XI.

Then had she gained glorious honor, Judith in war, as God to her granted, The Ruler of Heaven, who gave to her victory. The cunning maid then quickly brought 125 The army-leader's head so bloody In that [very] vessel in which her attendant, The fair-faced woman, food for them both, In virtues renowned, thither had brought, And it then so gory to her gave in hand, 130 To the thoughtful-in-mind to bear to their home, Judith to her maid. Went they forth thence, The women both in courage bold, Until they had come, proud in their minds, The women triumphant, out from the army, 135 So that they plainly were able to see Of that beautiful city the walls [fair] shine, Béthulía. Then jewel-decked théy Upon the foot-path hastened to go, Until glad-minded they had arrived 140 At the gate of the wall. The warriors sat, The watching men were keeping ward Within that fortress, as before to the folk, Sad in their minds, Judith had bidden, The cunning maiden, when she went on her journey, 145 The stout-hearted woman. Then again was she come, Dear to her people, and then quickly ordered The wise-minded woman some one of the men To come to meet her from out the wide city, And hér in haste to admit within 150 Through the gate of the wall, and this word she spake To the victor-folk: "To you can I say A thought-worthy[1] thing, that no longer ye need Mourn in your minds: your Creator is kind, Glory of kings: that ís become known 155 Wide through the world, that to you is success Glorious at hand, and honor is granted For [all] those sorrows which long ye suffered." Glad then were they, the dwellers-in-borough, After they heard how the holy one spake 160 O'er the high wall. The host was in joy. To the fortress-gate the people hastened, Men, women together, in troops and heaps, In crowds and throngs, hurried and ran To meet the Lord's maid by thousands and thousands, 165 Both old and young: to each one became Of men in the mead-city his mind rejoiced, After they knew that Judith was come Again to her home, and then in haste With reverence théy allowed her to enter. 170 Then bade the clever, with gold adorned, Her servant-maid, thoughtful-in-mind, The army-leader's head to uncover, And it as a proof bloody to show To the city-folk how she speeded in war. 175 Then spake the noble one to all the folk: "Here ye may clearly, victory-blessed warriors, Chiefs of the people, upón the most hateful Heathen hero's head fix your gaze, On Holofernes deprived of life, 180 Who chiefest of men wrought murders for us, Sorest sorrows, and that yet more Would he increase: but God him granted not A longer life, that hé with woes Might still afflict us. Of life I deprived him 185 By help of God. Now I every man Of these city-dwellers will [earnestly] pray, Of shield-bearing warriors, that ye yourselves quickly Hasten to fight; when the God of creation, The glorious King, shall send from the east 190 Bright beams of light, bear forth your shields, Boards before breasts and coats-of-mail, Bright helmets [too] among the foes, To fell the folk-leaders with shining swords, The fated chiefs. Your foes are now 195 Condemned to death, and ye glory shall gain, Honor in battle, as to you hath betokened The mighty Lord through mine own hand." Then the band of the brave was quickly prepared, Of the bold for battle; stepped out the valiant 200 Men and comrades, bore their banners, Went forth to fight straight on their way The heroes 'neath helmets from the holy city At the dawn itself; shields made a din, Loudly resounded. Thereat laughed the lank 205 Wolf in the wood, and the raven wan, Fowl greedy for slaughter: both of them knew That for them the warriors thought to provide Their fill on the fated; and flew on their track The dewy-winged eagle eager for prey, 210 The dusky-coated sang his war-song, The crooked-beaked. Stepped forth the warriors, The heroes for battle with boards protected, With hollow shields, who awhile before The foreign-folk's reproach endured, 215 The heathens' scorn; fiercely was thát At the ash-spear's play to them all repaid, [All] the Assyrians, after the Hebrews Under their banners had [boldly] advanced To the army-camps. They bravely then 220 Forthright let fly showers of arrows, Of battle-adders, óut from the horn-bows, Of strongly-made shafts; stormed they aloud, The cruel warriors, sent forth their spears Among the brave; the heroes were angry, 225 The dwellers-in-land, with the loathéd race; The stern-minded stepped, the stout-in-heart, Rudely awakened their ancient foes Weary from mead; with hands drew forth The men from the sheaths the brightly-marked swords 230 Most choice in their edges, eagerly struck Of the [host of] Assyrians the battle-warriors, The hostile-minded; not one they spared Of the army-folk, nor low nor high Of living men, whom théy might subdue. 235

[1] 'Thank-worthy,' Kr.