And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, I [am] indeed a widow woman, and mine husband is dead.
Ver. 5. And the king said unto her, What aileth thee?] Kings and princes should courteously admit, patiently hear, and readily help their suppliant subjects. Antonius the emperor was, for this good property, surnamed Pius; Titus, the darling of mankind; Trajan is much renowned in story for this, that being mounted to go against the enemy in battle, he alighted from his horse, only to do justice to a poor woman, that cried out unto him. a
I am indeed a widow woman.] And therefore in a calamitous condition: especially if thou knewest all. At mulier vidua sum.
a Ael. Spart.