Копи царя Соломона

           "Andifthelandiswalledinwithmountains,whoistherefortheregimentstofightwith?" 

           "Nay,mylord,thecountryisopentheretowardsthenorth,andnowandagainwarriorssweepdownuponusincloudsfromalandweknownot,andweslaythem. Itisthethirdpartofthelifeofamansincetherewasawar. Manythousandsdiedinit,butwedestroyedthosewhocametoeatusup. Sosincethentherehasbeennowar." 

           "Yourwarriorsmustgrowwearyofrestingontheirspears,Infadoos." 

           "Mylord,therewasonewar,justafterwedestroyedthepeoplethatcamedownuponus,butitwasacivilwar;dogatedog." 

           "Howwasthat?" 

           "Mylordtheking,myhalf-brother,hadabrotherbornatthesamebirth,andofthesamewoman. Itisnotourcustom,mylord,tosuffertwinstolive;theweakermustalwaysdie. Butthemotherofthekinghidawaythefeeblerchild,whichwasbornthelast,forherheartyearnedoverit,andthatchildisTwalatheking. Iamhisyoungerbrother,bornofanotherwife." 

           "Well?" 

           "Mylord,Kafa,ourfather,diedwhenwecametomanhood,andmybrotherImotuwasmadekinginhisplace, andforaspacereignedandhadasonbyhisfavouritewife. Whenthebabewasthreeyearsold,justafterthegreatwar,duringwhichnomancouldsoworreap,afaminecameupontheland, andthepeoplemurmuredbecauseofthefamine,andlookedroundlikeastarvedlionforsomethingtorend.