Was never capitayn under a king (561)
That regnes mo putte in subieccioun,
Ne strenger was in feeld of alle thing,
As in his tyme, ne gretter of renoun,
Ne more pompous in heigh presumpcioun 3745
Than Oloferne, which fortune ay kiste
So likerously, and ladde him up and doun
Til that his heed was of, er that he wiste.
[262: T. 14477-14508.]
Nat only that this world hadde him in awe
For lesinge of richesse or libertee, 3750
But he made every man reneye his lawe. (571)
‘Nabugodonosor was god,’ seyde he,
‘Noon other god sholde adoured be.’
Ageyns his heste no wight dar trespace
Save in Bethulia, a strong citee, 3755
Wher Eliachim a prest was of that place.
3751. E. Hn. Cm. Hl. _omit_ he. 3753. E. Hn. Cm. adoured; Cp. Pt. Ln.
Hl. honoured. 3754. E. Hn. dorste; _rest_ dar.
But tak kepe of the deeth of Olofern;
Amidde his host he dronke lay a night,
With-inne his tente, large as is a bern,
And yit, for al his pompe and al his might, 3760
Iudith, a womman, as he lay upright, (581)
Sleping, his heed of smoot, and from his tente
Ful prively she stal from every wight,
And with his heed unto hir toun she wente.