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

48
THE HISTORIE OF JUDITH.
(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 cowmows with this chek, broght to their powers,
where Cambris & Sir Carmis like two towers,
Stoode at th’assaulted 1 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 coinage, & of equall strength :
Like Poplers twaine that recheth vp their tops
& holds their heads so high that none them crops :
But on the Riuers side do sweetely sway
Like germaine brether hailsing oft a day.
The Heathen seing thus the lewes descend
with edge of sword their Citie to defend :
They left th’assault,2 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 nomore
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 comme,
thou losde the toung of Zacharie that was domme.
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.
1 1584, th assaulted.
2 1584, th.assault.