A source-book of ancient history - The Search For Mecca

I04
Economy and Colonization
sowing. For the mind of a younger man is fluttered after
his age-fellows. . . . And let a young slave follow behind
with a mattock and cause trouble to the birds by covering
Winter
occupation.
Winter
clothing.
Threshing
and after.
up the seed. . . .
But pass by the smith's forge and the crowded clubhouse
in the winter season when cold constraineth men
from work, wherein a diligent man would greatly prosper
his house, lest the helplessness of evil winter overtake thee
with poverty, and thou press a swollen foot with lean
hand. But the idle man who waiteth on empty hope,
for lack of livelihood garnereth many sorrows for his soul.
Hope is a poor companion for a man in need, who sitteth
in a club-house when he hath no livelihood secured. Nay;
declare thou to thy thralls while it is still midsummer:
It will not be summer always; build ye cabins. . . .
In that season (winter) do thou for the defence of thy
body array thee as I bid thee in soft cloak and full-length
tunic, and twine much woof in a scanty warp. . . . About
thy feet bind fitting sandals of the hide of a slaughtered
ox, covering them with felt. And when the frost cometh
in its season, sew thou together with thread of ox-thong
the skins of firstling kids to put about thy back as a shield
against the rain. And on thy head wear thou a cap of
wrought felt, that thou mayest not have thy ears wetted.
For chill is the dawn at the onset of Boreas. . . .
But so soon as the strength qf Orion appeareth, urge
thy thralls to thresh the holy grain of Demeter in a windy
place and on a rounded floor; measure and store it in vessels;
and when thou hast laid up all thy li^•elihood within
thy house, then I bid thee get a thrall that hath no family,
and seek a serving woman without a child. Troublous
is a serving woman that hath a child. Care, too, for tie
dog of jagged teeth. Spare not his food, lest the Ley