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

THE HISTORIE OF JUDITH.
85
& stroyes the plaines, and maks for many a day
More wrak, then if his channels open lay :
In semble sort their bands I did enchace,
that kept the entrance of that craggie place.
I brunt, I slew, cast downe, all that I fand,
And Asia spoild, I entred th’easter land. 520
I wan Celei, and raged pittie les
Vpon the frutefull shore of Euphrates.
I bet the desart Rapse, & Eagria land,
who knowes the vertue of my conquering hand.
From thence to seaward sewing mine entent
I wasted Madian. Northward then I went
to Liban ward, Damascus ouerrinning,
with other towns, Abilia & Hippos winning.
Frow thence, with curious mind my standerds styes,
the hill, where sunne is sene to set and ryes. 530
And so from thence I forward led mine hoste,
To th.’Occident on the Phoenician coste.
Then Sidon, Bible, Beryte, Tyre & Gaze,
with Ascalon, and Assot, in a maze.
For feare, sent humblie to my sacred seat,
wise messengers, my fauour to entreat.
We come not here, my lord sayd they, with armes
for to resist the chok of thy Gensd’armes :
But Prince, we come, of thee for to resaue.
Both life and death, & what lawe we shall haue. 540
Our townes ar thine, our citties & our hills,
Our fields, our flocks, our wealth is at your wills.
Our seruice, and our treasures, great and small, p. ss.
Our seifs, our wyues, and our faire children all:
Now onlie rests to thee, if so thee please
to take vs thus. O God what greater ease :
O god what greater good may vs befall,
Then vnto such a chiefe for to be thrall ?
who weilds the valiant lance & ballance right,
with vertue like the Gods of greatest might
So weare to me, as gracious to beholde
Their townes & Citties both, for yong and olde
550