When Judith was risen up from the respectful posture she had placed herself in, Holofernes requested she would not be alarmed, as he never did injury to those who submitted to his power; and that he never should have lifted a spear against her country, if they had not opposed him, and slighted his commands. But to assure herself that she should be free from any one offering her offence or harm, and to consider herself in every respect safe, whilst under the protection of king Nabuchodonosor.

The part Judith was now compelled to act for the preservation of her country, and of all the lives which were dear to her, was one of the most distressing that can be imagined. And nothing but that dreadful alternative could palliate the treacherous conduct she was from this hour of introduction obliged to adopt and continue towards Holofernes. Nothing less than the powerful motives which actuated Judith, can excuse the exercise of deceit and falshood, even to the severest enemy or most wicked man.

Judith then humbly entreated Holofernes to listen to the instruction which she had come to give him, and she would put him in a way to conquer Bethulia, without the loss of even one life. For (she continued) Achior had told him the truth respecting her people, when he had said that they

never could be overcome, until they sinned against and provoked their God to wrath.—That was in truth the case, but that now necessity and famine would oblige them to act contrary to their law; for they were about to destroy for their own sustenance, the cattle set apart for sacrifices to God; which sin, whenever it was committed, would bring destruction upon them, and they would fall into his hands without the power of resistance. And she, well knowing this event must inevitably take place, had come to throw herself upon his mercy before it was too late.

She likewise added-that she herself being very religious, she must entreat (if he permitted her to remain in his camp) that she might be allowed to go out every night into the valley to pray, and to her it would there be revealed, when they had become guilty of that sin, which would occasion their being delivered into his hands; and then she herself would lead him in triumph through the midst of Judea.

When she had finished her discourse, Holofernes and all his people were as much charmed by her wisdom and eloquence, as they had been with her beauty; and said, "There is not such a woman from one end of the earth to the other, both for beauty of face and wisdom of words." And Holofernes said to her, "And now thou are both

beautiful in thy countenance, and witty in thy words; surely if thou do as thou hast spoken, thy God shall be my God, and thou shalt dwell in the house of king Nabuchodonosor, and shall be renowned through the whole earth.”

Holofernes then gave command that Judith should be brought where his plate was set, and that she should be entertained at his own table, and also every attention and respect should be paid to her, and that she might partake of the wine and delicacies prepared for him; but Judith with great modesty and caution, declined the honour of sitting at his board, giving as her reason, her fear of offending God, by partaking of what she was forbidden, but said provision should be made for her of the things that she had brought. Holofernes (at her request) consented to this arrangement, but said he was afraid that when her stock was expended, he should find great difficulty in providing for her, as none of her nation were with him? To this Judith answered that she trusted in her God, even before the time that her provision should be exhausted, the thing she had determined upon, the Lord would accomplish by her hand.

Having conversed with him in this manner for some time, she retired to the tent prepared for her

repose; when having slept till midnight, she arose and went forth to pray, attended by her servant; having gained permission from Holofernes for that purpose, and a command given to the guard to let those females pass every night into the valley, to perform their devotions. And in this way did Judith pass three days in the Assyrian camp, going out each night (at midnight) according to the command which Holofernes had given to permit her, to his guards; and had promised to herself she should ever have liberty to do, to perform her ablutions, and to pray to her God.

On the fourth day of her residence amongst them, Holofernes made a grand feast, to his own servants only, and called none of his officers to be present at it, and said to his principal attendant Bagoas, that he must go and invite Judith to it: adding that it would be wrong and even disgrace'ful to them, not to persuade her to partake of one entertainment with them, and therefore he gave instruction to Bagoas to persuade her to comply with this request, should she make objections to it. Bagoas delivered this message of his lord's, with many flattering compliments and entreaties of his own, to convince her of the necessity of her attendance, and the high honour of the invitation. But to his great surprize she instantly, and with great pleasure consented to accept it, and attend

on Holofernes, saying, "Who am I now, that I should gainsay my lord ?-Surely whatever pleaseth him, I will do speedily, and it shall be my joy unto the day of my death."

Then she arose and arrayed herself in the most magnificent manner, and her maid went to lay soft skins in the tent, and make great preparation for the reception of Judith there, with every attention to her ease and accommodation; and when she arrived, Holofernes was even more than ever charmed with her grace, beauty, and modesty : and he entreated her to join them in their entertainment, to drink and be merry with them. To which she replied, "I will drink now my lord, because my life is magnified in me this day, more than all the days since I was born."-But that what she drank or eat, must still be what her maid had prepared for her. Holofernes, who had provided the most costly banquet, and had ordered every thing to be conducted with the most imposing ceremony and grandeur, was hurt that he could not prevail on the Hebrew woman to join with them, but he urged her no further on the subject, and sat down with his companions to enjoy those dainties, which Judith so perseveringly refused. But it was a delight to him that she was present at the feast, and inspired with unusual joy and gladness by her society and kindness, he gave