Agere Sequitur Esse

Judith Beheads Holofernes

1 Now when the euening was come, his seruants made haste to depart, and Bagoas shut his tent without, and dismissed the waiters from the presence of his lord, and they went to their beds: for they were all weary, because the feast had bene long.

2 And Iudeth was left alone in the tent, and Olofernes lying along vpon his bed, for hee was filled with wine.

3 Now Iudeth had commanded her maide to stand without her bedchamber, and to waite for her comming forth as she did daily: for she said, she would goe forth to her prayers, and she spake to Bagoas, according to the same purpose.

4 So all went forth, and none was left in the bedchamber, neither little, nor great. Then Iudeth standing by his bed, said in her heart: O Lord God of all power, looke at this present vpon the workes of mine hands for the exaltation of Ierusalem.

5 For now is the time to helpe thine inheritance, and to execute mine enterprises, to the destruction of the enemies, which are risen against vs.

6 Then she came to the pillar of the bed, which was at Olofernes head, and tooke downe his fauchin from thence,

7 And approched to his bed, and tooke hold of the haire of his head, and said, Strengthen mee, O Lord God of Israel, this day.

8 And she smote twise vpon his necke with all her might, and she tooke away his head from him,

9 And tumbled his body downe from the bed, and pulled downe the canopy from the pillars, and anon after she went forth, and gaue Olofernes his head to her maide.

10 And she put it in her bag of meate, so they twaine went together according to their custome vnto prayer, and when they passed the campe, they compassed the valley, and went vp the mountaine of Bethulia, and came to the gates thereof.

11 Then said Iudeth a farre off to the watchmen at the gate, Open, open now the gate: God, euen our God is with vs, to shew his power yet in Ierusalem, and his forces against the enemie, as he hath euen done this day.