Book I - Before the altar of God a man laments over his ugliness, his uselessness for good and evil, his lack of true friends and love, and the state of the world. He later drafts verses to comfort himself, a few of which are about ideal relationships. Finally, in the privy of his mind, he begins the tale, writing of his role in godless society, where "Israel" has donned the cloak of "Babel," a kingdom so built on sand, that before the Word of God, they may elect a man based off the votes of a thousand men. Those with understanding understand.
Book II - Dimas, as he introduces himself illustrates the way he arranged an engagement with his future beloved. He comes to find however, that everyone, from the father in question to the girl may be rather ill.