The Canterbury tales
Geoffrey Chaucer
F.N. Robinson

De Oloferno

Was nevere capitayn under a kyng
     2551
That regnes mo putte in subjeccioun,
     2552
Ne strenger was in feeld of alle thyng,
     2553
As in his tyme, ne gretter of renoun,
     2554
Ne moore pompous in heigh presumpcioun
     2555
Than oloferne, which fortune ay kiste
     2556
So likerously, and ladde hym up and doun,
     2557
Til that his heed was of, er that he wiste.
     2558
Nat oonly that this world hadde hym in awe
     2559
For lesynge of richesse or libertee,
     2560
But he made every man reneyen his lawe.
     2561
Nabugodonosor was god, seyde hee;
     2562
Noon oother God sholde adoured bee.
     2563
Agayns his heeste no wight dar trespace,
     2564
Save in bethulia, a strong citee,
     2565
Where eliachim a preest was of that place.
     2566
But taak kep of the deth of oloferne:
     2567
Amydde his hoost he dronke lay a-nyght,
     2568
Withinne his tente, large as is a berne,
     2569
And yet, for al his pompe and al his myght,
     2570
Judith, a womman, as he lay upright
     2571
Slepynge, his heed of smoot, and from his tente
     2572
Ful pryvely she stal from every wight,
     2573
And with his heed unto hir toun she wente.
     2574