And everywhere where this command fell, a public feast was set up for the nations, with shouts and joy, as if the hatred previously overshadowed for them long ago in mind were now being displayed openly with boldness.
But for the Jews there was unceasing mourning and a cry of all-lamentation, with tears, from a heart inflamed on every side, as they wailed over the unexpected destruction suddenly decreed against them.
For thus, with bitterness of an unyielding soul, they were sent out in concert by the commanders in the cities, so that, on account of the extraordinary punishments, even some of the enemies, taking before their eyes the common pity and considering the unseen destruction of life, were weeping over their most miserable sending out.
For a multitude of old men, thick with gray hair, was being driven, with the sluggishness of the feet from old age bent over, by the rush of violent overthrow, with all shame set aside, to a swift, excessive pace.
And the young women, who had just come up to the marriage-bed for the sharing of life, having received laments instead of delight and having smeared with dust their myrrh-dripping hair, and being led uncovered, were all together beginning a dirge instead of wedding songs, as if torn apart by foreign outrages.
and their yokefellows, with nooses intertwined around the necks instead of garlands, with vigorous youthful age, instead of feasting and youthful ease, were passing the remaining days of the weddings in lamentations, already seeing Hades lying at their feet
And they were brought down like beasts, being led by iron chains of necessity, some with their necks fastened to the yokes of the ships, and others with their feet secured in unbreakable fetters.
and moreover, with the thick planking laid above, so that, being darkened on every side as to their eyes, they might receive passage for attackers in the whole ship’s hold
But when these had been brought to the so-called Schedia and the crossing over had been completed, as had been decreed to the king, he ordered them to camp in the hippodrome before the city, which stood without paving all around and was exceedingly well placed for public display to all those going into the city and to those from there being sent into the country for travel abroad, so that they might not even share with his forces nor at all be judged worthy of walls.
But when this had happened, hearing those of the city, their fellow countrymen, going out secretly, to mourn more and more over the inglorious distress of the brothers
And being enraged, he ordered that to these also likewise, in the same way, carefully, as to those, it should be done, not falling short in any way of their punishment.
and to register by name all the tribe, not for the laborious service briefly previously announced in advance of the works, but, having been twisted by the punishments commanded, to destroy the end of one day for a time
So the registration of these was taking place with bitter eagerness and ambitious attendance, from the rising of the sun to its setting, and was receiving its end unaccomplished at forty days.
And greatly and continually the king, filled with joy, holding banquets in honor of all the idols, with a mind gone astray far from the truth and with a profane mouth, praising the mute things and those not able to speak to them or to help, but speaking improper things against the greatest God.
And after the aforesaid interval of time the scribes brought word to the king that the registration of the Jews was no longer possible to be made because of their innumerable multitude.
although the majority were still in the country, some still standing in their houses and others also in place, as for all the generals over Egypt a helpless situation had arisen
But when he threatened them more harshly, as if they had been bribed into a scheme for escape, it happened that he was clearly convinced about this by them.