Excerpt: ...the children of men, and her beauty shone like the beauty of an earthly deity. And all the warriors who were there looked upon her and were silent, for already they were faint with love and longing. And the maid stood with eyes cast down, and slowly the hot blush rose to her cheek and she was lovelier than before. Three or four score men of name sought her hand, being distraught for love of her, and amongst them were two braver and nobler than the rest. The one came from afar and was the champion of Chinu, and the other came from near, the champion of Unai. They were young, strong, and black-haired. They were equal in years, in strength, and 139 in valour. Both were girded with great swords, and full-charged quivers were upon their backs, and six-foot bows of white wood were in their hands. Together they stood beneath the balcony of the maiden of Unai, like twin brothers in beauty and attainments. Together they cried aloud with passionate voices, telling of their eternal love, and bidding the maiden choose between them. She lifted up her eyes and looked fixedly upon them, but spoke no word. Then they drew their swords and made as if to fight the matter out there and then; but the maid's father spoke: "Put up your swords, fair sirs; I have devised a better way for the decision of this thing. If it please you, enter my house." Now part of the house of Unai was built out upon a platform over the river that flowed past. It was the fifth month and the wistaria was in blossom upon the trellis, and hung downwards nearly into the water. The river was swift and deep. Here the master of the house brought the champions, and the maiden was there also. But the mother and the wise woman stood a little way apart, and hid their faces in their long sleeves. Presently a white water-bird dropped from the blue sky, and rocked to and fro upon the water of the river. "Now, champions," cried the father of the maiden, "draw me your bows and let fly each of you...

Product Description: Why is the law failing to protect pregnant workers and parents from detrimental treatment in the workplace? This theoretically informed book, which draws on the findings of a large scale, Nuffield Foundation funded, study of pregnancy-related workplace disputes, explores the legal regulation of pregnancy and parenting in the labour market...read more

Product Description: Unmarried heterosexual cohabitation is rapidly increasing in Britain and over a quarter of children are now born to unmarried cohabiting parents. This is not just an important change in the way people live in modern Britain; it is also a political and theoretical marker...read more

Collection of ancient tales containing themes of love and spiritual yearning, as well as human foibles, whims, and vanities