The Philistine Warrior Read Online Free PDF Page B
Author: Karl Larew
childless, and both he and the Melek are afraid that the line of Nomion may become extinct in Gath .”
“Of course, you know that Melek Nasuy has outlived all of his male children,” Maoch remarked to Warati, who might not be fully aware of the situation in Gath . “And his only living grandson is much too young to hold the dual office of Sheren of Gath and Philistine
Melek.” He did not take note of two infant great-grandaughters, since our sherens and meleks have always been male warriors.
I felt tense, waiting for Zaggi to come to the crucial point.
“His Grace the Melek goes on to say that Prince Ekosh wishes a young, healthy bride of the Philistine nation. He doesn’t want to marry an Egyptian, deeming that unfavorable from a domestic, that is, Philistine point of view. Also, to choose one Egyptian noblewoman over others would be a delicate matter, to put it mildly. Therefore the Melek, after much consideration and consultation with his councilors, priests, and diviners, suggests that the most suitable bride for Prince Ekosh is the Lady Delai….” He gave that a moment to sink in. “I, too, have given the matter much thought,” the Chancellor went on. “I had envisioned my niece’s marrying into the Ashdod family….”
Zaggi now hesitated, almost as if he were still entertaining that idea. Needless to say, I was surprised.
Maoch’s eyes opened wide as he intervened: “Of course, Zaggi, it’s your right as her guardian to veto the Melek’s suggestion,” he admitted. “But just think of it! Our niece marrying Prince Ekosh!” I smiled to hear the Sheren using almost my very words of that morning.
But Zaggi was displeased by the interruption: “Please don’t misunderstand,” he hastened to assure our Sheren. “As her guardian, I approve of this marriage—and as your Chancellor, I recommend it, highly.” We were all relieved to hear that. “I do have some points to bring up, however,” Zaggi began again, turning to his brother. “Let us remember, my Lord, that our brother Pinaruta was illegitimate and did not himself marry highly; nor did he have a high position in our service.”
All of this annoyed me immensely. Why did Pinaruta’s status have to be brought up and rubbed in? Illegitimacy was nothing so unusual in noble Philistine families, except that Maoch and Zaggi had made it seem so, for their own purposes. And from that initial prejudice there logically followed the “low” marriage of Pinaruta and his lack of “high” office.
Zaggi had more to say: “We must remember that, for two reasons, the bride of Prince Ekosh should be very high in station: first, to be an equal to the Egyptian noble or royal ladies who might
have been candidates; and second—and more important—because Prince Ekosh may be the next Melek, and then Delai would not only be the Melek’s wife, but also one of the principal progenitors of the royal line of Nomion.”
The Sheren looked distressed: “But, Zaggi, you just said that you approve—and the Melek has suggested her.”
“I do approve, my Lord. But I feel that Delai’s low position obliges us to make her dowry very attractive, and she must have the most extensive religious and political guidance possible, so as to uphold the reputation of our family in Egypt , and to be worthy of our royal cousins.”
Now what, I wondered. These were thoughts which Uncle Zaggi hadn’t mentioned to me earlier.
“Why, I’m delighted by the offer,” old Amphimacus put in, amazed at Zaggi’s attitude. “I’m sure the Melek will send us a handsome bride-price, such that the dowry will not be a difficult problem. And I can testify that Delai has been well trained in religious matters, and seems quite pious….”
Pai stirred in his seat, restless, fearing that the proposed dowry might threaten his naval budget. Meanwhile, I jumped into the conversation, without thinking: “I also have no qualms over the marriage, or over Delai’s
“Of course, you know that Melek Nasuy has outlived all of his male children,” Maoch remarked to Warati, who might not be fully aware of the situation in Gath . “And his only living grandson is much too young to hold the dual office of Sheren of Gath and Philistine
Melek.” He did not take note of two infant great-grandaughters, since our sherens and meleks have always been male warriors.
I felt tense, waiting for Zaggi to come to the crucial point.
“His Grace the Melek goes on to say that Prince Ekosh wishes a young, healthy bride of the Philistine nation. He doesn’t want to marry an Egyptian, deeming that unfavorable from a domestic, that is, Philistine point of view. Also, to choose one Egyptian noblewoman over others would be a delicate matter, to put it mildly. Therefore the Melek, after much consideration and consultation with his councilors, priests, and diviners, suggests that the most suitable bride for Prince Ekosh is the Lady Delai….” He gave that a moment to sink in. “I, too, have given the matter much thought,” the Chancellor went on. “I had envisioned my niece’s marrying into the Ashdod family….”
Zaggi now hesitated, almost as if he were still entertaining that idea. Needless to say, I was surprised.
Maoch’s eyes opened wide as he intervened: “Of course, Zaggi, it’s your right as her guardian to veto the Melek’s suggestion,” he admitted. “But just think of it! Our niece marrying Prince Ekosh!” I smiled to hear the Sheren using almost my very words of that morning.
But Zaggi was displeased by the interruption: “Please don’t misunderstand,” he hastened to assure our Sheren. “As her guardian, I approve of this marriage—and as your Chancellor, I recommend it, highly.” We were all relieved to hear that. “I do have some points to bring up, however,” Zaggi began again, turning to his brother. “Let us remember, my Lord, that our brother Pinaruta was illegitimate and did not himself marry highly; nor did he have a high position in our service.”
All of this annoyed me immensely. Why did Pinaruta’s status have to be brought up and rubbed in? Illegitimacy was nothing so unusual in noble Philistine families, except that Maoch and Zaggi had made it seem so, for their own purposes. And from that initial prejudice there logically followed the “low” marriage of Pinaruta and his lack of “high” office.
Zaggi had more to say: “We must remember that, for two reasons, the bride of Prince Ekosh should be very high in station: first, to be an equal to the Egyptian noble or royal ladies who might
have been candidates; and second—and more important—because Prince Ekosh may be the next Melek, and then Delai would not only be the Melek’s wife, but also one of the principal progenitors of the royal line of Nomion.”
The Sheren looked distressed: “But, Zaggi, you just said that you approve—and the Melek has suggested her.”
“I do approve, my Lord. But I feel that Delai’s low position obliges us to make her dowry very attractive, and she must have the most extensive religious and political guidance possible, so as to uphold the reputation of our family in Egypt , and to be worthy of our royal cousins.”
Now what, I wondered. These were thoughts which Uncle Zaggi hadn’t mentioned to me earlier.
“Why, I’m delighted by the offer,” old Amphimacus put in, amazed at Zaggi’s attitude. “I’m sure the Melek will send us a handsome bride-price, such that the dowry will not be a difficult problem. And I can testify that Delai has been well trained in religious matters, and seems quite pious….”
Pai stirred in his seat, restless, fearing that the proposed dowry might threaten his naval budget. Meanwhile, I jumped into the conversation, without thinking: “I also have no qualms over the marriage, or over Delai’s