University of Virginia Library

THE SONG OF DEBORAH AND BARACKE.

The fift Chap. of Judges.

Praise ye the Lord, the which revenge on Israels wrongs doth take:
Likewise for those which offered up themselves for Israels sake.
Heare this, ye kings, ye princes al, give eare with one accord,
I wil give thanks, yea sing the praise, of Israels living Lord.
When thou departedst (Lord) from Seir, and out of Edom field,
The earth gan quake, the heavens rain, the cloudes their water yeeld.
The mountains hie before the Lord, have melted every del,
As Synay did in presence of, the Lord of Israell.
In time of Sangar, Anaths sonne, and in old Jaels daies,
The paths were al unoccupied, men sought forth unknown waies.
The townes & cities there lay wast, and to decay they fel,
Til Deborah, a matrone grave, became in Israell.
They chose them gods, then garboils did, within their gates abound,
A spear or shield in Israel, there was not to be found.
In those which govern Israel, my heart doth take delight,
And in the valiant people there, oh, praise the Lord of might.
Speak ye that on white Asses ride, & that by Midden dwell,
And ye that daily trade the waies, see forth your minds you tell.
The clattering noise of archers shot, when as the arrowes flew,
Appeased was amongst the sort, which water daily drew.
The righteousnesse of God the Lord, shal be declared there,
And likewise Israels righteousnes, which worship him in feare.
The people with rejoicing hearts, then all with one consent:
I mean the Lords inheritance, unto the gates they went:
Deborah up, arise and sing, a sweet and worthy song,
Baracke, lead them as Captives forth, which unto thee belong.
For they which at this day remaine, do rule like Lords alone,
The Lord over the mightie ones, gives me dominion.
The roots of Ephraim arose, gainst Amalecke to fight,
And so likewise did Benjamin, with all their power and might.
From Macher came a company, which chiefest sway did beare,
From Zebulon, which cunning clarks, & famous writers were.
The kings which came of Isacher were with Deborah tho,
Yea Isacher and Barack both attend on her also.
He was dismounted in the vale, for the devisions sake,
Of Ruben the people there, great lamentation make.
Gilead by Jorden made abode, and Dan on ship boord lay,
And Asher in the Desart he, upon the shore doth stay.
They of Zebulon and Nepthaly, like worthy valiant wightes,
Before their foes even in the field, advanc'd themselves in fight.
The kings themselves in person fought: the kings of Canaan,
In Tanach plaine, wheras the streame, of swift Megido ran.
No pay, no hyer, ne coine at all, not one did seem to take,
They served not for greedy gain, nor filthy lucre sake.
The heavens hy & heavenly powers, these things to passe have brought,
The stars against proud Sisera, even in their course have fought.
The stream of Kishons ancient brook, hath overwhelm'd them there,
My soule, sith thou hast done thy part, be now of harty cheare.
The hardened hooves of barbed horse, were al in peeces broke,
By force of mightie men which met, with many a sturdy stroke.
The Angel hath pronounc'd a curse, which shal on Meroz fall,
And those that doo inhabite there, a curse light on them all.
Because they put not forth their hands to help the living Lord,
Against the proud and mighty ones, which have his truth abhord.
Jaell the Kenit Hebers wife, most happy shal be blest,
Above al other women there, which in the tents do rest.
He asked water for to drink, she gave sweet milk to him,
Yea butter in a lordly dish, which was full tricke and trim.
Her left hand to the naile she put, her right the hammer wrought,
Wherewith presumptuous Sisera unto his death she brought.
And from his corps his head she cut, with mortal deadly wound,
When through the temples of his head, she naild him to the ground.
He bowed then unto the earth, and at her feet can fall,
And where he fell there still he lay, bereav'd of sences all.
The mother then of Sisera, in window where she lay,
Doth marveil much that this her sonne doth make so long a stay.
Her Ladies then, they hearing that, make answer by and by.
Yea, to her speaches past before, her selfe doth this replie:
Hath he not gotten mightie spoiles, and now division makes,
Each one a Damosell hath or twaine, which he as captive takes.
Sisera of costly coloured robes, ful rich, with needle wrought,
Hath got a pray, which unto him, as chiefest spoiles are brought.
So let thine enemies (O Lord) sustaine and suffer blame,
And let thy chosen blessed ones, that love and feare thy name,
Be like the Son, when in the morne, his glorie doth increase:
Or like the land, which many a yeare, hath bin in rest and peace.