Du Bartas His Divine Weekes And Workes with A Compleate Collectio[n] of all the other most delight-full Workes: Translated and written by yt famous Philomusus: Iosvah Sylvester |
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985
The Fovrth Booke.
Ivdith, the while, trils Rivers from her Eyes,
Atterrs her knees, tends toward th'arched Skyes
Her harm-less hands: then Thus, with voyce devout,
Her very Soule to God she poureth out:
Atterrs her knees, tends toward th'arched Skyes
Her harm-less hands: then Thus, with voyce devout,
Her very Soule to God she poureth out:
Lord! that didst once my Grandsire Simeon arm
With Iustice Sword, t'avenge his Sisters harm;
Daign Me that Sword, that I may punish (iust)
This Tyrant fell, far passing Sichem's Lust:
Who, not suffis'd with Virgins Ravishment,
And Rape of Wives; is execrably bent
To root Thy Name out from the Earth around;
And raze Thy Temple, levell with the ground.
Presumptuous Prince! whose whole Affiance stands
In Hundred-thousand Souldiers He commands,
In Hundred-thousand Horse, which (thirsting-fight)
With lofty Bounds the lowely Earth do smite:
Without Belief, that Thou alone (O Lord)
Bind'st Heads or Hands; with either Crown or Cord:
Strengthenest the Feeble, quickly foylst the Strong;
And lay'st the Power of proudest Kings along.
With Iustice Sword, t'avenge his Sisters harm;
Daign Me that Sword, that I may punish (iust)
This Tyrant fell, far passing Sichem's Lust:
Who, not suffis'd with Virgins Ravishment,
And Rape of Wives; is execrably bent
To root Thy Name out from the Earth around;
And raze Thy Temple, levell with the ground.
Presumptuous Prince! whose whole Affiance stands
In Hundred-thousand Souldiers He commands,
In Hundred-thousand Horse, which (thirsting-fight)
With lofty Bounds the lowely Earth do smite:
Without Belief, that Thou alone (O Lord)
Bind'st Heads or Hands; with either Crown or Cord:
Strengthenest the Feeble, quickly foylst the Strong;
And lay'st the Power of proudest Kings along.
Grant therefore, grant, good God, his charmed brain
The curious tramels of my Tress may chain:
Let every look of mine be as a Dart
With amorous Breach to wound his willing heart:
O! let the little grace of Face and Form
Thou hast vouchsaft mee, calm his furious storm:
Let the smooth cunning of my soothing Lips
Surprise the fell Fox in his Suttleships:
But, chiefly, Lord, let my victorious hand
Be Scourge and Hammer of this Heathen Band:
That all this All may knowe, that Abram's Race
Is ever covered with thy Shield of Grace;
And that no Tyrant ever toucht thy Iury,
But felt in fine the Rigor of thy Fury.
Let not, good Lord, O let not one of These
Return to taste Hytane or Euphrates.
The curious tramels of my Tress may chain:
Let every look of mine be as a Dart
With amorous Breach to wound his willing heart:
O! let the little grace of Face and Form
Thou hast vouchsaft mee, calm his furious storm:
Let the smooth cunning of my soothing Lips
Surprise the fell Fox in his Suttleships:
But, chiefly, Lord, let my victorious hand
Be Scourge and Hammer of this Heathen Band:
That all this All may knowe, that Abram's Race
Is ever covered with thy Shield of Grace;
986
But felt in fine the Rigor of thy Fury.
Let not, good Lord, O let not one of These
Return to taste Hytane or Euphrates.
Thus Ivdith prayes: and in the steed of stops,
With thousand Sighes her words She interrupts.
Then, from her sad sole Chamber, late she packs,
Adorn'd with Ophir-Gold, and Serean knacks.
With thousand Sighes her words She interrupts.
Then, from her sad sole Chamber, late she packs,
Adorn'd with Ophir-Gold, and Serean knacks.
O! silver-browd Diana, Queen of Night,
Dar'st thou appear, while heer below, so bright
Shines such a sacred Star, whose radiant flame
Would even at Noon thy Brothers splendor shame?
Though, as vnknown, to passe vnshown she ween,
Her Odors made her smelt, her Iewels seen;
Musk, Ambergris, and Civet, where she went,
Left all along on odoriferous Sent:
A Carbuncle shin'd on her Brow so bright,
That with the Rayes it clarified the Night:
A silver Tincel waving in the winde,
Down from her head hung light and loose behinde:
Gold bound her golden Tress; her Ivory Neck
Rubies and Saphirs, counter-chang'd in check:
At either Eare, a richer Pearle then yerst
Ægypts proud Princesse in her Cup disperst:
Her soft white Bosome (as with Curtains drawn)
Transparent coverd vnder Cob-web Lawne:
Her Robe, Sky-colour'd Silk, with curious Caul
Of golden Twist, benetted over all.
The rest she wore, might haue beseem'd for Tires
The stately Foundress of th'Euphratean Spires.
Dar'st thou appear, while heer below, so bright
Shines such a sacred Star, whose radiant flame
Would even at Noon thy Brothers splendor shame?
Though, as vnknown, to passe vnshown she ween,
Her Odors made her smelt, her Iewels seen;
Musk, Ambergris, and Civet, where she went,
Left all along on odoriferous Sent:
A Carbuncle shin'd on her Brow so bright,
That with the Rayes it clarified the Night:
A silver Tincel waving in the winde,
Down from her head hung light and loose behinde:
Gold bound her golden Tress; her Ivory Neck
Rubies and Saphirs, counter-chang'd in check:
At either Eare, a richer Pearle then yerst
Ægypts proud Princesse in her Cup disperst:
Her soft white Bosome (as with Curtains drawn)
Transparent coverd vnder Cob-web Lawne:
Her Robe, Sky-colour'd Silk, with curious Caul
Of golden Twist, benetted over all.
The rest she wore, might haue beseem'd for Tires
The stately Foundress of th'Euphratean Spires.
For, though her Selfe were Modesty it selfe;
T'intice this Pagan to the wrackfull Shelfe,
Besides her Owne, sh' had borrowed Ornaments
Of other Ladies of most Eminence.
T'intice this Pagan to the wrackfull Shelfe,
Besides her Owne, sh' had borrowed Ornaments
Of other Ladies of most Eminence.
Achior, watching in the Court of Guard,
Seeing her pass so late, and so prepar'd;
Enquires of Carmis (who then watched too)
What, Whence, She was, and what she went to doo:
So brave a Gallant, trickt and trimmed so;
In such a Time, in such a Place of Wo.
Seeing her pass so late, and so prepar'd;
Enquires of Carmis (who then watched too)
What, Whence, She was, and what she went to doo:
So brave a Gallant, trickt and trimmed so;
In such a Time, in such a Place of Wo.
Yer-while, said Carmis, in our Citie dwell'd
Merari; a man heer high in Honor held:
To whom, for Seed, God but this Daughter sent:
His House's Ioy, This Citie's Ornament.
Merari; a man heer high in Honor held:
To whom, for Seed, God but this Daughter sent:
His House's Ioy, This Citie's Ornament.
Gain-greedy Fathers, now-adayes turmoyle
Bodies and Soules, Heap vpon Heap to pile:
But, have no care with the Mind's Goods to grace
Th'heires of their Goods (which after melt apace):
Much like a Man that keepeth in his Chest
His costly Garment, folded fair and prest,
But lets his Body, it was made to serue,
Naked the while, in Wet and Cold to starue.
Bodies and Soules, Heap vpon Heap to pile:
But, have no care with the Mind's Goods to grace
Th'heires of their Goods (which after melt apace):
987
His costly Garment, folded fair and prest,
But lets his Body, it was made to serue,
Naked the while, in Wet and Cold to starue.
But, as the Farmer spares no pains, nor cost,
In husbanding his Land; but carefull most,
Now rids the stones, anon rips-vp the Ridges,
Heer casts a Ditch; there plants, there plashes hedges;
And never is his hand or toole there-fro:
But chiefly careth there good Seed to sowe,
That when the Summer shall haue ryp't his Plains,
His Crop may pay him for his Cost and Pains:
Or, as som Damsell, having speciall Care
Of som fair Flower, which puts-out early-rare
Th'Incarnat Bud; weeds, waters every-houre
The fertill Plot that feeds her Gilli-flower;
That, one-day blown, it may som Sunday-morn
Her lilly Bosom, or her head adorn:
So wise Merari did endevour fair
To form the Maners of his tender Heir;
That, in his Age, he thence again might gather
Th'Honor and Comfort worthy such a Father.
For soon as ever, stutting yet and weak,
Her tender Tongue did but begin to speak;
He taught her not (as many Fathers doo:
Too-many now) vein words, and wanton too,
But som good Prayer, or God's Ten-fold Law;
That, with her Milk, she might even suck the Aw
Of the Almighty: which not vain appears;
For that the Damsell brought forth, in few yeers,
Fruits worthy of such Seed: whence did ensew,
That this her Nurture to a Nature grew.
So doth a Vessell long retain the Sent
Of the first Liquor we have settled in 't:
So doth a Bough bend ever (when 'tis big)
To the same side that it was bent, a Twig:
So, Bears, Wolves, Lions; and our wildest Game,
Bred tame with vs, with vs continue tame.
In husbanding his Land; but carefull most,
Now rids the stones, anon rips-vp the Ridges,
Heer casts a Ditch; there plants, there plashes hedges;
And never is his hand or toole there-fro:
But chiefly careth there good Seed to sowe,
That when the Summer shall haue ryp't his Plains,
His Crop may pay him for his Cost and Pains:
Or, as som Damsell, having speciall Care
Of som fair Flower, which puts-out early-rare
Th'Incarnat Bud; weeds, waters every-houre
The fertill Plot that feeds her Gilli-flower;
That, one-day blown, it may som Sunday-morn
Her lilly Bosom, or her head adorn:
So wise Merari did endevour fair
To form the Maners of his tender Heir;
That, in his Age, he thence again might gather
Th'Honor and Comfort worthy such a Father.
For soon as ever, stutting yet and weak,
Her tender Tongue did but begin to speak;
He taught her not (as many Fathers doo:
Too-many now) vein words, and wanton too,
But som good Prayer, or God's Ten-fold Law;
That, with her Milk, she might even suck the Aw
Of the Almighty: which not vain appears;
For that the Damsell brought forth, in few yeers,
Fruits worthy of such Seed: whence did ensew,
That this her Nurture to a Nature grew.
So doth a Vessell long retain the Sent
Of the first Liquor we have settled in 't:
So doth a Bough bend ever (when 'tis big)
To the same side that it was bent, a Twig:
So, Bears, Wolves, Lions; and our wildest Game,
Bred tame with vs, with vs continue tame.
When as twelue times She twelue new Moons had past,
This vertuous Pattern all Perfection grac't.
For, th'expert Pilot is not more precise
To shun, in Sayling, all the Ieopardies
Of Cyane Streight, of hatefull Syrtes Sand,
Charibdis Gulf, and of Capharean Strand,
Then was wise Ivdith to avoyd the Dames
Never so little spotted in their Names:
Knowing that long conversing with the light,
Corrupts the sobrest; or at least, though right,
Right safe th'Honor be sav'd; the Names not so,
From common Bruit (though often false) we know.
For, haunting Good, good are we holden ay:
Bad, with the Bad: Like will to like, we say.
This vertuous Pattern all Perfection grac't.
For, th'expert Pilot is not more precise
To shun, in Sayling, all the Ieopardies
Of Cyane Streight, of hatefull Syrtes Sand,
Charibdis Gulf, and of Capharean Strand,
Then was wise Ivdith to avoyd the Dames
Never so little spotted in their Names:
Knowing that long conversing with the light,
Corrupts the sobrest; or at least, though right,
988
From common Bruit (though often false) we know.
For, haunting Good, good are we holden ay:
Bad, with the Bad: Like will to like, we say.
Shee, ever modest, never vs'd to stay
Abroad till midnight at a Mask or Play:
Nor trip from Feast to Feast, nor Street-webs span,
To see, and to be seen of every man.
But rather, knowing that such fond desire
To gaze and to be gaz'd-on (Flax and Fire)
Vndid light Dina, and such gadding Dames
A thousand more; their Noble Houses Shames;
She wisely kept at home, where, Morn and Even,
Daily she call'd vpon the God of Heav'n.
Abroad till midnight at a Mask or Play:
Nor trip from Feast to Feast, nor Street-webs span,
To see, and to be seen of every man.
But rather, knowing that such fond desire
To gaze and to be gaz'd-on (Flax and Fire)
Vndid light Dina, and such gadding Dames
A thousand more; their Noble Houses Shames;
She wisely kept at home, where, Morn and Even,
Daily she call'd vpon the God of Heav'n.
The rest of every day in dutious course
She serv'd her Nursers for a tender Nurse:
As wont the Storks kinde and officious Brood
For their old Parents to go gather Food;
And on som high Firre (far-off having flow'n)
Bring life to Those from whom they had their owne.
She serv'd her Nursers for a tender Nurse:
As wont the Storks kinde and officious Brood
For their old Parents to go gather Food;
And on som high Firre (far-off having flow'n)
Bring life to Those from whom they had their owne.
If in the Day, from Houswifes needfull care,
She had perhaps an houre or two to spare,
She spent them reading of the Sacred Book,
Where faithfull Soules for spirituall Manna look.
Somtimes on Cloth sh' embroydered cunningly
Som Beast, or Bird, or Fish, or Worm, or Fly.
Somtime she wrought with silver needle fine
On Canvas-web som History divine.
She had perhaps an houre or two to spare,
She spent them reading of the Sacred Book,
Where faithfull Soules for spirituall Manna look.
Somtimes on Cloth sh' embroydered cunningly
Som Beast, or Bird, or Fish, or Worm, or Fly.
Somtime she wrought with silver needle fine
On Canvas-web som History divine.
Heer Lot, escap't from that drad Flame, from High
Which burnt his Town with winged Feet doth fly
To little Zoar: while his Wife (alack!)
Incredulous, and curious, looking back;
God in the instant smiting for that Fault,
Transforms her Bodie to a Bulk of Salt.
Which burnt his Town with winged Feet doth fly
To little Zoar: while his Wife (alack!)
Incredulous, and curious, looking back;
God in the instant smiting for that Fault,
Transforms her Bodie to a Bulk of Salt.
Heer, chaste Susanna (slandred of dishonor)
Seems led to Death, People seem prest to stone her:
But, Truth appearing, soon they seem at-once
To turn on th'Elders all their storm of stones.
Seems led to Death, People seem prest to stone her:
But, Truth appearing, soon they seem at-once
To turn on th'Elders all their storm of stones.
Heer loyall Ioseph rather leaues behinde
His cloak then heart with his too-Lady-kinde:
And rather chooseth (by her false disgrace)
His Irons, then her Arms, him to imbrace.
His cloak then heart with his too-Lady-kinde:
And rather chooseth (by her false disgrace)
His Irons, then her Arms, him to imbrace.
Heer, rash, rough Iephthe in vnsacred slaughter
Imbrews his owne Blade in his only Daughter;
By private and improvident Annoy,
Troubling the Publique and the generall Ioy.
Imbrews his owne Blade in his only Daughter;
By private and improvident Annoy,
Troubling the Publique and the generall Ioy.
Wearie of Work, on her sweet Lute she playes,
And sings withall som holy Psalm of Praise;
Not following such as by lascivious Dances,
Lavish Expences, light and wanton Glances,
Seek to be sought, courted, and lov'd of most:
But, as the Fisherman, that baits the Coast
With poysony Pastes, may haue a greater draught,
And (though less wholesom) hath more Fishes caught
Then those that only vse their Hook, or Net:
So may these Gallants them more Lovers get,
Then modest Maids; But, their immodest flame
Fires none but Fools, Frantikes, or Voyds of shame.
And sings withall som holy Psalm of Praise;
989
Lavish Expences, light and wanton Glances,
Seek to be sought, courted, and lov'd of most:
But, as the Fisherman, that baits the Coast
With poysony Pastes, may haue a greater draught,
And (though less wholesom) hath more Fishes caught
Then those that only vse their Hook, or Net:
So may these Gallants them more Lovers get,
Then modest Maids; But, their immodest flame
Fires none but Fools, Frantikes, or Voyds of shame.
Vertue alone begins, begets, conceiues,
A perfect Love; which, though it slowe receiues
His Form and Life, nor is so soon afire:
So, neither doth it halfe so soon expire.
Straw kindles quickly, and is quickly past:
Iron heats but slowely, and it's heat doth last.
A perfect Love; which, though it slowe receiues
His Form and Life, nor is so soon afire:
So, neither doth it halfe so soon expire.
Straw kindles quickly, and is quickly past:
Iron heats but slowely, and it's heat doth last.
Now Ivdith's fair Renown through Iuda rings
In every City; and great Suters brings
(From All-form Fashions, from fair painted Faces,
From Powdred Tresses, from forc't Apish Graces,
From Prince-fit Pompe; from Peacocks strutting by
With Bosoms naked to the Navel nigh)
To woo Her Vertue. But, Loves burning Dart
Could neither harm, nor warm her Icie heart.
For, as hard Hammers, harder Diamant;
She harder did resist Loves grace to grant;
Having resolved, sole and single, rather
To spend her dayes with her deer-loved Father.
But at the last, importun'd long, and prest
By her deer Parents, carefull of her Rest;
She took Manasses, one of Noble blood;
Rich, in the Mind's, Nature's, and Fortune's Good.
In every City; and great Suters brings
(From All-form Fashions, from fair painted Faces,
From Powdred Tresses, from forc't Apish Graces,
From Prince-fit Pompe; from Peacocks strutting by
With Bosoms naked to the Navel nigh)
To woo Her Vertue. But, Loves burning Dart
Could neither harm, nor warm her Icie heart.
For, as hard Hammers, harder Diamant;
She harder did resist Loves grace to grant;
Having resolved, sole and single, rather
To spend her dayes with her deer-loved Father.
But at the last, importun'd long, and prest
By her deer Parents, carefull of her Rest;
She took Manasses, one of Noble blood;
Rich, in the Mind's, Nature's, and Fortune's Good.
Their Mariage then was neither stoln, nor packt,
Nor posted; to prevent som Pre-contract,
To cheat som Heire, some Avarice to choak,
To cover Others, or their owne Sin cloak:
But duly past, modest, and reverent,
With Either's Parents knowledge and consent.
Dina's Disasters to this day do prove
The sad successes of prepost'rous Love;
Of priuy Choyce, close Matches, and vnkend;
Which seldom bring Lovers to happy end:
And that our Selves ought not our Selves bestow,
But Those from whom our Birth and Breeding grow.
Nor posted; to prevent som Pre-contract,
To cheat som Heire, some Avarice to choak,
To cover Others, or their owne Sin cloak:
But duly past, modest, and reverent,
With Either's Parents knowledge and consent.
Dina's Disasters to this day do prove
The sad successes of prepost'rous Love;
Of priuy Choyce, close Matches, and vnkend;
Which seldom bring Lovers to happy end:
And that our Selves ought not our Selves bestow,
But Those from whom our Birth and Breeding grow.
This happy Match begun thus holily,
And holy carried, did so firmly tie
This chaste young Couple, in so mutuall loue,
That both their bodies seems one soule to moue.
Th'one never wisht but what the other would:
Both by one Organ their one-minde vnfould:
And, as a Hurt on the Right side (we see)
Reacheth the Left; even so, by sympathie,
Her Husbands Sorrows did sad Ivdith share,
And Ivdith's Sorrows her sad Husband bare.
And holy carried, did so firmly tie
This chaste young Couple, in so mutuall loue,
That both their bodies seems one soule to moue.
990
Both by one Organ their one-minde vnfould:
And, as a Hurt on the Right side (we see)
Reacheth the Left; even so, by sympathie,
Her Husbands Sorrows did sad Ivdith share,
And Ivdith's Sorrows her sad Husband bare.
The Husband did not his deer Wife controule,
As Tyrants rule: but, as the tender Soule
Commands the Bodie; not the same to grieue,
But comfort rather, cherish and relieue.
Him Ivdith lov'd as Brother (or more, rather)
Fear'd as her Lord, and honour'd as her Father.
As Tyrants rule: but, as the tender Soule
Commands the Bodie; not the same to grieue,
But comfort rather, cherish and relieue.
Him Ivdith lov'd as Brother (or more, rather)
Fear'd as her Lord, and honour'd as her Father.
Their House, for Order so religious,
Seem'd more a Temple than a private House:
There, did no Mayd, with merry-tricks, intice
The bashfull Stripling to lascivious vice:
There, did no drunken Groom sick Healths disgorge,
Nor against Heav'n blasphemous Oathes re-forge:
There, no broad Ieaster, no bold common Lyer,
No Gamester, Theef, Rogue, Ruffin, Apple-squire,
Had ever harbor: but all Servants, there,
To their graue Rulers Rules conformed were.
Seem'd more a Temple than a private House:
There, did no Mayd, with merry-tricks, intice
The bashfull Stripling to lascivious vice:
There, did no drunken Groom sick Healths disgorge,
Nor against Heav'n blasphemous Oathes re-forge:
There, no broad Ieaster, no bold common Lyer,
No Gamester, Theef, Rogue, Ruffin, Apple-squire,
Had ever harbor: but all Servants, there,
To their graue Rulers Rules conformed were.
Manasses, knowing what a Flood of Crimes
Surrounded all, in His enormous Times;
Especially, what Evils Confluence
Had even corrupted sacred Gouernments
(So that, for favour, or for Mony (more)
Fools, Knaves, Boyes, Basest, highest Burthens bore)
He modestly refus'd all Publike Charge:
Holding him happy so, free and at large,
Farre from the Courts of State and Iustice too,
Quiet at Home, his Houshold dues to doo.
Surrounded all, in His enormous Times;
Especially, what Evils Confluence
Had even corrupted sacred Gouernments
(So that, for favour, or for Mony (more)
Fools, Knaves, Boyes, Basest, highest Burthens bore)
He modestly refus'd all Publike Charge:
Holding him happy so, free and at large,
Farre from the Courts of State and Iustice too,
Quiet at Home, his Houshold dues to doo.
Yet notwithstanding, knowing too that none
Was ever born so for himselfe alone,
But that the best part of our dayes (though few)
T'our Countrey, Kinred, and our Friends is due;
No Magistrate, Hee daily serv'd the State
More then a hundred that in Office sate.
For, in His House did sacred Iustice live,
And from his Lips would Shee her Sentence give.
Was ever born so for himselfe alone,
But that the best part of our dayes (though few)
T'our Countrey, Kinred, and our Friends is due;
No Magistrate, Hee daily serv'd the State
More then a hundred that in Office sate.
For, in His House did sacred Iustice live,
And from his Lips would Shee her Sentence give.
He ever was th'afflicted Poors Protector,
Widows Supporter, Silly-ones Director,
Orphans kinde Father: Every Age, Sex, Sort,
Had from his hand some kinde of kinde Support.
Widows Supporter, Silly-ones Director,
Orphans kinde Father: Every Age, Sex, Sort,
Had from his hand some kinde of kinde Support.
Never vain Thirst of the 'curs't Earth of Inde,
Made Him wound Water, neither woo the Winde:
Never did Avarice his Life endanger,
With mercenarie Sword to serve the Stranger:
Never did He, to Adverse-Clyents, fell
A double Breath, blowing to Heav'n and Hell;
But, strife-less, vsing harmless Husbandry,
Took of his Land both Stock and Vsury
Of his lent labours. For, somtimes, by Line,
He plants an Orchard; which he orders fine,
With equi-distant Trees, in Rowes direct,
Of Plums, of Pears, and Apples most select:
Heer-there, He Crab-stocks sets, then grafts thereon
Som stranger Slip: inocculates anon:
Anon with keen Share the kinde Earth he shreds:
Anon the Vine vnto the Elm he weds:
Anon he prunes-off the superfluous shoots:
Anon the Bodies pares, then bares the roots.
For, neither Dog-Dayes, nor December's Ice,
Could keep Him Prisoner in his Chamber, nice.
Made Him wound Water, neither woo the Winde:
Never did Avarice his Life endanger,
With mercenarie Sword to serve the Stranger:
991
A double Breath, blowing to Heav'n and Hell;
But, strife-less, vsing harmless Husbandry,
Took of his Land both Stock and Vsury
Of his lent labours. For, somtimes, by Line,
He plants an Orchard; which he orders fine,
With equi-distant Trees, in Rowes direct,
Of Plums, of Pears, and Apples most select:
Heer-there, He Crab-stocks sets, then grafts thereon
Som stranger Slip: inocculates anon:
Anon with keen Share the kinde Earth he shreds:
Anon the Vine vnto the Elm he weds:
Anon he prunes-off the superfluous shoots:
Anon the Bodies pares, then bares the roots.
For, neither Dog-Dayes, nor December's Ice,
Could keep Him Prisoner in his Chamber, nice.
But, as one-day, his Reapers he beheld,
Who, swelting, swift the yellow handfuls feld;
Sol, from his head, caus'd a Catarrh descend,
Which shortly after caus'd Manasses End.
Who, swelting, swift the yellow handfuls feld;
Sol, from his head, caus'd a Catarrh descend,
Which shortly after caus'd Manasses End.
He that can number, in November, all
The withered Leaves that in the Forrests fall:
He hat can number all the Drops, in Showers,
Which Hyades, Pleiades, and moist Orion poures
Vpon the Plains: may tell the Tears She shed,
For her deer Husband so vntimely dead.
The Wealth and Treasure he had left her, kinde,
In steed of easing, more afflicts her Minde:
Th'vse of his Goods still sets before her eyes
Their good old Owners sweet and gracefull guise.
Had Shee had all the Gold was gather'd ever
On all the shoal Sands of the Lydian River,
Sh' had not been Rich, being bereft of Him,
Without whom, Wealth doubled her Woes extream:
And, with whom, glad she would have born the crosses
Of wretched Iob's, sad, sudden, many Losses.
The withered Leaves that in the Forrests fall:
He hat can number all the Drops, in Showers,
Which Hyades, Pleiades, and moist Orion poures
Vpon the Plains: may tell the Tears She shed,
For her deer Husband so vntimely dead.
The Wealth and Treasure he had left her, kinde,
In steed of easing, more afflicts her Minde:
Th'vse of his Goods still sets before her eyes
Their good old Owners sweet and gracefull guise.
Had Shee had all the Gold was gather'd ever
On all the shoal Sands of the Lydian River,
Sh' had not been Rich, being bereft of Him,
Without whom, Wealth doubled her Woes extream:
And, with whom, glad she would have born the crosses
Of wretched Iob's, sad, sudden, many Losses.
Phœbus had thrice through all the Zodiak past,
Since His Decease: Yet Time, which all doth waste
And cures all Cares, could not her Griefs recover,
For Loss of Him, her deerest Lord and Lover.
Since His Decease: Yet Time, which all doth waste
And cures all Cares, could not her Griefs recover,
For Loss of Him, her deerest Lord and Lover.
Still therefore, cover'd with a sable Shrowd
Hath She kept home; as all to Sorrow vow'd:
For, for the most part, solitarie sad,
Tears in her eyes, sack on her back she had,
Grief in her heart: so, on the wither'd Spray
The Widow-Turtle sighes her mournfull Lay;
Sole, and exil'd from all Delights, that move;
Chastly resolv'd t'accept no Second Love.
Hath She kept home; as all to Sorrow vow'd:
For, for the most part, solitarie sad,
Tears in her eyes, sack on her back she had,
Grief in her heart: so, on the wither'd Spray
The Widow-Turtle sighes her mournfull Lay;
Sole, and exil'd from all Delights, that move;
Chastly resolv'd t'accept no Second Love.
992
If any time Ivdith went out of Doore
(As Dutie bindes) is was to see some Poore:
Som woefull Woman in deep Passions toyld
For sudden Loss of her deer only Childe:
Some long-Sick bodie, or some needy soule,
With needfull Comforts of her Bag, or Boule:
Or else to go (as GOD commanded Them)
To Pray and Offer at IERVSALEM.
(As Dutie bindes) is was to see some Poore:
Som woefull Woman in deep Passions toyld
For sudden Loss of her deer only Childe:
Some long-Sick bodie, or some needy soule,
With needfull Comforts of her Bag, or Boule:
Or else to go (as GOD commanded Them)
To Pray and Offer at IERVSALEM.
Thus, deer Companion, have I briefly show'n
Fair Ivdith's Story: on whose Worth alone
All eyes are cast, but cannot tell you out
Whither she goes; less, what she goes about.
But, if we may, from former things infer
A ghesse of future; We may hope from Her
Some Happiness: and sure, me thinks, her Cheer,
So pleasant chang'd, boads some good fortune neer.
With this Discourse, the wakefull Hebrew Knight,
Walking between, wore-out the weary Night.
Fair Ivdith's Story: on whose Worth alone
All eyes are cast, but cannot tell you out
Whither she goes; less, what she goes about.
But, if we may, from former things infer
A ghesse of future; We may hope from Her
Some Happiness: and sure, me thinks, her Cheer,
So pleasant chang'd, boads some good fortune neer.
With this Discourse, the wakefull Hebrew Knight,
Walking between, wore-out the weary Night.
Ivdith the while, her Handmaid with her, hies
Towards the Trenches of the Enemies.
Yer from the Fort Shee had a furlong gon,
The Heathen Scouts descry'd her, and anon
Bespake her Thus: O! more than humane Beauty,
Whence? What are You? What cause hath hither brought ye
Into th'Assyrian Camp? Alas! I am
(Sighing, quoth Shee) a wofull Hebrew Dame,
Who, to escape so many Deaths, or Thrall,
Come heer to yeeld me to your Generall.
Towards the Trenches of the Enemies.
Yer from the Fort Shee had a furlong gon,
The Heathen Scouts descry'd her, and anon
Bespake her Thus: O! more than humane Beauty,
Whence? What are You? What cause hath hither brought ye
Into th'Assyrian Camp? Alas! I am
(Sighing, quoth Shee) a wofull Hebrew Dame,
Who, to escape so many Deaths, or Thrall,
Come heer to yeeld me to your Generall.
Then to the Duke they lead her. Who-so-e're
Hath seeen, in Cities, how they flock, to hear
Som prating Montibank; or see som Monster
New brought from Africk, or from Inde; may conster
What press of Souldiers from all parts did throng,
About his Tent; and even prest in among
To see that compleat Shee, so comly deem'd;
Who, the more look't on, the more louely seem'd.
Hath seeen, in Cities, how they flock, to hear
Som prating Montibank; or see som Monster
New brought from Africk, or from Inde; may conster
What press of Souldiers from all parts did throng,
About his Tent; and even prest in among
To see that compleat Shee, so comly deem'd;
Who, the more look't on, the more louely seem'd.
Her waved Locks, som dangling loose, som part
In thousand rings curld-vp, with art-less art;
With gracefull Shadowes sweetly did set-out
Her broad high Fore-head, smooth as Ice, about:
Two slender Bowes of Ebene, equall bent
Over two Stars (bright as the Firmament)
Two twinkling Sparks, Two sprightfull Ietty Eyes
(Where subtle Cupid in close Ambush lyes,
To shoot the choysest of his golden Darts
Into the chariest of the chastest hearts):
'Twixt these Two Suns, down from this liberall Front,
Descendingly ascends a prety Mount;
Which, by Degrees, doth neer those Lips extend,
Where Momus Lips could nothing discommend:
Her ruddy, round Cheeks seem'd to be composed
Of Roses Lillied, or of Lillies-Rosed:
Her musky Mouth (for shape and size so meet,
Excelling Saba's pretious Breath, for sweet)
A swelling Welt of Corall round behemms,
Which smiling showes two Rowes of orient Gemms:
Her Ivory Neck, and Alabaster Brest
Ravish the Pagans more then all the rest:
Her soft, sleek, slender hands, in Snowe bedipt,
With purest Pearl-shell had each Finger tipt.
In brief, so passing Her Perfections were,
That, if rare Zeuxis had but found Her there,
Or such another; when from curious Cull
Of Croton Dames so choisely Beautifull,
By many Beauties (severally met)
His cunning Pencill drew the Counterfait
Of Her for Whom Europe and Asia fought;
This only Piece had he sufficient thought.
In thousand rings curld-vp, with art-less art;
With gracefull Shadowes sweetly did set-out
Her broad high Fore-head, smooth as Ice, about:
Two slender Bowes of Ebene, equall bent
Over two Stars (bright as the Firmament)
Two twinkling Sparks, Two sprightfull Ietty Eyes
(Where subtle Cupid in close Ambush lyes,
To shoot the choysest of his golden Darts
Into the chariest of the chastest hearts):
'Twixt these Two Suns, down from this liberall Front,
Descendingly ascends a prety Mount;
993
Where Momus Lips could nothing discommend:
Her ruddy, round Cheeks seem'd to be composed
Of Roses Lillied, or of Lillies-Rosed:
Her musky Mouth (for shape and size so meet,
Excelling Saba's pretious Breath, for sweet)
A swelling Welt of Corall round behemms,
Which smiling showes two Rowes of orient Gemms:
Her Ivory Neck, and Alabaster Brest
Ravish the Pagans more then all the rest:
Her soft, sleek, slender hands, in Snowe bedipt,
With purest Pearl-shell had each Finger tipt.
In brief, so passing Her Perfections were,
That, if rare Zeuxis had but found Her there,
Or such another; when from curious Cull
Of Croton Dames so choisely Beautifull,
By many Beauties (severally met)
His cunning Pencill drew the Counterfait
Of Her for Whom Europe and Asia fought;
This only Piece had he sufficient thought.
Ivdith no sooner came within the Tent,
But both her Cheeks a bashfull Blush besprent,
Trembling for Fear: vntill, inviting neerer,
The courteous General's gentle words re-cheer-her.
But both her Cheeks a bashfull Blush besprent,
Trembling for Fear: vntill, inviting neerer,
The courteous General's gentle words re-cheer-her.
Sweet hart I am not, I am not so fell
As false Report hath told fond Israel:
Who Me for Father, I for Children take;
I love whom love my Lord their God to make:
And who doe both, may be assur'd to have
What ever Good, Mans heart can hope, or crave:
Which Israel well should finde, would they give eare
To that Kings Favour, whose drad Power they feare:
Then fear not Thou, my Love; but tell me free
The happy Cause that hither bringeth thee.
As false Report hath told fond Israel:
Who Me for Father, I for Children take;
I love whom love my Lord their God to make:
And who doe both, may be assur'd to have
What ever Good, Mans heart can hope, or crave:
Which Israel well should finde, would they give eare
To that Kings Favour, whose drad Power they feare:
Then fear not Thou, my Love; but tell me free
The happy Cause that hither bringeth thee.
O Prince! said Shee (with, then, firm Countenance)
Supreme, for Fortune, Wisedom, Valiance,
Of all that ever had Command in Field,
Or ever manag'd martiall Sword and Shield:
Although my frail Sex, and weak bodie's state,
No longer could endure the wretched fate;
Wants, Labours, Dangers, and the deep Affright
My fellow Towns-folk suffer day and night:
Yet is not That the Cause that drives me thence,
Nor That which drawes me to Your Excellence:
But, 'tis a never-never-dying Worm
Which gnawes my Conscience; a continuall Storm,
A holy Fear, least I be forç't to eat
(Among my People) som vnlawfull meat.
For, I foresee (Sir) that our Folk, yer long,
With cruell Famine so extreamly wrung,
Will be constrain'd to fill, and 'file them too
With vnclean Flesh, which God forbids vs doo:
And that the Lord (who strikes, with iust Revenge
Whom-ever dare his drad iust Lawes infrenge)
Will then, without Fight, give Thee vp their Place;
And one of Thine Thousands of Them shall chase.
Therefore (my Lord) God's Wrath and yours to fly,
Out of Bethvlia, to your Camp come I;
Beseeching humbly, for your Honors sake,
That heer no Rigour, neither Wrong I take.
Hee's more than Wit-less that him wilfull throwes
(Winking) in Dangers that he well fore-knowes;
And when he may live, pain-less, and secure;
In Toil-full Fears will his owne Death procure.
Supreme, for Fortune, Wisedom, Valiance,
Of all that ever had Command in Field,
Or ever manag'd martiall Sword and Shield:
Although my frail Sex, and weak bodie's state,
No longer could endure the wretched fate;
Wants, Labours, Dangers, and the deep Affright
My fellow Towns-folk suffer day and night:
Yet is not That the Cause that drives me thence,
Nor That which drawes me to Your Excellence:
But, 'tis a never-never-dying Worm
Which gnawes my Conscience; a continuall Storm,
A holy Fear, least I be forç't to eat
(Among my People) som vnlawfull meat.
994
With cruell Famine so extreamly wrung,
Will be constrain'd to fill, and 'file them too
With vnclean Flesh, which God forbids vs doo:
And that the Lord (who strikes, with iust Revenge
Whom-ever dare his drad iust Lawes infrenge)
Will then, without Fight, give Thee vp their Place;
And one of Thine Thousands of Them shall chase.
Therefore (my Lord) God's Wrath and yours to fly,
Out of Bethvlia, to your Camp come I;
Beseeching humbly, for your Honors sake,
That heer no Rigour, neither Wrong I take.
Hee's more than Wit-less that him wilfull throwes
(Winking) in Dangers that he well fore-knowes;
And when he may live, pain-less, and secure;
In Toil-full Fears will his owne Death procure.
Now: please thee grant me, in this Vale (away
From noyse and number) nightly to go pray;
Hebrews no sooner shall God's Wrath incense,
But I, inspir'd, shall shew thine Excellence:
And then shall I thy valiant Legions lead
Over all Iuda; and thy Standards spread
Shall swell in Sion, where not one shall dare
Lift Lance against thee, nor Defence prepare:
No, not a Dog so much as bark at Thine
Arms-clashing Army nor their Armors Shine.
Thy Name alone shall tame the stoutest Troup:
To Thee the Hils their proudest Tops shall stoup:
Rivers, for Thee, their rapid Course shall stay,
To yeeld Thine Hoste a new vn-wonted way.
From noyse and number) nightly to go pray;
Hebrews no sooner shall God's Wrath incense,
But I, inspir'd, shall shew thine Excellence:
And then shall I thy valiant Legions lead
Over all Iuda; and thy Standards spread
Shall swell in Sion, where not one shall dare
Lift Lance against thee, nor Defence prepare:
No, not a Dog so much as bark at Thine
Arms-clashing Army nor their Armors Shine.
Thy Name alone shall tame the stoutest Troup:
To Thee the Hils their proudest Tops shall stoup:
Rivers, for Thee, their rapid Course shall stay,
To yeeld Thine Hoste a new vn-wonted way.
The Prince replies: O, Worlds sole Ornament!
Lady, as fair as wise and eloquent;
Right-Welcom are You: and we wish you ever
In all Contentment with vs to persever.
And, if you prove in Truth and Loyalty,
As you are pleasing to mine Eare and Eye;
I shall from henceforth worship evermore
The mighty God you Hebrews do adore:
You shall from henceforth only Lady be
Both of my Sceptre, of my Soule, and Me:
Henceforth your Name with high Renown shall ring
Where Heber, Ister, Nile, and Ganges spring.
Lady, as fair as wise and eloquent;
Right-Welcom are You: and we wish you ever
In all Contentment with vs to persever.
And, if you prove in Truth and Loyalty,
As you are pleasing to mine Eare and Eye;
I shall from henceforth worship evermore
The mighty God you Hebrews do adore:
You shall from henceforth only Lady be
Both of my Sceptre, of my Soule, and Me:
Henceforth your Name with high Renown shall ring
Where Heber, Ister, Nile, and Ganges spring.
With Licence then, soon as the Moon with light
Of silver Rayes began to cleer the night,
The Widow hies to a dark Vale apart;
Where first she bathes her hands, and then her heart:
Then, from her Eyes a luke-warme Rill she showres:
Then, from her Soule this fervent Prayer powres:
Of silver Rayes began to cleer the night,
The Widow hies to a dark Vale apart;
Where first she bathes her hands, and then her heart:
Then, from her Eyes a luke-warme Rill she showres:
Then, from her Soule this fervent Prayer powres:
995
Lord God, no longer now Thine Aide deny
To those that only on Thine Aide rely.
Lord rescue Those that ready are to spend
Their bloods and goods, Thine Honor to Defend.
Lord, let our Infants sad and cease-less Mones,
Our wofull Elders deep and dismall Grones,
Our Matron's Scrieches, Cries of Virgins fair,
Our sacred Levit's Day-and-nightly Prayer,
Pearce to Thy Throne, to wake thy slumbring Ey.
Drad God of Iustice, glorious Father; Why
Do sulphury Bolts of thy best Thunder light
On Carmel's Top, and little Hermon smite:
And let th'Heav'n-threatning Sons of Earth alone;
On proudest Ossa, prouder Pelion?
To those that only on Thine Aide rely.
Lord rescue Those that ready are to spend
Their bloods and goods, Thine Honor to Defend.
Lord, let our Infants sad and cease-less Mones,
Our wofull Elders deep and dismall Grones,
Our Matron's Scrieches, Cries of Virgins fair,
Our sacred Levit's Day-and-nightly Prayer,
Pearce to Thy Throne, to wake thy slumbring Ey.
Drad God of Iustice, glorious Father; Why
Do sulphury Bolts of thy best Thunder light
On Carmel's Top, and little Hermon smite:
And let th'Heav'n-threatning Sons of Earth alone;
On proudest Ossa, prouder Pelion?
Alas! What said I? Ah! forgive me, Lord,
This idle, rash, and vnadvised Word;
Which, in frail Passion, my fond Lips did borrow
From fervent Zeale of mine vnfained Sorrow.
No: O, Our Lignes sole Pillar dearly dread,
I knowe, Thou shortly wilt their Head behead.
I knowe, This hand, by Thy right hand led out,
Shall at one Blowe, This Heathen Army rout,
This idle, rash, and vnadvised Word;
Which, in frail Passion, my fond Lips did borrow
From fervent Zeale of mine vnfained Sorrow.
No: O, Our Lignes sole Pillar dearly dread,
I knowe, Thou shortly wilt their Head behead.
I knowe, This hand, by Thy right hand led out,
Shall at one Blowe, This Heathen Army rout,
The end of the fourth Booke.
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