Chapter II

2 _Concerning David_. 9 _Concerning Simon_. 12 _Concerning Horatio_. 17 _Concerning Frances_. 22 _Concerning Lazz_. 24 _Concerning Reding_. 27 _Concerning Lanz_.

Now these be the names and these _the manner_ of men; and as it is writ about them, so _also_ is it.

2 ¶ 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 greatness, 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 ¶ 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 ¶ 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 victuals; for they were a crafty lot, and the size of his stomach, _it was_ against him.

17 ¶ Now Frances, that was surnamed Loid, _he was_ the chief of all the soldiers that were in Lon.

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 the meaning of _the word_.

22 ¶ 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 ¶ 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 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 ¶ 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.