Their brains were full of battle, they were made
Of virtue, brave men; now in their brains shudder
Minds that cringe like children burnt with fever.
Often they stood to face the enemies' ranks
All upright as a flame in windless air,
Wearing their arm and the bright skill of swords
Like spirits clad in flashing fire of heaven;
And now in darken'd rooms they lie afraid
And whimper if the nurse moves suddenly.--
Ah God, that such an irresistible fiend,
Pain, in the beautiful housing of man's flesh
Should sleep, light as a leopard in its hunger,
Beside the heavenly soul; and at a wound
Leap up to mangle her, the senses' guest!--
That in God's country heathen men should do
This worse than murder on men full of God!
_Judith_.
What matter of new wailing do your tongues
Wear in this shivering misery of sound?
_A Citizen_.
The captains which were chosen to go out
And treat with Holofernes have come back.
_Judith_.
And did the Ninevite demon treat with them?
_A Citizen_.
The words they had from him were flaying knives,
And burning splinters fixt in their skinless flesh,
And stones thrown till their breasts were broken in.
_Judith_.
What, torture our embassage?
_A Citizen_.
Yea, for he means
Nothing but death to all the Jews he takes.
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