The Works of Michael Drayton :: :: University of Virginia Library

Tune up the Timbrels then with laud unto the Lord,
Sound foorth his praise on Simbals loud, with songs of one accord,
Declare & shew his praise, also his name rehearse,
In song of thankes exactly pend, of sweet and noble verse.
The Lord he ceaseth warres, even he the verie same,
Tis he that doth appease all strife, Jehovah is his name.
The which hath pitcht his tent, our surest strength and aide,
Amongst us here, least that our foes, shuld make us once dismaid.
From northern mountain tops, proud Assur came a downe,
With warlike men a multitude, of famous high renowme.
Whose footmen stopt the streams, where rivers woont to flowe,
And horsmen covered all the vales, that lay the hilles belowe.
His purpose was for to destroy my land, with sword and fire,
To put my yongmen to the sword, did thirst with hot desire.
My children to captivitie, he would have borne away,
My virgins so by rape and force, as spoiles and chiefest pray,
But yet the high and mighty Lord, his people doth defend,
And by a silly womans hand, hath brought him to his end.
For why? their mightie men, with Armes were not subdude,
Nor with their blood our yoong mens hands, were not at al imbrude.
No, none of Titans line, this proud Assirian slue,
Nor any Gyants aid we crav'd, this souldier to subdue.
But Judith she alone, Meraris daughter deere,
Whose heavenly hue hath bred his baine, and brought him to his beere.
She left her mourning weed, and deckt her selfe with gold,
In royall robes of seemly showe, all Israell to behold.
With odors she perfum'd her selfe, after the queintest guise,
Her haire with fillet finely bound, as Art could wel devise.
Her slippers neat and trim, his eies and fancie fed,

Her beautie hath bewitcht his mind, her sword cut off his head.
The Perseans were amaz'd, her modestie was such,
The Medes at her bold enterprise, they marveiled as much.
Amongst th'Assyrians then, great clamors can arise,
When as the fact so lately done, apear'd before their eies.
The sons which erst my daughters have, even on their bodies born
Have slaine them as they fled in chace, as men so quite forlorne.
Even at the presence of the Lord, the stoutest turn'd his backe,
His power did so astonish them, that al things went to wracke.
A song now let us sing, of thankes unto the Lord,
Yea, in a song of pleasant tune, let us his praise record.
Oh God, thou mightie Lord, who is there like to thee,
In strength and power, to thee oh Lord, none may compared be.
Thy creatures all obey, and serve thee in their trade,
For thou no sooner spakst the word, but every thing was made.
Thou sentest foorth the spirit, which did thy worke fulfill,
And nothing can withstand thy voice, but listen to thy will.
The mountains shal remove, wher their foundation lay,
Likewise the floods, the craggy rocks, like wax shal melt away.
But they that feare the Lord, and in him put their trust,
Those will he love and stil impute, amongst the good and just:
But woe be those that seeke, his chosen flocks decay,
The Lord God wil revenge their wrongs, at the last judgement day,
For he such quenchlesse fire, and gnawing wormes shal send,
Into their flesh, as shal consume, them world without an end.