Artemas: the second book, concerning men, and the things that men did do, at the time when there was war

Chapter I

i Artemas writeth again. 3 Concerning a journey. 7 And the things that he did learn. 13 One confesseth a secret. 17 And imparteth it. 20 His mendacity condemneth him. 22 The scribe revealeth himself.

HPHE words of Arte- *■ mas of the scribes that were in Lon in the land of En, being those words that he did write him also-,

2 Of the things that were and of the things that were to be: concerning men and the things that men did do.

3 1j Now it came to pass on an occasion that I, oeing Artemas, the scribe, did journey in a certain carriage unto the city of Lon.

4 And it was a carriage that was full of a multitude, such being the wont in those clays, so that / did perforce stand me up on my feet.

5 And, behold, there was a man; and he did sit upon my right hand. And there was another man also; and he did sit upon my left hand.

6 And they did hold speech, the one with the other. Yea, even as I stood up between them did they speak familiarly across me.

7 ff Wherefore I did learn many things concerning them, and concerning the course of the war, and concerning the rulers of the land,

8 And concerning the wives of the rulers and their children also, and concerning the money that they were possessed of, and concerning their wickedness in secret places.

9 And after I had heard many things that amazed me mightily, then he that was upon my left hand, he did speak unto the other,

10 And he did say unto him, What thinkest thou concerning the Book that is of Artemas?

11 And he that was upon my right hand, he did wriggle him about in strange ways.

12 And after that he was wriggled about sufficiently, then did he make answer and he did say,

13 fl Speak not unto me concerning that Book, for I have a reason. Also, it is a secret.

14 And I did ope mine ears full wide for to hear, notwithstanding that he was that manner of man that expoundeth nought save

[ch. I.

only the things that be secret.

15 And he did say unto his friend, Nevertheless, oecause thou hast an open countenance and art, moreover, that man whom my soul loveth,

16 Therefore dost thou prevail upon me to impart unto thee that which thou shalt tell unto no man.

171} For I> even I, am he that did write the Book that is of Artemas.

18 Yea, notwithstanding that thou knowest me only as one that vendeth choice meats, nevertheless I did write me also that Book which is inscribed unto Eve.

19 Ana perchance I shall write me another book also if, so be it, I am spared and it pleaseth me so to do.

20 If And after I had heard the things that he did say, then did I know him for a liar.

21 For he was a man

CH. I.]

that was garbed in the raiment of peace, but he that men call Artemas, is he not one of the host of En?

22 fl Verily, it is even so, or otherwise. But which of him be him, what man shall say anything to the contrary?

THE SECOND BOOK OF ARTEMAS [CH.II.

Chapter II

2 Concerning David. 9 Concerning Simon. 12 Concerning Horatio. 17 Concerning Frances. 22 Concerning Lass. 24 Concerning Beding. 27 Concerning Lanz.

MOW these be the ^ names and these the manner of men ; and as it is writ about them, so also is it.

2 fl There was David, that was the chief ruler over all the land. And he continued in the way that he was going, gaining favour with the people continually, and filling the minds of them that hated him with bitter envy.

3 Verily, he became more so than ever before, and whatsoever there was to be done, that thing of a surety he would do. Neither was there any occasion when he was found wanting.

4 Wherefore it came to pass that those who ruled with him, after that they had got them into an hole, then they did come unto David for to raise them up again; and always he did do it.

5 And when the hearts of the men of En grew heavy within them because of the soreness of their lot, which was an hard lot, being full of trials,

6 Then would he open his mouth full wide and he would speak. And the words that he did utter, they poured forth in a fiery stream that did set the hearts of the people aflame.

7 Wherefore his enemies, they did gnash their teeth in secret, being consumed with the violence of their rage. And they did conspire together for to do him hurt ; yea, his great-

CH.II.] THE SECOND BOOK OF ARTEMAS ness, it did fret them beyond endurance.

8 Nevertheless, there was none other amongst them that did come up unto David, that ruled at a time of trouble such as never before was known in all the world.

9 |f Now Simon was that man who had erstwhile been a thorn in the flesh of the rulers because he did abominate the war, nor comprehend that it was requisite. Wherefore there were many that did call him Simple.

10 But after that he had perceived things, and the men of Hu, he had seen that which was in their minds, then did he gird on his armour and he did go out for to fight. For the lust of blood, it was entered into his bones.

11 Moreover, he did take a damsel unto him to wife.

12 U Now Horatio, being the scribe of the new apocrypha, he refrained not from writing concerning Horatio, and concerning the things that Horatio, he would do.

13 And on an occasion he spake unto the people in a loud voice, saying unto them, Hearken unto my voice, ye men of En, and pay heed to the words of my mouth. For who shall be keeper of the victuals? And who the chief larderer of En?

14 Verily, there is such a man that be fit for to undertake it. And the name of the man, behold, it is Horatio!

15 And when the people had heard the things that he did say, they began to observe him closely. And they perceived that though he was given over to fatness, yet had he also an hungry eye.

16 Wherefore they made him not the chief larderer of En, neither did they choose him for to be the keeper of the

THE SECOND BOOK OF ARTEMAS [CH. II.

victuals; for they were a crafty lot, and the size of his stomach, it was against him.

17 1j Now Frances, that was surnamed Loid, he was the chief of all the soldiers that were in Loii.

18 And he was for ever making him ordinances so that the fighters that were in Lon, they should know the things that they should do.

19 And on a time he did stand forth in the presence of the people, and he cried out in a loud voice, saying unto them, Why speak ye concerning my soldiers, that they be boys?

20 Know ye not that they be men, full grown and vigorous. Also, they do acquit themselves valiantly in the face of the enemy, so that all the world, it is amazed at their prowess. And he upbraided them soundly because of it.

21 Wherefore many condemned him for a fool, because he understood not that which was in the people's hearts nor perceived t]ie meaning of the word.

22 Jf And there was a certain man, and his name, it was Lazz. And he was one of them that was born of the enemy.

23 And because he did have friends in an high place, therefore, whatsoever he did do, that thing, it was judged in secret. Nevertheless, the judges, they did put him away.

24 U Now, he that was the chief judge in the land of En, his name, it was Reding.

25 And he was one of the children of Israel, a man of honour, and of good repute throughout all the land. Also, he was a man that did follow after wisdom, having a full head and abhorring the ways of the foolish.

26 Nevertheless, the

CH. II.]

rulers did send him to uphold the dignity of En amongst the men of Amer ; whereat many wondered, because he was a most fit man.

27 Jf And there was a certain man, being of the nobles of the land, and his name it was Lanz.

28 And on an occasion he did hold forth concerning peace and concerning the blessings thereof. Wherefore there were some that said, Behold, he is possessed of a bolo.

29 And although he perceived that men, they understood him not, nevertheless he did hold forth again; and his folly was a bye-word in the land.

THE SECOND BOOK OF ARTEMAS [CH. III.

Chapter III

1 Concerning Eonda. 6 Concerning Yapp. 7 Concerning Smuts. 9 Concerning Barns. 16 Concerning Rep.

MOW he that was ^ chosen for to keep the food of the people, and to be the chief larderer in the land, his name, it was Ronda,

2 And the path of this man, it was beset with obstacles; and it did lie between the devil, that was the sellers of victuals, and the deep sea, that was the people.

3 And he did have dominion over the birds of the air, and over the beasts of the field, and over the fishes that were in the sea.

4 And at a word from his mouth, all the rabbits that were in the land, they did vanish out of sight; neither were they seen any more of man.

5 Nevertheless, though some did curse him openly, yet did he dc that which was appointed unto him.

6 |f Now he that was an help unto Ronda, his name, it was Yapp. And he was a man that did buy him pig in small pieces; neither did he get him the half of a swine, save only over a long time and in fragments.

7 |f Now there was a certain great captain, and his name, it was Smuts. And he did come from afar off for to counsel the fighters of En.

8 And notwithstanding that his name, it was what it was, nevertheless he was a power in the land ; and his words, they were sold for the price of four farthings.

9 |f Now, there was another man, also, and his name, it was Barnz. And

CH. III.] THE SECOND BOOK OP ARTEMAS notwithstanding that he was a man of labour, nevertheless, his seat was amongst the rulers of the land.

10 And he spake unto the people in a speech, and he said unto them, Who is Winston and who is he ? Verily, he is that man who hath butted him in, and he hath wrought mischief throughout all the land, because of what he hath done.

11 And after he had finished speaking, behold, a clamour arose amongst all the people, and they cried out against Winston, because he had butted him in.

12 And when Barnz saw how it was with the people, and that Winston, also, he was swollen up with the anger that was in him, then did he speak unto the people again, fearing lest they had not heard him aright.

13 And he spake unto them in these words, saying, What I did mean or what I did ought to have meant, it was another thing.

14 Wherefore, understand ye all that Winston, he did not butt him in alone. For I, even I, that be Barnz, the man of labour, I also did butt me in with him. Also, and moreover, we did butt us in together.

15 And at that time, there was no butter, save only these, in all the land of En.

16 jf Now there was a certain man, and his name, it was Rep : and his pen, it was mightier than his sword.

17 And he did remove himself from the camp of the Amalekites and did pitch his tent amongst the children of Moab.

18 And when he was arrived in the land of Moab, he straightway sat himself down on a seat, and he did spread him out for to write.

THE SECOND BOOK OF ARTEMAS [CH. III.

19 Yea, lie did write even such things and such things; and things also in likewise, these did he write him as well.

20 And he did rend the Amalekites with words, and the rulers of the land did he chastise most hotly; with the quill of a goose did he smite them, nor spared he any one of them at all.

21 "Wherefore all those that heeded him, they did tear their clothes in the violence of their perturbation. And they did put on sackcloth and ashes, and their faces they did smear with mud, crying out in a loud voice, and saying,

22 Now is the end of all things, and now the end of En. Verily, we are thrown in the dust at the feet of our enemies, for the rulers are turned against us.

23 And they do conspire with the Amalekites for to bring about our undoing. Yea, the end of all things, it is close at hand.

24 And because they were amongst the false prophets, therefore was it not so. And, notwithstanding that Rep, he did write him thus darkly, nevertheless the people, they did get them on with the war.

25 But Rep, because he did write concerning secret matters, he paid for his temerity in an hundred pieces of gold, all good money and very precious.

CH.IV.] THE SECOND BOOK OF ARTEMAS

Chapter IV

1 Willi vexeth the men of Amer. 6 Wudro warneth Willi. 10 Who taketh counsel of his chief captains. 17 'And continueth in his evil ways. 21 The men of Amer make them war. 23 Willi derideth them publicly. 28 Wudro getteth him on with it. 36 And the voice of peace is heard over the waters.

^OW there was great *^ vexation of spirit amongst the men of Amer, for the servants of Willi, the king of Hu, they conspired together and they did sink the ships of Amer in the sea.

2 And whensoever a man of Amer did perish because of it, then did Willi write him an epistle concerning the matter.

3 And the grief that was writ upon the paper, behold, it was very beautiful; but the manner of atonement, it was only in talents of gold.

4 And he did seal the epistle with a seal; and, lo! it was made in the shape of a tear.

5 Now the longest rope, it hath an end. Wherefore it came to pass in time that Wudro, the son of Wyl, being he that did rule in Amer, he sent messengers unto Willi, saying unto him,

6 |f Such things and such things hast thou done, all these being against thy plighted word; and thine iniquity, it hath tormented me for a long time past.

7 Now, therefore, hearken unto me, and pay attention to my words.

8 Because I am a man of peace, therefore have I borne with thee long enough) and I am become sick unto death with thy naughtiness. And the blood of my

THE SECOND BOOK! OF ARTEMAS [CH. IV.

murdered people, it crieth aloud for retribution.

9 Take heed, therefore, and mend the evil of thy ways, for, on the next occasion, assuredly shalt thou rue the day.

10 fl And when Willi had heard the things that Wudro, the son of Wyl, did say unto him, he sent in haste unto his chief captains, and he did commune with them.

11 And he questioned them closely concerning the words of Wudro. And he said unto them, Think ye that this man, he meaneth anything ?

12 And they made answer unto him, saying, Be of good cheer, and heed him not, for he is a man that acteth only according to his advantage.

13 And the land of Amer, it prospereth exceedingly; neither doth the miller turn away the stream which worketh his wheel.

14 Also, he liveth afar off, and his servants, they are unready. Verily, the threats of such an one, they be full of emptiness ; and whatsoever he sayeth, that hath he also said before.

15 Nevertheless, when the time cometh, then will we smite him because of it.

16 And after they were finished speaking, the heart of Willi was rejoiced and his soul was filled with courage.

17 If And he spake unto them in these words, saying, Assuredly are ye men after mine own understanding. Let us, therefore, see about it. And they did see about it.

18 And when word was brought unto Wudro concerning it, and how Willi made mock of his threats, then waxed he very wroth.

19 And he cried out in the violence of his anger, saying, Am I, then, Job, that be born

CH. IV.] THE SECOND BOOK OF ARTEMAS again, to be tormented thus?

20 And he straightway called the people together, and he told them all the things that Willi had done.

21 fl And he said unto them, Is it, therefore, a matter for war? And they answered him with a mighty shout, saying, It is a matter for war.

22 And when Willi heard what was come to pass, he was amazed, and his knees, they did tremble beneath him.

23 |f Nevertheless, he commanded his servants that they should bring unto him the brazen mask, being part of the royal attire.

24 And when it was brought unto him, he did hide the light of his countenance behind it. And he raised his voice on high, and he spake, saying,

25 What of the land of Amer? And what of it*! Verily, a pin that lieth in the way, it is of more account than a spike that lifteth its head at a distance.

26 Even so, the iron heel of Hu, it levelleth all things; neither shall any man presume to withstand it.

27 And after he was finished speaking, he sent out messengers unto the four corners of the earth, instructing them that they should tell these things unto all peoples.

28 If Now Wudro, the son of Wyl, after that he had made him war, he cried not out from the housetops concerning the things he would do, but he gat him about for to do them.

29 And he opened wide the strings of his purse, so that the shekels, they gushed forth as the waters of a brook after rain. Neither was he backward in the matter of food, making due provision in all things.

30 And he sent much

THE SECOND BOOK OP ARTEMAS munition of war unto them that were with him, and he commanded his physicians that they should go out for to succour the wounded.

31 And he did send his vessels of war also, which were useful things and ready for the fray. And of men that did fly in the air, he did send of these a goodly band, and valiant.

32 And he built him a mighty army, all picked men of the best in the land ; and he sent them unto the land of Eur for to fight against the men of Hu.

33 And he rested him not, neither by day nor by night did he rest him, but he was for ever at it, doing all those things that were requisite and necessary unto the undertaking.

34 And when word was brought unto "Willi that Wudro, he had taken the coat from off his back, and that he laboured without respite,

[ch. IV. he sore then grew afraid.

35 And he called his counsellors unto him, and he spake unto them in these words, saying, Is there no one now amongst all the men of peace that will raise his voice against this bloody war?

36 If And, lo! straightway, there was a voice, and it spake concerning peace. And it was blown along by the wind, even unto the land of Amer was it blown.

37 And when it was come unto the ears of Wudro, that was the son of Wyl, he made answer unto it, and he did say, Verily, it hath a goodly sound.

38 Nevertheless, this peace, it shall not come to pass ; for the King of Hu, he hath a lying tongue, and his plighted word, hath he not broken it before ?

39 And because he is what he is, therefore shall the compact of

CH. IV.]

peace be made only with that man which he is not.

40 And the words of Wudro, they were blown along by the wind, even back from the land of Amer were they blown on the wings of the wind.

THE SECOND BOOK OP ARTEMAS

[CH. V.

Chapter V

1 Concerning the land of Buss. 4 The dividing up of it. 6 Confusion ariseth. 10 All men are equal. 11 Concerning Tino, the Icing of the Greeks. 16 Jon smiteth him. 10 He getteth him thence. 22 Willi speaketh unto the nations. 24 His lamentation in secret.

^"OW it came to pass ■^ in the land of Russ that all the people cried out against the king because of his tyranny.

2 And they did come upon him suddenly, and they did take him. And they cast him into prison, so that he no longer ruled over them.

3 And they straightway set about it for to make all men equal throughout the land. Yea, rich and poor, the wise man and the fool, the workers and the sluggards, the good men and the evil. All these did they strive to make equal together.

4 ft And they did divide the land into pieces, being a piece unto each one of them. And the money that was in the treasury, that also did they share amongst them.

5 Nevertheless, there were some, being the nimble ones, that did profit by it exceedingly. And every man's hand, it was turned against his neighbour, for they feared very dreadfully lest he had too much.

6 J And a legion of devils broke loose amongst the people, and they did contend together concerning the equal division of power, so that it was a time of confusion, no man knowing what he would get of it.

7 Verily, it was like unto a cauldron of boiling broth wherein the

CH. V.J

meat cometh up according to the seething of it ; and whosoever did clutch at a piece, he adventured to find it too hot.

8 And some did make peace, and some did make war ; and some did borrow money, but none did repay it unto the lenders.

9 And every man in the land, he was equal unto his fellows; and more so was it so with them that did rightly choose the leader to be over them.

10 |f Yea, the wise of an high estate, they were brought down very low; and the foolish of low degree, they were lifted up higher than these.

11 |f Now there was one amongst the kings of Eur, and his name, it was Tino, the king of the Greeks. And Sophia, that was sister unto Willi, the king of Hu, she had taken him to husband. Yea, verily, she had taken him.

12 And Tino was a crafty man and artful. And whensoever he did speak, behold, there was oil upon his words, so that afterwards he could slide them both this way and also that way, as did him most advantage.

13 Verily, he was as full of lies as the hide of a dog is full of fleas ; and he was for ever scheming for to hurt the people of En.

14 And after he had continued in his evil ways for a long time, then did all the peoples that were joined together against the men of Hu cry out in a loud voice, saying with one accord, Is there no one amongst all our brethren that will rid us of this turbulent beast ?

15 And there was one amongst them, a certain man, and his name, it was Jon. And he straightway set sail in a boat, and on the third day he came to Athens.

16 |f And after he was

CH. V.

arrived there, he did make his way into the presence of Tino, that was the king, and he did smite him one.

17 Yea, he lifted up his foot against him, and did catch him with a lusty stroke.

18 And he commanded his servants that they should bring him a caravan for to carry Tino thence. And Sophia did he put into it also, and Tino 's oxen, and his ass, and everything that was his.

19 |[ And after it was ready, then did Tino get him thence. And he departed into a far country, even unto that place where his caravan now resteth.

20 And he did leave his second born for to rule in his stead, thinking in his heart, This one, he shall keep warm the seat for me.

21 Now when word was brought unto Willi concerning Tino, that was his brother, and concerning all the things that had happened unto him, then waxed he very wroth.

22 ft And he spake unto all the nations of the earth, crying out in a loud voice, and saying, Who shall lay hands on the king? And who lay hands on the Lord's anointed ?

23 Verily, the time draweth nigh when I will vanquish mine enemies utterly, and Tino, he shall go up again unto that place from whence he hath come down.

24 If And after he had spoken these words unto all the nations of the earth, then did he repair unto the secret chamber of his palace. And he called unto him certain of his servants; and Mud, that was his son, him also did he call unto him.

25 And he put on sackcloth and ashes and did raise his voice in lamentation over Tino,

CH. V.] THE SECOND BOOK OF ARTEMAS and over Sophia, that was his wife, saying, How are the mighty fallen, and those of an high estate cast down from their high places!

26 I am disturbed because of thee, my Tino, for thou wert more unto me than a brother. Very pleasant hast thou been unto me, and wonderful thy ways towards me.

27 Thine heart, it was deeper than water, and thy tongue as subtil as the smile of a woman that knoweth.

28 The ball of thine eye was a full moon that ripeneth corn, and thy teeth stood out like sentinels of ivory without the gate of Paradise.

29 Thou hast fallen very low, my Tino ; very low hast thou fallen indeed, for thou liest with thy face in the dust, neither is there any help in thee.

30 How are the mighty fallen, and those of an high estate cast down from their high places !

[CH. VI.

Chapter VI

1 The rulers send unto Artemas. 4 He seeketh the Lord High Physician. 22 And findeth him. 23 One carrieth a multitude of papers. 27 A man of fat hoppeth wonderfully. 31 The scribe performeth also. 37 Wherefore he is sent away.

"M'OW it came to pass ^ that the rulers sent word unto me, saying, Stand forth, and show thyself unto a physician, for we have need of thee to smite the men of Hu.

2 And I rose up from my bed and anointed myself with sweet oil and did shave the hair from off my face with a razor.

3 And I did don my richest apparel and did put in the pocket of it a brush for the teeth, fearing lest they should straightway send me into battle, and mine habitation, I should see it no more.

4ft And after I was made ready, / did hie me unto the place appointed.

5 Now when I was come there, I saw a man ; and he was one of the fighters of En, being also a scribe.

6 And I drew nigh unto him, and I did salute him saying, Peace be unto thee, brother, and peace be upon thy father 's house. Nevertheless, he heeded me not, but did continue in the task that he was doing.

7 And after he had writ all that which he was minded to write, and more also, then lifted he his eyes towards me. And he spake unto me in a voice of thunder, saying, Wots-yer nime?

8 And because the language that he spake, it was strange unto mine ear, and because the look upon his face, it

CH. VI.] THE SECOND BOOK OF ARTEMAS ivas terrible, therefore did I seek for to pacify him.

9 And I said unto him, Whatsoever thou hast said, verily, it is so ; and who be I to gainsay thee ? But what be the meaning of it, that indeed I know not.

10 Now there was one that came after me, a young man, benign of countenance ; and he did understand the meaning of it, and he interpreted it unto me,

11 So I made answer, and I said unto him that asked, Behold I am a citizen of Lon, a poor scribe, and my name, it ts Artemas.