2 ¶ And the damsels rejoiced openly, saying, Verily, it is a time that aboundeth in possibilities,
3 Peradventure it will embolden him somewhat in the wooing of me, for love in a dark place, assuredly, it needeth no footwarmer.
4 ¶ And the young men rejoiced also, saying, In the dark of the night, in the very great darkness of the city, there shall I tell her the tale.
5 And after that she is softened towards me, then will I gather her in. And I will quench my thirst at the fountain of her lips, and the rapture of her touch, it shall feed mine appetite for love.
6 ¶ And the maidens of an age, they rejoiced as well. For she that was thirty and five years old when it was day, she was judged by the shortness of her garments after that it was become the night.
7 And many damsels came unto the city of Lon from the country that was round about it, seeking to avail themselves of the darkness that was there.
8 And they complained in their villages and in their towns also, saying, Why is the city of Lon favoured above other cities?
9 ¶ Now there was a certain man, and he was wedded unto a wife. And it came to pass on an occasion that he did go with her along an highway in Lon at a time when it was dark. And she was garbed in raiment that was black, so that he did take hold upon her arm, fearing lest he should lose her.
10 And whither they were going, that did he know not, save only that they sought the habitation of a friend, there to partake of nourishment and, perchance, a little wine.
11 And as they walked, behold, she raised her voice against him. And she did utter bitter sayings; and she told him how he had troubled her for a long time past.