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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| 3. | THE THIRDE BOOKE OF Ivdith. |
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 | The Historie of Ivdith in Forme of a Poeme |  |
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THE THIRDE BOOKE OF Ivdith.
THE SOMMARIE OF THE III. BOOKE.
In this third booke the Poet settet'h forth the seege of Bethulia, and the extremitie that God permitted them to feele, thereby to giue an entrie to his miraculous deliuerance: who is accustomed to lead his people to the gates of death, and from thence to retyre them aboue all humaine expectation, to the end they should confesse that the arme of flesh, nor worldly wisedome mainteines not the Church: but the onelie fauour of the Almightie to whome the whole glorie of duetie should be rendred. Farder: thre principall things ar to be noted: First, the preparations of the beseegers, and the defences of the beseeged, and how after throw the councell giuen to Holopherne for the restraint of the water from the towne ensewes a furious assault, which the Iewes repelled with great paine: Secondly, the extreame desolation through want of water, whereof proceedeth sundrie sorts of death, with lamentations murmurations, and daunger of mutine within the Cittie, and how the Gouernour endeuoures himself with wise and godly admonitiōs to appease the same: But the commons in this hard estate regarding no reason, required to rēder the Citie, rahter thē to perish in such apparāt miserie. The Gouernour being caried with a humaine prudence promiseth to render the towne within fiue dayes, if God send them no succour. Yet such is the estate of gods church in this world, that when all things faileth, God manifesteth his power: And therefore in the third part is Iudith introduced, who (being especially moued by the reading of Holy Scriptures) is encouraged to deliuer her countrie: but when she vnderstoode the resolution of the Maiestrats, She (being in estimation honourable) modestly reproues them. After their excuse, she promiseth to attempt something for the publike weale: not showing her deuise, but onelie desired to haue passage by night vnto the enemies camp, and this is granted.
Thhe Snoring snoute of restles Phlegon blewe,
Hote on the Ynds, and did the daye renewe
VVith skarlet skye, when Heathen men awooke
At sound of drumme, then pike & dart they tooke:
In order marching, and to combat calles,
th' vndaunted sonnes, within their Cities walles.
The meeds in May with flowers are not so dect,
of sundrie fauours, hewes, & seere effect,
As in this campe were people different farre
In toungs & maners, habits, tents, and warre.
Yea Chaos old, whereof the world was founded,
Of members more confuse, was not compounded:
yet soundely they in vnion did accord,
To wage the warre against th' Almightie Lord,
who shaks the Poles, whose only breath doth beat
Libanus mount, and makes Caucasus sweat.
There came the Kettrinks wilde of colde Hircania:
Ioynd with the men of great, and lesse Armania.
VVith coppintanks: and there the Parthian tall,
Assaid to shoot his shafts and flee withall.
The Persians proud (th' Empyre was in their hāds)
with plates of gold, surbraued all their bands.
The Medes declarde through fortunes ouerthwart
they lost their Scepter, not for lacke of hart:
And that no costly cloath nor rich aray,
Nor painting fine, that on their face they lay
nor borrowde hair, of fair & comly length,
might oght empair, their anciēt power & strēgth:
There were the happie Arabs those that buields
In thatched waggons, wandring throu the fields.
Hote on the Ynds, and did the daye renewe
VVith skarlet skye, when Heathen men awooke
At sound of drumme, then pike & dart they tooke:
In order marching, and to combat calles,
th' vndaunted sonnes, within their Cities walles.
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of sundrie fauours, hewes, & seere effect,
As in this campe were people different farre
In toungs & maners, habits, tents, and warre.
Yea Chaos old, whereof the world was founded,
Of members more confuse, was not compounded:
yet soundely they in vnion did accord,
To wage the warre against th' Almightie Lord,
who shaks the Poles, whose only breath doth beat
Libanus mount, and makes Caucasus sweat.
There came the Kettrinks wilde of colde Hircania:
Ioynd with the men of great, and lesse Armania.
VVith coppintanks: and there the Parthian tall,
Assaid to shoot his shafts and flee withall.
The Persians proud (th' Empyre was in their hāds)
with plates of gold, surbraued all their bands.
The Medes declarde through fortunes ouerthwart
they lost their Scepter, not for lacke of hart:
And that no costly cloath nor rich aray,
Nor painting fine, that on their face they lay
nor borrowde hair, of fair & comly length,
might oght empair, their anciēt power & strēgth:
There were the happie Arabs those that buields
In thatched waggons, wandring throu the fields.
The subtill Tyrians, they who first were clarks,
that staid the wandring words in leaues & barks.
The men of Moab, Edom, Ammon, and
the People sparst on large Elimia land.
The learned Memphians, & the men that dwell
Neare to the Æthiopians black & fell.
In short the most of Asia (as it wair)
Encamped was within that army fair.
So that this Duke mo forraine souldiers lad,
then all the Hebrewes natiue people had.
But they who did the Hebrewes greatest wrong
were Apostats of Ephrem fearce & strong:
who fought with hatefull harts them to deface,
Least they should be esteemde of Izaks race.
that staid the wandring words in leaues & barks.
The men of Moab, Edom, Ammon, and
the People sparst on large Elimia land.
The learned Memphians, & the men that dwell
Neare to the Æthiopians black & fell.
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Encamped was within that army fair.
So that this Duke mo forraine souldiers lad,
then all the Hebrewes natiue people had.
But they who did the Hebrewes greatest wrong
were Apostats of Ephrem fearce & strong:
who fought with hatefull harts them to deface,
Least they should be esteemde of Izaks race.
Then, as in time of spring the water is warme,
& crowding frogs like fishes there doth swarme:
But with the smallest stone that you can cast
to stirre the streame, their crouping stayes as fast:
So while Iudea was in ioyfull dayes,
The constancie of them was worthie prayes:
for that in euerie purpose ye should heare
the praise of God, resounding euerie wheare.
So, that like burning candles they did shine
Among their faithfull flocke, like men deuine.
But looke how soone they hard of Holopherne,
their courage quailde & they began to derne.
Their ardent zeale with closed mouth they choke
their zeale to hote returnd to fuming smoke:
the feare of losse of life & worldly good:
brought Infidels to shed their brothers blood:
& crowding frogs like fishes there doth swarme:
But with the smallest stone that you can cast
to stirre the streame, their crouping stayes as fast:
So while Iudea was in ioyfull dayes,
The constancie of them was worthie prayes:
for that in euerie purpose ye should heare
the praise of God, resounding euerie wheare.
So, that like burning candles they did shine
Among their faithfull flocke, like men deuine.
But looke how soone they hard of Holopherne,
their courage quailde & they began to derne.
Their ardent zeale with closed mouth they choke
their zeale to hote returnd to fuming smoke:
the feare of losse of life & worldly good:
brought Infidels to shed their brothers blood:
Alas how many Ephramits haue we?
In our vnhappy time all which we see
within the Church like hypocrits to dwell,
so long as by the same they prosper well:
who feines a zeale, th' Euangill to maintaine
So long as serues their honour, or their gaine.
But turne the chance with some contrarie winde,
So that their browes but half a blast doe finde,
Then faints their harts, and they seeke other waye,
Like bankers out their God they disobaye
Discyphring then their malice to be more
to gods contempt, then was their zeale before,
And fights against the lord with greater hate,
Then Celsus did, or Iulian Apostate.
In our vnhappy time all which we see
within the Church like hypocrits to dwell,
so long as by the same they prosper well:
who feines a zeale, th' Euangill to maintaine
So long as serues their honour, or their gaine.
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So that their browes but half a blast doe finde,
Then faints their harts, and they seeke other waye,
Like bankers out their God they disobaye
Discyphring then their malice to be more
to gods contempt, then was their zeale before,
And fights against the lord with greater hate,
Then Celsus did, or Iulian Apostate.
The Hebrewes, now from hights of houses faire
VVho saw so many banners beate the aire:
And men to march against their forces small,
who now might well decerne their feeble wall:
They swoune with feare, & fand none other aid:
but of that God, to whome their fathers praid.
O father (quod they) father holie king,
who shields vs alwayes vnderneath thy wing:
Since now the worlde against vs doth conspire,
Defende vs mightie Lord we thee require.
VVho saw so many banners beate the aire:
And men to march against their forces small,
who now might well decerne their feeble wall:
They swoune with feare, & fand none other aid:
but of that God, to whome their fathers praid.
O father (quod they) father holie king,
who shields vs alwayes vnderneath thy wing:
Since now the worlde against vs doth conspire,
Defende vs mightie Lord we thee require.
Thus hauing humbly praid the Lord of might,
the Gouernour renforst his watches wight:
And fires at midnight built in euerie way,
which made the night appeare as cleare as day:
and wakerife through the corpsgard oft he past:
And thought that Phœbe hyed her course to fast
with horses paile to steale awaye the night,
to leaue the Hebrewes to their enmies sight.
Againe, the Pagan thought she did but creepe,
Or that with Latmies sonne she was on sleepe.
‘But humaine wishes neuer hath the powre,
‘to haste or hold the course of heavne one howre.
Then as Aurora rose with sanguine hewe,
And our Horyzon did the day renewe:
The Vizroy made a thousand trumpets sound,
to drawe his scatred Cornets to a round,
who from all parts with speede assembled weare
About the Genrals tent his will to heare:
As do the hounds about their hunt at morne
Come gladishing at hearing of his horne.
the Gouernour renforst his watches wight:
And fires at midnight built in euerie way,
which made the night appeare as cleare as day:
and wakerife through the corpsgard oft he past:
And thought that Phœbe hyed her course to fast
with horses paile to steale awaye the night,
to leaue the Hebrewes to their enmies sight.
Againe, the Pagan thought she did but creepe,
Or that with Latmies sonne she was on sleepe.
‘But humaine wishes neuer hath the powre,
‘to haste or hold the course of heavne one howre.
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And our Horyzon did the day renewe:
The Vizroy made a thousand trumpets sound,
to drawe his scatred Cornets to a round,
who from all parts with speede assembled weare
About the Genrals tent his will to heare:
As do the hounds about their hunt at morne
Come gladishing at hearing of his horne.
Now when the towne, his somōds did disdaine
to conquer it perforce he plyde his paine:
And their, th' Inginers haue the Trepan drest,
& reared vp the Ramme for batterie best:
Here bends the Briccoll, while the cable cracks,
their Crosbowes were vprent with yron Racks.
Here croked Coruies, fleing bridges tall,
Their scathfull Scorpions, that ruynes the wall.
On euerie side they raise with iointure meete,
the tymber towres for to command ech streete.
The painefull Pioners, wrought against their will,
with fleakes & fagots, ditches vp to fill.
Or vnderground they delue in dust with paine,
to raise a mount, or make a mount a plaine.
Or Cauerns cut, where they might soldiers hide,
t'assaile the towne at sodaine vnespide.
Some ladders drest to skale the wall, or els
to steale vpon the sleeping Sentinels.
Some vndermynes, some other vndertooke,
to fire the gates, or smore the towne with smoke.
The greatest part did yet in trenches lurke
to see what harme their engins first would wurke,
that if the wall were bet, they wold not faile
with braue assault the Citie to assaile.
There Mars to wremyner, there Bellona wood,
Enforced feeble Cowards to suck blood.
their hidious horses, braying loude and cleare,
their Pagans fell with clamor huge to heare,
made such a dinne as made the heavne resound,
retented hell, & tore the fixed ground.
to conquer it perforce he plyde his paine:
And their, th' Inginers haue the Trepan drest,
& reared vp the Ramme for batterie best:
Here bends the Briccoll, while the cable cracks,
their Crosbowes were vprent with yron Racks.
Here croked Coruies, fleing bridges tall,
Their scathfull Scorpions, that ruynes the wall.
On euerie side they raise with iointure meete,
the tymber towres for to command ech streete.
The painefull Pioners, wrought against their will,
with fleakes & fagots, ditches vp to fill.
Or vnderground they delue in dust with paine,
to raise a mount, or make a mount a plaine.
Or Cauerns cut, where they might soldiers hide,
t'assaile the towne at sodaine vnespide.
Some ladders drest to skale the wall, or els
to steale vpon the sleeping Sentinels.
Some vndermynes, some other vndertooke,
to fire the gates, or smore the towne with smoke.
The greatest part did yet in trenches lurke
to see what harme their engins first would wurke,
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with braue assault the Citie to assaile.
There Mars to wremyner, there Bellona wood,
Enforced feeble Cowards to suck blood.
their hidious horses, braying loude and cleare,
their Pagans fell with clamor huge to heare,
made such a dinne as made the heavne resound,
retented hell, & tore the fixed ground.
Yet God who keeps his watch aboue the skyes
For his elect, who neuer ydle lyes:
tooke pittie on his people in that tide,
Repressing (part) this cruell princes pride
In causing all the chiefes of Moabits,
of Edom strong, & awfull Ammonits
to speake him thus, & thus him terrours drest.
For his elect, who neuer ydle lyes:
tooke pittie on his people in that tide,
Repressing (part) this cruell princes pride
In causing all the chiefes of Moabits,
of Edom strong, & awfull Ammonits
to speake him thus, & thus him terrours drest.
O Prince, that Scepter beares aboue the rest,
& giues them law, & holds the world in thrall,
set not thy soldiers, to assault this wall:
For neither bow, nor sling, nor weapons long,
nor sword, nor buckler, wilbe found so strong:
As is this threatning rock, whose mightie corse
sustaines their wall, of such eternall forse,
that thou can mak no skallade on no coste:
But on the corpses dead, of half thine hoste.
‘The victor can no honour iustly clame
‘to lose the men who should aduance the same.
‘O valiant Prince, that fisher is not fine,
‘who for a frog will lose a golden lyne
‘the holy headband seemes not to attyre,
‘the head of him, who in his furious yre
‘preferrs the paine of those that haue him teend
‘before the health & saftie of one freend.
You may (my Lord) you may in litle fight,
subdue these Roags, & not to lose a knight.
Surprise me first their chiefest water spring
from whence these rebels do their conduits bring:
Thē drought shal driue thē frō their whole defēce,
In cords to yeld them to thine exellence.
‘The noble Lyon neuer sleas the least,
‘but alway prayes vpon some worthie beast.
‘The thunder throwes his sulphred shafts adowne
‘on Atlæas high or colde Riphes crowne.
‘The tempest fell more feruently doth fall,
‘on houses high, then on the homly hall.
So you my Lord need not to prease your powre,
Against such foes as will themselfs deuowre.
Sir, this is not for fauour or for neede,
Nor that this Citties sack may cause vs dreade.
Nor that we meane thy high attempts to stay,
For ere we from thy standarts stirre away,
For thee, th' immortall gods we shall defie,
For thee, we shall breake downe their alters hie:
For thee, we frankly shall pursue & thole,
th' eternall heat & colde of either Pole:
For thee, our hardy hands shall help to teare
From Ioue & Neptune, both their Eagle & speare:
For thee, the sonne for father shall not care:
Nor father sonne, nor brother, brother spare.
& giues them law, & holds the world in thrall,
set not thy soldiers, to assault this wall:
For neither bow, nor sling, nor weapons long,
nor sword, nor buckler, wilbe found so strong:
As is this threatning rock, whose mightie corse
sustaines their wall, of such eternall forse,
that thou can mak no skallade on no coste:
But on the corpses dead, of half thine hoste.
‘The victor can no honour iustly clame
‘to lose the men who should aduance the same.
‘O valiant Prince, that fisher is not fine,
‘who for a frog will lose a golden lyne
‘the holy headband seemes not to attyre,
‘the head of him, who in his furious yre
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‘before the health & saftie of one freend.
You may (my Lord) you may in litle fight,
subdue these Roags, & not to lose a knight.
Surprise me first their chiefest water spring
from whence these rebels do their conduits bring:
Thē drought shal driue thē frō their whole defēce,
In cords to yeld them to thine exellence.
‘The noble Lyon neuer sleas the least,
‘but alway prayes vpon some worthie beast.
‘The thunder throwes his sulphred shafts adowne
‘on Atlæas high or colde Riphes crowne.
‘The tempest fell more feruently doth fall,
‘on houses high, then on the homly hall.
So you my Lord need not to prease your powre,
Against such foes as will themselfs deuowre.
Sir, this is not for fauour or for neede,
Nor that this Citties sack may cause vs dreade.
Nor that we meane thy high attempts to stay,
For ere we from thy standarts stirre away,
For thee, th' immortall gods we shall defie,
For thee, we shall breake downe their alters hie:
For thee, we frankly shall pursue & thole,
th' eternall heat & colde of either Pole:
For thee, our hardy hands shall help to teare
From Ioue & Neptune, both their Eagle & speare:
For thee, the sonne for father shall not care:
Nor father sonne, nor brother, brother spare.
Now, Holopherne to conquest whole enclynde
And weing well this counsell in his minde:
Dismissed from his camp a galliard rout
Of men to guard the Riuers round about.
This stratageme, the Hebrews well might know
to see their fountaines runne with passage slowe.
Then manfully their soldiers out they send,
against their foes, the watter to defend.
There fought the Pagan for to winne him fame,
the Hebrew ment, hee would not dye with shame.
Together soone, they shock with hatefull yre,
And first, they forst the heathen to retyre:
who (turning face) againe do them pursewe,
& wins the victorie from the victors newe.
So doubtfull was the fight, none could define
(Saue God) to whome the victrie would encline:
till Izrell was on all sides ouercled
with clouds of shot, then to their towne they fled,
As doth the Pilgrim passing through the plaine,
who is beset with tempest, haile, or raine,
who leaues his way, and seekes himself to hide,
within some caue, or hollow mountaine side.
The Panims them pursued without all pittie,
and Peslmell entred almost in the Cittie
At open gate. Then rose the crye vnsweete
Of fearefull folke who fled in euerie streete,
And rent their haire & their affrighted face
as Panims els had wonne that holy place.
And weing well this counsell in his minde:
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Of men to guard the Riuers round about.
This stratageme, the Hebrews well might know
to see their fountaines runne with passage slowe.
Then manfully their soldiers out they send,
against their foes, the watter to defend.
There fought the Pagan for to winne him fame,
the Hebrew ment, hee would not dye with shame.
Together soone, they shock with hatefull yre,
And first, they forst the heathen to retyre:
who (turning face) againe do them pursewe,
& wins the victorie from the victors newe.
So doubtfull was the fight, none could define
(Saue God) to whome the victrie would encline:
till Izrell was on all sides ouercled
with clouds of shot, then to their towne they fled,
As doth the Pilgrim passing through the plaine,
who is beset with tempest, haile, or raine,
who leaues his way, and seekes himself to hide,
within some caue, or hollow mountaine side.
The Panims them pursued without all pittie,
and Peslmell entred almost in the Cittie
At open gate. Then rose the crye vnsweete
Of fearefull folke who fled in euerie streete,
And rent their haire & their affrighted face
as Panims els had wonne that holy place.
How flee you cowards now & leaues your Port?
(the Captaine sayes) haue ye another fort?
Thinke ye to finde for saftie of your crowne
In this Bethulia another Bethull towne?
(Alas) if ye make no defence at all,
while time this tyrant is without your wall.
How dare you him resist when he hath wunne
this forte of yours from which ye feebly runne?
The cōmōs with this chek, broght to their powers,
where Cambris & Sir Carmis like two towers,
Stoode at th' assaulted gate & did withstand
the Heathen host with ech of them in hand
An yron mace (in stead of launces long)
& brazen bucklers beating back the throng:
Their habergions like stiddies stithe they baire
with helmets high & pennons pight in aire:
Of equall age they were, & equall length,
Of equall courage, & of equall strength:
Like Poplers twaine that recheth vp their tops
& holds their heads so high that none thē crops:
But on the Riuers side do sweetely sway
Like germaine brether hailsing oft a day.
(the Captaine sayes) haue ye another fort?
Thinke ye to finde for saftie of your crowne
In this Bethulia another Bethull towne?
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while time this tyrant is without your wall.
How dare you him resist when he hath wunne
this forte of yours from which ye feebly runne?
The cōmōs with this chek, broght to their powers,
where Cambris & Sir Carmis like two towers,
Stoode at th' assaulted gate & did withstand
the Heathen host with ech of them in hand
An yron mace (in stead of launces long)
& brazen bucklers beating back the throng:
Their habergions like stiddies stithe they baire
with helmets high & pennons pight in aire:
Of equall age they were, & equall length,
Of equall courage, & of equall strength:
Like Poplers twaine that recheth vp their tops
& holds their heads so high that none thē crops:
But on the Riuers side do sweetely sway
Like germaine brether hailsing oft a day.
The Heathen seing thus the Iewes descend
with edge of sword their Citie to defend:
They left th' assault, and thence retyring went
(as they commanded were) vnto their tent.
with edge of sword their Citie to defend:
They left th' assault, and thence retyring went
(as they commanded were) vnto their tent.
But when I thinke how xxx. dayes that towne,
tormented was with mischiefe vp and downe.
Too sad a song I cannot heare inuent
So great a sadnesse right to represent.
My hand for horrour shakes, & now no more
Can lead my sacred pen as erst before:
For now mine eyes, that watred are with teares
Declares my matter all of mischief beares.
Oh Sprite from whence all sprit & life doth cōme,
thou losde the toung of Zacharie that was dōme.
and sent thy Heralds through the world to preach
thy name: And in a hundreth toungs to teach:
Guide thou my pen & courage to me lend,
that to thy honour I this worke may end.
tormented was with mischiefe vp and downe.
Too sad a song I cannot heare inuent
So great a sadnesse right to represent.
My hand for horrour shakes, & now no more
Can lead my sacred pen as erst before:
For now mine eyes, that watred are with teares
Declares my matter all of mischief beares.
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thou losde the toung of Zacharie that was dōme.
and sent thy Heralds through the world to preach
thy name: And in a hundreth toungs to teach:
Guide thou my pen & courage to me lend,
that to thy honour I this worke may end.
Although that Izak sawe on euerie hand
A world of folke against his towne to stand:
yet (tracting time) he thought hee would prouide
no lesse to keepe, then coole th' Assiegers pride.
But when they fand the conduits cut and rent,
By which, there water to their towne was sent:
Their courage bolde, & all their craks (alas)
As lickour faild, so did their stoutnesse pas.
A world of folke against his towne to stand:
yet (tracting time) he thought hee would prouide
no lesse to keepe, then coole th' Assiegers pride.
But when they fand the conduits cut and rent,
By which, there water to their towne was sent:
Their courage bolde, & all their craks (alas)
As lickour faild, so did their stoutnesse pas.
Their Lords preferring death to bondage vile,
Made them beleeue the thing did them beguile:
To wit, they gaue men hope that they might keep
sufficient watr'in wels, & ceasterns deepe:
Through all the towne, the people to relieue,
That thirst should not the soldiers greatly grieue.
The maiestrats in deed had great regard
To see this water wisely spent and spard,
that Bottell sweete, which serued at the first
to keepe the life, but not to slocken thirst.
When wels grew drye, the cōmons ran inrage
& sought out euerie sink their thrist t'asswage:
And drāk with lōgsom draught the pools in haste,
to quench their thirst with ilcontented taste:
which poysond ayre, enfect their purest breath:
whereby the drinker drank his present death.
Made them beleeue the thing did them beguile:
To wit, they gaue men hope that they might keep
sufficient watr'in wels, & ceasterns deepe:
Through all the towne, the people to relieue,
That thirst should not the soldiers greatly grieue.
The maiestrats in deed had great regard
To see this water wisely spent and spard,
that Bottell sweete, which serued at the first
to keepe the life, but not to slocken thirst.
When wels grew drye, the cōmons ran inrage
& sought out euerie sink their thrist t'asswage:
And drāk with lōgsom draught the pools in haste,
to quench their thirst with ilcontented taste:
which poysond ayre, enfect their purest breath:
whereby the drinker drank his present death.
42
O wretched folke, who felt so hard a strife,
Drink, or not drink, both ways must lose their life.
For he that drank, and he that did refraine,
Had of their enmies both an equall paine.
For why? the water vile slew them throughout,
No lesse, then did their enmies them about.
That wretched towne had neuer a strete nor rewe,
But Parcas their, had found some facion newe.
to murder men, or martyr them with feares,
As movde the most indurate hart to teares:
If so much water in their braines had beene,
as might forbeare a drop to wete their eene.
There plaind the oldman that the soldier strong,
Had reft his Bottell from his head with wrong:
But while he spak his hart (for thirst) did faint,
And life him left which frustrate his complaint.
The soldier braue, Oh hartbrek, for to tell
his proper vryne dranke thrist to expell.
The wofull mother with her spitle fed
Her litle childe half dead in cradle bed.
The Lady with her Lord at point of death,
Embracing fals & yelds their latest breath:
‘For cruell thirst came out of Cyren land
‘Where she was fostred on that burning sand,
‘with hote intracted toung, & soncken eene,
‘with stomack worne, & wrinkled visage keene,
‘with light & meigre corse and pailed vaines,
‘in stead of blood that brimstone hote retaines:
‘Her poysond mouth blew throw that holy town,
‘such hellish ayre, that stifled vp & down.
The Arters of the Iewes in such a way,
That noght was seene but burials night & daye.
So that the heavne, to see their dollours deepe,
Could scarsly keep his course, but preasd to weep:
And would haue ioind his teares to their cōplaint,
if God of hosts had made them no restraint.
Yea I my self must weepe, who cannot speake
the woes, that makes my heauie hart to breake.
And so will silent rest & not reherse,
But conterfait the painter (in my verse)
who thought his coulours paile could not declare,
the speciall woe, king Agamemnon bare,
when sacrificed was his onely race:
with bend of black, he bound the fathers face.
Drink, or not drink, both ways must lose their life.
For he that drank, and he that did refraine,
Had of their enmies both an equall paine.
For why? the water vile slew them throughout,
No lesse, then did their enmies them about.
That wretched towne had neuer a strete nor rewe,
But Parcas their, had found some facion newe.
to murder men, or martyr them with feares,
As movde the most indurate hart to teares:
If so much water in their braines had beene,
as might forbeare a drop to wete their eene.
There plaind the oldman that the soldier strong,
Had reft his Bottell from his head with wrong:
But while he spak his hart (for thirst) did faint,
And life him left which frustrate his complaint.
The soldier braue, Oh hartbrek, for to tell
his proper vryne dranke thrist to expell.
The wofull mother with her spitle fed
Her litle childe half dead in cradle bed.
The Lady with her Lord at point of death,
Embracing fals & yelds their latest breath:
‘For cruell thirst came out of Cyren land
‘Where she was fostred on that burning sand,
‘with hote intracted toung, & soncken eene,
‘with stomack worne, & wrinkled visage keene,
‘with light & meigre corse and pailed vaines,
‘in stead of blood that brimstone hote retaines:
‘Her poysond mouth blew throw that holy town,
‘such hellish ayre, that stifled vp & down.
43
That noght was seene but burials night & daye.
So that the heavne, to see their dollours deepe,
Could scarsly keep his course, but preasd to weep:
And would haue ioind his teares to their cōplaint,
if God of hosts had made them no restraint.
Yea I my self must weepe, who cannot speake
the woes, that makes my heauie hart to breake.
And so will silent rest & not reherse,
But conterfait the painter (in my verse)
who thought his coulours paile could not declare,
the speciall woe, king Agamemnon bare,
when sacrificed was his onely race:
with bend of black, he bound the fathers face.
Now while the people were in this estate
& with their princes wrangling in debate,
They thus besought the lord for to decide
betweene their simplesse & their princes pride.
The lord be iudge of that which ye haue wrought
& what your wicked counsells hath vs brought.
If you had offred peace to this great Lord
At first, we might haue wonne him to accord.
Then happie happie dayes we might haue seene,
& not so many souldiers murdred beene.
Alas what hope haue we within this holde
Our enmies are more meeke a thousand folde.
Then are our owne: they, haps, would vs preserue,
our wilfull owne, pretends to see vs sterue.
Our children do our childrens weale denay,
& headlong hastes vnto their owne decay.
VVe know, ô Lord, the breaking of thy lawe,
hath caused thee this sword on vs to drawe
& iustly thou thine yrefull bow doest bend
on our vnloyall heads the shot to send.
But thou, who doth not long retaine thine yre,
Against thine owne, thy mercie we require.
Change thou the purpose of our foolish guides,
& of these Heathen, armed at our sides.
Or els let vs vpon their weapons fall,
& of their hands to be distroyed all:
Or we this drougth & deadly venim haue,
with languishing to send vs to the graue.
& with their princes wrangling in debate,
They thus besought the lord for to decide
betweene their simplesse & their princes pride.
The lord be iudge of that which ye haue wrought
& what your wicked counsells hath vs brought.
If you had offred peace to this great Lord
At first, we might haue wonne him to accord.
Then happie happie dayes we might haue seene,
& not so many souldiers murdred beene.
Alas what hope haue we within this holde
Our enmies are more meeke a thousand folde.
Then are our owne: they, haps, would vs preserue,
our wilfull owne, pretends to see vs sterue.
Our children do our childrens weale denay,
& headlong hastes vnto their owne decay.
44
hath caused thee this sword on vs to drawe
& iustly thou thine yrefull bow doest bend
on our vnloyall heads the shot to send.
But thou, who doth not long retaine thine yre,
Against thine owne, thy mercie we require.
Change thou the purpose of our foolish guides,
& of these Heathen, armed at our sides.
Or els let vs vpon their weapons fall,
& of their hands to be distroyed all:
Or we this drougth & deadly venim haue,
with languishing to send vs to the graue.
My brethen deare (the ruler then gan say)
our whole desire hath beene both night & day.
Not for to see the seede of Abrham loste,
for which we striue against this furious hoste.
VVhat? haue ye paine? so likewise paine haue we:
For in one bote we both imbarked be.
Vpon one tide, one tempest doeth vs tosse,
Your common ill, it is our common losse.
Th' Assyrian plague shall not vs Hebrews grieue,
when pleaseth God our mischiefe to relieue,
which he will doe if ye can be content
& not with grudge his clemencie preuent.
Then striue not you against that puissant king
who creat all, and gouerns euerie thing
For confort of his church & children deare,
& succours them though time do long appeare.
Sometime an Archer leaues his bow vnbent
& hong vpon an naile to that intent:
It may the stronger be to bend againe,
And shoot the shot with greater might & maine:
Right so th' eternall doth witholde his ill
A longer time (perchaunce) for that he will
More egerly reuenge him of their crime,
who do abuse his long forbearing time.
When men applauds to sinne, they count it light,
And but a matter small in sinners sight.
But in the end the weight doth so encrease,
that Iustice leaues the sinner no release,
Like th' Vserer who lends vpon the skore,
& maks the reckles debters debt the more.
What if the thundring Lord his iustice stay,
And (for such sinne) do not this tyrant slay?
The waters of the ground and in the aere,
Are in the hand of God, then who is there,
that dare sediciously his yoke refuse,
Although he haue not water now to vse?
No, no, though heavne do seeme serene & cleare,
On euerie part, & wete doth not appeare.
He may with moisture mildly wete the land,
As fell when Saull the Scepter had in hand:
For all the starres that do the heavne fulfill,
Are all but executors of his will.
our whole desire hath beene both night & day.
Not for to see the seede of Abrham loste,
for which we striue against this furious hoste.
VVhat? haue ye paine? so likewise paine haue we:
For in one bote we both imbarked be.
Vpon one tide, one tempest doeth vs tosse,
Your common ill, it is our common losse.
Th' Assyrian plague shall not vs Hebrews grieue,
when pleaseth God our mischiefe to relieue,
which he will doe if ye can be content
& not with grudge his clemencie preuent.
Then striue not you against that puissant king
who creat all, and gouerns euerie thing
For confort of his church & children deare,
& succours them though time do long appeare.
Sometime an Archer leaues his bow vnbent
& hong vpon an naile to that intent:
45
And shoot the shot with greater might & maine:
Right so th' eternall doth witholde his ill
A longer time (perchaunce) for that he will
More egerly reuenge him of their crime,
who do abuse his long forbearing time.
When men applauds to sinne, they count it light,
And but a matter small in sinners sight.
But in the end the weight doth so encrease,
that Iustice leaues the sinner no release,
Like th' Vserer who lends vpon the skore,
& maks the reckles debters debt the more.
What if the thundring Lord his iustice stay,
And (for such sinne) do not this tyrant slay?
The waters of the ground and in the aere,
Are in the hand of God, then who is there,
that dare sediciously his yoke refuse,
Although he haue not water now to vse?
No, no, though heavne do seeme serene & cleare,
On euerie part, & wete doth not appeare.
He may with moisture mildly wete the land,
As fell when Saull the Scepter had in hand:
For all the starres that do the heavne fulfill,
Are all but executors of his will.
All this could not the peoples thrist asswage,
But thus with murmurs they their Lords outrage:
what? shall we dye, ô sacred soldiers bolde,
for pleasure of our lords these traytours olde?
what? shall we dye on credit, for to please
These wyzard fooles who winks at our vnease,
who with our blood, would win thē selfs renown,
So louable, as neuer shall go downe?
Nay, nay, let vs cut off this seruile chaine,
to free our selfs, let vs in hands retaine
the ruling of this towne, the forte and all:
Least we into these deadly dangers fall.
But thus with murmurs they their Lords outrage:
what? shall we dye, ô sacred soldiers bolde,
for pleasure of our lords these traytours olde?
what? shall we dye on credit, for to please
These wyzard fooles who winks at our vnease,
46
So louable, as neuer shall go downe?
Nay, nay, let vs cut off this seruile chaine,
to free our selfs, let vs in hands retaine
the ruling of this towne, the forte and all:
Least we into these deadly dangers fall.
Then like a wise Phisitian who persaues
His patient that in feruent feuer raues:
Yet hights him more then Art can well performe
So Prince Osias in this rurall storme,
He promist to the people their intent
If God within fiue dayes no succour sent.
Then Izak left their sorrowes all and some,
& present wo and feare of chaunce to come
for that, if they through this, gat not their will:
At least they would auoyd, the greatest ill.
His patient that in feruent feuer raues:
Yet hights him more then Art can well performe
So Prince Osias in this rurall storme,
He promist to the people their intent
If God within fiue dayes no succour sent.
Then Izak left their sorrowes all and some,
& present wo and feare of chaunce to come
for that, if they through this, gat not their will:
At least they would auoyd, the greatest ill.
But Iudtih thē whose eyes (like fountains two)
were neuer dry which witnest well her wo:
Right sad in sound th' Almightie she besought,
And on the sacred scriptures fed her thought?
Her prayers much auailde to raise her spreete
Aboue the skye & so, the scriptures sweete:
A holy garden was where she might finde,
the medcyne meete for her molested minde.
Then Iudith reading there as was her grace:
She (not by hazard) hapned on that place,
where the lamehanded Ahud (for disdaine
to see the Iewes the Heathen yock sustaine)
Smote Eglon with a dagger to the heft,
And from his flanke the blood and life bereft.
The more she red, the more she wonder had
of Ahuds act, and hote desire her lad
t'ensue his vertue: yet her feeble kinde
Empeached oft the purpose of her minde
Proposing oft the horrour of the deed,
The feare of death, the danger to succeede,
with haszard of her name, and more then that,
Though she likewise the peoples freedome gat:
yet for a man, this act more seemly weare,
than for a wife to handle sword of speare:
were neuer dry which witnest well her wo:
Right sad in sound th' Almightie she besought,
And on the sacred scriptures fed her thought?
Her prayers much auailde to raise her spreete
Aboue the skye & so, the scriptures sweete:
A holy garden was where she might finde,
the medcyne meete for her molested minde.
Then Iudith reading there as was her grace:
She (not by hazard) hapned on that place,
where the lamehanded Ahud (for disdaine
to see the Iewes the Heathen yock sustaine)
Smote Eglon with a dagger to the heft,
And from his flanke the blood and life bereft.
47
of Ahuds act, and hote desire her lad
t'ensue his vertue: yet her feeble kinde
Empeached oft the purpose of her minde
Proposing oft the horrour of the deed,
The feare of death, the danger to succeede,
with haszard of her name, and more then that,
Though she likewise the peoples freedome gat:
yet for a man, this act more seemly weare,
than for a wife to handle sword of speare:
VVhile Iudith thus with Iudith did debate,
a puft of wind blew downe that leafe by fate:
Discovring vp the storie of Iacll how
she droue a naile into Sisaras brow,
And slew that Pagan sleeping on her bed
VVho from the Hebrewes furious hoste was fled.
In teaching vs albeit a tyrant flee,
yet can he not auoyde the lords decree.
a puft of wind blew downe that leafe by fate:
Discovring vp the storie of Iacll how
she droue a naile into Sisaras brow,
And slew that Pagan sleeping on her bed
VVho from the Hebrewes furious hoste was fled.
In teaching vs albeit a tyrant flee,
yet can he not auoyde the lords decree.
This last example now such courage lent,
to feeble Iudith that she now was bent:
with wreakfull blade to sley & to deuorse
the Heathen soule from such a sinfull corse.
But while she did her carefull minde imploy
to find some meanes to murder this Vizroy:
She hard report (that made her hart to swoune)
Of the determination of the toune:
Then all the present perils to preuent,
Vnto the rulers of the towne she went:
Reprouing then with words of bitter sweete,
what do ye meane? O princes indiscreete.
Will ye the helping hand of God restraine,
And captiue it within your councels vaine?
VVill ye include him vnder course of tymes,
who made days, yeares, all seasons & their prymes:
Do not abuse your selfs, his power profound
Is not to mens Imaginations bound:
God may all that he wills, his will is iust,
God wils all good to them that in him trust.
Now fathers: that which doth my hope reuiue
Is onely this: there is no wight on liue:
within this towne that hath contracted hands,
to serue dūme gods like folke of forraine lands.
All sinnes are sinne, but sure this sinne exceeds
our former faults, by which our blind misdeeds
offends the heavne, by which the lord of might,
Is frauded of his honours due & right.
In wresting of the titles of his name:
To stocks, and stones, and mettels, men do frame.
Since Izak then from such a fault is free,
Let vs to gods protection cast our ee.
Consider that all Iuda rests in feare,
Aspecting onely our proceedings heare.
Consider that all Iacob in this tresse
will follow either-our force or feeblenesse.
Consider that this house and alter stands
(next vnder God) vpholden with your hands.
Thinke that of Izrell whole ye keepe the kaye
which if ye quite & giue this tyrant waye.
VVho more then death hates all of Izaks kinne,
we shall the name of kinbetrayers winne.
Then sayd the Captaine I cannot denye,
that we offended haue the Lord most hye.
Vnwise are we, our promises are vaine,
But what? we may not call our word againe.
But if thou feele thy hart so sore opprest,
that moueth thee to teares for our vnrest,
Alas, weep night & day and neuer tyre,
So that thy weepings may appease the yre
Of that hie Iudge, who heares in euerie parte
the perfit prayer of the humble harte.
to feeble Iudith that she now was bent:
with wreakfull blade to sley & to deuorse
the Heathen soule from such a sinfull corse.
But while she did her carefull minde imploy
to find some meanes to murder this Vizroy:
She hard report (that made her hart to swoune)
Of the determination of the toune:
Then all the present perils to preuent,
Vnto the rulers of the towne she went:
Reprouing then with words of bitter sweete,
what do ye meane? O princes indiscreete.
48
And captiue it within your councels vaine?
VVill ye include him vnder course of tymes,
who made days, yeares, all seasons & their prymes:
Do not abuse your selfs, his power profound
Is not to mens Imaginations bound:
God may all that he wills, his will is iust,
God wils all good to them that in him trust.
Now fathers: that which doth my hope reuiue
Is onely this: there is no wight on liue:
within this towne that hath contracted hands,
to serue dūme gods like folke of forraine lands.
All sinnes are sinne, but sure this sinne exceeds
our former faults, by which our blind misdeeds
offends the heavne, by which the lord of might,
Is frauded of his honours due & right.
In wresting of the titles of his name:
To stocks, and stones, and mettels, men do frame.
Since Izak then from such a fault is free,
Let vs to gods protection cast our ee.
Consider that all Iuda rests in feare,
Aspecting onely our proceedings heare.
Consider that all Iacob in this tresse
will follow either-our force or feeblenesse.
Consider that this house and alter stands
(next vnder God) vpholden with your hands.
Thinke that of Izrell whole ye keepe the kaye
which if ye quite & giue this tyrant waye.
VVho more then death hates all of Izaks kinne,
we shall the name of kinbetrayers winne.
49
that we offended haue the Lord most hye.
Vnwise are we, our promises are vaine,
But what? we may not call our word againe.
But if thou feele thy hart so sore opprest,
that moueth thee to teares for our vnrest,
Alas, weep night & day and neuer tyre,
So that thy weepings may appease the yre
Of that hie Iudge, who heares in euerie parte
the perfit prayer of the humble harte.
I will (quoth she) and if god giue me grace
Repell the siege of this afflicted place
By famous stroke. But stay me in no wise,
But byde the ende of my bold enterprise:
And let me goe when night his mantle spreeds
to th' enmies Camp (quod he) if thou wilt needs,
The great repressour of oppressors pride
Preserue thy hart and hand, and be thy guide.
Repell the siege of this afflicted place
By famous stroke. But stay me in no wise,
But byde the ende of my bold enterprise:
And let me goe when night his mantle spreeds
to th' enmies Camp (quod he) if thou wilt needs,
The great repressour of oppressors pride
Preserue thy hart and hand, and be thy guide.
FINIS.
| The Historie of Ivdith in Forme of a Poeme | |