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

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THE HISTORIE OF JUDITH.
that in his age he might of her retire,
Both honour & confort to his harts desire :
For looke how soone her childish touwg could chat
as children do, of this thing or of that.
He taught her not to reade inuentions vaine,
As fathers dayly do that are prophaine :
But in the holy scriptures made her reade,
that with her milke she might eue« suck the dreade
of the most high. And this was not for nought
Insomuch as in short time she out brought no
Apparant frutes of that so worthie seede,
which chaungde her earthly nature far indeede :
As done the pots that long retains the taste
Of licour such, as first was in them plaste :
Or like the tree that bends his eldren braunch,
that way, wher first the stroke has made him launch.
So see we wolfs, and bears, and harts full olde,
Some tamenes from their daunted youth to holde.
Virginitie. Thus ere the Moone twelf dosen chaunges past,
the maydens maners faire in forme were cast. 120
For as the perfite pylot feares to runne
Vpon the rocks, with singling sheet doth shunne
Cyanes straites or Syrtes sinking sands,
Or cruell Capharois with stormy strands :
So wisely she dishaunted the resort
Of such as were suspect of light report.
Well knowing that th’acquaintance with the ill
Corrupts the good. And though they euer still
Remain vpright : yet some will quarrell pike P. ss.
& common brute will deeme them all alike. 130
For looke how your Companions you elect
for good, or ill, so shall you be suspect.
This prudent Dame delyted not in daunce,
Nor sitting vp nor did her selfe aduaunce :
In publike place, where playes & banquets beene
In euerie house to see, & to be scene.
But rather vnderstanding such a trade.
Had bene the wrak of many-a modest mayd :