26 And because they did know it and because their daughter had succeeded only as high as a corporal of the lance, they would bow themselves down and would speak words of flattery, for she that was wife unto a captain was a power in the confines of the cities.
27 But there were many maidens that no man took unto him for wife, and the days of these were bitter living; neither did their sisters that had clicked refrain from telling them about it.
28 Wherefore some of the damsels that were left over did journey into the wilderness for to meditate concerning the matter, for the airs of a woman that is married are as a goad unto her that languisheth alone.
29 And so it came to pass that certain of them did get them war work from the makers of munitions, and certain of them did get them war babies from no man knew whither. Yea, every one did act according to her lights and did do all those things that the occasion did demand.
CHAPTER XII.
1 Concerning those that went not forth for to fight. 14 The rulers commune together on the matter. 17 And call out all the young men. 18 But certain are absolved. 25 Wherefore many are combed out. 29 And the people are satisfied. 31 Each man payeth for his own strong drink.
And when the fighters had gone forth unto the war, there yet remained certain men that were strong and sound of limb. And every man that went not forth, he had his reason.
2 And some said, To kill men in battle is a wicked thing. Would ye therefore have us to go against our consciences?
3 And when the people questioned these, they replied unto them, saying, The wise man giveth obedience unto his conscience lest it torment him; neither is there any escape from it. And we are men of wisdom.