Judith

Judith Melissa Dunphy

For the Corvallis Repertory Singers on their 25th Season

Gloria in aeternum!

Her ge magon sweotole, sige-rofe hæleð, leoda ræswan, on ðæs laðestan hæðenes heaðo-rinces heafod starian, Holofernus unlyfigendes,

þe us monna mæst morðra gefremede sarra sorga, ond þæt swyðor gyt ycan wolde; ac him ne uðe God lengran lifes, þæt he mid læððum us eglan moste; ic him ealdor oðþrong þurh godes fultum. Nu ic gumena gehwæne þyssa burg-leoda biddan wylle, rand-wiggendra, þæt ge recene eow

fysan to gefeohte, syððan frymða god, arfæst cyning, eastan sende leohtne leoman. Berað linde forð, bord for breostum ond byrn-homas, scire helmas in sceaðena gemong, fyllað folc-togan fagum sweordum, fæge frum-garas. Fynd syndon eowere gedemed to deaðe, ond ge dom agon, tir æt tohtan, swa eow getacnod hafað mihtig dryhten þurh mine hand.

Translation:

Glory forever!

Here you can clearly, victorious heroes, leaders of the people, gaze at the most hateful head of the heathen warlord, Holofernes the unliving, who, among men, committed the most murders, grievous sorrows, and would still more have increased them, but God did not grant him a longer life, that he might afflict us with evils. I forced out his life through God’s help. Now to each man of this citizenry, I want to ask, shield-bearers, that you prepare yourselves with haste to fight, after the God of creation, merciful king, sends from the east his radiant light. Bear your linden shields forth, boards before breasts and mail-shirts, shining helmets, into the enemy throng, fell their generals with decorated swords, the doomed captains. Your enemies are condemned to death, and you shall have glory, honor in battle, as shown to you by the mighty Lord through my hand.

From Judith (Nowell Codex, c. 975-1025), lines 177-198. See over for Old English pronunciation.