The Historie of Ivdith in Forme of a Poeme Penned in French, by the Noble Poet, G. Salust. Lord of Bartas. Englished by Tho. Hudson |
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| 2. | THE SECOND BOOKE OF Ivdith. |
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 | The Historie of Ivdith in Forme of a Poeme |  |
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THE SECOND BOOKE OF Ivdith.
THE SOMMARIE OF THE II. BOOKE.
We haue hard before, how the people of God vsed al diligence to maintaine the libertie of Gods true religion and their Countrey. Now is set forth the extreame pride of Holophernes, who thought with one worde to ouerthrow them all. But to make himselfe some pastime, he assembleth his counsell to vnderstand of them what people they were, that inhabited the mountained in the Frontieres of Iudea, that durst make him resistance. Vpon this he is informed by the mouth of one of his chiefe Captaines of that, which hee looked not for: to witte, a discours of the Historie of the Iewes, from the time of Abrahams comming out of Caldea, to enter in soile Lande of promise vnto their deliuerance from the captiuitie of Babylon, following the order of the times quotedly the holie Scriptures with the praises of the prouidence of the almightie God, in defending of his Church, and a sharpe threatning to those that dare presume to disquiet the fame The chiefe Consellors of the Heathen hearing this, became more cruell, ensencing their Generall to murder this Captaine. But Holopherne with vaine ambition deferreth then bloodie request, and after that he had outraged him in words, be further blasphemeth the liuing Lord. And lastly caused him to rebound hand and foote, and to caried neare to the Citie of Bethulia, where he is by the besieged Souldiers brought into the Citie, and there declareth his case, exhorting them to continue constant to God, and their Countrey, and promiseth his assistance to his liues end.
Now
Holophern in Scythique Rampier stood,
with stādards pight of youthly heathē blood:
Of nothing thinking lesse, then warre and fight,
But in deuising pastime day and night:
till he was war, that Iacob would aduance,
Against his Panim force and arrogance.
with stādards pight of youthly heathē blood:
Of nothing thinking lesse, then warre and fight,
But in deuising pastime day and night:
till he was war, that Iacob would aduance,
Against his Panim force and arrogance.
A packe of what? a packe of countrey clownes
(Quod Holophern) that them to battell bownes,
with beggers, bolts, and Leuers, to arrest
My warriours strong with whome I haue supprest
Both Tigris swift, & faire Euphrates streame,
with frosty Taurus and rocke Niphatheame.
Are they not wrackt? ye cheefs of Moabits,
And valiant Ephrem, ye strong Ammonits:
ye that as neighbours knowes this folke of olde,
That scattred thus, doe all these mountaines hold:
Tell me what men are they, of what ofspring
what is their force, their customes and their king?
‘For wise is he that wots with whome hee playes,
‘And halfe is victor as the Prouerbe sayes.
(Quod Holophern) that them to battell bownes,
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My warriours strong with whome I haue supprest
Both Tigris swift, & faire Euphrates streame,
with frosty Taurus and rocke Niphatheame.
Are they not wrackt? ye cheefs of Moabits,
And valiant Ephrem, ye strong Ammonits:
ye that as neighbours knowes this folke of olde,
That scattred thus, doe all these mountaines hold:
Tell me what men are they, of what ofspring
what is their force, their customes and their king?
‘For wise is he that wots with whome hee playes,
‘And halfe is victor as the Prouerbe sayes.
The Lord of Ammon then, with reurence due,
Right wisely spack the Duke, and yet, for true,
He was a Panim both of faith, and kinde:
But so (with fained toung) hee spake his minde:
And all the Hebreus acts discourst so well,
That Esdr' and Moyses seemde in him to dwell,
As did that sprite that made the Prophete blesse,
the Isralits whome Balac did addresse,
To curse them all, and wadge his couetous toung,
which spake cōtrarie that he would haue soung:
Right wisely spack the Duke, and yet, for true,
He was a Panim both of faith, and kinde:
But so (with fained toung) hee spake his minde:
And all the Hebreus acts discourst so well,
That Esdr' and Moyses seemde in him to dwell,
As did that sprite that made the Prophete blesse,
the Isralits whome Balac did addresse,
To curse them all, and wadge his couetous toung,
which spake cōtrarie that he would haue soung:
So, please it you my Lord, I shall discrie,
The storie of Izrell, yet so doing I,
Am like the modest Bee, that takes but small
Of euerie flowre, though she haue choice of all:
For where she list the sweetest of she crops.
The storie of Izrell, yet so doing I,
Am like the modest Bee, that takes but small
Of euerie flowre, though she haue choice of all:
For where she list the sweetest of she crops.
These people that ye see on mountaine tops,
Encamped in these craggs, are of the line,
Of Abraham, who (seruing God deuine,
That mightie God of gods who create all,
And firmely knit and built this mightie ball)
Came to this land that then was tilde and sowne,
And by the name of wealthie Canaan knowne.
VVhere onely God his wealth did multiplie,
In goods, and siluer, gold, and familie.
And when of age he was an hundreth yeare,
His wife eke barren, neuer child did beare.
God gaue them Izak, swearing that his seede,
Should many Scepters rule and land bespreede.
But when that holy Abraham was olde:
And hoped well the promise made should holde,
(O pitious case) Th' immortall voyce him spak:
And bad him sacrifice his sonne Izak.
Then like a ship betweene two winds beset,
Vpon the raging sea on both sides bet,
In doubtsome feare, ne wots what way to keepe,
Least one of them, confound her in the deepe:
Makes close her ports, and slides on Neptuns back:
At pleasure of the boisteous winds to wrack.
So felt this Hebrew in his hart to fight,
Both loue, and duetie, reason, faith and right.
Nor wist he way to take, his troubled soule,
From this to that, continually did roule,
vntill the time, his heavnly feare and loue:
His naturall earthlie pitie did remoue.
Then hauing built the fire and all, anone
His sonne he layd vpon the sacred stone,
And with a trembling hand the cutlasse drewe,
with heauied arme the stroke for to ensewe.
When lo: th' Eternall staid the balefull knife,
And downe it fell, & spaird the guiltles life.
Then God content to haue so great assaye,
Of Abrahms faith: desended him alwaye.
Encamped in these craggs, are of the line,
Of Abraham, who (seruing God deuine,
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And firmely knit and built this mightie ball)
Came to this land that then was tilde and sowne,
And by the name of wealthie Canaan knowne.
VVhere onely God his wealth did multiplie,
In goods, and siluer, gold, and familie.
And when of age he was an hundreth yeare,
His wife eke barren, neuer child did beare.
God gaue them Izak, swearing that his seede,
Should many Scepters rule and land bespreede.
But when that holy Abraham was olde:
And hoped well the promise made should holde,
(O pitious case) Th' immortall voyce him spak:
And bad him sacrifice his sonne Izak.
Then like a ship betweene two winds beset,
Vpon the raging sea on both sides bet,
In doubtsome feare, ne wots what way to keepe,
Least one of them, confound her in the deepe:
Makes close her ports, and slides on Neptuns back:
At pleasure of the boisteous winds to wrack.
So felt this Hebrew in his hart to fight,
Both loue, and duetie, reason, faith and right.
Nor wist he way to take, his troubled soule,
From this to that, continually did roule,
vntill the time, his heavnly feare and loue:
His naturall earthlie pitie did remoue.
Then hauing built the fire and all, anone
His sonne he layd vpon the sacred stone,
And with a trembling hand the cutlasse drewe,
with heauied arme the stroke for to ensewe.
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And downe it fell, & spaird the guiltles life.
Then God content to haue so great assaye,
Of Abrahms faith: desended him alwaye.
Of Izak, Iacob came, & Iacob than,
Of valiant sonnes had twelue in Canaan,
who (forst by famine) fled to Ægipt land,
wherfore a while, there dwelling good they fand
& grew so great in nomber, that they were,
a feare to those, that had them harbrowde there.
And though th' Egyptians dayly them opprest,
And burthens on their sweating backs were drest:
Yet like the valiant Palme they did sustaine,
Their peisant weight redressing vp againe,
This movde King Pharo to command through all
Great Nilus land, where raine doth neuer fall,
He bad his folke should slay where so they came,
All children males the seede of Abrahame,
Assoone as they from mothers wombs were free,
Their day of birth should be their day to dee.
Of valiant sonnes had twelue in Canaan,
who (forst by famine) fled to Ægipt land,
wherfore a while, there dwelling good they fand
& grew so great in nomber, that they were,
a feare to those, that had them harbrowde there.
And though th' Egyptians dayly them opprest,
And burthens on their sweating backs were drest:
Yet like the valiant Palme they did sustaine,
Their peisant weight redressing vp againe,
This movde King Pharo to command through all
Great Nilus land, where raine doth neuer fall,
He bad his folke should slay where so they came,
All children males the seede of Abrahame,
Assoone as they from mothers wombs were free,
Their day of birth should be their day to dee.
O cruell Tiger thinks thou that this deede
Of Izak may cut of th' immortall seede?
well may it stay the sucklings for to liue,
& kill th' accustomde frute that heavne doth giue:
But spite of this, men Iacobs seede shall see
In flouring state to rule all Cananee.
The first of euerie house shall feele the hand
And wrath of God against this law to stand.
Of Izak may cut of th' immortall seede?
well may it stay the sucklings for to liue,
& kill th' accustomde frute that heavne doth giue:
But spite of this, men Iacobs seede shall see
In flouring state to rule all Cananee.
The first of euerie house shall feele the hand
And wrath of God against this law to stand.
It fortunde Pharos daughter with her traine
Of Ladies faire to play them on the plaine,
Vpon the shoare where Gossan floode doth slide
where after many pastimes they had tride,
She hard an enfant weepe amongst the reedes,
Then iudging it for one of Izaks seeds:
As so it was, yet, with Paternall feare,
Against his piteous plaint she closde her eare:
But after vewing in that enfants face,
I know not what of fauour and of grace,
which did presage his greatnes to ensewe:
Loue vanquist lawe, and pittie dread withdrewe:
So from the floode not onely she him caught,
But curiously she causde him to be taught:
As her owne sonne, O sonne elect of God,
That once shall rule the people with thy rod.
Thou haste not found a seruant for thy mother,
But euen a Quene to nurse thee and none other.
“Now see how God alwayes for his elect
“Of wicked things can draw a good effect
“his prouidence hath made a wicked thing
“Vnto his owne great profit for to bring.
“VVhen Iosephs brether sold him like a slaue,
“He after came a kingly place to haue.
“Of Haman proude the darke enuious hate.
“brought Mardoche the iust to great estate.
“for where his enmie sought his shamefull end
“the same vnto the worker he did send.
Of Ladies faire to play them on the plaine,
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where after many pastimes they had tride,
She hard an enfant weepe amongst the reedes,
Then iudging it for one of Izaks seeds:
As so it was, yet, with Paternall feare,
Against his piteous plaint she closde her eare:
But after vewing in that enfants face,
I know not what of fauour and of grace,
which did presage his greatnes to ensewe:
Loue vanquist lawe, and pittie dread withdrewe:
So from the floode not onely she him caught,
But curiously she causde him to be taught:
As her owne sonne, O sonne elect of God,
That once shall rule the people with thy rod.
Thou haste not found a seruant for thy mother,
But euen a Quene to nurse thee and none other.
“Now see how God alwayes for his elect
“Of wicked things can draw a good effect
“his prouidence hath made a wicked thing
“Vnto his owne great profit for to bring.
“VVhen Iosephs brether sold him like a slaue,
“He after came a kingly place to haue.
“Of Haman proude the darke enuious hate.
“brought Mardoche the iust to great estate.
“for where his enmie sought his shamefull end
“the same vnto the worker he did send.
This Hebrew Moyses once as he did keepe
On Horeb mount his father Iethro his sheepe:
He saw a fearefull sight, a flaming fire:
Enclose a thornie bush whole and entire
From whence a mightie voyce vnto him spake,
which made the groūd betwene the Poles to shake
On Horeb mount his father Iethro his sheepe:
He saw a fearefull sight, a flaming fire:
Enclose a thornie bush whole and entire
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which made the groūd betwene the Poles to shake
I am that one, is, was, and ay shall bee,
who creat all of nought, as pleaseth mee,
I can destroye, I am the great, and Iust,
the faire, the good, the Holie one to trust:
whose strōg right hād this world hath set in frame,
I am th' Almightie God of Abrahame.
I plague my foes, and graunt my seruants grace,
All those that knowledge me and all their race.
who creat all of nought, as pleaseth mee,
I can destroye, I am the great, and Iust,
the faire, the good, the Holie one to trust:
whose strōg right hād this world hath set in frame,
I am th' Almightie God of Abrahame.
I plague my foes, and graunt my seruants grace,
All those that knowledge me and all their race.
Then follow thou my will, & quickly go,
From me, to that Prophane King Pharao,
who holds the towrs of Memphis and the field,
Of Nilus shore that rich encrease doth yeld.
And bid him let my people freely go:
But if with hardned hart, he will not so.
Stretch out thy staffe for to confirme thy charge,
And it shall turne into a Serpent large.
And this he shortly did, the thing to proue.
It quickned lo, and on the ground gan moue.
(O Miracle) he saw without all faile,
It grewe a Serpent fell with head and taile:
which crangling crept, & ranne from trod to trod
In many a knot, till time th' Almightie God
Commanded him the same for to retaine,
which to the former shape returnde againe.
Thus siling humain sight, it chaunged forme,
One while a Rod, one while a creeping worme.
From me, to that Prophane King Pharao,
who holds the towrs of Memphis and the field,
Of Nilus shore that rich encrease doth yeld.
And bid him let my people freely go:
But if with hardned hart, he will not so.
Stretch out thy staffe for to confirme thy charge,
And it shall turne into a Serpent large.
And this he shortly did, the thing to proue.
It quickned lo, and on the ground gan moue.
(O Miracle) he saw without all faile,
It grewe a Serpent fell with head and taile:
which crangling crept, & ranne from trod to trod
In many a knot, till time th' Almightie God
Commanded him the same for to retaine,
which to the former shape returnde againe.
Thus siling humain sight, it chaunged forme,
One while a Rod, one while a creeping worme.
Then armed with this staffe the lord him sent,
The proude Idolatrous princes to torment.
He in the name of God full oft did pray,
the King, to let the Hebrews go their way,
Vnto the desert, where he did deuise,
To offer God a pleasant sacrifise.
But Pharo closde his eare against the Lorde,
And to his holie word would not accorde.
The proude Idolatrous princes to torment.
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the King, to let the Hebrews go their way,
Vnto the desert, where he did deuise,
To offer God a pleasant sacrifise.
But Pharo closde his eare against the Lorde,
And to his holie word would not accorde.
Then God th' Eternall wrought by Moyses hand
to approue his worde great wonders in that land.
For he not onely Riuers turnd to bloode,
But also all the heads of Nilus floode,
(which wattreth wealthie Egypt with his sources)
was turnd to blood amid their siluer courses:
So that the king him selfe his life to feede
was faine to vse such water for his neede.
to approue his worde great wonders in that land.
For he not onely Riuers turnd to bloode,
But also all the heads of Nilus floode,
(which wattreth wealthie Egypt with his sources)
was turnd to blood amid their siluer courses:
So that the king him selfe his life to feede
was faine to vse such water for his neede.
This Moyses made the froggs in millions creep,
From floods and ponds, & scrall frō ditches deep,
who cled all Misraim with their filthie frie,
Euen on the king, and all his familie.
From floods and ponds, & scrall frō ditches deep,
who cled all Misraim with their filthie frie,
Euen on the king, and all his familie.
To young and old of either Sexe that while,
He sent a plague of scalding botches vile:
So that the Memphits layd on beds to rest,
with vncouth venim dayly were opprest,
to Medciners, the medcine vailed not,
So sore the poisond plague did vndercot.
He sent a plague of scalding botches vile:
So that the Memphits layd on beds to rest,
with vncouth venim dayly were opprest,
to Medciners, the medcine vailed not,
So sore the poisond plague did vndercot.
He also smote the forrests, herbs and gras,
The flocks of sheepe and euerie beast that was:
throw poison of th' infected ground so fell,
The Morrain made them all to dye or swell:
So that the shepherd by the riuer side,
His flock hath rather dead then sicke espide.
He, earthly dust, to lothly lice did change,
And dimd the Ayre, with such a cloud so straunge
Of flyes, grashoppers, hornets, clegs, & clocks,
That day and night throw houses flew in flocks,
that with incisions sharpe did sheare the skinnes,
of Ægipt Panims throw their proudest ynnes.
The flocks of sheepe and euerie beast that was:
throw poison of th' infected ground so fell,
The Morrain made them all to dye or swell:
So that the shepherd by the riuer side,
His flock hath rather dead then sicke espide.
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And dimd the Ayre, with such a cloud so straunge
Of flyes, grashoppers, hornets, clegs, & clocks,
That day and night throw houses flew in flocks,
that with incisions sharpe did sheare the skinnes,
of Ægipt Panims throw their proudest ynnes.
And when the heavne most quiet seemd & fair,
th' Eternall sent a tempest through the air,
& at (this Hebrews prayer) such a reare
Of thunder fell, that brought them all in feare.
Here lay a Bull that woodran while he brast,
There lay the Keeper, brunt with thunder blast,
And now the forrest high that hid the air,
with many-a spreeding arme, is spoild and bair.
So that the sap that grafters keeps with paine,
which should restore the stock, and leafe againe:
Is loste (alas) in lesse then half a daye,
the husbands hoped fruite gone to decaye.
th' Eternall sent a tempest through the air,
& at (this Hebrews prayer) such a reare
Of thunder fell, that brought them all in feare.
Here lay a Bull that woodran while he brast,
There lay the Keeper, brunt with thunder blast,
And now the forrest high that hid the air,
with many-a spreeding arme, is spoild and bair.
So that the sap that grafters keeps with paine,
which should restore the stock, and leafe againe:
Is loste (alas) in lesse then half a daye,
the husbands hoped fruite gone to decaye.
VVhat more? th' Eternall darkned so the skye,
For three dayes space none could another spye,
that cloude so thick, the Memphis rebels fand,
that they might firmly feele it with their hand,
It seemd that Phœbus left his ancient round,
And dwelt three dayes with men of vnderground.
“And as the sunne at one selfe time is felt,
“with heate to harden clay, and wax doth melt:
“so Amrams sacred sonne in these proiects
“made one selfe cause, haue two contrarie effects.
“For Izak, humbly knew their Lord deuine,
“But Pharo, more and more did still repine,
“Like to the corpslet colde the more t'is bet
“with hammers hard, more hardnes it doth get.
For three dayes space none could another spye,
that cloude so thick, the Memphis rebels fand,
that they might firmly feele it with their hand,
It seemd that Phœbus left his ancient round,
And dwelt three dayes with men of vnderground.
“And as the sunne at one selfe time is felt,
“with heate to harden clay, and wax doth melt:
“so Amrams sacred sonne in these proiects
“made one selfe cause, haue two contrarie effects.
“For Izak, humbly knew their Lord deuine,
“But Pharo, more and more did still repine,
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“with hammers hard, more hardnes it doth get.
Yet when his sonne was slaine by th' Angels hād,
Amongst the eldest heires of Ægipt land:
He was afraide, and let them go that night,
where pleased them to serue their God of might:
VVho sent a cloude before them all the day,
By night a Piller of fire, to guide their way.
But sodainly this tyrant did gainstand
His former graunt, and armd all Ægipt land
VVith hote pursute against all Iacobs hoste,
that were encamped on the Red-sea coste.
Such noyse was neuer since the foraigne tide,
Brak throw Gibraltar, when it did deuide
the Calp, from Abill, or when Sicill strand
Deuorsed was from her Italia land:
As was in these two campes that one with boste,
that other with their waillings filde the coste:
It seemd the sounds of furious horse and men,
With hornes & pypes to heavne resounded then.
Amongst the eldest heires of Ægipt land:
He was afraide, and let them go that night,
where pleased them to serue their God of might:
VVho sent a cloude before them all the day,
By night a Piller of fire, to guide their way.
But sodainly this tyrant did gainstand
His former graunt, and armd all Ægipt land
VVith hote pursute against all Iacobs hoste,
that were encamped on the Red-sea coste.
Such noyse was neuer since the foraigne tide,
Brak throw Gibraltar, when it did deuide
the Calp, from Abill, or when Sicill strand
Deuorsed was from her Italia land:
As was in these two campes that one with boste,
that other with their waillings filde the coste:
It seemd the sounds of furious horse and men,
With hornes & pypes to heavne resounded then.
O Iugler, said the Iewes, what hatefull strife
Hath moued thee to change our happie life.
What are we fishes for to swimme the seas?
Or are we foules to fly where as we pleas?
Beyond the Sea, or ouer hills to soare?
VVas there not graues for vs on Gossen shoare:
But in this desart heare to dye or haue
the bloodred Occean Sea, to be our graue.
Hath moued thee to change our happie life.
What are we fishes for to swimme the seas?
Or are we foules to fly where as we pleas?
Beyond the Sea, or ouer hills to soare?
VVas there not graues for vs on Gossen shoare:
But in this desart heare to dye or haue
the bloodred Occean Sea, to be our graue.
Then Moyses with his quickned rod that tide
He smote the sea, which (fearefull) did deuide
Discouering land that sunne had neuer seene,
And staid the sea, as there two walles had beene:
which made a passage dry of ample space,
For all to passe who were of Isaks race.
But contrarie the Red-sea did deuower,
The barbrous tyrant with his mightie power,
who proudly durst himself to that present,
which opened but to saue the innocent.
He smote the sea, which (fearefull) did deuide
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And staid the sea, as there two walles had beene:
which made a passage dry of ample space,
For all to passe who were of Isaks race.
But contrarie the Red-sea did deuower,
The barbrous tyrant with his mightie power,
who proudly durst himself to that present,
which opened but to saue the innocent.
O happie race, since god doth arme for thee,
Both fire and aire, the winds, the clouds and see,
which all vnto thy paye haue whole enclinde,
Let not cōsuming time weare out of minde:
So rare a grace, but let thine elders shewe
this to their noble seed that shall ensewe:
And let their sonnes, vnto their sonnes recorde
Throw all the world rhese wonders of the lorde.
Both fire and aire, the winds, the clouds and see,
which all vnto thy paye haue whole enclinde,
Let not cōsuming time weare out of minde:
So rare a grace, but let thine elders shewe
this to their noble seed that shall ensewe:
And let their sonnes, vnto their sonnes recorde
Throw all the world rhese wonders of the lorde.
God, with Cœlestiall breade (in time of neede)
His loued Iacob fourtie yeare did feede:
And gaue them water from the solide stone,
which of it selfe, had neuer moisture none.
Their caps, their cotes, & shoes, that they did wear
God kept all fresh and newe, full fourtie year.
His loued Iacob fourtie yeare did feede:
And gaue them water from the solide stone,
which of it selfe, had neuer moisture none.
Their caps, their cotes, & shoes, that they did wear
God kept all fresh and newe, full fourtie year.
And farder, least their soules for want of food,
should faint or faile: he of his mercies good
Gaue them his law, pronounced by his voyce,
His sprite to theirs, in him for to reioyce.
So teaching them, and vs in precepts ten,
Our duetie first to god, and next to men,
To th' end that man to man should truely stand,
And ioyne with God, and neuer break that band.
should faint or faile: he of his mercies good
Gaue them his law, pronounced by his voyce,
His sprite to theirs, in him for to reioyce.
So teaching them, and vs in precepts ten,
Our duetie first to god, and next to men,
To th' end that man to man should truely stand,
And ioyne with God, and neuer break that band.
25
This mightie Prophet dead: Duke Iosua than,
Their Captaine stout this Palmy prouince wan:
Throw might of God he Scepters did subdewe
Of thirtie tyran kings, whome all he slew.
At his commandment like the thunder sound,
The Rampers strong fell fearefully to ground:
Before the Tortuse, or the horned Ramme,
Had bet, or mined, from their wall a dramme:
For euen of hornes, full hoarse, their simple blast
An engine was, their towres adoune to cast.
Their Captaine stout this Palmy prouince wan:
Throw might of God he Scepters did subdewe
Of thirtie tyran kings, whome all he slew.
At his commandment like the thunder sound,
The Rampers strong fell fearefully to ground:
Before the Tortuse, or the horned Ramme,
Had bet, or mined, from their wall a dramme:
For euen of hornes, full hoarse, their simple blast
An engine was, their towres adoune to cast.
He prayd the heavne for to prolong the daye,
And made the horses of the sunne to staye,
To th' ēd, the night should not with cloud be cled
To saue the faithles, that before him fled.
Now when this Panim scourge (with age at last)
Had left this life, and vnto heauen past:
Then Izak had of Rulers sundrie men,
whose glorious acts deserues eternall pen.
who knowes not Samgar, Barac, and Othoniell?
The valiant Delbor, Ahud, and good Samuell?
What land (O Sampson) rings not thy renowne,
who sole, vnarmed, bet an Army downe?
what laude to Iephthe iustly might we lowe:
Had he not hurt his owne, through hastie vowe?
What hill or dale, what flood or fixed ground,
Doth not the famous Gedeons praise resounde?
In later time, their kings some good, some bad
Of all the Hebrew state the ruling had.
Had I the Harpe of Dauid (holy King)
None other sound but Dauid would I sing,
But euen as all the deeds that Dauid did,
Could not be done by none, but by Dauid:
So none but Dauid, on his yvrie harpe,
The glorious praise of God could onely carpe.
But here his praise, I prease not to proclame,
Least I throw want of skill obscure the same.
Yet leaue I not his Sonne, whome grace deuine
made no lesse rich, then wondrous of engine:
whose doctrine drew to Salem from all wheare,
A hundreth thousand wyzards him to heare:
From Araby, from Ynde, to Affrik shore,
His toung entysd them with his cunning lore.
Shall I forget the kings who ouerthrew,
Idolatrie and plaste religion dewe?
Shall I forget that King, who saw descend
A winged Hoste Solyma to defend?
Shall I forget him, who before his eene,
Enchast the bands of Chus on Gerar greene?
Shall I forget him, who preparing fight
gainst Ammon, Seir, & Moabs, Idoll might,
Saw ech of their three hostes on others fall,
And with them selfs their selfs, disconfit all?
And made the horses of the sunne to staye,
To th' ēd, the night should not with cloud be cled
To saue the faithles, that before him fled.
Now when this Panim scourge (with age at last)
Had left this life, and vnto heauen past:
Then Izak had of Rulers sundrie men,
whose glorious acts deserues eternall pen.
who knowes not Samgar, Barac, and Othoniell?
The valiant Delbor, Ahud, and good Samuell?
What land (O Sampson) rings not thy renowne,
who sole, vnarmed, bet an Army downe?
what laude to Iephthe iustly might we lowe:
Had he not hurt his owne, through hastie vowe?
What hill or dale, what flood or fixed ground,
Doth not the famous Gedeons praise resounde?
In later time, their kings some good, some bad
Of all the Hebrew state the ruling had.
Had I the Harpe of Dauid (holy King)
None other sound but Dauid would I sing,
26
Could not be done by none, but by Dauid:
So none but Dauid, on his yvrie harpe,
The glorious praise of God could onely carpe.
But here his praise, I prease not to proclame,
Least I throw want of skill obscure the same.
Yet leaue I not his Sonne, whome grace deuine
made no lesse rich, then wondrous of engine:
whose doctrine drew to Salem from all wheare,
A hundreth thousand wyzards him to heare:
From Araby, from Ynde, to Affrik shore,
His toung entysd them with his cunning lore.
Shall I forget the kings who ouerthrew,
Idolatrie and plaste religion dewe?
Shall I forget that King, who saw descend
A winged Hoste Solyma to defend?
Shall I forget him, who before his eene,
Enchast the bands of Chus on Gerar greene?
Shall I forget him, who preparing fight
gainst Ammon, Seir, & Moabs, Idoll might,
Saw ech of their three hostes on others fall,
And with them selfs their selfs, disconfit all?
Yet, for their sinnes God gaue them in the hāds
Of Calde kings, who conquerd all their lands:
And tooke king Zedekee, and made an end
Of that Impyre, till God did Cyrus send,
VVho set them free, and gaue them of his grace
Two rulers of their owne. And now this place
Is kept, by sacred Ioachim, whose powers
consists not onely within Syons towers:
But Edom, Sidon, Moab, and we all
Do know his strength & knowes him principall.
Of Calde kings, who conquerd all their lands:
And tooke king Zedekee, and made an end
Of that Impyre, till God did Cyrus send,
VVho set them free, and gaue them of his grace
Two rulers of their owne. And now this place
Is kept, by sacred Ioachim, whose powers
consists not onely within Syons towers:
27
Do know his strength & knowes him principall.
Now Sir, ye hear the progresse first & last
Of Izaks race in order as it past.
One while the Lord enhaūst them to the skye:
One while he drew them down in deeps to lye.
‘But were he Iudge, or Prince, or king of might,
‘Who reuld the Hebrews polycie aright,
‘VVhile they obserude thaliance made before,
‘by their forefathers who to God them swore
‘In happie state all others they surpast:
‘And vnderfoote their proudest foes were cast.
‘And all the world, that their destruction sought
‘Against their state, and name, preuailed nought.
‘But contrarie: as oft as they astraide
‘From god their guide, he on their shoulders laid:
‘The Barbare yock of Moab, & oftymes
‘Of Palestine & Ammon, for their crymes,
‘The heauie hand of God was seene to be,
‘On their ingratefull infidelitie.
Of Izaks race in order as it past.
One while the Lord enhaūst them to the skye:
One while he drew them down in deeps to lye.
‘But were he Iudge, or Prince, or king of might,
‘Who reuld the Hebrews polycie aright,
‘VVhile they obserude thaliance made before,
‘by their forefathers who to God them swore
‘In happie state all others they surpast:
‘And vnderfoote their proudest foes were cast.
‘And all the world, that their destruction sought
‘Against their state, and name, preuailed nought.
‘But contrarie: as oft as they astraide
‘From god their guide, he on their shoulders laid:
‘The Barbare yock of Moab, & oftymes
‘Of Palestine & Ammon, for their crymes,
‘The heauie hand of God was seene to be,
‘On their ingratefull infidelitie.
Now, if so be that any odious sinne,
Prouoke their Lord his Iustice to beginne:
Then myne not you their towres nor tourets tall,
Nor bring the wracksom engine to their wall:
Nor place thy battries braue, nor yet aduenter,
with thy couragious camp the breacth to enter.
For if Libanus mount or Carmell faire
Or Niphathæi should parke them from repaire:
If Ynde and Nilus with the Rhene and Rhone
to close them round about, should runne in one.
For their defence: yet shall they not withstand
(With all their force) thy furious fighting hand.
But if they haue not broke the band in deede
That God with Abrahm made & with his seede:
Beware my Lorde, beware to touch or moue
These people that the Lord so much doth loue.
For though south Autan, would dispeople his lāds,
And bring the blackest Mores to swarme in bāds:
If Northren Boreas, vnder his banners colde,
would bring to field his hideous Soldiers bolde:
If Zyphirus from sweete Hesperia coste,
would send his chosen armed men to Hoste:
If Eurus, for to ayde thine enterprise,
would bring his men frō whence the sun doth rise:
Yet all their numbres hudge, and forces strong,
Can neuer do to Isrel any wrong,
Nor hurt one hair if their great God say nay.
That god will them defend because he may:
with one small blast confound all kings that darre,
(As thou doest now) prouoke him vnto warre.
Prouoke their Lord his Iustice to beginne:
Then myne not you their towres nor tourets tall,
Nor bring the wracksom engine to their wall:
Nor place thy battries braue, nor yet aduenter,
with thy couragious camp the breacth to enter.
For if Libanus mount or Carmell faire
Or Niphathæi should parke them from repaire:
If Ynde and Nilus with the Rhene and Rhone
to close them round about, should runne in one.
28
(With all their force) thy furious fighting hand.
But if they haue not broke the band in deede
That God with Abrahm made & with his seede:
Beware my Lorde, beware to touch or moue
These people that the Lord so much doth loue.
For though south Autan, would dispeople his lāds,
And bring the blackest Mores to swarme in bāds:
If Northren Boreas, vnder his banners colde,
would bring to field his hideous Soldiers bolde:
If Zyphirus from sweete Hesperia coste,
would send his chosen armed men to Hoste:
If Eurus, for to ayde thine enterprise,
would bring his men frō whence the sun doth rise:
Yet all their numbres hudge, and forces strong,
Can neuer do to Isrel any wrong,
Nor hurt one hair if their great God say nay.
That god will them defend because he may:
with one small blast confound all kings that darre,
(As thou doest now) prouoke him vnto warre.
Then like as ye beholde the quiet see,
Not raging when the winds engendring be:
But blauncheth first, then growes in litle space,
In wallowing wawes to flow with fomy face:
And lastly beats the banks, and ships vnshrouds,
with wrackfull waues vphoist to highest clouds:
So, almost all the princes of that hoste,
VVith inward anger gan to be emboste,
As oft as they the praise of God did heare,
So to his speech encreast their spitefull cheare:
which in the end, to blasphemie them brought,
Th' immortall God of gods to set at nought.
Not raging when the winds engendring be:
But blauncheth first, then growes in litle space,
In wallowing wawes to flow with fomy face:
And lastly beats the banks, and ships vnshrouds,
with wrackfull waues vphoist to highest clouds:
So, almost all the princes of that hoste,
VVith inward anger gan to be emboste,
As oft as they the praise of God did heare,
So to his speech encreast their spitefull cheare:
29
Th' immortall God of gods to set at nought.
Kill & cut off (quoth they) this traitour fine,
Whose subtill talke, with all his whole engine,
Pretends to saue these Hebrews from our hands,
And threts vs with vaine gods of forraine lands:
For if it please you (noble prince) to send,
But twentie men of value that are kend,
VVithin your camp, these recklesse rebels then
shalbe a pray to all your warlike men.
(O wicked wight) but then the Vizroy stout,
with powre, apeasde the murmur of the route:
And to him said: O shameles Prophet thou,
what Sybill or what charmer tell mee now?
VVhat Diuell or Dæmon so doth thee enspire,
that Izrell shall of vs haue his desire,
Such men, as with no God can be content:
But such as pleased Moyses to inuent
Of his owne head, a God that hath no power
for to deliuer them, nor thee this hower?
Whose subtill talke, with all his whole engine,
Pretends to saue these Hebrews from our hands,
And threts vs with vaine gods of forraine lands:
For if it please you (noble prince) to send,
But twentie men of value that are kend,
VVithin your camp, these recklesse rebels then
shalbe a pray to all your warlike men.
(O wicked wight) but then the Vizroy stout,
with powre, apeasde the murmur of the route:
And to him said: O shameles Prophet thou,
what Sybill or what charmer tell mee now?
VVhat Diuell or Dæmon so doth thee enspire,
that Izrell shall of vs haue his desire,
Such men, as with no God can be content:
But such as pleased Moyses to inuent
Of his owne head, a God that hath no power
for to deliuer them, nor thee this hower?
Haue we an other God, or king of kings,
then our great Persian Monark now that rigns?
VVhose barded horse orerunns the Nations all,
whose armed men, out of these mountains tall
shall rake these Rebels that from Egypt came
To this, where they vniustly keep the same?
Dye, dye, thou shalt, ô wretch, thy toung vntrue,
And double hart, shall haue their wages due.
But, foole, what speake I thus? no haste a while
Thy blood (O villaine) shall not me defile.
so iust a paine, so soone thou shalt not haue,
for thy deceipt, so soone to go to graue.
‘For in a wretches sodaine death, at ones
‘Their longsome ill is buried with their bones.
But to that end I may prolong thy strife,
In Bethull towne I will prolong thy life:
where euerie howre, thou shalt haue such affraye
to dye vndead a thousand tymes a daye,
till time, with thē who thou so strōg hath thought
to shameful end with them thou shalt be brought.
what? wherefore tremblest thou and art so paile,
VVhat sorrow makes thy hart so soone to faile.
If God be god as thou right now hast said,
then of thy faith, giue witnesse vndismaid.
then our great Persian Monark now that rigns?
VVhose barded horse orerunns the Nations all,
whose armed men, out of these mountains tall
shall rake these Rebels that from Egypt came
To this, where they vniustly keep the same?
Dye, dye, thou shalt, ô wretch, thy toung vntrue,
And double hart, shall haue their wages due.
But, foole, what speake I thus? no haste a while
Thy blood (O villaine) shall not me defile.
30
for thy deceipt, so soone to go to graue.
‘For in a wretches sodaine death, at ones
‘Their longsome ill is buried with their bones.
But to that end I may prolong thy strife,
In Bethull towne I will prolong thy life:
where euerie howre, thou shalt haue such affraye
to dye vndead a thousand tymes a daye,
till time, with thē who thou so strōg hath thought
to shameful end with them thou shalt be brought.
what? wherefore tremblest thou and art so paile,
VVhat sorrow makes thy hart so soone to faile.
If God be god as thou right now hast said,
then of thy faith, giue witnesse vndismaid.
A marshall of the camp then being prest
who was not yet so cruell as the rest.
There tooke this demy Pagan (Ammons lord)
and sent him bound to Bethull (with a corde)
Then euen as in his clawes the kite doth beare,
the chirping chicken throu the weather cleare:
while that the cakling hen below on ground,
Bewailes her bird with vaine lamenting sound.
So in like woe his worthie men were left,
For that so worthie a chief was them bereft
who was not yet so cruell as the rest.
There tooke this demy Pagan (Ammons lord)
and sent him bound to Bethull (with a corde)
Then euen as in his clawes the kite doth beare,
the chirping chicken throu the weather cleare:
while that the cakling hen below on ground,
Bewailes her bird with vaine lamenting sound.
So in like woe his worthie men were left,
For that so worthie a chief was them bereft
The townsmen thē beholding neare their wall
These Miscreants, to armour straight they fall
yclad in plate and maill & runs in bandes,
And fearsly fronts their foes with steele in hands
as fast as done the riuers doune the hils,
that with their murmur hudge the deepes vpfils.
The Heathen seeing this retirde awaye,
And left the Lord of Ammon for a pray
to th' Hebrew soldiers who did him constraine,
Though he was willing, with them to remaine.
VVhen all the folke with prease about him past
His eyes and hands vp to the pole he cast,
‘And thus he spak: O God that great abyds
‘vpon th' Immortall seate and iustly guyds
‘the ruled course of heavne, whose liuing spreete,
‘reuiuing spreds, & through all things doth fleete:
‘I render thee, O God immortall praise,
‘for that before I end my wofull dayes
‘Now from th' unfrutefull stock thou doest me race
‘to graft me in thy frutefull tree of grace,
‘where in dispite of all cōtrarie strife,
‘I shall bring forth the fruits of lasting life.
And ye, O Iacobs sonnes, thinke not at all
That I of purpose captiue am and thrall:
So that I meane hereby your wrack to bring
For God he knowes I thinke not such a thing.
But I am captiue thus because I tolde,
VVhat wōdrous works the lord hath done of old,
to you and your forefathers euer still,
Delivring them that wold obey his will.
Then doubt not you a thousand flaffing flags,
Nor horrible cryes of hideous heathen hags:
Coole not your harts, for if the world about,
would compasse you withall their warriours stout
(Prouyding first yee seeke your help at need
At power deuine, and not at mortall seede)
You surely shall see Mocmurs renning flood,
Made red, with Assurs hoste and Ethnique blood:
ye surely shall, see men not vsde to fight,
Subdue their foes, that seemes of greater might.
The hand of God assailes you not with hate,
but for your weale your pride he will abate,
To let you wit, it is within his power,
To leaue or to relieue you euery hower.
These Miscreants, to armour straight they fall
yclad in plate and maill & runs in bandes,
And fearsly fronts their foes with steele in hands
as fast as done the riuers doune the hils,
that with their murmur hudge the deepes vpfils.
31
And left the Lord of Ammon for a pray
to th' Hebrew soldiers who did him constraine,
Though he was willing, with them to remaine.
VVhen all the folke with prease about him past
His eyes and hands vp to the pole he cast,
‘And thus he spak: O God that great abyds
‘vpon th' Immortall seate and iustly guyds
‘the ruled course of heavne, whose liuing spreete,
‘reuiuing spreds, & through all things doth fleete:
‘I render thee, O God immortall praise,
‘for that before I end my wofull dayes
‘Now from th' unfrutefull stock thou doest me race
‘to graft me in thy frutefull tree of grace,
‘where in dispite of all cōtrarie strife,
‘I shall bring forth the fruits of lasting life.
And ye, O Iacobs sonnes, thinke not at all
That I of purpose captiue am and thrall:
So that I meane hereby your wrack to bring
For God he knowes I thinke not such a thing.
But I am captiue thus because I tolde,
VVhat wōdrous works the lord hath done of old,
to you and your forefathers euer still,
Delivring them that wold obey his will.
Then doubt not you a thousand flaffing flags,
Nor horrible cryes of hideous heathen hags:
Coole not your harts, for if the world about,
would compasse you withall their warriours stout
(Prouyding first yee seeke your help at need
At power deuine, and not at mortall seede)
32
Made red, with Assurs hoste and Ethnique blood:
ye surely shall, see men not vsde to fight,
Subdue their foes, that seemes of greater might.
The hand of God assailes you not with hate,
but for your weale your pride he will abate,
To let you wit, it is within his power,
To leaue or to relieue you euery hower.
As on th' vnsavrie stocke the lillie is borne:
And as the rose growes on the pricking thorne:
So modest life with sobs of grieuous smart,
And cryes deuout, comes from an humbled hart:
For euen the faithfull flocke are like the ground,
That for good frute, with weeds will still abound.
If that the share and culter ydle lye,
That ryues the soyle and roots the brambles bye:
But in the end, God will his yre relent,
Assoone as sinners truely will repent:
And saue you from these plagues that present be
In shorter time then ye do thinke to see.
take courage friends, & vanquish God with teares
And after, we shall vanquish with our weares
these enmies all. Now if there rest in me
the former force that once was wont to be:
If elde haue not decaid my courage bolde,
That I haue had with great experience olde,
I render me to serue you to my end:
for Iacobs weale, Gods law for to defend.
And as the rose growes on the pricking thorne:
So modest life with sobs of grieuous smart,
And cryes deuout, comes from an humbled hart:
For euen the faithfull flocke are like the ground,
That for good frute, with weeds will still abound.
If that the share and culter ydle lye,
That ryues the soyle and roots the brambles bye:
But in the end, God will his yre relent,
Assoone as sinners truely will repent:
And saue you from these plagues that present be
In shorter time then ye do thinke to see.
take courage friends, & vanquish God with teares
And after, we shall vanquish with our weares
these enmies all. Now if there rest in me
the former force that once was wont to be:
If elde haue not decaid my courage bolde,
That I haue had with great experience olde,
I render me to serue you to my end:
for Iacobs weale, Gods law for to defend.
FINIS.
| The Historie of Ivdith in Forme of a Poeme | |