Scottish Text Society publications > Third series > Thomas Hudson's historie of Judith

THE HISTORIE OF JUDITH.
43
There were the happie A rabs those that buields
In thatched waggons, wandring throu the fields. 30
The subtill Tyrians, they who first were darks,
that staid the wandring words in leaues and 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 ^Ethiopians 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. 40
But they who did the Hebrewes greatest wrong
were Apostats of Ephrem fearce and 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 Grouping stayes as fast:
So while Indea was in ioyfull dayes.
The const ancie of them was worthie prayes : 50
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 : 60
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.
p. 35.
tig. Dij