Vers. 5. Sit still and get thee into dark∣nes, ô daughter of the Chaldeans, for thou shalt no more be called, The Lady of king∣domes.
HE continues on the same argument still,* 1.1 and shewes, that the end of the Chal∣dean Monarchy drawes neere. But because this seemed somewhat incredible, hee re∣peates the same thing in many words, which he might haue dispatched in one sentence. He vseth these descriptions then to set the thing done (as it were) before them. Where he bids them sit still and be quiet, it is in signe of shame and contempt. And yet this silence may be opposed to her first estate, wherein she reigned as a Lady: for then she not only lifted vp her voice with authoritie like a Mi∣stris, but she caused her words to giue such a sound, that the noise thereof terrified all the East. Now the Prophet commands her to sit still and leaue her cackquet, in regard her condition is so changed, that where she was wont to speake so loude before, she shall not dare now to mutter one word distinctlie from betweene her teeth.
Now in that he bids her enter into darknes, I willinglie receiue the first exposition: for those who are fallen from a prosperous e∣state into aduersitie, sit downe and put their mouthes in the dust with shame, and dare scarcely so much as gasp. For thou shalt no more be called. We know that this Monarchy had a large extent, and was Lady ouer many great kingdomes, for she was the head of all domi∣nions, it was needfull then that these poore captiues should be fortified with these pro∣mises, and aduertised of Babylons ruine, that they might be put in hope of their deliue∣rance.