The harmonie of the church Containing, the spirituall songes and holy hymnes, of godly men, patriarkes and prophetes: all, sweetly sounding, to the praise and glory of the highest. Now (newlie) reduced into sundrie kinds of English meeter: meete to be read or sung, for the solace and comfort of the godly. By M.D.

The Song of Iudith, hauing slaine Holophernes.

In the xvi. Chap. of the book of Iudith. TVne vp the Timbrels then with laud vnto the Lord, Sound foorth his praise on Simbals loud, with songs of one accord, Declare & shew his praise, also his name rehearse, In song of thankes exactly pend, of sweet and noble verse. The Lord he ceaseth warres, euen he the verie same, Tis he that doth appease all strife, Iehouah is his name. The which hath pitcht his tent, our surest strength and aide, Amongst vs here, least that our foes, shuld make vs once dismaid From northren mountain tops, proud Assur came a downe, With warlike men a multitude, of famous high renowme. Whose footmen stopt the streams, where riuers woont to flowe, And horsmen couered all the vales, that lay the hilles belowe. His purpose was for to destroy my land, with sword and fire, To put my yongmen to the sword, did thirst with hot desire. My children to captiuitie, he would haue borne away, My virgins so by rape and force, as spoiles and chiefest pray, But yet the high and mighty Lord, his people doth defend, And by a silly womans hand, hath brought him to his end. For why? their mightie men, with Armes were not subdude, Nor with their blood our yoong mens hands, were not at al im∣brude. No, none of Titans line, this proud Assirian slue, Nor any Gyants aid we crau'd, this souldier to subdue. But Iudith she alone, Meraris daughter deere, Whose heauenly hue hath bred his vaine, and brought him to his beere.

She left her mourning weed, and deckt her selfe with gold, In royall robes of seemly showe, all Israell to behold. With odors she perfum'd her selfe, after the queintest guise, Her haire with fillet finely bound, as Art could wel deuise. Her slippers neat and trim, his eies and fancie fed, Her beautie hath bewitcht his mind, her sword cut off his head. The Perseans were amaz'd, her modestie was such, The Medes at her bold enterprise, they marueiled as much. Amongst th' Assyrians then, great clamors can arise, When as the fact so lately done, apear'd before their eies. the sons which erst my daughters haue, euen on their bodies born Haue slaine them as they fled in chace, as men so quite forlorne. Euen at the presence of the Lord, the stoutest turn'd his backe, His power did so astonish them, that al things went to wracke. A song now let vs sing, of thankes vnto the Lord, Yea, in a song of pleasant tune, let vs his praise record. Oh God, thou mightie Lord, who is there like to thee, In strength and power, to thee oh Lord, none may compared be. Thy creatures all obey, and serue thee in their trade, For thou no sooner spakst the word, but euery thing was made. Thou sentest foorth the spirit, which did thy worke fulfill, And nothing can withstand thy voice, but listen to thy will. The mountains shal remoue, wher their foundation lay, Likewise the floods, the craggy rocks, like wax shal melt away. But they that feare the Lord, and in him put their trust, Those will he loue and stil impute, amongst the good and iust: But woe be those that seeke, his chosen flocks decay, The Lord God wil reuenge their wrongs, at the last iudgement day For he such quenchlesse fire, and gnawing wormes shal send, Into their flesh, as shal consume, them world without an end,