WOMEN UNDER POLYGAMY
has been set down as five per cent., or even two per cent., of the population. Probably concubinage is more widely spread than recognised plural marriage, but polygamy is certainly the exception and not the rule.
A book of Persian maxims on women proclaims:—
"Be that man's life immersed in gloom
Who weds more wives than one.
With one his cheeks retain their bloom,
His voice a cheerful tone;
These speak his honest heart at rest
And he and she are always blest;
But when with two he seeks for joy,
Together they his soul annoy.
With two no sunbeam of delight
Can make his day of misery bright."
Punishment will be meted out, therefore, to husbands who have acted unjustly or unkindly towards their wives. A husband must think always of his wife's welfare, and strive to please her in all things great and small. When he goes to the market he should buy her a gift of fruit and carry it home to her to show that he thinks of her pleasure. When the wife goes on a journey the husband must escort her. If she wishes her women visitors to remain in the house all night, she may give them couches in her chamber, and the husband must sleep alone.
Infractions of this somewhat exacting code for husbands can be remedied by the woman suing for separa-
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