17 And notwithstanding all that which was said by the priests and by them that did grub into things, the wickedness of the people was in no wise greater than the wickedness of the other nations of the world.
18 And this was the state of the land of En when Willi did make him the War: but afterwards, it was different. For the rulers declared them a truce, and no longer cried out after one another in the public places; nevertheless, the ardour of the priests remained without abatement, and there were those amongst the newsmongers on both sides that did conceal their partisanship in an ill manner.
19 ¶ And because the land of En was built upon an island, therefore was it necessary for the food of the people to be brought unto them in ships.
20 And the men of Hu did sink of these ships a few, and the rulers of the land did seize a great number of them for to carry the armies and the implements of war. Wherefore the number of them that were available for to bring the people's food, it was less than before.
21 And they that did own the ships that remained did make them new rates of freight that were twofold, and threefold, and fourfold greater than those that had been before.
22 And the merchants did make them higher prices for the wares that they did sell; and some did do so because it was forced upon them; and others did do so because they were greedy for the profits, wherefore they spake privily, the one unto the other, saying, See, brother, the opportunity is upon us.
23 And because it was beyond them and they could devise no plan against it, therefore did the rulers of the land hold themselves aloof from all these things for a full two years.
24 Wherefore the people did pay them very dearly for everything that they did eat, and those that did sell merchandise in the market places, these grew fat in a lean time.
25 And when the people murmured, the rulers spake soft words unto them, saying, Assuredly is your lot cast in an hard place; even so, the straits of the men of Hu, are they not worse than yours? And because it was war, therefore were the people easily appeased.
26 ¶ Nevertheless, there were many that complained because the owners of the ships and those that sold the people's food did make them profits such as never before; and many blamed the rulers that did countenance such things at a time when there was war.