16. Even of them came they: and they nourished them up that planted the vineyards, from whence the wine comes.
17. These also make garments for men; these bring glory to men; and without women can’t men be.
18. Yes, and if men have gathered together gold and silver and any other goodly thing, and see a woman which is comely in favor and beauty,
19. they let all those things go, and gape after her, and even with open mouth fix their eyes fast on her; and have all more desire to her than to gold or silver, or any goodly thing whatever.
20. A man leaves his own father that brought him up, and his own country, and cleaves to his wife.
21. And with his wife he ends his days, and remembers neither father, nor mother, nor country.
22. By this also you⌃ must know that women have dominion over you: do you⌃ not labor and toil, and give and bring all to women?
23. Yes, a man takes his sword, and goes forth to make outroads, and to rob and to steal, and to sail upon the sea and upon rivers;
24. and looks upon a lion, and walks in the darkness; and when he has stolen, spoiled, and robbed, he brings it to his love.
25. Wherefore a man loves his wife better than father or mother.
26. Yes, many there be that have run out of their wits for women, and become bondmen for their sakes.
27. Many also have perished, have stumbled, and sinned, for women.
28. And now do you⌃ not believe me? is not the king great in his power? do not all regions fear to touch him?
29. Yet did I see him and Apame the king’s concubine, the daughter of the illustrious Barticus, sitting at the right hand of the king,
30. and taking the crown from the king’s head, and setting it upon her own head; yes, she struck the king with her left hand:
31. and therewithal the king gaped and gazed upon her with open mouth: if she laughed upon him, he laughed also: but if she took any displeasure at him, he was fain to flatter, that she might be reconciled to him again.
32. O sirs, how can it be but women should be strong, seeing they do thus?
33. Then the king and the nobles looked one upon another: so he began to speak concerning truth.
34. O sirs, are not women strong? great is the earth, high is the heaven, swift is the sun in his course, for he encircles the heavens round about, and fetches his course again to his own place in one day.