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Arfaxath forsothe, king of Meedis, hadde put vnder ȝoc manie Jentilis to his empire; and he bilde vp a cite most myȝti, that he clepede Egbatenys. Of square stones and hewen he made his wallis, in heiȝte of seuenti cubitus, and in breede of thretti cubitus. His tourys forsothe he sette in heiȝte of an hundrid cubitis. Bi square forsothe of hem either side was strecchid, in space of twenti feet; and he putte his ȝatis in the heiȝte of the touris. And he gloriede, as myȝti in myȝt of his ost, and in glorie of his foure horsid carris. The twelfthe ȝer therfore of his regne, Nabugodonosor, king of Assiries, that regnede in the grete cite of Nynyue, faȝt aȝen Arfaxath, and waan hym in the grete feld, that is clepid Ragau, aboute Eufraten, and Tigre, and Jodasan, in the feld of Erioth, king of Elikis. Thanne is enhauncid vp the reume of Nabugodonosor, and his herte is rerid; and he sente to alle, that dwelten in Cicilie, and Damasch, and Lyban, and to the Jentilis, that ben in Carmel and Cedar, and to the dwelleris in Galilee, and in the grete feld of Esdrelon, and to alle, that weren in Samarie, and beȝonde Jordan flod, vnto Jerusalem; and to al the lond of Jesse, to that me cometh to the hillis of Ethiope. To alle these Nabugodonosor, king of Assiries, sente messageres; the whiche alle with o wil withseiden, and thei senten hem aȝeen voide, and with oute wrshipe casten awei. Thanne endeyned king Nabugodonosor to al that lond, swor bi the rewme and his trone, that he shulde defenden hym fro alle thoo regiounus.
The threttenthe ȝer of Nabugodonosor king, the two and twentithe dai of the firste moneth, ther is don a woord in the hous off Nabugodonosor, king of Assiries, that he shulde defenden hym. And he clepede to hym alle the more thurȝ birthe, and alle the dukis, his fiȝteres; and he hadde with hem the priuyte of his counseil. And he seide his thenking in hym to ben, that al the erthe he shulde vnder ȝoke to his empire. The whiche sawe whan it pleside to alle men, king Nabugodonosor clepede Olofernes, prince of his chiualrie, and seide to hym, Go out aȝen eche reume of the west, and aȝen hem nameli, that despiseden myn empire. And thi eȝe spare not to any reume, and alle strengthid cite thou shalt vnderȝoke to me. Thanne Olofernes clepyde dukis and the maister domys men of the vertue of Assiries, and noumbrede men in to the speding, as the king comaundede to hym, an hundrid and twenti thousend of fiȝtende foot men, and horse men and archeris twelf thousend. And al his ost redi he made to go before in multitude of vnnoumbrable camailis, with thoo that shulden suffisen plenteuousli to the ostis, of oxen also droues, and flockis of shep, of the whiche was no noumbre. Whete of al Cirie in his going he ordeynede to be maad redi. Myche forsothe gold and siluer of the hous of the king he toc ful myche. And he wente forth, he, and al the ost, with foure horsid cartis, and horse men, and archeris, that couereden the face of the erthe, as locustus. And whan he hadde ouerpassid the coostus of Assiries, he cam to the grete hillis of Auge, that ben fro the lift side of Cicilie; and he steȝede vp alle the castelis of hem, and weldede eche hold strengthid. Forsothe he brac out the most riche cite Melothi, and spoilide alle the sonus of Tarsis, and the sonus of Ismael, that weren aȝen the face of desert, and at the south of the lond of Celeon. And he passide ouer Eufraten, and cam in to Mesopotanee, and brac alle the heȝe cites that weren there, fro the strem of Mambre vn to it be ful come to the se. And he ocupiede the termes of it fro Cicilie vn to the coostus of Jafeth, that ben to the south. And he broȝte alle the sonus of Madian, and spoilide alle the richessis of hem; and alle with stondende to hym he sloȝ in the mouth of the swerd. And after these thingus he cam doun in to the feldis of Damasch, in the daȝes of rep, and he brende vp alle the sowen thingus, and alle trees and vynes he made to ben hewen doun; and the drede of hym fel vp alle the dwelleris in the lond.
Thanne thei senten ther legatus of alle cites and prouyncis, the kingus and the princis of Cirie, that is, of Mesopotanie, and of Cirie Sobal, and of Libie, and of Cicilie. The whiche comende to Olofernen, seiden, Cese thin indignacioun aboute vs; betere forsothe it is that liuende wee serue to Nabugodonosor, the grete king, and soget wee be to thee, than diende with oure deth wee vsself suffre the harmys of oure seruyse. Al oure cite, al oure possessioun, alle hillis, and litle hillis, and feldis, and droues of oxen, and flockis of shep, and of she get, and of hors, and of camailis, and alle oure facultees and meynes in thi siȝte ben; alle thingus ben vndir thi lawe. Wee also and oure sonus ben thy seruauns. Cum to vs a pesible lord, and vse oure seruyse, as it pleseth to thee. Thanne he cam doun fro the hillis, with horsmen in gret vertue, and weldede eche cite, and alle men dwellende in the lond. Of alle forsothe cites he toc to hym helperis, stronge men and chosen to bataile. And so myche drede to that prouynce fel in, that of alle cites the dwelleris, princys and wrshipeful men, togidre with the puple wenten out in to meeting to hym comende, resceyuende hym with crounus and laumpis, ledende dauncis in trumpis and timbris. And ȝit ner the latere these thingus doende thei myȝten not swagen the feerste of his brest; for and ther cites he destroȝede, and ther maumet wodus he heew doun. Forsothe king Nabugodonosor hadde comaundid to hym, that alle the goddis of the lond he shulde outlawen, that is, that he god alone were seid of these naciouns, that myȝten ben vnderȝokid bi the myȝt of Olofernes. Passende forsothe Cirie Sobal, and al Appanyam, and al Mesopotanye, cam to Idumes in the lond of Gabaa; and he toc the cites of hem, and sat there bi thretti daȝes, in whiche daȝes he comaundede to be gedered togidere al the ost of his vertue.
Thanne herende the sonus of Irael these thingus, that dwelten in the lond of Juda, dredden gretli fro the face of hym. Drede also and orrour assailede the wittus of hem, lest that he shulde do to Jerusalem and to the temple of the Lord, that he hadde do to othere cites and to ther templis. And thei senten in to al Samarie, bi enuyroun vnto Jericho, and thei ocupieden beforn alle the coppis of hillis; and with wallis thei enuyrouneden ther tounus, and gedereden whetis in to the befor greithing of fiȝt. The prest also Eliachym wrot to alle, that weren aboute Esdrelon, that is aȝen the face of the grete feld biside Dotaym, and to alle bi whom passing myȝte be, that thei welde the steȝingus vp of hillis, bi whiche weie myȝte be to Jerusalem, and there thei shulden kepe, where myȝte be streit weie betwen hillis. And the sonus of Irael diden after that Eleachym, the prest of the Lord, hadde ordeined to hem. And al the puple criede to the Lord with gret instaunce, and mekeden ther soulis in fastingus, thei and ther wymmen. And the prestus clothiden hemselue with heiris, and the ȝunge childer threwen hemself doun befor the face of the temple of the Lord, and the auter of the Lord thei couereden with an heire. And thei crieden to the Lord God of Irael alle togidere, lest weren ȝyuen ther childer in to prei, and ther wyues in to deuyseoun, and ther cites in to destruccioun, and the holi thingus of hem in to pollucioun. Thanne Eleachym, the grete prest of the Lord, enuyrounede al Irael, and spac to hem, seiende, Witeth, for the Lord hath herd oure preȝeeris, if dwellende ȝee abijde stille in fastingus and in preȝeeris in the siȝte of the Lord. Beth myndeful of Moises, the seruaunt of the Lord, that cast doun Amalech trostende in his vertue, and in his myȝt, and in his ost, and in his targetis, and in his charis, and in his horsemen, not with iryn fiȝtende, but with holi preȝeeris preȝende; so shul ben born doun alle the enemys of Irael, if ȝee stedefastli abijden in this werk, that ȝee han begunne. Therfore at this exhortacioun of hym thei, preȝende the Lord, abiden stille in the siȝte of the Lord, so that also these, that brent sacrifises offriden to the Lord, gird with heiris offriden sacrifise to the Lord, and ther was askis vpon the hed of hem. And of al ther herte alle preȝeden God, that he shulde visiten his puple Irael.
And it is told to Olofernes, prince of the chiualrie of Assiries, that the sonus of Irael maden hem redi to withstonden, and that thei hadden closid the weies of hillis. And with ful myche wodnesse he brende out in to gret wrathe; and he clepide alle the princis of Moab, and dukis of Amon, and seide to hem, Seith to me, who ben thise puple, that the hillis segen; and what maner, and hou fele ben the cites of hem; what also be the vertue of hem, or what be the multitude of hem, or who be the king of the chiualrie of hem; whi beforn alle, that dwellen in the est, these dispisiden me, and wenten not oute to meeten with vs, that thei shulden taken vs with pes? Thanne Achior, duke of alle the sonus of Amon, answerende, seith, If thou vouche saaf to here, my lord, I shal sei the treuthe in thi siȝt of this puple that in the mountaynes dwellith, and ther shal not go out a fals woord of my mouth. This puple is of the progenye of Caldeis; this first in Mesopotanye dwelte; for thei wolde not folewe the godis of ther fadris, that weren in the lond of Caldeis. And so forsakende the cerimoynes of ther fadris, that with the multitude of godis weren, o God of heuene thei herieden, the whiche and comaundede to hem, that thei shulden gon out thennus, and dwelle in Carram. And whan hungir hadde ouercouered al the lond, thei wenten doun into Egipt, and there bi foure hundrid ȝer so ben multiplied, that the ost of hem myȝte not ben noumbrid. And whan the king of Egipt hadde greued hem, and in bildingus of his cites in clei and tijl hadde vnderȝokid hem, thei crieden to ther God, and he smot al the lond of Egipt with diuerse veniauncis. And whan Egipcyenus hadden cast hem out fro hem, and veniaunce hadde cesid fro hem, and eft thei wolden hem taken, and to their seruise aȝeen clepen, hem fleende, God of heuene openede the se, so that on either side the watris as wallis weren maad sad, and thei drie foot the ground of the se goende passeden ouer. In the whiche place whil the vnnoumbrable ost of Egipcienus them shulde pursuen, so with watris it is couered, that ther lafte not ne oon, that the deede to after comeres shulde telle. Also, gon out the Rede Se, thei wenten aȝen the desertus of the mountus of Sina, in the whiche neuere man myȝte dwellen, or sone of man restide. There bitter wellis ben maad swete to them to drinke; and bi fourti ȝer ȝeris frute fro heuene thei geeten. Wher euere thei wenten in, with oute bowe and arwe, and with oute sheld and swerd ther God faȝt for hem, and ouercam. And ther was not that shulde asailen to that puple, but whan it wente awei fro the heriyng of the Lord his God. As ofte sithes forsothe biside hym ther God an other thei herieden, thei ben ȝiuen in to prei, and in to swerd, and in to repref. As ofte sithes forsothe thei othoȝten themself to han gon awey fro the heriyng of ther God, God of heuene ȝaf to hem vertue of withstonding. Ferthermore king Cananee, and Jebusee, and Feresee, and Ethee, and Euee, and Amorree, and alle the myȝti men in Esebon thei threwe doun, and the londis of hem, and the citees of hem thei weldeden; and vnto the time that thei hadden synned in the siȝte of ther God, goodis weren with hem, the God forsothe of hem hateth wickenesse. For and befor these ȝerys, whan thei hadden gon awei fro the weie that God hadde ȝiue to them, that thei shulden gon in it, thei ben destroȝid with manye batailis of naciouns, and manye of hem ben lad caitif in to a lond not theris. Forsothe not ȝore ago, turned aȝeen to the Lord ther God, fro the scatering that thei weren scaterid, thei ben gedered in to oon; and thei steȝeden vp alle these mounteynes, and eft welden Jerusalem, wher ben the holi thingus of halewis. Now thanne, my lord, enserche, if ther is any wickednesse of hem in the siȝte of ther God, and steȝe wee vp to hem; for takende he shal taken hem ther God to thee, and vnderȝokid shul ben vnder the ȝoc of thi myȝt. If forsothe ther is noon offencioun of this puple befor ther God, wee shul not moun withstonde to them; for ther God shal defende them, and wee shul ben in to repref of al erthe. And it is do, whan Achior hadde cesid to speken these woordis, alle the grete men of Olofernes ben wrothe, and thoȝten to slen hym, seiende, either to other, Who is he this that seith, the sonus of Irael to moun withstonde to king Nabugodonosor and to his ostus, men with oute armys, and with oute vertue, and with oute wisdam of the craft of fiȝting? That thanne Achior knowe, for he bigileth vs, steȝe wee vp in to the mountaines; and whan the myȝti men of hem weren taken, thanne with the same he shal ben smyte thurȝ with swerd; that alle folc knowen, for Nabugodonosor is god vpon erthe, and bisides hym ys not an othir.
It is do forsothe, whan thei hadden cesid to speken, Olofernes, endeyned hugeli, seide to Achior, For thou hast profecied to vs, seiende, that the folc of Irael was defendid of ther God, that I shewe to thee, that ther is no god but Nabugodonosor; whan wee han smyte them alle as o man, thanne and thiself with hem with the swerd of Assiries shalt dien, and al Irael with thee shal dispershen in perdicioun; and thou shalt preue, for Nabugodonosor be lord of al erthe; and thanne the swerd of my knyȝthod shal passe thurȝ thi sidis, and stikid thou shalt fallen among the woundid men of Irael, and thou shalt no mor take breth, to the time that thou be put out of the lond with hem. But forsothe if thi profecie soth thou weene, falle not doun thi chere; and the palenesse that withholdeth thi face, go awei fro thee, if these my woordis thou weenest not to moun be fulfild. Forsothe that thou knowe, for togidere with them that thou shalt knowe bi experiense, lo! fro this hour thou shalt be felashipid to the puple of hem, and whan wrthi peynes of my swerd thei han taken, thiself shalt vnderlin to lic veniaunce. Thanne Olofernes comaundide to his seruauns, that thei shulden taken Achior, and leden hym in to Betulie, and taken hym in the hond of the sonus of Irael. And the seruauns of Olofernes, takende hym, wenten bi the wilde feldis, but whan thei hadden neȝhed to the mounteynes, wenten out aȝen hem slingeres. Thei forsothe, turnende aside fro the side of the hil, bounden Achior to a tree hondus and feet, and so bounden of cordis thei laften hym, and ben turned aȝeen to ther lord. But the sonus of Irael, comende doun fro Betulie, camen to hym, whom loosende thei ladden to Betulie, and in to the myddel of the puple hym settende askeden hym, what of thingus it were, that hym bounde the Assiries hadden laft. In thoo daȝes weren there princis, Osias, the sone of Myca, of the linage of Symeon, and Carmy, the whiche and Gothonyel. And so in the myddel of the elders, and in the siȝte of alle men, Achior seide alle thingus, that he askid of Olofernes hadde spoken, and what maner the puple of Olofernes wolde for this woord slen hym, and what maner he Olofernes wroth comaundede hym to be take to the men of Irael for this cause, that whil he shulde ouercome the sonus of Irael, thanne and that Achior he comaunde with dyuers tormentus to dien, for that that he hadde seid, God of heuene is the defendere of hem. And whan alle thingus Achior hadde expouned, al the puple fel in to the face, honourende the Lord; and with comun lamenting and weping alle of o wil ther preȝeeris to the Lord helden out, seiende, Lord God of heuene and of erthe, see the pride of hem, and beholde to oure meknesse, and to the face of thi halewis tac heede, and shewȝ for thou forsakist not that befor alle thingus taken trost of thee, and principally takende trost of hemself, and of ther vertue gloriende thou meekist. And so the weping endid, and bi al the dai the orisoun of the puple fulfild, thei coumforteden Achior, seiende, God of oure fadris, whos vertue thou hast prechid, he ȝeldere to thee this recompensacioun shal ȝiue, that thou rathere see the deth of hem. Whan forsothe the Lord oure God shal ȝiue this fredam to his seruauns, be and the Lord with thee in the myddel of vs, that as it shal plese to thee, so with alle thine thou dwelle. Thanne Osias, the counseil endid, toc hym in to his hous, and made a gret soper. And, alle the prestus clepid togidere, the fasting fulfild, thei eeten. After forsothe, al the puple clepid togidere, thurȝ out al the nyȝt withinne the chirche thei preȝeden, askende helpe of the God of Irael.
Olofernes forsothe that tother dai comaundide to his ostus, that thei shulden steȝe vp aȝen Betulie. Ther weren forsothe footmen of fiȝteres an hundrid and twenti thousend, and horse men twelue thousend, biside the redi cumpanyes of thoo men, whom caitifte hadde ocupied, and weren broȝt fro prouyncis and cites, of alle ȝouthe. Alle togidere maden themself redi to the fiȝt aȝen the sones of Irael; and thei camen bi the brinke of the hil vnto the cop, that beholdeth Dotaym, fro the place that is seid Belena vnto Selmon, that is aȝen Esdrelon. The sones forsothe of Irael, as thei seȝen the multitude of hem, thei threwen themself doun vpon the erthe, puttende askis vpon ther hedis, togidere of o wil preȝende, that God of Irael his merci shewe vp on his puple. And takende ther armys of bataile, seten bi the placis that leden the path of streit weie betwe the hilli placis, and thei weren kepende them al dai and nyȝt. But Olofernes, whil he goth aboute bi cumpas, fond that a welle, that flowide in to the watir condute of them, fro the south partie out of the cite diuersli reulide, and comaundede to ben hewe doun the water cundute of hem. Ner the latere ther weren not fer from the wallis wellis, of the whiche theefli thei weren seen to drawe water, rathere to refreshen than to drinken. But the sonus of Amon and of Moab wenten to Olofernes, seiende, The sones of Irael not in spere and arewe trosten, but the mountaynes defenden hem, and strengthen hem the litle hillis sett in a dich broken beforn. Thanne that with oute going to fiȝt thou mowe ouercome them, put keperis of wellis, that thei drawe not of hem; and with oute swerd thou shalt slen hem, or certis weried thei shuln take ther cite, the whiche thei weenen in the hillis to moun not ben ouercome. And these woordis pleseden beforn Olofernes, and beforn alle his cruel knyȝtus; and he sette bi enuyroun hundredis bi alle the wellis. And whan this warde bi twenti daȝis was ful ended, faileden the cisternes and the gederingis of watris to alle the dwelleris in Betulie, so that ther was not with inne the cite, wher of thei myȝten han ynowȝ or for o dai, for at mesure watir was ȝiue to the puplis eche dai. Thanne to Osias alle men and wymmen, and ȝunge men, and litle childer, gadered togidere, alle togidere with o vois seiden, The Lord deme betwen vs and thee, for thou hast don in to vs euelys, not willende to speken pesibli with the Assiries, and for that God hath sold vs in the hondis of hem. And therfore ther is not that helpeth, whan wee ben throwe doun befor the eȝen of hem in thrist, and in gret perdicioun. And now gedereth alle men, that ben in this citee, that wilfulli wee of al the puple taken vs to Olofernes. Betere it is that caitif wee blisse God liuende, than wee die, and be repref to alle flesh, whan wee seen oure wiues and oure childer dien beforn oure eȝen. Wee taken to witnesse to dai heuene and erthe, and God of oure fadris, that doth veniaunce on vs after oure synnes, that now ȝee take the cite in the hond of the chiualrie of Olofernes, that oure ende be short in the mouth of swerd, that lengere is maad in droȝte of thrist. And whan these thingis thei hadden seid, weping and gret ȝelling is maad in a gret chirche of alle men, and bi manye houris with o vois thei crieden to the Lord, seiende, Wee han synned with oure fadris, vnriȝtwisli wee han don, wickednesse wee han maad. For thou art piteuous, haue merci on vs, and in thi scourge venge oure wickednessis; and wile thou not taken men knoulechende thee to the puple that knowith not thee, that thei sei not among Jentilis, Where is the God of hem? And whan, trauailid with these cries and these wepingis, thei weren weri, Osias risende, the teris inshed, seide, Euene inwit beth, brethern, and these fiue daȝes bijde wee of the Lord mercy; parauenture forsothe his indignacioun he shal putten awei, and ȝiue glorie to his name. If forsothe, fiue daȝes passid ouer, helpe cometh not, wee shul do these woordis that ȝee han spoken.
And it is do, whan these woordis hadde herd Judit, widewe, that was the doȝter of Merari, sone of Idor, sone of Joseph, sone of Ozie, sone of Elai, sone of Jamnor, sone of Jedeon, sone of Rafoni, sone of Achitob, sone of Melchie, sone of Euam, sone of Mathanye, sone of Salathiel, sone of Symeon, sone of Ruben. And hir husbonde was Manasses, that diede in the daȝes of barli rip; forsothe he stod ouer the men bindende sheues in the feld, and ther cam hete vp on his hed, and he diede in Betulie his cite, and is biried there with his fadris. Forsothe Judit was the laft widue of hym now thre ȝer and sixe monethis. And in the ouere partis of hir hous she made to hir a priue bed place, in whiche with hir hand wymmen closid she dwelte; and, hauende vp on hir lendis an heire, fastide alle the daȝes of hir lif, saue sabatis, and newe mones, and the festis of the hous of Irael. Forsothe she was with fair beholding ful myche, to whom hir husbonde hadde laft myche richesse, and plenteuous meyne, and possessiouns ful with droues of oxen, and flockis of shep. And this was in alle thingus most famous; for she dradde God gretli, ne ther was that shulde speken of hir euel woord. And so this whan she hadde herd, for Osias hadde behoten, that, the fifte dai passid ouer, he shulde take the cite, she sente to the prestis of Cambre and of Carmy. And thei camen to hir; and she seide to them, What is this woord, in the whiche Osias consentide that he take the cite to Assiries, if with inne fiue daȝes ther come not helpe to vs? And who ben ȝee that tempten the Lord? This woord is not that stire mercy; but rathere that rere wrathe, and teende woodnesse. Ȝee han sett a time of mercy doing of the Lord, and in ȝoure dom ȝee han ordeyned a dai to hym. But for the Lord is pacient, in this synne othinke wee, and his forȝiuenesse with teres aske wee; ne forsothe as a man so God shal threten, ne as the sone of man to wrathe he shal ben enflaumed. And therfore meke wee to hym oure soulis, and in contrit spirit and mekid serue wee to hym; and sei wee wepende to the Lord, that aftir his wil so he do with vs his mercy; and as oure herte is disturbid in the pride of hem, so also of oure mecnesse wee glorien. For wee han not folewid the synnes of oure fadris, that forsoken ther God, and honoureden alien godis; for the whiche hidous gilte thei ben ȝiuen in to swerd, and in to rauein, and in to confusioun to ther enemys; wee forsothe other God knowen not saue hym. Abijde wee meke the coumforting of hym, and he shal sechen out oure blod fro the tormentingis of oure enemys; and he shal meken alle Jentilis, who so euere rijsen aȝen vs; and he shal make them with oute wrshipe, the Lord oure God. And now, brethern, for ȝee that ben prestis in the puple of God, of ȝou hangeth the lif of hem at ȝoure speche, rereth vp the hertis of hem, that myndeful ȝee be, for ȝoure fadris ben temptid, for thei shulden be preued, if verreli thei herieden ther God. Myndeful owen thei to ben, what maner oure fader Abraham is temptid, and, bi manye tribulaciouns preuyd, the frend of God is maad. So Isaac, so Jacob, so Moises, and alle that pleseden to the Lord, bi manye tribulaciouns passeden feithful. Thei forsothe that temptaciouns resseyueden not with the drede of God, and broȝten forth ther vnpacience, and the repref of ther grucching aȝen the Lord, ben exilid of the exilere, and of serpentis pershiden. And wee thanne venge we not vsself for these thingus that wee suffren; but, wijtende to oure synnes these same lasse tormentis to ben, the scourgis of the Lord, as seruauns of the Lord that ben chastisid, to amendement, and not to han come to oure perdicioun, wee leeuen. And Osias and the prestis seiden to hir, Alle thingus, that thou hast spoke, ben sothe, and ther is not in thi woordis any repreuyng. Now thanne prei thou for vs, for thou art an holi womman, and dredende God. And Judit seide to them, As that, that I myȝte speken, ȝee knowen to ben of God, so that I purposide to do, preueth, if it is of God; and preȝeth, that God stedefast make my counseil. Ȝee shul stonden at the ȝate this nyȝt, and I shal gon out with my fre handmaiden; and preȝeth, that, as ȝee han seid, the Lord in fiue daȝes beholde his puple Irael. Ȝou forsothe I wile, that ȝee serche my deede, and vnto the time that I bringe aȝeen woord to ȝou, noon other thing be don, but orisoun for me to the Lord oure God. And Osias, the prince of Jude, seide to hir, Go in pes, and the Lord be with thee in the veniynge of oure enemys. And, turnende aȝeen, thei wenten awei.
The whiche goende awei, Judit wente in to hir oratorie, and, clothende hir with an heire, putte askes vp on hir hed; and, throwende hirself doun to the Lord, criede to the Lord, seiende, Lord God of my fader Symeon, that ȝeue to hym a swerd in to defending of alienes, that weren defouleris in ther defouling, and nakeden the hipe of the maiden in to confusioun; and thou ȝeue the wymmen of hem in to prei, the doȝtris of hem in to caitifte, and al the prei in to deuisioun to thi seruauns, that looueden thi looue; help, I beseche, Lord, to me widewe. Thou forsothe didist rathere thingis, and thoo after thoo thou thoȝtist, and this deede is, that thi self woldist. Alle forsothe thi weies ben maad redi, and thi domes in thi prouidence thou hast put. Beholde the tentis of Assiries now, as thanne the tentis of Egipcienus thou vouchedest saf to beholde, whan after thi seruauns thei runnen armed, trostende in ther foure horsid cartis, and in ther horsing, and in the multitude of fiȝteres. But thou beheelde vp on the tentis of hem, and dercnesses ouertrauaileden hem; the se heeld the feet of hem, and watris couereden hem. So, Lord, and these be maad, that trosten in ther multitude; and in ther charis, and in wepnys, and in ther arewis, and in speris glorien; and thei knowen not, for thou thi self art oure God, that to-tredest batailis fro the bigynnyng, and Lord name is to thee. Rere vp thin arm as fro the begynnyng, and hurtle the vertue of hem in thi vertue; falle the vertue of hem in thi wrathe, that behoten themself to defoule thin holi thingus, and to polluten the tabernacle of thi name, and to throwe doun with swerd the horne of thin auter. Do, Lord, that the pride of hem be cut awei with ther owne swerd; be he taken with the grane of his eȝen in me; and thou shalt smyten hym of the lippis of my charite. Ȝif to me in wil stedefastnesse, that I dispise hym and his vertue, and I turne hym vp so doun. Forsothe he shal be the memorial of thi name, whan the hondis of a womman han throwen hym doun. Forsothe, Lord, not in multitude is thi vertue, ne in strengthys of hors thi wil; ne proude men pleseden to thee fro the begynnyng, but of meke men and of buxum euermor to thee pleside the preȝeere. God of heuenes, makere of watris, and Lord of eche creature, here me wrecche preȝende and of thi merci principali takende trost. Haue mynde, Lord, of thi testament, and ȝif woord in my mouth, and strengthe the counseil in myn herte, that thin hous in thin halewinge abijde stille; and alle Jentilis knowen, for thou art God, and ther is noon other biside thee.
It is do forsothe, whan she hadde cesid to crien to the Lord, she ros fro the place, in whiche she lai throwe doun to the Lord. And she clepide hir fre maiden, and cam doun in to hir hous; she dide awei fro hir the heire, and clothide hyrself out of the clothing of hir widewehed. And she wesh hir bodi, and oyntide hirself with the beste myrre, and she platte the her of hir hed, and putte a mytre vp on hir hed, and she clothide hir with the clothis of hir iolite, and clothide hirself gaȝe shon to hir feet; and she toc armes onournemens, and lilies, and ere ringus, and finger ringys, and with alle hir onournemens she onournede hir. To whom also the Lord ȝaf briȝtnesse, for al this composicioun not of lust, but of vertue heeng; and therfore the Lord made more this fairnesse in to hir, that she aperede to the eȝen of alle men with fairnesse vncomparable. And so she putte on to hir fre maiden a botel of wijn, and a vessel of oile, and potage, and dried figes, and loues, and chese, and wente forth. And whan thei weren come to the ȝate of the cite, thei founden Osiam abidende, and the prestis of the cite. The whiche whan thei hadden seen hir, stoneȝende merueileden ful miche the fairnesse of hir. No thing ner the latere askende hir laften to passen, seiende, God of oure fadris ȝiue to thee grace, and al the counseil of thin herte with his vertue strengthe, and glorie vp on thee Jerusalem, and be thi name in the noumbre of seintus and of riȝtwis men. And these, that ther weren, alle with o vois seiden, Be it do! be it do! Thanne Judit preȝende the Lord, passede thurȝ the ȝatis, she and hir fre maiden. It is do forsothe, whan she cam doun the hil aboute spring of the dai, aȝen camen to hir the aspies of the Assiries, and heelden hir, seiende, Whennes comest thou, or whider gost thou? The whiche answerde, A doȝter I am of Ebrues, and therfore I fleiȝ fro the face of hem, for to comen I knew, that thei shul ben to ȝou in to prei taking, for thi that despisende ȝou wolden not freeli taken themself, that thei shulden finde mercy in ȝoure siȝte. For this cause I thoȝte with myself, seiende, I shal go to the face off Olofernes prince, that I shewe to hym the priuites of hem, and I shal shewe to hym, bi what entre he mai wynne hem, so that ther falle not oon man of his ost. And whan thoo men hadden herd hir woordis, thei beheelden hir face, and she was in ther eȝen stoneyng, for thei merueileden ful myche the fairnesse of hir. And thei seiden to hir, Thou hast kept thi lif, for thi that such a counseil thou hast founde, that thou come doun to oure lord. This forsothe wite thou, that, whan thou stondist in his siȝte, he shal wel do to thee, and thou shalt be most acceptid in his herte. And thei ladden hir to the tabernacle of Olofernes, and shewiden hir. And whan she was comen in beforn his face, anoon Olofernes is caȝt in his eȝen. And hise tyraunt knyȝtis seiden to hym, Who despisede the puple of Jewis, that han so faire wymmen, that not for hem bi riȝt aȝen hem wee owen to fiȝten? And so Judit seande Olofernes sittende in the canope, that was of purper, and of gold, and of smaragd, and of most precious stones with inne wouen, and whan in to his face she hadde lokid, she honourede hym, fallende hyrself doun vpon the erthe; and the seruauns of Olofernes rereden hir vp, ther lord comaundende.
Thanne Olofernes seide to hir, Euene inwit be thou, and wile thou not dreden in thin herte, for I neuere noȝede man, that wolde serue to king Nabugodonosor. Thi puple forsothe, if it hadde not despisid me, I hadde not rerid myn hond vp on it. Now forsothe sei to me, of what cause thou wentist awei fro them, and it pleside to thee that thou hast come to vs. And Judit seide, Tac the woordis of thin hand maiden; for, if thou folewist the woordis of thin hand maiden, a parfit thing the Lord shal don with thee. Forsothe Nabugodonosor liueth, king of the erthe, and his vertue liueth, that is in thee to the chastising of alle liues errende; for not onli men shul serue to hym bi thee, but and bestis of the feld obeshen to hym. Forsothe the redynesse of thin inwit is told to alle folkis; and it is open to al the world, for thou alone good and myȝti art in al his reume; and thi discipline to alle prouyncis is prechid. Ne that is vnknowen, that Achior spac, ne that is vnwist, that hym thou hast comaundid to fallen. Forsothe it is knowen so oure God offendid to synnes, that he hath sent by his profetis to the puple, that he shal taken it for ther synnes. And for the sones of Irael witen them to han offendid the Lord ther God, his trembling is vp on hem. Ferthermor also hungir hath asailid hem, and of the droȝte of water now among deade men ben countid. Therfore this thei ordeynen, that ther bestis thei slen, and the blod of hem thei drinken; and the holi thingis of ther Lord, that God comaundide not to be touchid, in whete, win, and oile, these thingus thei han thoȝt to ȝiuen out, and wiln waste thoo thingus, that with hondus thei shulden not touche; thanne for these thingys thei don, it is certein that in to leesing thei shul be ȝiue. The whiche thing I, thin hand maiden, knowende, fleiȝ fro them, and the Lord sente me these same thingus to telle thee. I forsothe, thin hand maiden, herie God, also now anent thee; and thin hand maiden shal gon out, and I shal preȝen God; and he shal sei to me, for he shal ȝelde to them ther synne; and comende I shal telle to thee, so that I shal bringe thee bi the myddel of Jerusalem, and thou shalt han al the puple of Irael as shep to whiche is no shepperde, and ther shal not berken or oon aȝen thee; for these thingis to me ben seid bi the prouidence of God. And for God is wroth to them, I am sent these same thingus to telle thee. Forsothe alle these woordis pleseden beforn Olofernes, and beforn his childer; and thei merueileden at the wisdam of hir; and the tother seide to the tother, Ther is not such a womman vpon erthe in siȝte, in fairnesse, and in wit of woordis. And Olofernes seide to hir, God hath do wel, that sente thee befor the puple, that thou ȝeue it in oure hondis; and for good is thi beheste, if thi God do to me these thingus, he shal ben and my God, and thou in the hous of Nabugodonosor shalt be gret, and thi name shal be nemned in al erthe.
Thanne he comaundede hir to gon in, wher his tresories weren leid vp, and he comaundide hir to dwelle there; and he ordeynede, what shulde be ȝiue to hir of his feste. To whom answerde Judit, and seide, Now I shal not moun ete of these thingus, that thou comaundist to me to be ȝolden, lest ther come vp on me gilte; of thoo thingis forsothe that with me I haue broȝt, I shal ete. To whom seith Olofernes, If these thingis failen to thee, that with thee thou hast broȝt, what shul wee do to thee? And Judit seide, Lord, thi soule liueth, for thin hand maide shal not spende alle these thingus, to the time that God shul do in myn hond thoo thingus that I haue thoȝt. And his seruauns ladden hir in to the tabernacle, wher he hadde comaundede. And she askide, whil she shulde gon in, that ther shulde be ȝiue to hir fredam, the nyȝt, and beforn the liȝt, of going out to orisoun, and of preȝing the Lord. And he comaundede to his cubicularies, that, as it pleside to hir, she shulde gon out, and comen in, to preȝen hir God bi thre daȝes. And she wente out on nyȝtis in to the valei of Betulie, and baptiside hirself in to the welle of watir. And as she steȝede vp, she preȝede the Lord God of Irael, that he shulde gouerne hir wei to the deliueryng of hir puple. And goende in, clen she dwelte in the tabernacle, vnto the time she toc hir mete vnto euen. And it is don the ferthe dai, Olofernes made a soper to his seruauns, and seide to Vagio, gelding, Go, and sweteli moue this Ebru, that wilfulli she sente to dwelle with me. Forsothe a foul thing it is anent Assiries, if a womman scorne a man, doende that she passe fro hym withoute hir offis. Thanne wente in Vagio to Judit, and seide, Be not adrad, thou goode child maide, to gon in to my lord, that she be maad wrshipeful beforn his face, and ete she with hym, and drinke win with gladnesse. To whom Judit answerde, What am I, that I aȝenseie to my lord? Alle thing, that shal ben beforn his eȝen good and best, I shal do. What euere forsothe to hym shulde plese, that to me shal be best alle daȝes of my lif. And she ros, and enournede hirself with hir clothis, and gon in she stod beforn his face. Forsothe the herte of Olofernes is smyten; forsothe he was brennende in the lust of hir. And Olofernes seide to hir, Drink now, and sitt doun in ioȝe; for thou hast founde grace befor me. And Judit seide, I shal drinke, lord, for my lif is magnyfied to dai beforn alle the daȝes of my liuyng. And she toc, and eet, and dranc beforn hym thoo thingis, that hir hond maiden hadde maad redi to hir. And Olofernes is maad myrie to hir, and myche win he dranc ful myche, hou myche in o dai neuere he hadde drunken in his lyue.
As forsothe euetid is do, his seruauns heȝeden to ther herbergeries; and Vagio closide the dores of the priue chaumbre, and wente. Forsothe alle weren ouertrauailid of win; and Judit was alone in the priue chaumbre. But Olofernes lai in the bed, with to myche drunkenesse aslepe. And Judit seide to hir child womman, that she shulde stonde with oute forthe befor the dore of the priue chaumbre, and waiten aboute. And Judit stod befor the bed, preȝende with teres, and with moouyng of lippis in silence, seiende, Conferme me, Lord God of Irael, and behold in this hour to the werkis of myn hondis, that thou rere vp thi cite Jerusalem, as thou hast behoten; and that, that I leeuende to moun be don bi thee thoȝte, I parforme. And whan that she hadde seid, she wente to the piler that was at the hed of his bed, and his swerd, that in it bounden heeng, she losede. And whan she hadde drawen it out, she toc the her of his hed, and seith, Conferme me, God of Irael, in this hour. And she smot twies in to his haterel, and she cutte of his hed; and she toc awei his canope fro the pileris, and she turnede out his body behedid. And after a litil while she wente out, and toc the hed of Olofernes to hir hand maiden, and comaundede, that she shulde putten it in to hir scrippe. And thei two wenten out after ther vsage as to preȝeere, and thei passeden the tentis, and, goende aboute the valei, camen to the ȝate of the cite. And Judit seide aferre to the keperis of the wallis, Openeth the ȝatis, for with vs is God, that dide gret vertue in Irael. And it is do, whan the men hadden herd hir vois, thei clepeden the prestis of the cite. And alle runnen aȝen hir fro the leste to the moste; for thei hopeden hir no mor to be to come. And, teendende liȝtis, alle wenten abouten hir. She forsothe steȝende vp in to an heiȝere place, comaundede to be maad silence. And whan alle hadden holden ther pes, Judit seide, Preiseth the Lord oure God, that forsaketh not men hopende in hym, and in me, his hand womman, hath fulfild his merci, that he behiȝte to the hous of Irael, and hath slain in myn hond the enemy of his puple this nyȝt. And bringende forth of the scrippe the hed of Olofernes, shewide to them, seiende, Lo! the hed of Olofernes, prince of the chiualrie of Assiries; and, lo! the canope of hym, in whiche he lai in his drunkinhed, wher and bi the hond of a womman smot hym the Lord our God. Forsothe the Lord God liueth, for his aungil kepte me, and hennus goende, and there dwellende, and thennus hider turnende aȝeen; and the Lord suffride not me his hand womman to be defoulid, but with oute pollucioun of synne hath aȝeen clepid me to ȝou, ioȝende in his victorie, in myn ascaping, in ȝoure deliueraunce. Knoulecheth to hym alle, for good, for in to the world his merci. Alle forsothe, honourende the Lord, seiden to hir, The Lord blesside thee in his vertue, for bi thee to noȝt he hath broȝt oure enemys. But Osias, the prince of the puple of Irael, seide to hir, Blessid thou art, doȝter, of the Lord, the heȝe God, befor alle wymmen vp on erthe. Blessid the Lord, that made heuene and erthe, and that hath dressid thee in to the woundis of the hed of the prince of oure enemys; for to dai so thi name he hath magnefied, that thi preising go not awei fro the mouth of men, that weren myndeful of the vertue of the Lord in to with oute ende; for the whiche thingus thou sparedest not to thi lif for anguysshis and tribulaciouns of thi kinrede, but holpedist to the falling befor the siȝte of oure God. And al the puple seide, So be it! so be it! Forsothe Achior clepid cam; and Judit seide to hym, God of Irael, to the whiche witnessing thou hast ȝiue, that he be vengid of his enemys, he the hed of alle mysbeleeued men hath hewen of in this nyȝt in myn hond. And that thou preue for so it is, lo! the hed of Olofernes, that in the despising of his pride God of Israel dispiside, and to thee deth thratte, seiende, Whan the puple of Irael were taken, I shal comaunde with a swerd to stiken hym thurȝ the sides. Seende forsothe Achior the hed of Olofernes, anguysht for inward drede, fel in to his face vpon the erthe, and his lif quappide. After forsothe that, the spirit taken aȝeen, he is reformed, he fel doun to hir feet, and honourede hir, and seide, Blessid be thou of thi God in al the tabernacle of Jacob; for in alle folc, that hereth thi name, shal be magnefied vp on thee God of Irael.
Judit forsothe seide to al the puple, Hereth, brethern; hangeth vp this hed vp on the wallis. And it shal be, whan the sunne goth out, eche man take his armes, and goth out with bure, not that ȝee go doun benethe, but as bure doende. Thanne it shal nede ben, that the spieres of the lond flen to ther prince to be rerid vp to the fiȝt. And whan the dukis of hem comen to gidere to the tabernaclis of Olofernes, and finden hym heded, in his blod wrappid, drede shal fal doun vpon hem. And whan ȝee knowen them to fleen, goth after hem siker, for God shal to-trede them vnder ȝoure feet. Thanne Achior seande the vertue that God of Irael hadde do, laft the custum of his hethenenesse, leeuede to God; and circumcidede the flesh of his ȝerde, and is put to the puple of Irael, and al the successioun of his kinrede vnto the dai that is now. Anon forsothe that sprungen is dai, thei heengen vpon the wallis the hed of Olofernes; and eche toc his armes, and thei wenten out with gret noise and ȝelling. Whiche thing seande, the aspies runnen togidere to the tabernacle of Olofernes. Forsothe thei, that weren comende in the tabernacle, and befor the incomyng of the priue chaumbre makende noise, for ende to reren hym, bi craft casten vnreste, that not of the rereres, but of the noise makeris Olofernes shulde waken. No man forsothe was hardi the tabernacle of the vertue of Assiries knockende or entrende to openen. But whan his dukis hadden come, and the leders of thousendis, and alle the more of the ost of the king of Assiries, thei seiden to the priue chaumberleynes, Goth, and rereth hym; for myis gon out of ther caues ben hardi to clepen forth vs to bataile. Thanne Vagio, gon in to his priue chaumbre, stod befor the curtin, and made fawnyng with his hondis; forsothe he trowide hym with Judit to slepen. But whan no mouyng of hym liende with the wit of eris parceiuede, he wente to neȝhende to the curtin, and rerende it, and seande the carein of Olofernes withouten hed to lin roten in his blod vpon the erthe, criede out with a gret vois with weeping, and cutte his clothis. And gon in to the tabernacle of Judit, fond her not, and he out sterte with oute to the puple, and seide, An Ebru womman hath do confusioun in the hous of king Nabugodonosor; lo! forsothe Olofernes lith in the erthe, and his hed is not in hym. The whiche thing whan hadden herd the princis of the vertue of Assiries, alle cutten ther clothis, and vntolerable drede and trembling fel vp on hem, and ther inwittis ben disturbid gretly. And ther is maad an vntolerable cry in to the middel tentis.
And whan al the ost hadde herd Olofernes of hedid, fleiȝ mynde and counseil fro them, and with onli trembling and drede stirid token socour of fliȝt, so that noon wolde speke with his neȝhebore; but, the hed bowid doun, alle thingus laft, to scape the Ebrues, whom armed vp on hem to come thei hadden herd, thei enforceden, fleende bi weies of feldis, and bi sties of ful litle hillis. And so the sonus of Irael, seande them fleende, folewiden, goende doun, and criende with trumpis, and ȝellende after hem. And for Assiries not togidere in oon wenten fallende doun in to fliȝt, the sonus forsothe of Irael with o cumpany pursuende febleden alle, that thei myȝten finde. And Osias sente messageres bi alle the cites and regiouns of Irael. And so alle regioun and alle cite sente a chosen ȝouthe armed after hem; and thei pursueden hem in mouth of swerd, to the time that thei came to the vtmost of ther costis. The tothere men forsothe, that weren in Betulia, wenten in to the tentis of Assiries, and the prei, that Assiries fleende hadden laft, thei token with them, and thei ben wrshipid gretli. Thei forsothe that hadden ben ouercomeres, ben turned aȝeen to Betulie, alle thingis whateuere weren of hem, thei token awei with them, so that ther was no noumbre in feld bestis, and in hous bestis, and in alle the mouable thingus of hem, that fro the leste vnto the myche alle weren made riche of the prei takingus of hem. Joachym forsothe, the heȝe bisshop of Jerusalem, cam in to Betulie with alle the prestis, that he see Judit. The whiche whan hadde gon out to hym, alle blessiden hir with o vois, seiende, Thou glorie of Jerusalem, thou gladnesse of Irael, thou the wrshipe doende of oure puple, that didist manli, and thin herte is coumfortid, for thi that chastite thou loouedest, and aftir thi man an other thou knewe not; and therfore the hond of the Lord coumfortide thee, and therfore thou shalt be blissid in to with oute ende. And al the puple seide, Be it do! be it do! Forsothe bi thretti daȝes vnnethe ben gedered the spoilis of the Assiries of the puple of Irael. But alle the proper richessis of Olofernes, that ben proued to han ben, thei ȝeue to Judit, in gold, and siluer, and clothis, and iemmes, and in alle purtenaunces to household; and alle thingus ben taken to hir of the puple. And alle puplis ioȝeden, with wymmen, and maidenes, and ȝunge men, in orgnys and harpis.
Thanne Judit song this song to the Lord, seiende, Begynneth in timbris; singeth to the Lord in cimbalis; manerly singeth to hym a new salm; ful out ioȝeth, and inwardli clepeth his name. The Lord totredende batailis, Lord name is to hym. That putte his tentis in the middel off his puple, that he deliuere vs fro the hond of alle oure enemys. Assur cam fro hillis, fro the north, in multitude of his strengthe; whos multitude stoppide the stremes, and the hors of hem couereden the valeis. And he seide hymself to brennen vp oure costis, and oure ȝunge men to slen with swerd, my fauntis to ȝiue in to prei, and maidenes in to caitifte. The Lord forsothe Almyȝti noȝede hym, and toc to the hondis of a womman, and confoundede hym. Forsothe the myȝti of hem fel not of ȝunge men, ne the sonus of a tiraunt smyten hym, ne heȝe ieauntus putten hem to hym; but Judit, wydewe, the doȝter of Merari, in the fairnesse of hir face vnloside hym. Forsothe she clothide hir fro the cloth of hyr widewehed, and clothide hir in the cloth of gladnesse, in ful out ioȝing to the sonus of Irael. She oyntide hir face with an oynement, and she bond togidere hir crisp heris with a mitre, to desceiuen hym. Hir gaȝe shon rauesheden his eȝen, hir fairnesse made his lif caitif; sche girde of with a swerd his haterel. The Persis grisiden hir stedefastnesse, and Medis hir hardynesse. Thanne ȝelleden the tentis of Assiries, whan apereden my meke, drie waxende in thrist. The sonus of child wymmen pungeden them, and as childer fleende slowen hem; thei persheden in bataile fro the face of my Lord. A newe ympne singe wee to the Lord oure God. Lord Adonai, a gret God thou art, and beforn alle cleer in thi vertue, and whom no man mai ouercome. To thee serue alle thi creature, for thou hast seid, and thei ben maad; thou sentist thi spirit, and thei ben formed; and ther is not that withstonde to thi comanding. Hillis fro foundemens shuln ben moued with watris; stonus as wax shul melte befor thi face. Who forsothe dreden thee, gret shul be anentis thee bi alle thingus. Wo to the folc risende vp on my kinrede; the Lord forsothe Almyȝti shal venge in hem, in the dai of dom he shal visite them. Forsothe he shal ȝiue fijr and wormes in ther flesh, that thei be brend, and lyuen, and feelen vnto euermore. And it is do after these thingus, al the puple after the victorie cam to Jerusalem to honoure the Lord; and anoon as thei weren purified, alle offreden brent sacrifises, and vouwis, and ther behestis. Forsothe Judit alle the armes of bataile of Olofernes, that the puple ȝaf to hir, and the canope, that she hadde taken, she toc in to the curs of forȝeting. Forsothe al the puple was ioȝeful after the face of seintis; and bi thre monethis the ioȝe of this victorie is solempnysid with Judit. After thoo daȝes forsothe eche wente aȝeen in to his owne; and Judit is maad gret in Betulie, and was more cler to alle men of the lond of Irael. Forsothe she was ioyned to the vertue of chastite, so that she knew no man alle the daȝis of hir lif, sithen is dead Manasses, hir husbonde. Forsothe she was in feste daȝes forth goende with gret glorie. Forsothe she dwelte in the hous of hir man an hundrid ȝer and fiue; and she lafte hir damesele free. And she is dead, and biriede with hir husbonde in Betulie; and al the puple weilide hir seuen daȝes. In al the space forsothe of hir lif was not that disturbide Irael, and after hir deth manye ȝer. The daȝes forsothe of this feste of victorie of the Ebrues in the noumbre of holi daȝes is acceptid, and heried of the Jewis fro that time vnto the present day.
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