lie heavy upon their stomachs.
29 And so the harvest was gathered in and there was much rejoicing because of it. But amongst the husbandmen there was only foreboding, for such do never rejoice.
30 And when the cold of the year was come, the husbandmen spake unto the women, saying, Now is the time when ye shall go forth to prepare the ground for the crops that are to be.
31 And so the women went forth. And when they had come unto the place appointed, behold, there was a great heap before them, and it was manure. And the husbandmen drew nigh and they said unto the women,
32 All this shall ye spread upon the fields, and more also. And it shall come to pass, after that ye have digged it in, that the earth shall be renewed; and the crops that ye shall sow, these shall flourish exceedingly. And the husbandmen went their way.
33 Now the heap that was manure, it was an abomination; and the stink thereof was so great that the women did cover over their nostrils with cambric and with pieces of fine lace.
34 ¶ And they followed after the husbandmen with one accord, and spake unto them, saying, We did gather in your corn, even the oats and the barley did we reap for you: and the hay, we did make it into stacks.
35 And the husbandmen answered them, saying, Verily all these things whereof ye speak, them did ye do.
36 And the women said unto them, The scent of the harvest was sweet unto our nostrils; but this heap that is manure, it is a stinking thing, and we will have none of it.
37 So they turned them about and hied them unto the cities for to become scribes. And they did spend the wages of their first week's hire upon a measure of choice perfume. Nevertheless, the stink of the heap that was manure abode with them during many days.