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Psalm 5:4 For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, Nor shall evil dwell with You. 12 For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; With favor You will surround him as with a shield.

Psalm 6:1 O Lord, do not rebuke me in Your anger, Nor chasten me in Your hot displeasure. 2 Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak; O Lord, heal me, for my bones are troubled. 10 Let all my enemies be ashamed and greatly troubled; Let them turn back and be ashamed suddenly.

Psalm 9:15 The nations have sunk down in the pit which they made; In the net which they hid, their own foot is caught. 17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, And all the nations that forget God. 18 For the needy shall not always be forgotten; The expectation of the poor shall not perish forever.

Psalm 16:10 For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. 11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Psalm 18:18 They confronted me in the day of my calamity, But the Lord was my support. 19 He also brought me out into a broad place; He delivered me because He delighted in me. 34 He teaches my hands to make war, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. 35 You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your right hand has held me up, Your gentleness has made me great. 36 You enlarged my path under me, So my feet did not slip. 44 As soon as they hear of me they obey me; The foreigners submit to me.

Psalm 19:9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

Psalm 22:15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd, And My tongue clings to My jaws; You have brought Me to the dust of death. 16 For dogs have surrounded Me; The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet;

Psalm 25:3 Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed; Let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause. 4 Show me Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths. 6 Blessed be the Lord, Because He has heard the voice of my supplications! 7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I will praise Him.

Psalm 28:8 The Lord is their strength, And He is the saving refuge of His anointed. 9 Save Your people, And bless Your inheritance; Shepherd them also, And bear them up forever.

Psalm 31:23 Oh, love the Lord, all you His saints! For the Lord preserves the faithful, And fully repays the proud person. 24 Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the Lord.

Psalm 33:13 The Lord looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men. 14 From the place of His dwelling He looks On all the inhabitants of the earth; 15 He fashions their hearts individually; He considers all their works. 16 No king is saved by the multitude of an army; A mighty man is not delivered by great strength. 17 A horse is a vain hope for safety; Neither shall it deliver any by its great strength.

David of Sassoon

Armenian epic

by Hovhannes Toumanian

Introduction

The name “David” comes from the Hebrew for “the beloved one.” Like the Old Testament David who slew Goliath, David of Sassoon is the beloved, national hero, the defiant and self-reliant youth, who by the grace of God defends his homeland in an unequal duel against a titanic oppressor.

The epic begins with two brothers, Sanasar and Balthasar. Some scholars link them to the brothers Adramelek and Sarasar, the sons of Hezekiah (Isaiah 37:38).

David’s story resonates not only with the Old Testament David, but also with the battle between Hayk of Armenia and Bel of Assyria. Hayk is the Armenian Orion (Job 9:9), the deified archer-protector-forefather of the Armenians.

1
 
Great Lion Mher, with his noble pride,
for forty long years ruled Sassoon far and wide.
His rule was so awesome that in his day,
across Sassoon's peaks even birds feared to stray.
Far from the highlands where Sassoon was found,
his dreaded fame spread with a thunderous sound.
And praise for the high deeds of Lion Mher,
on thousands of lips, in one voice, filled the air.

2

He ruled in Sassoon with lionly might,
the prince of the highlands, unchallenged in right.
For forty long years he ruled without foe,
and in forty long years he knew not one woe.
But now as old age upon him descended,
this valiant man's heart a pang apprehended,
which prompted the aging grand hero to ponder:
"My life's autumn days will soon take me yonder,
the captive of earth and its black sandy cloak.
The fame of Mher shall vanish like smoke,
and my name, and my might, and my glory shall pass,
in my orphaned and leaderless realm shall amass
thousands of bandits and fiends on the make,
no heir have I left, no successor to take
my sword in his hand for Sassoon's protection,"
so thought the great prince in pensive dejection.

3

Then one day, as he thought, his grey eyebrows knit tight,
an angel from heaven, in fiery light,
came to the prince, feet fixed on a cloud,
bringing a message, proclaiming aloud:

"Greetings! your highness, O Sassoon's great lord,
your voice to God's throne in high heaven has soared,
and soon shall he grant you the heir that you seek.
Heed me well, though, prince Mher, great king of this peak,
on the day that the Lord gives effect to your prayer,
neither you nor your wife shall he suffer to spare."

"May God's will be done," said Mher without sigh,
"Death is our lot; all mortals must die.
But when in this world we've a child in our stead,
through our child we live, although we be dead."

And then in a flash, the Angel took flight,
and nine months and nine hours from that joyous sight,
to Lion Mher a child was born,
and he called his cub David.  On that happy morn,
he summoned his brother Ohan of Great Voice,
and his realm he bequeathed, no time to rejoice,
to his brother Ohan and his newly born son,
knowing his days and his wife's were now done.

4

In those times, reigned a king, over Egypt victorious,
called Melik of Musr, mighty and glorious.
As soon as he learned of Great Mher's demise,
he set for Sassoon to conquer a prize.
Ohan of Great Voice trembled in fear,
bowing his head, as the warlord came near.
Down on his knees, begging he said,

"You be our master," quaked he with dread,
"So long as we're under the force of your sway.
We'll be your true servants, your tribute we'll pay.
But on one condition, our land must remain,
untouched and intact for as long as you reign."

"No," said Melik, "your whole nation must go,
under my sword their submission to show,
and prove that whatever my policy be,
no native of Sassoon shall rise against me."

Ohan called his people from near and from far.
They passed one by one ‘neath Melik's scimitar.
All except David, who try though they did,
refused to do honor as Melik had bid.
The crowd dragged him forward by force to his foe.
Raging, he tossed them away, high and low.
He grazed his small finger against a large rock,
emitting a lightening bolt to the crowd’s shock.

"This rogue, he is trouble, I must kill him off,"
said the King to the elders, who started to scoff.

"King," they protested, "you’re mighty and strong.
How could this young lad do you any wrong,
though he were fire from head down to foot,
after everyone under your sword you have put?"

"You think you know best," said Melik, with alarm.
"But be warned, if upon me should ever come harm,
upon this boy's head shall the penalty rest,
as this day's defiant events do attest."

5

At the time of this clash, David the great,
was but a small boy, of seven or eight.
A boy though I say, he was strong as could be.
All were the same to him, man, beast or flea.
It's an old saying, but truth it does hold,
"Eat up your porridge, grow up strong and bold."
But pity this child, no keeper on earth,
although Mher's son, they knew not his worth.

Ohan of Great Voice had a mean, wicked wife.
Her tongue she first held, then started the strife:

"I'm only one person, with thousands of cares,
enough mouths to feed, without rearing theirs.
What did I do that you took in this knave?
I'm telling you straight, I'm nobody's slave.
I'll bury this boy, if you don't send him packing,
so set something up, work's what he's lacking."

And then she began to moan and complain,
that she was so poor, that all was in vain.
Her burdens were boundless, at least in her eyes:
"I've no keeper, no helper, no pity, no prize."

Ohan went and thought, now what shall I do?
He found iron boots, for the boy as a shoe,
and a large iron rod, to sling on his back.
A shepherd he made him, Sassoon's sheep to track.

6

Our hero the shepherd tended his sheep.
He wandered the hills of Sassoon high and steep.

Hey, my dear highlands,
O Sassoon's highlands,

He shouted in joy, his voice echoed so,
rumbling it bounced from the peaks high and low.
And the birds and the beasts fled their lairs and their nests,
scampering on rocks, with no where for rest.
David gave chase o’er the hills and the vales,
the fox and the deer, the hares and the quails.
Gathering them up, he climbed top the rocks,
he mixed them all up with the sheep in his flocks.
Down to the town of Sassoon they stampeded,
with noise, dust and uproar, they brayed and they bleated.
The city folk cried, their eyes not believing.
The livestock charged forth, the town's life upheaving.

Oh help, someone save us!
The children cried out.
The grown-ups in panic
their work threw about.

Wherever they hid, at home, church or store,
they locked up the windows and bolted the door.
When David arrived and stood in the square,
he looked all about, but no one was there.

"Yo there, he shouted, it's too soon to sleep,
I've come with your goats, and brought you your sheep.
Goatherds and shepherds, get up from the sack,
for each one I took, ten I've brought back.
Hurry, come get them and take them away
to your barns for safekeeping, or else they will stray."

But no one came out, the doors didn't budge.
Back to the hills, too tired to trudge,
he pulled up a rock and rested his head,
and soon fell asleep, the square for a bed.

When the sun rose, the town's folk emerged
at old Ohan's house, they quickly converged.
"Hey there, old Ohan of the Great Voice,
it's you or the kid, you've left us no choice.
How could you put our whole flock in his hands?
The town's filled with beasts, he's ruined our lands.
He can't tell a fox from a lamb.  What a mess!
So find him another job, quick, and God Bless!"

7

Ohan rushed away his nephew to see,
"Uncle, tread softly, these goats like to flee,"
said David, who'd spent all night keeping them there.
But as he approached, the ears of a hare

perked up and he dashed away into the wood,
and David gave chase as fast as he could.
Over the hills and over the dales,
he chased the grey hare through the mountainous trails.
He caught him and brought him right back to the camp,
mixed him in with the goats, and then smiled like a champ.

"The black ones, God bless them, I like them just fine,
but, Uncle, the grey ones, they won't stay in line.
All day, yesterday, they hopped all around.
In order to catch them, I covered some ground,"

Ohan took a look at David's new boots.
Iron shoes were not equal to David's pursuits.
The rod like the boots was worn away,
so much had he run in only one day.

"David, my lad," he said with affection,
"Those grey ones abused your valiant protection,
I'll leave you no more to their wily devices,
tomorrow, for you cow pasture suffices."

Ohan went his way, and on the next morn,
he brought new steel boots for the ones that were worn,
and a new iron staff for David's strong hand,
and made David guard of Sassoon's pasture land.

8

Up to the pasture he went with his herds,
to Sassoon's still highlands, fair beyond words.

O my dear highlands,
Sassoon's sweet peaks,
my heart in your bosom
finds just what it seeks.

He shouted aloud in his voice pure and strong.
The canyons and mountain tops rang with his song.
The birds and the beasts fled their nests and their lairs.
They scampered away to avoid David's snares.
As David pursued them through hill and through dale,
he chased them around every mountainous trail.
The wolf and the leopard, tiger, lion and bear,
he caught and mixed in with the herd in his care.

And drove them back down to the town of Sassoon,
with rumbling and grunting in mid-afternoon.

The town's folk again were aroused from their chores
by the charging of beasts, they were drawn out of doors:

"Oh, no, get away,"
the young and old cried.
Their hearts in a panic
their work flung aside.

And they fled to their houses, their churches and stores.
They locked up the windows and bolted the doors.
When David arrived and stood in the square,
he looked all about, but no one was there,

How early you city folk turn in for sleep!
Come, see what's become of the herd in my keep!
For each cow and ox I've brought ten in its stead,
and for each ten you gave me, twenty I've bred.
Hurry up, come on out, and take them away,
or else your new cattle will run and go stray.

But no one came out, the doors didn't budge,
back to the hills, too tired to trudge,
he pulled up a rock and rested his head,
and soon fell asleep, the square for a bed.
When the sun rose, the town's folk emerged.
At old Ohan's house, they quickly converged.

"Ohan, we've had it, now look what he's done.
Our cattle and oxen, he's let loose to run.
He can't tell a lion from an ox or a cow.
Whatever it takes, get rid of him now.
This boy, hear us well, spells nothing but trouble
He'll make our fair town a bear's den and rubble."

9

Try as he might, he didn't fit in.
The boy was a rebel, Ohan couldn't win.
For David he fixed up a bow and some arrows,
"You're off to the hills to hunt quail and sparrows."
David took up the bow and was ready to roam.
Leaving Sassoon, his folks and his home,
he marched through the barley fields, up the steep trail,
and started to hunt the sparrows and quail.
At dusk he caught sight of a very poor shack,
he sprawled on the floor, the hearth to his back.
In the shack an old woman, who'd known of his dad,
lived alone, without children, and took in the lad.

One day he returned from his regular hunt.
The old woman yelled to him, plainly and blunt,
"I'll be damned, you're his boy, the King's only heir.
You're David, the son of Lion Mher.
I am old and my arms and my legs they are shot.
My worldly possessions are myself and this plot.
So why must you trample it on your sorties
and wreck my year's crops, do tell, if you please?
And what kind of hunter seeks game in these parts?
Seghanasar is the place to practice those arts.
Dzdzmaga was the gate to the King's hunting ground.
There the deer, and the goats, and the wild sheep abound.
Go there, if you’re looking to hunt real game,
Instead of round here where the creatures are tame."

"Why do you scold me, in words sharp and base,
I am young, I'd no knowledge of this special place.
Where, please do tell, is the King's hunting ground?"
"Well, go ask your Uncle, he knows where it's found."

10

The next day at dawn he was at Ohan's door.
With his bow in his hand he gave Ohan what for.

"You never said that my dad had a grove,
in the mountains where game used to roam by the drove,
where the rams ran about with the wild goat and deer.
Get up, Uncle Ohan, let's go, is it near?"

"Oh David," cried Ohan, "who told you these things?
May they be struck dumb, oh, how this stings!
That mountain, my lad, is not in our hands.
The game that roamed there have been snatched from our lands.
It's not like it was in your dad's blessed day.
And what days those were!  Where have they gone?
How many times did we eat venison!
When your father died, God forsook us.
The Melik of Musr then overtook us.
With his troops he attacked, but we were outmanned.
He stole all the game and plundered our land.
Where deer and goats roamed, now there are none.
So it was written, so it was done.
Now it's all past, go back to your work.
If the Melik gets wind of this he'll go beserk."

David scoffed, "The mean Melik can do me no harm.
Why should my inquiries cause him alarm?
Let the Melik of Musr stay in his home.
What business does he have in our parts to roam?
Get up, Uncle Ohan, remember your bow.
To the mountainous hunting ground we've got to go."

So they ventured to Lion Mher's hunting ground,
but when they got there, they heard not a sound.
The trees were cut down, the fences destroyed,
the look-outs laid low, the land was a void.

11

When it grew dark, they decided to stay.
Ohan of Great Voice had had a long day.
His head on his quiver he rested, then snored.
David however was restless and bored.
His mind was submerged in a deep sea of thought,
when in the dark a shimmering light caught
his eye and he started and jumped to his feet,
and raced toward the light with his legs fast and fleet.
Bounding he ran to the top of the peak,
then he glimpsed a white stone in these parts dark and bleak.
The white marble stone was split in the middle,
and a flame burnt bright there, "What a puzzling riddle!"
Thought David as he ran as fast as he could
to rouse Uncle Ohan to see if he would
wake up and examine this startling sight.

"Uncle Ohan, enough sleep! Come see the light,
settled on top of the mountains afar.
Get up, Uncle Ohan, it's bright as a star
that bobs up and down on a white marble sheet."

Ohan crossed himself twice as he rose to his feet.
"Alas, my poor lad, the light that you've seen,
is all that is left of the altar serene,
of the Church of Our Lady, our keeper and hope.
The convent and church on Maruta's slope,
is called Charkhapan, where your dad went and prayed,
each time he set forth and fierce battle made.
When your father died, God forsook us.
The Melik of Musr then overtook us
Maruta convent he razed to the ground,
but the altar light pierces the darkness profound."

12

When David discovered the convent's sad fate,
He called to old Ohan, "Dear Uncle, please wait!
I am an orphan, no keeper on earth.
You are my father, though not by birth.
I want to stay here on Maruta's peak,
until I've rebuilt our convent unique.
Provide me, my keeper, five hundred skilled men,
and five thousand workers to build it again.

Just as it was, we've no time to lose.
Send them this week, please don't refuse."

Just as he promised, Ohan brought a corps
of five thousand five hundred superior
workers to rebuild the convent on high.
Banging and clanging, it rose to the sky,
just as it was, in all of its glory,
the Church of Our Lady, a blessed promontory.
The monks to the convent quickly returned.
Chanting soared up again, candles were burned.
David came down from the convent sublime
restored to the splendor of Great Mher’s time.

13

It didn't take long before Melik got word,
"David's the prince now or haven't you heard?
He's rebuilt the convent dear to his dad,
and for seven years now, no tribute you've had."

The Melik exploded and summoned his lords,
"Badin, Gozbadin, claim my just rewards,
Syudin, Charkhadin, set forth straight away.
Leave no stone unturned, Sassoon has to pay
a price for its insolence.  Strike hard and swift.
Remind my dear subjects that tribute's no gift.
And bring forty maidens, radiant and bright,
and bring forty short maids of milling height,
and bring forty tall ones my camels to load.
They'll work as my servants and tend my abode."

Gozbadin saluted his master and king,
"Your tribute in gold and the maids we will bring.
Your wish, King of Egypt, is our glad command.
We'll vanquish the rebels in Armenia's land."

The Melik, his wife and his daughter made merry.
They danced and they sang, "Armenia we'll bury.
Gozbadin, the Bold, on Sassoon will make war.
He'll bring us back servants and gold coins galore.
And forty bright maidens and forty short maids,
and forty tall ones, who'll work as our aides.
They'll load up the camels and milk the red cows,
and churn creamy butter and tend the fat sows.
Gozbadin! Gozbadin! our knight, strong and brave,
you'll whip David handily, he's just a knave."

Gozbadin swelled up and nodded with pride,
"Thank you, my ladies, all boasting aside,
if you will with patience my victory await,
we'll have more to dance for, we'll all celebrate."

14

With songs and with laughter
his armed men went after,

Sassoon and its people and when they arrived,
Ohan lost his voice and a welcome contrived,

With salt and bread,
with tears and dread,
he bowed down his head
and humbly pled:

"Whatever you want, oh, please, take your pick,
our maids or our hard dug gold in coin or brick,
rosy cheeked maidens, so bright and so fair.
Just don’t wreck our lands or rip us asunder.
It's God's realm above and Melik's down under."

Ohan called together the rosy cheeked girls.
Gozbadin checked them out as if they were pearls.
And when he'd selected, he ordered them held
in a locked stable, then with pride he yelled:
"Forty young maidens, radiant and bright,
forty short maidens of milling height,
forty tall maidens the camels to load.
They'll all work as servants in Melik's abode.
With glistening gold our king they’ll adorn,
while their friends in Armenia wear black and mourn."

15

O David!  where are you, Armenia's protector?
Dash open the rocks, our convent's erector,
and come to the square, Sassoon's plight is bleak.
And David came down from Maruta's peak
to the old woman's plot where a rusty sword laid,
trampling the turnips, he reached for the blade.

"David, you fool, get out of my garden,"
scowled the old woman, "God beg my pardon,
is my plot the only place that's caught your eye?
A curse on you, David, may you suffer and die.
Just look what you've done, you've levelled my field.
Nothing is left of my winter crop's yield.
What will I live on, can you tell me that?
You're such a foolish and clumsy, spoiled brat.
Were you truly brave, you'd take up your bow,
and rule your dad's realm as he did long ago,
and claim your birthright and live as you ought,
for too long you've given Sassoon not a thought.
The Melik's sent forces to sack it today."

"Why do you scold me?" he asked in dismay,
"What does the Melik dare take from me?"

"Everything, David, go home and you'll see.
The Melik is ready to gouge out your eye,
while you're sitting here all alone idly by.
O David, wake up, he's taking it all.
He's sent in his warriors to spread 'round his gall.
Gozbadin and Badin led the attack,
Charkhadin and Syudin brought up the back.
They're plund’ring Sassoon and gathering their loot.
Forty gold sacks is their price for tribute,
and forty young maidens, radiant and bright,
forty short maidens of milling height,
forty tall maidens the camels to load.
They'll all work as servants in Melik's abode."

"Why do you curse me, old woman, pray tell?
Where I can find these fiends, I'll give them hell."

"Where are these fiends? Curse my old ears!
How could this be his son?  Brings me to tears!
You're munching on turnips out here in the cold,
while Gozbadin is in your house counting your gold,
and filling the stable with your town’s fair maids."
Tossing the turnip, he reached for his blade.
He went to his house, Gozbadin was there,
weighing the gold with cold, greedy care.
Charkhadin and Syudin were holding the bag.
Ohan of Great Voice his tongue didn't wag.
He stood there in silence, his head lowly bowed.
Wringing his hands, he was downcast and cowed.

When David saw this, his eyes flushed with rage.
"Gozbadin, get up, get back in your cage,
This gold is my dad's, it's mine to mete out."

Gozbadin called Ohan, "Rein in this lout.
Are we getting our tribute this minute or what?
If we don't, mark me well, no 'if and or but',
I'll tell the Melik to launch an invasion.
He'll raze Sassoon town, there'll be no dissuasion.
To the ground he will burn it and then plant a park."

But David unfazed did not fear his bark.
"Get out, dogs of Egypt.  Flee while you can.
The braves of Sassoon fear no living man.
Did you think we were dead?  Or we gave up the ghost?
That you can take tribute and rule us and boast?"

Then David grew angry, and picked up the scales.
He smashed in Gozbadin's head to shrieks and wails.
The shards of the scales pierced holes in the walls,
and fly to this day like sharp, spiked cannon balls.
The warriors of Musr fled, leaving the gold.
Armenia was safe, praise David the bold.
Gozbadin and Badin quickly turned tail.
Charkhadin and Syudin followed their trail.

16

"Dear Uncle, how could you, what can I say?
We've great heaps of gold, yet you treat me this way?
You've made me a servant, no keeper on earth,
abandoned to others, is that all I'm worth?"

Ohan lost patience and cried out, "You fool!
The gold was our shield against Melik's fierce rule.
We kept it so that he would turn a kind eye.
You'll see what will happen when we defy.
He'll ruin Sassoon and plunder our land.
Who can oppose him, his onslaught withstand?"

"Hold it, dear Uncle, he'll answer to me,
I’m not afraid of him, just wait and see."
Then he knocked down the door to the dark, dreary stable,
and rescued the maids, before Ohan was able
to say one more word.  David told them with glee,
"Long life wish for David, go home, you are free!"

17

Battered and bloodied,
tattered and muddied,
the warriors of Egypt fled toward their home soil.
Glimpsing their coming caused noise and turmoil.
The women of Egypt first shouted in joy.
They clapped from their rooftops, "Ahoy, there, ahoy."
They're coming, they're coming, our gold they have brought.
Gozbadin to Sassoon a lesson has taught.
They've brought forty maidens our red cows to tend.
This spring they'll churn butter, our clothing they'll mend.
But as they approached, it soon became clear,
the clapping went silent, something's wrong here.

The women rushed forward and sassily taunted,
"Gozbadin, you braggard, you're not quite as vaunted,
as boasted and toasted before your excursion.
You ran cross the mountain tops for your diversion?
So tell us, what’s up, that your head’s split in two?
And where are the maidens and where is your crew?
The forty tall maids and sacks full of gold?
And the rout of Armenia that you foretold?
You went off to Sassoon like a wolf in the wild,
and came back a poor dog, frightened and mild."

Gozbadin exploded with loud rage and fury,
"Shut up, all you ingrates, I'll be the jury.
You've never seen men like the men of Sassoon.
Each fiercer and stronger than our whole platoon.
Like mountains they tower; they use logs for arrows,
their country's rock solid, a fort on the narrows.
Even the grass blades are sharper than swords.
They slaughtered three hundred of our fiercest lords."

After he'd spoken, he went to the king,
running impatiently his news to bring.
The king chuckled feverishly from his high throne,
"Well done, Brave Gozbadin, you're back with your own.
I should reward you for what you have done,
With Egypt's great medal that's bright as the sun,
So where is the booty and where are the maids?"
The King asked Gozbadin, "How were the raids?"

Embarrassed he shrank, his eyes to the ground,
"Long live the King, by my pledge I am bound,
I barely escaped with my life, O great lord,
Armenia has spawned a man like a horde.
He's crazy, fears nothing, not orders nor might.
He smashed in my head with one blow in our fight.
He said, 'I won't give you the gold of my dad,
and the maids of Armenia they just can't be had.
There's no place for you in the land of Sassoon.
Let Melik himself come for tribute and boon.
Let him come, and we'll fight it out, just me and him,
Let him come and I’ll tear him apart limb from limb.'"

The Melik of Musr flew into a rage,
"Call my whole army, a war we will wage.
ten thousand kids, new born and male,
ten thousand boys, beardless and pale.
ten thousand lads, growing with time,
ten thousand grooms, enjoying their prime,
ten thousand men with black beards and hair,
ten thousand men with heads grey and bare,
ten thousand buglers our coming to sound,
ten thousand drummers our cadence to pound.
Call them and arm them with sword, bow, and shield.
We'll tame master David and get him to yield.
I'll pillage and plunder Sassoon till it's rubble.
I'll teach Sassoon’s people to cause Egypt trouble."

18

The Melik assembled his numberless forces,
and went to Sassoon with arms, men and horses,
and when he arrived, he set up his tent,
some distance from Sassoon, where the horde went
to the river named Batma to quench their great thirst.
So many were they that when they immersed
their mouths in the water, the river went dry,
and the river flow to Sassoon slowed by and by,
until the town's water flow came to a halt.
Distressed, Ohan wondered what was at fault.
Donning his cloak, he searched for the cause.
On a high look out, he took a quick pause,
he saw tents by the thousands, like a blanket of snow,
just as if winter had fallen below.

His warm blood ran cold and his tongue became tied.
Running back home, "God help us," he cried.
"Woe, run away, it has come, it is here!"
"What, my dear Uncle, has caused you such fear?"

"The pain and the fire, you've brought on our heads.
The Melik has come here to tear us to shreds.
His army outnumbers the stars in the sky.
Woe to our lives, woe to our lands!
Gather the maids and gold in our hands.
Let us bow down, perhaps he'll forbear.
Perhaps he’ll take pity, his sword he might spare."

"Hold it there, Uncle, don't blink an eye.
You're tired and anxious, now go home and lie
down in your bed, while I take a look
at what Melik's up to."  So David took
his leave and ran off to the old woman's shack.

"Hey granny," he shouted, "Look, I've come back.
Quick get your skewers and old iron scraps
to tie on the donkey with these tattered straps.
I'm taking on Melik the way you once said.

"O, David," she cried, "God strike me dead.
How could your father have had such a lad?
When he went to war, a great horse he had,
a fiery steed and a waistband of gold.
And in his right hand a cross he would hold.
He had a mail shirt, defense to afford.
and a thick metal helmet and bright Lightening Sword.
And you're off to battle with donkey and skewer."

"Okay, okay, granny, your words could be fewer,
if you would just tell me the place where it’s hid."

"Go, ask your uncle, you’re not just a kid.
Tell him to get it, and bring it to you.
And if he refuses, you’ll just have to do
whatever it takes to gather his trust,
but get what is yours, as is mete and is just."

19

David went home to his Uncle directly,
"Hey Uncle," he shouted loud and suspectly,
"My father had armor of which I was told,
and a fiery steed and a waistband of gold
and in his right hand a cross he would bear,
so as he made battle, he gave life no care.
He had a mail shirt, defense to afford,
and a thick metal helmet and bright Lightening Sword.
Wherever they are, Uncle, give them to me."

"O David, my David, say how can this be?"
Ohan cried in dread, “But since your dad died,
no one has taken the horse for a ride,
nor has the sword been out of its case,
nor the mail shirt, nor the gold mace.
Just leave me alone, don't torment me.
Take them, and use them, they're your legacy."

20

David put on the armor and buckled the band.
He donned the mail shirt, his sword in his hand.
And raising the victory cross to the sky,
he mounted the Lion's steed and riding high,
with a snap of his whip, he galloped away,
and Ohan of Great Voice, wept for this day,

"Ten thousand woes, for the steed he has taken.
Ten thousand woes, for the gold he's forsaken.
Ten thousand woes, for the mail shirt he's wearing.
Ten thousand woes, for the sword he's bearing."

On hearing this, David boiled up with rage.
He turned the steed back and charged to engage
his Uncle's attention, making him smart.
Poor Ohan in fear changed his tune and his heart:

"Alas, my David, poor David, is lost.
Alas, he is lost at such a high cost,"

When David heard this, he sighed and calmed down.
He jumped from the horse and touched Ohan's gown.
He then kissed his hand, and Ohan of Great Voice
with fatherly care and a nod did rejoice
at the sight of this youth, and bid him farewell,
and sent him away Musr Melik to quell.

21

David's mom had a brother whose name was Toros.
This uncle's fierce exploits unfolded before us.
When Toros got wind of the up-coming battle,
he pulled up a tree and slaughtered some cattle,
and then in the distance he was heard yelling:

"You on the plain with your tents I am telling,
David of Sassoon's coming your way.
How many are you? You don't want to stay.
What are you waiting for? Haven't you heard?
He flies on his steed like a great preying bird.

Get away, while you've time, before he arrives.
I'm warning you, go, if you value your lives."

Then from his shoulder he took the tree trunk,
and swinging it, cleared them away with one dunk.
From the peak David watched and then fiercely roared
like a dragon to wake up Melik and his horde:

"If you're asleep, you'd better wake up,
and if you're awake, you'd better stand up,
and if you are standing, you'd better gear up,
and if you are geared up, you'd better mount up,
and if you are mounted, you'd better ride on,
and don't complain later that we were spied on,
while David attacked like a thief in the night.
So wake up, get ready, you're in for a fight."

Making his challenge, he spurred on his steed.
And with shocking bolts down from a cloud,
the Lightening Sword glistening followed his lead,
and struck in the midst of the Melik's fierce crowd.

David wreaked mayhem the first half the day,
and the rush of their blood like a rising red tide,
Melik's men by the thousands carried away,
both dead and alive in human landslide.

In the midst of the carnage was an old man,
who'd seen much of life and was known as a sage.
"Boys," said he, "Step aside, quick, so I can
go and see David and quiet his rage."

The old man set off to plead for his band.
He went before David, "O brave one," he said,
"May your fist remain strong, with a sword in your hand.
May your sword remain sharp, like the thoughts in your head.
Pray hear me out though I'm old and I'm weak,
and weigh my words well as our lives you determine
What have we done that you wilfully wreak
death and destruction and kill us like vermin?

Each one among us is some mother's son.
Each one among us is some household's light,
who's left his dear wife and his housework undone,
her wet eyes are fixed on the road in deep fright.

His children lie shivering in their cold beds.
His parents are poor, bent over and old.
With crying and mourning, veils over their heads,
the young brides are waiting their grooms to behold.

Melik gathered these men upon pain of death.
He ordered them here crushing their will.
They're miserable conscripts who've breathed their last breath.
What harm can they do you?  They bear you no ill.

So pity us peons, mean Melik's your foe.
If you’ve got a bone to pick, then in God's name,
you two should cross swords and fight toe to toe,
and spare us unfortunate pawns in your game."

"Well spoken, old man, you are wise as your age,"
David said to the grey beard at Sassoon's high gate,
"But where's the mean Melik that I might engage
in one-on-one combat and seal his dark fate."

"You see the great tent?   That's where he sleeps.
the one with the smoke coming out of the top,
It's not real smoke, but a foul fume that seeps,
out of his mouth as he sleeps without stop."

Not a moment to spare, David mounted his steed.
He rode to the tent where the mean Melik lay.
At the door of the tent he arrived with great speed,
and roared at the guards who cringed in dismay.

"Where is he hiding who threatens my lands?
Call him out, in the open, we'll fight on this field.
If he isn't dead now, he'll die at my hands.
His match he has met, his fate is now sealed."

"The Melik," they said, "Is in a deep slumber.
For seven full days his post he's forsaken.
So far just three days have passed of that number.
Four more still remain before he'll awaken."

"You mean to tell me he naps while his men
are swimming in blood as deep as the sea?
For seven full days he snores in his den,
while he sends his poor troops to do battle with me.

Sleep-shmeep hear me well, this is insane.
Get him up, send him out, we shall meet in the square.
I'll give him sleep in which he'll remain
forever at rest with a tomb for a lair."

The guards were now shaken and picked up a spear.
They heated it red in the campfire's heat.
Their king snored so loud that he couldn't hear,
as they put the hot spear to the soles of his feet.

"How can a man get a decent night's rest
as long as these damned fleas are swarming around."
The giant king muttered, then undistressed,
he turned himself over and slept on the ground.

So they got a huge plow from a field near the tent,
and they heated its blade on the blazing red fire,
and when it glowed bright and iridescent,
they put it against the back of their sire.

"How can a man get a decent night's rest,
as long as these blasted mosquitoes do flit?"
Groggy, he rubbed his eyes, glimpsing a guest.
It was David who'd come to pay a visit.

He raised his head up and muttered a curse,
then he blew upon David to sweep him away,
He huffed and he puffed, but he could not coerce,
David to leave, so he shrank in dismay.

Amazement and fear engulfed his cold heart,
seeing how David withstood his fierce blows.
His bloody red eyes were fixed like a dart,
as he frowned upon David and cast a mean pose.

Seeing that David did not flinch at all,
his beastly strength drained like a wilting bean stalk.
So he sat up and thought of a way he could stall,
and he put on a smile and started to talk.

"Greetings, dear David, come in, take a chair,
you must be quite tired, let's have a good chat.
If you're still intent upon settling this affair,
we'll fight one on one, okay, how is that?"

Under his tent the wily old troll
had dug a great pit some forty feet deep.
He'd had a net flung across the wide hole
with a rug for a cover, his secret to keep.

Whomever he couldn't defeat in combat
he lured to his tent to catch in his snare.
Asking them in as his guests just like that,
they would fall in the pit as they sat unaware.

So David dismounted from his tall horse
and went and sat down upon the guest's rug.
It gave way and he fell as a matter of course
into the pit that Melik had dug.

Melik cackled and smirked at the fate of his guest.
He ordered a millstone to close off the pit.
"You can rot in the dark, my noisome young pest,
for the rest of your life in my snare you shall sit."

22

Ohan of Great Voice slept poorly that night.
Dark dreams filled his head like an unruly crowd.
O'er Egypt the sun rose with radiant light,
but a black cloud hung over Sassoon like a shroud.

Stricken with terror he jumped from his bed.
"Oh, Wife, light a candle, take hold of my hand.
It's David, I know it, dark fate on our head.
A black cloud's descending upon our dear land."

"I'll kill him, I tell you," scowled his wife.
"Who knows where he is, the reckless ingrate?
While you're here at home afraid for your life,
tormented by dreams about others' fate."

Ohan fell asleep, but was wakened again.
"O, Wife, hear me out, David's in a tight spot.
The star over Egypt shines brighter than ten,
while Sassoon's star fades away like a dot."

"Dammit, old man, it's after midnight,"
His wife scolded loudly, sharply and tart.
Ohan crossed himself, not wanting a fight,
and fell back to sleep, though troubled at heart.

He then dreamt a dream that was yet darker still.
He saw in the heavenly skyscape on high
that Egypt's bright star was yet more visible,
while Sassoon's was falling down out of the sky.

This time he awoke in tortured chagrin,
"A curse on your house, why'd I listen to you?
David's in danger, he's my last of kin.
Now get me my armor I've got work to do."

23

Ohan rose from bed and went to the stable.
He gave the white horse a kind slap on the back.
"Tell me old whitey, how fast are you able,
to get me to David to join the attack?"

"You'll get there by morning if you ride on me."
said the horse to Ohan, belly slumped to the ground.
"And what good is that?  Shall I go there to be
in time for the mass at his burial mound?"

He then gave the red horse a slap on the saddle.
He too dropped its belly down to the ground.
"Dear red horse, how soon can we join in the battle
and fight on the field where David is found?"

The red horse responded, "In less than an hour,
you'll be there with David engaged in the battle,"
"A curse on your fodder and may it grow sour,
for nought have I fed you, I've no time to prattle."

Next Ohan turned to inspect the black steed.
He too dropped his belly down to the ground,
so, my black beauty, in my time of need,
can you take me there, where David is bound?

"If you wrap your legs tight and get a good grip,"
said the black horse, jumping out of his stall,
"Before your foot's through the second stirrup,
you'll be there with David, hold on or you'll fall."

What a woman wants

by Juliana George



Finding love has never been more straightforward than it is in the age of online dating. It can be as simple as taking a compatibility questionnaire or, if you prefer, swiping right. However, online pro les do not often tell the entire story, and meeting up with someone you met online can result in some unexpected revelations. Understanding the real person behind the pro le is critical, and before you can determine whether or not to commit to someone, you need to know what you're looking for in a partner and what they are looking for in a partner.

"Any successful relationship is founded on some fundamental, down-to-earth characteristics," according to certi ed psychotherapist Suzanne Degges-White. While super cial characteristics such as physical attractiveness and sexual chemistry are early indicators of compatibility, there are a few more signi cant, must-have characteristics that women seek in the man they hope to spend the rest of their lives with—characteristics that are less likely to diminish over time.

While no two women are the same, we've compiled a list of eight essential characteristics that experts believe all women desire in a man. Continue reading if you require any pointers.


Con dence

When a man believes in himself, understands who he is, and knows what he wants, it is extremely attractive to a woman and is usually something she can tell simply by his attitude.


It's critical to distinguish between having healthy self-esteem and an in ated ego. While women desire a con dent and self-assured man, they do not desire a domineering man, requires constant attention or believes he is the most important person in the world.

Con dence entails being at ease with who you are and believing in yourself. It also entails believing that you are worth spending time getting to know. Women respond positively to the optimistic energy that a con dent man radiates into the world, as long as that con dence does not devolve into egotism. When a man is not compelled to compete with or denigrate others to elevate himself, he will go a long way toward capturing a woman's attention.


Trustworthiness


When a man is trustworthy and honest, he immediately becomes more attractive and desirable to a woman. If he is reliable, honest, sincere, and speaks from the heart, he is a man worth following, as others will take him at his word. "Trust and trustworthiness enable relationships to grow," Degges- White explains. After all, a woman has to know that she can rely on her guy for the relationship to continue long, just as he should rely on her.


Integrity

Integrity entails virtue and a solid moral character. Women desire a noble, just, and ethical man. In terms of relationships, having integrity can assist a guy in developing his link with a woman by guiding his behaviour and enabling him to be the best partner he can be. Bonus points if the man's integrity extends outside the partnership and he can treat others fairly and with kindness.


Compassion


Compassionate and empathic men have an advantage when it comes to attracting women. Women want a partner they can con de in, whether it's about a poor day at work or their most profound dreams and worries. Empathy is the capacity to understand another person's point of view and to empathize with their circumstances. Women are particularly attracted to guys who possess the ability and desire to demonstrate concern and care for others.


Availability of Emotions


Women like a man who is emotionally honest over one who is emotionally distant and inaccessible. While expressing sentiments fully and openly may seem unusual or awkward at rst, it is critical to demonstrate a sensitive, emotional, and human side of oneself to have a lasting relationship. Women like a man who is not scared to express and communicate their actual feelings openly, rather than a man who keeps everything bottled up inside them. And sure, this may include discussing previous relationships and giving details about your life.


Respect


To have a healthy, happy, and successful relationship, both partners must respect one another. If a woman feels unimportant, disposable, or ill-treated by a man, she will likely abandon him to escape a shattered heart. "When someone feels disrespectful or patronized, the relationship is more likely to end sooner than later," Degges-White explains. A woman will gravitate toward a man who shows her concern and treats her with the deference she deserves.

A woman will evaluate your abilities to demonstrate respect for her and others, particularly her friends and family. A man who can show respect for others is a leader, and this will not go ignored.


Possessing a Sense of Humor


You do not have to be a stand-up comedian or a comedy writer to captivate a woman's attention, but the ability to laugh at yourself, joke around, and have a sense of humour is quite attractive. "When two individuals laugh at the same thing, they are essentially saying, 'I share your perspective, your values, and most de nitely what you nd hilarious,'" explains Jeffrey Hall, PhD, associate professor of communication studies (University of Kansas). According to Hall's research on the relationship between humour and romance, the more times a man attempts to be humorous, and the more times a woman laughs at his jokes, the more likely she is to be romantically attracted. It's fundamental physics that a man who can radiate a pleasant, joyous, and positive energy into the world will attract a lady.


Maturity



The likelihood is that if the aforementioned characteristics apply to you, you've already mastered the maturity aspect. It's vital to demonstrate to a woman that you are not just mature emotionally and capable of maintaining an open channel of communication but also mentally mature and capable of acting like a grown-up when the time comes. You can demonstrate this by reasoning, refraining from emotional outbursts, and resolving con icts collaboratively after serious discussion. That is not to suggest you cannot have fun and be foolish together, as displaying your vulnerable side is a sign of maturity in and of itself.


#1 You have an opinion of your own.
Women do not expect you to always agree with them. Nobody truly desires that. The majority of people like to engage in conversation and confront their own thinking to remain receptive to new ideas, which is also true for women. We don't want a doormat; we want someone who knows who he is, what he stands for, and how to utilize his voice effectively. You are free to express yourselves, gentlemen! Treat her with respect, and she will reciprocate.



#2 You understand how to dress and are capable of dressing nicely.


This is not simply about how things appear on the outside. When a woman sees that you can dress well and pay attention to details, such as showing up and being presentable, she perceives that you can pay attention to details. Then if you take care with how you portray yourself, how you carry yourself, that same level of attention to detail, care, and awareness will be used in a relationship.



#3 You understand how to communicate effectively.


This also relates to feeling secure with you, gentlemen. A lady has to understand that you will not hit a wall or become verbally abusive if you become angry or irritated. That you are rmly in control of your emotions rather than being governed by them, as this is dangerous. Women, at least high-value women, seek a man capable of resolving disagreements with compassion and conversation. Both parties seek a solution rather than only attempting to be correct.





#4 You have a reason for being.


This is a signi cant one! Women place a premium on having passion in their lives, having things they enjoy, and being happy. Additionally, for you guys! It is critical to remember that happiness originates within you. If you're unhappy with yourself, your life situation, or the way things are going, a relationship will not make you feel better. Indeed, a woman would walk away because if you are unhappy in your life and place too much pressure on her to repair you or make you happy, she would feel resentful and ee. This is not about owning a business or amassing billions of money; purpose implies that you understand your value proposition in your profession and are content with your life. This is a signi cant attraction; it genuinely draws people to you in general.



#5 You have etiquette


A woman will assess your behaviour toward others. Do you exude a positive aura? Do you treat others with decency? Even if you believe no one is watching. This demonstrates to her that she is secure with you, emotionally safe with you. This is not about knowing where the side of the plate the knife should go; this is about respect. Do you hold her and the people around you in high regard? This prompts her to envision you with children, in a relationship, or with anything else in life. Therefore, always treat others with respect, just as you would want to be treated.


What a woman appreciates in a man


We prefer that you simply be attentive and receptive. Women appreciate it when a man understands himself, has worked on himself, has something to teach her, and knows who he is and what he brings to the table. Consider what you desire, correct? You want a woman who is emotionally available, aware of her identity, capable of being there for you, and also con dent; thus, ask yourself what you truly desire in a relationship and a partner, and what qualities do I need to develop in myself to obtain and maintain that level.

Perhaps it's learning to take better care of yourself and going to the gym. Maybe it's developing the ability to be candid and optimistic rather than adopting a victim mindset and blaming the world rather than rising to the situation. I discuss this extensively on my why women ghost blog, which I highly recommend if this has occurred to you. Whatever it is, it's bene cial to take a

good look at yourself and then take the necessary steps to become the type of man who attracts the kind of lady you desire in your life.


#1 Women adore a man who reassures them.
This does not mean you must ght another man for us or pick battles to demonstrate your masculinity to the girl. That is not the case at all! You don't want to choose a battle with someone and demonstrate how you show your masculinity to a woman. I can assure you that the instant you do that, she will be desperate to ee because it is precisely what you do not want to do.



There are numerous methods to demonstrate to a lady that she can feel safe or secure in your presence. And it is not a matter of physical prowess. Assume you take her out to supper and see she is shivering. Present her with your jacket. Or, if you don't have one, simply ask the waiter to turn down the air conditioning.
This demonstrates that you are concerned about how she feels. In a crowded environment, ensure that you hold her hand or even have her walk in front of you while you grip her waist. Inquire as to whether she is feeling well and having a lovely time.

Additionally, escorting her to her door, or even calling her an Uber, taking her to the Uber, and asking her to contact you when she returns home establishes the boundaries necessary for a woman to feel secure. Assume she forgets. When she returns home, she gives you around an hour and never texts you. This is the point at which you text her. Perhaps she dozed off, but guess what? When she awakens, she'll discover a text from you asking if she arrived safely. This demonstrates to a lady that you are in control of her safety.



Additionally, a woman wants to know that you will advocate for her and ensure she is treated fairly. That is, with friends, family, and coworkers.


#2 Women adore truthfulness and trust.


Trust. We appreciate honesty, presence, and trust. Many males believe they must play hard these days. I am a rm believer that if a man and a woman genuinely care for one other, they would avoid games that undermine trust and, occasionally, honesty. You begin creating trust by being on time for your dates and phoning when you say you will.

Women remember when you say, "I'll call you tomorrow," or "I'd want to see you tomorrow." Therefore, if you say this, act on it! I hear a lot of ladies dating men and having a terri c time, and then the male says, "I'd love to see you tomorrow." She con rms nicely, and he plans to attend happy hour with his pals the next day. This does not appear to be a pleasant situation, gentlemen! This is what occurs in a woman's head when you do this: "He isn't serious, and I'm not interested in devoting my time to him." Men often ask why this occurs, and the reason is that a high-value lady would avoid setting a date with a man who does not keep his promise.

Men, if you cannot keep your word at the start of a date, a lady will not take you seriously.


#3 Women appreciate a man who carries himself nicely.

Declare your presence. How you hold yourself is signi cant. Proudly enter a room with her. Con dently introduce yourself to her friends, and perhaps even deliver a joke from time to time. Many guys believe that presence is solely about showing up; while this is true, it is also about how you show up.


#4 Women desire to feel signi  cant to you.


If you're in a relationship, she wants to feel as if she's the centre of attention. Are you listening, gentlemen? Women desire to feel invincible. If all males could get this correctly, it would make so many of us ladies happy. Inform her and demonstrate your affection for her. This is accomplished through involving her in aspects of your life such as work, friends, and family. Not only are you informing her, but you are also demonstrating to her. When you include her in your life and want her to be a part of it, she feels signi cant.

Make way for her. Wait for her to take a seat before responding. Offer to assist her when she is carrying bags, particularly when she is shopping. Men, a woman does not want to be responsible for her bags when a man can do so for her. She does not wish to be loading the bags while you observe. These are small acts of gentlemanly behaviour that demonstrate your concern for her and desire to assist her.

Compliment her and deliver owers to her. Recognize her preferred colour. Inform her of your favourite clothing on her and make a note of it. Recognize her favourite artists and purchase concert tickets for her. Bear in mind her preferences. Bring that masculine energy to the surface.

#5 Women adore a man who listens to them.


Communication is critical. Now, this is what I frequently hear from my men in relationships: "I provide for her, and she has enough money to do anything she wants with her girlfriends, and she can buy anytime she wants." Why isn't she content?" This is where you go wrong because it is not about material possessions. Women desire to have their voices heard. They want communication with you. Don't simply return home, turn on the television, and ask, "What's for dinner?" When you return home, engage your partner in discussion. And, yes, I understand. Even if you're having a hectic day and don't feel like talking, which I know since we've all been there, this is where affection comes into play. Simply embrace her, kiss her, and tell her you love her. Inform her that you've had a dif cult day and are relieved to see her. These are the details she will recall. I can assure you that she will quickly have a hot supper on the plate. And, if you're lucky, a back rub.


#6 Women place a premium on maturity.


Above all, maturity. Maturity is seductive, gentlemen. When chatting with so many women, the number one turn-off is an immature man. Call and text her with meaningful conversations, not one-line responses that you may copy and paste to another female. We want to see initiative. That is, do not text her and ask, "How are you?" She responds, and you never respond. What exactly is that? That is not an indication of a man who is loyal and respectful. Get directly to the point and avoid sitting there all day texting her. These are not healthy forms of virtual interactions.

There is a difference between texting someone for an extended period and texting a few times here and there. However, I have observed a large number of people texting throughout the day. That is, at least 20 text messages every 30 to 45 minutes during the day. While a woman may desire your attention, a wise woman will interpret this as a red ag. Therefore, avoid interfering with her day, particularly if she is on vacation with her girlfriends or out with her girlfriends for the day, as the case may be.

Men, please do not text a woman and invite her to meet you for a drink, then remark, "You're buying," and then chuckle. For example, the woman may offer to pay for your date afterwards, since she may like to leave as soon as possible after dating someone who is not maturely stable. However, if you want to become a mature man, avoid making such jokes early on. Yes, I have witnessed this. It is never successful.

Additionally, please refrain from telling her she is as lovely as your ex. Yes, I have observed this as well. These are all indicators of immaturity, not of someone prepared to settle down.

When a woman reaches maturity, she looks for a partner who can provide. This is not always a matter of money, gentlemen. We are looking for a man that is ambitious and determined. However, let me be honest with you: women want to know that you can take care of their fundamental requirements, such as supper, travel, and fun activities. Something you can do together. When it comes to dating, many guys I interact with date women who earn more money than they do, which is perfectly OK. However, gentlemen, let me tell you something: this does not negate the reality that women desire to be provided

for. Make this a temporary habit. You may not always earn more money than she does, depending on the circumstances. However, you must ensure that you are standing your ground and doing your part.

I see so many women assisting their guys and then becoming resentful. Take heed of what I'm saying; if you can do anything to avert this, you must seize control. Do not take up residence in a woman's home, drive her car, or expect her to pay your phone bill. She will develop resentment, which is not how a woman wishes to be treated.

title. in short, i’m 23, low-key ugly, and never been in a relationship/dated. i can be friendly, but i don’t have the guts to flirt with anyone. ime guys i find cute are into girls much more attractive than me, so i’ve always assumed right off the bat that they wouldnt be interested.

tbh i don’t know if i’m just shooting myself in the foot or staying in my lane by not flirting. i just feel super undesirable bc of how invisible i am. does flirting make a difference anyway?

edit: idk where y'all are getting the idea that i'm a straight man.

I’d like to split this answer into parts.

First thing is that fast-food chains like McDonald’s tend to pay an inordinate time and effort at consistency. Within an area, they tend to be all either identical or very similar — you should have seen the uproar a few years ago when a particular McD’s restaurant failed to put ketchup (or put too much, I forget) in one kind of sandwich that people expected different.

So, if you *can* eat McDonald’s (or Burger King or Wendy’s or whatever), you can reasonably expect that going to one of them is going to be identical (or very close) to whichever you went to last time. Maybe that’s of no use to you, but to people who are sick and need to eat something safe that will not make them worse, that’s in fact priceless — I’ve heard from many people going through chemotherapy, for example, that at a certain point in the treatment they vomit nearly anything they eat, and the only thing they could stand (and ate for several days) was a McDonald’s Vanilla Milkshake and a banana.

Now, prices vary — there are countries (like in USA) where going to McD’s is relatively cheap and that’s why so many people who are on the low income side or just got someone to give them some money go there. Of course, there are countries (like Brazil) in which the reverse is true: McD’s is on the expensive side, and basically only rich entitled folks go there because, again, it’s clean and unlikely to make them sick.

Another reason to go to McD’s-like places is if you’re on a diet — I know people will laugh at me for this (particularly considering the documentary “Supersize Me!”), but if you are paying attention to the sizes you order, you can get a very balanced meal which has a good proportion of carbs, veggies and protein — I know a bunch of people with diabetes for example, who can go there and get a meal that will be nutritious and not break the rules; that is not true of everyone (people on insulin might differ), but it’s much better than a lot of serious restaurants that will serve you a meal with several times your daily allowance of salt, sugar and/or fat.

I’d like to touch on something that I don’t think other people mentioned in the other answers, either because they are way more polite than I am or because they may have not interpreted the question the same way I did.

I used to live in a household of half-a-dozen students or so, when we were of the age to go to University. One of my housemates was not necessarily rich in the way people tend to think of it, but on the upper-middle class, while the rest of us came from middle class or lower.

Well, wouldn’t you know it, at some point he started to rag on us about why we used to buy Stouffer’s Lasagna — according to him, “no Italian would ever eat such a rubbery foul-tasting thing!”… now, I took exception to that, and told him so: my entire family came from Italy at different times and from different places, in fact, some of my relatives were born in Rome, some in Bologna, some in Sicily, Milan, Florence, Turin, etc. And, while my own mother’s lasagna was the best of them (of course ;-) ), they were all edible, and at least a couple of my aunt’s lasagna were worse than Stouffer’s, so I figured Stouffer’s, just like any other industrialized food, were trying to appeal to the average consumer. I think it’s a bit too sweet, while someone in the Midwest might think it lacked a pinch of sugar… “Also,” I continued, “you might want to read the freaking directions on the package and try to follow them, because leaving the tray in the microwave on high for 10 minutes is sure to destroy nearly any dish, when we microwave the dish it’s quite edible!” — he never bothered us anymore.

Where am I going with all of this? I think you may not have eaten a lot of burgers if you are complaining that McDonald’s is not to your liking. I’ve eaten plenty of burgers that were much worse, particularly when people burn and/or overcook them on the charcoal grill and they are your boss so you need to eat it and like it. It’s fine, when you get older you’ll understand, no hurry.

And, no, not everyone needs to like everything, or the things you or I like. Some people like vanilla cake, some like chocolate cake, some like both, some like none. But you might want to work on the phrasing, because “why do people love cake, I hate cake!” or “why do people hate cake, I love cake!” tends to put you in the odd corner of the room. Not everything is about you and not everyone has to cater to your tastes only.

It’s very different if you are asking other people to take you into consideration (“I really don’t like McD’s, could we please pick another place?”, or “I don’t drink alcohol”, or “I have diabetes” or “don’t like cakes, can we add some other thing to the menu so people like me could have a choice, please?”) because people in fact do care about others in general and can help you.

For example, I just came home from a party where people who can not eat gluten (they have celiac disease), people with diabetes, people with allergies to certain foods, vegetarians, vegans, people who only eat meat (or it’s not a meal), people who drink and people who abstain all shared the same space and had a wonderful time because there was something for everyone and no one was making an effort to judge and/or put others down for the way they feed themselves.

Anyway, this has gotten already too long — have a wonderful life!

1. I’m putting this out especially for our friends in places like Finland, Sweden, Switzerland, Germany etc, where I didn’t understand the dating culture, until someone explained to me that was going to have to make the first move… I now wish I could go back and try again with a German man who I now see was desperately signalling his attention, but which I took to be only lukewarm overtures of interest… Here are my two cents worth
2. First thing to know is that the culture in rural Mississippi is very different from the culture in, say, Portland, Oregon. The culture in Des Moines is different from that of Los Angeles. The US is a ginormous place made up of 50 states that function like semi-autonomous countries. Each has different attitudes - and laws- regarding everything from gun ownership and the death penalty, to marijuana use, gambling, selling liquor on Sundays-or selling liquor at all…You just have to learn the culture of the area and keep this in mind. It’s really hard to say “American women are like this..” when a woman raised in a very traditional home in the heart of the Bible Belt is going to have very different set of expectations of you than a yoga instructor in Burlington, Vermont might.
3. You need to be open about your interest and be direct. Ask her out. It’s expected here. Don’t wait for her to come up to you, don’t wait for her to send the first text, don’t wait for her to suggest the next date. It’s absolutely true that many women have no problem making the first move, and it’s perfectly fine for women to do that, but it’s still not completely the norm. If you don’t make any effort to show your interest, she’ll probably assume you’re not that into her.
4. Most American women I know are very nice if they reject you. It’s always very flattering when someone asks us out, but we may be taken, or not in the market for a relationship, or not interested… I always make sure a guy knows that I sincerely appreciated it, that it really boosted my day…and maybe in another time and place it would have been fantastic. I don’t think I’ve ever been blunt and said “I’m not interested.” I’ve always made a more kind excuse, because why make someone feel bad?
5. When you do go out, understand that if YOU asked her out, it’s usually expected that YOU’RE picking up the tab. It would feel really weird to me if a guy asked me out and then insisted on separate checks or whipped out a calculator to figure out my half. That would seem very ungracious and leave a poor impression. In the US, it’s not uncommon- but not necessarily the norm anymore- for some men to insist on picking up pretty much every tab. I basically just go along with that if it’s important to him and his sense of self as a man. It’s just not worth bickering over, and it’s a concession I’m happy to make. Otherwise, I’d say it’s equally common for one person to pick up one tab and then the other person will get the next one. I’d say the separate checks thing is NOT common. If I invite a guy out, I expect to pick up the whole tab myself- again, unless he is hurt and horrified by the thought. Usually he says- “okay, my treat next time…” or something. Eventually, when you get comfortable and coupled, it doesn’t matter.
6. Expect her to be more open and talkative than you might be used to, especially if you come from the countries I mentioned up top. She will ask you all kinds of questions, and she’ll expect you to do the same. If you don’t ask her about herself, she is going to conclude that you have no interest in getting to know her. She might also touch your arm or hand or something, laugh at your jokes… It’s okay to relax and show your interest similarly. If you’re very reserved and squeezed back onto your side of the table, or respecting the 1 meter of distance rule, that’s a sign that you’re not interested.
7. It’s not that common for an American woman to sleep with you on the first date. It just doesn’t happen as a “rule” Part of this is due to a feeling that booty calls and hookups are one thing, and seriously dating someone is another, and mixing the two can be complicated. Some women will, others won’t. There still does exist a somewhat critical, conservative attitude toward doing that however. Even if she may want to, she’ll possibly have a fear that if she did, you’d write her off and drop her immediately. It’s a somewhat archaic way to look at sex, but that’s still the way it is for many here. BUT on the flip side, American women will likely continue to see other people- maybe sleep with them- and will assume you’re doing the same until you become “exclusive”. It blew my mind in Finland to realize that when we started sleeping together and seeing each other regularly, we automatically became a couple. He was surprised that I was unclear on the fact that he was my boyfriend and had been for some time. I actually prefer this approach and wish we’d adopt it in the US, but at the moment, in the US, it’s more common for the desire for monogamy to be declared and agreed upon.

GOOGLE KEEP

Keep is one of the major benefits of having a Google account. It’s part of Google Docs, so it’s integrated. It works seamlessly with your Gmail DocsCalendar and Tasks. Everything in it automatically syncs thru your Google account to all your devices so you have it wherever you go. It has a Chrome extension and iOS and Android apps.

Keep has amazing features. It uses a super intuitive “sticky note” interface, so you already know how to use it. Or most of it anyway If you dive deeper you will find a lot more. Keep will do everything a note-taking app should and far more than you’d expect.

It’s a source of constant amazement to me how few people seem to know Keep even exists. Seriously people… If you aren’t using Google Keep notes you

The TL DR version? Before keto, I was fat, tired, and sick. Now I’m not.

I’ve been on a ketogenic diet for a bit over two years. I needed to lose 40 lbs or so, and did just that, leveling off after the first year. Recently, I’ve gained back about 10 lbs of “thesis belly”…got sloppy, now working on getting that back off.

I’ve been very pleased with the improvements in my health and energy. I don’t get the mid-afternoon sleepies or the pre-dinner crankies - I just crank along at a stable energy level. When we’re late for a meal, and my companions are freaking out because they’re STARVING, I’m just like…sure, it would be nice to get a meal in today, but tomorrow’s fine too. (I generally eat twice a day, but have been known to roll up to the Brazilian steakhouse after not eating for a couple days. Try THAT on Weight Watchers.)

And yes, my cholesterol panel is beautiful. I wish they had beauty pageants for cholesterol; I’d kick some carb-muncher butt.

I do find it necessary to supplement electrolytes; I take a mix of lite and regular salt as needed, generally once or twice per day, and also magnesium pills. If you skip this step, you will feel perpetually hungover. It’s amazing how stupid and sluggish I get when under-salted, and how quickly a glass of salt water perks me right back up.

It’s also been my experience that I can drink alcohol on keto, and I can also effortlessly lose or maintain weight without counting calories…but I cannot do both at once. If I drink, I either count calories or get fatter. In general, I hate counting calories more than I like booze; YMMV.

The food hasn’t really been a problem for me. I cannot eat every delicious food in the world, but I can eat my fill of a very large subset of delicious things. Most of the time, carbs are cheap filler. Want pizza or burgers? Eat the good stuff, leave the bread. Want curry? Grab a spoon and put it in your mouth. Want nachos? Pile the toppings onto lettuce instead of corn chips, IMO it’s even better. Etc. Yeah, I can’t eat that cake, but I’m probably full.

For practicality, I often eat something super-fatty in the morning, like Keto Chow (which I make with a cup of heavy cream per serving). Then I can pretty much do whatever in the evenings, where I am probably eating with non-keto people. It’s not hard to track down a hunk of protein and some veggies

What are managed Aruba services?

Managed Aruba Serviceshas removed packages from a platform that the company says will use machine learning and artificial technology to help customers manage and maintain remote devices.

 

Hewlett Packard Enterprise network support has developed the Edge Services Platform (ESP), which will be able to analyze and use telemetry data generated from Wifi or network transmission devices to increase connectivity, to detect network problems -continue and maintain the entire environment.

 

ESP, which the company says has been under development for more than four years, not only builds a data center for customer information, domain, and SD-WAN information, but will link it to statistics from about 1.5 billion points. produced by the day. with Aruba machines all over the world. ESP uses its AI algorithms and machine learning to solve problems before they become problems, said Miles Davis, senior global solution manager for Aruba.

 

“The ESP also accesses information that is now very common in siloes and draws where it can be found, tested and used artificially. to improve supply and safety, ”said Davis.

In terms of security, the ESP supports security principles for non-disclosure, such as sorting and policy-building and access control, to ensure the identification of end cables or cables. It implements policies implemented in these articles through application-aware space and adapts to new threats by sharing information with other security programs and is directly aligned with web-based policies, Davis said.

 

ESP can be delivered locally, in the cloud or managed service from Aruba partners or through a network of services through HPE GreenLake. ESP data can be collected using the Aruba Cloud Monitoring Console in Aruba, Aruba Central, which has been updated to support ESP.

 

For example, Aruba Central is powered by simplified navigation, advanced search, and meaningful insights to get more informative images through a single point of control. One new feature, AI Search, uses a natural language discovery service that allows IT teams to ask for plain English to extract from the user and the data pool device and possibly the root cause of the problem.

ESPN's Eruba announcement focuses on a number of areas that the IDC has identified as a leading provider of corporate corporations in 2020 and beyond, said Brandon Butler, chief research analyst on the network and IDC.

 

The first use of machine learning and pseudo-knowledge algorithms for improving network events management. "Given the size and complexity of today's networks, there is a growing number of businesses looking to replace sophistication, ad-hoc management and automated systems that can promote flexibility and security," he said. Butler.

 

"ML / AI algorithms integrated to the management platform provide a number of benefits: find operations or save issues quickly; use real language to diagnose problems; and rely on automatic management platforms for the treatment of emerging issues. The key to this is the Aruba dam within Aruba Central which gives these powers, and does it over all wireless and wireless objects. ”

 

The ESPN Aruba announcement also represents a major step forward for the company in various ways to manage the company, Butler said.

 

"Building on the last year's CX Series for Users, Aruba has developed a robust, unobtrusive, cloud-based platform in Aruba Central that not only controls Wireless and wireless LANs, but further enhances control over the data center and beyond. Don WAN. Aruba Central has expanded its ability to provide network engineers , to assess and resolve problems at these stages, ”said Butler.

New type of branch office in Aruba

Aruba has also expanded its CX Series replacement. The company has launched the Aruba CX 6200 which is targeting corporate offices and facilities. The successive funds include analysis and automation support, Aruba said.

 

Aruba has also established a development center where customers and developers can access APIs and other information on the development of ESP programs.

 

They will also be of interest to WLAN customers who are looking for consistent management on their switch or want to expand their Aruba Central WAN management through the Aruba SD-Branch platform, ”Butler said.

 

The strategy for implementing machine learning and AI is leading a number of Aruba competitors including Juniper, Cisco and VMware.

Aruba has announced its next partner strategy, which will focus on managed services and will provide networking solutions such as "all-in-one" (XaaS) in response to rapid cloud changes, digital transitions and mixed workplace creation.

 

Details of Hewlett Packard's (HPE) latest strategic efforts were presented by the company during the Aruba Atmosphere (ATM) Asia Pacific Partner Conference, the first state-of-the-art event for Aruba partners in the region.

 

This year's event in a new format described how Aruba was prepared to partner with partners by providing new business models that will allow them to navigate the changing market environment and become ready for digital use.

 

The company's activities include renowned companies and offers from Aruba, which partners will be able to market exclusively.

 

The partner-identified option is for Aruba partners who want to sell and deliver solutions to their network.