ords,
bade her rise up and be gone. And when she said that this was a more
injurious treatment than the former, if, now he had forced her, he would
not let her stay with him till the evening, but bid her go away in the
day-time, and while it was light, that she might meet with people that
would be witnesses of her shame,--he commanded his servant to turn her
out of his house. Whereupon she was sorely grieved at the injury and
violence that had been offered to her, and rent her loose coat, [for
the virgins of old time wore such loose coats tied at the hands, and
let down to the ankles, that the inner coats might not be seen,] and
sprinkled ashes on her head; and went up the middle of the city, crying
out and lamenting for the violence that had been offered her. Now
Absalom, her brother, happened to meet her, and asked her what sad thing
had befallen her, that she was in that plight; and when she had told him
what injury had been offered her, he comforted her, and desired her to
be quiet, and take all patiently, and not to esteem her being corrupted
by her brother as an injury. So she yielded to his advice, and left off
her crying out, and discovering the force offered her to the multitude;
and she continued as a widow with her brother Absalom a long time.

2. When David his father knew this, he was grieved at the actions of
Amnon; but because he had an extraordinary affection for him, for he was
his eldest son, he was compelled not to afflict him; but Absalom
watched for a fit opportunity of revenging this crime upon him, for he
thoroughly hated him. Now the second year after this wicked affair about
his sister was over, and Absalom was about to go to shear his own sheep
at Baalhazor, which is a city in the portion of Ephraim, he besought his
father, as well as his brethren, to come and feast with him: but when
David excused himself, as not being willing to be burdensome to him,
Absalom desired he would however send his brethren; whom he did send
accordingly. Then Absalom charged his own servants, that when they
should see Amnon disordered and drowsy with wine, and he should give
them a signal, they should fear nobody, but kill him.

3. When they had done as they were commanded, the rest of his brethren
were astonished and disturbed, and were afraid for themselves, so
they immediately got on horseback, and rode away to their father; but
somebody there was who prevented them, and told their father they were
all slain by