town’s defences, Urged, and still urges, that the vineyard be Brought in within the city wall. As King, The King made offer for the land, through one ... Which of you was it?

I made the offer for His Majesty, So please you, Madam.

Since it is not your rulers but your city That needs the land, we ask you to consider The giving up your holding to be walled.

God pleased to put my vineyard where it is, Why should you change it?

In the siege, good Naboth, The Syrian archers used to shoot from it Into the city.

And they might again Soon in another siege?

So Jehu thought.

If you idolaters had done God’s will And killed these Syrians when God bade you kill, You would have had no other siege to dread.

You must not speak this evil of your rulers. Say nothing but as touching on the treaty.

Whether your land should be enclosed or no I cannot tell: Duke Jehu says it should be; Says that for public good it should be walled. You would not sorrow that your land should go For greater safety of your fellow townsmen?

I would.

I do not think you would, good sir; Yet, if a war should follow and a siege Threaten again, your vineyard would be taken Maugre your will, and walled in spite of you By public means; and you would lose it, so.

I would not lose it. It would still be mine.

I cannot well see how; but let that be. I ask you now to be content to treat For this your plot. May we proceed in this?

Dismiss your gang of killers here, these three Lying in wait upon a poor man’s words.

These are no killers, but my palace servants. We are in treaty for exchange of land, Or hope to be, and civil law prescribes That sales of land be bargained before witness.

Where are my witnesses, to speak for me?

Well thought of, Naboth. Will you therefore send To three, your friends, to witness to your words?

 Prev. P 14/200 next