The southern aegis, and Harford County intelligencer., 1862-07-19


oil, which are for the priests that serve at
Jerusalem, and not lawful for the people
to even touch. /, therefore, knowing this,
have fed from them, and God has sent me
here to do that which shall astonish the
whole world. Believe thou the words of
thy servant, for she serveth God day and
night. And Twill stay with thee, my
Lord, and every night will go into the
valley to pray, and God will tell me when
my people sin, that they may be delivered
into thy hand" She ceased, and sat
with clasped hands and downcast eyes,
waiting for Holofernes to reply; but he
was lost in wonder and admiration, and
could only say-"From one end of the
earth to the other, there is no such woman
as this"
Every evening solitary figure might
be seen in that lonely valley Of Bethnlia,
with face turned toward the beloved city,
and hands raised to heaven. There,
amidst the silence and the gloom, beside
the fountain of waters, she knelt upon the
ground, and besought the God she served
continually to aid her in saving her peo-
pie, for in that momentous hour hung all
that was dear on earth !.
The feast was ready. Judith sat down
before her lord; she seemed more lovely
than ever to the eyes of the willy fatterer,
who praised her wit and grace, and laugh
ed and drank as he never had before
Her rosy smiles were taking him captive.
Judith saw it all. Her plans were near
ing completion.
The long day passed at last, and sha-
dows were gathering over the valley
The servants, wearied out with the feast,
had sought repose, and Holofernes lay
upon his bed, for the wine had overcome
him. Judith sat within the tent, alone,
a look of stern, almost fierce determination
had settled on her face, but her cheek was
pale as marble. The hour had come, there
was no time for delay. She rose noiseless-
ly, and crossed over to where the slum-
bering chieftain lay, and stood moment
gazing al him, her cheek growing whittier
still. Oh! Judith, did not thy heart
almost fail thee then? Surely stronger
power than thine--a sure support-must
have nerved thy arm and steeled thy gen.
tie heart at that hour, or else all would
have been lost. The falchion glitters
above her head--once- twice-and the
couch becomes crimson with the life-blood
of the slain
The morning broke. Slowly arising
from his rosy couch, the Persian god came
forth, smiling as brightly on Judsa's hill
tops as upon the land of those who fall
down to do him homage. Bethulia's war
rior's had their armor on. They marched
without the walls, and stood upon the
mountain. The wondering Assyrians scotf
at their boldness, and hasten to tell their
chief; but no chieftain do they ind--only
the headless body lying upon the floor
And there was noise throughout the camp,
and mighty uproar, with the Gathering
of hoofs, the clash of steel, and shouts of
horsemen flying past The Israelites march
down the mountain and fall upon the foe,
The panic stricken Assyriaus fly. Israel
pursues. Assur, the spoiler Of many ma
tions, is vanquished- Israel is yictor
And there was joy in Israel, with thanks
giving and great praise. Friends grasp
the hands'of friends and murmur, "saOed."
The multitude shout and rejoice, crying
HsauetlR' sssaoed ~
Judith came out beforesthe people,.
No,o the roses were blooaIing triumphant
upon Der cheeks, and that vast populace
look proudly upon her rs their delivcrer.
The women crowned her with olive gar
lands, 'and the men with armor on led her
into the dance. II old priest came from
Jerusalem, and laid his holy hands upon
her head, bowed for the blessing, saying
in heart-fnll tones Blessed Judith !! the
Lord God Almighty bless thee, forever
and forever more | for thou art the exalta-
tion Of Jerusalem, and the great glory Of
Israel r
Then judith began to sing, and the
people sang after her: Begin praise
unto my God with timbrels; sing unto
my Lord with cymbals !; tune unto him
new psalm Assur came from the noun
tains Of the North--he came with ten
thousands Of bis army their multitude
stopped the torrents their horsemen COW
cred the hills! He boasted be would burn
our borders with ERE, and slay our people
with the sword, but the Lord hath disap-
pointed him by tho hand Of d woman for
the mighty one did not fall BY the Titans,
neither did hundred.handGd giants lay
him low, but Judith deceived him by her
wilcs; she took off her garments Of Wild