A10192:84
A tragedy of Abraham's sacrifice, written in frenchA tragedie of Abrahams sacrifice, written in french
A tragedy of Abraham's sacrifice, written in french by Theodore Beza, and translated into English, by A.G. Finished at Powles Belchamp in Essex, the xj. of August. 1575A tragedie of Abrahams sacrifice, written in french by Theodore Beza, and translated into Inglish, by A.G. Finished at Povvles Belchamp in Essex, the xj. of August. 1575
London: printed by Thomas Vautroullier, 1577
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
These things shall in their time without all fail Be brought to pass. As now I will assail One Abraham, who only with his race Withstands me, and defies me to my face. In deed I have him often times assailed: But ever of my purpose I have failed. I never saw old fellow hold such tack. But I will lay such load upon his back, That (as I hope) ere long I shall him make ⟨p. 10⟩A son of mine. I know that he doth take The true Creator for his only hold To trust unto: and that doth make him bold. In deed he hath alliance with the true Creator, who hath promised him a new Right wondrous things, according whereunto He hath already done, and still will do. But what for that? If steadfastness him fail To hold out still: what shall his hope avail? I trow I will so many blows him give, That from his hold at length I shall him drive. His elder son I fear not: and the other Shall hardly scape these hands of mine: the mother Is but a woman: as for all the meiny That serve him, they be simple souls as any Can lightly be: there is a ragged stout Of silly shepherds, neither skilled nor stout Enough against my wily sleights to stand. But hence I will and work so out of hand, To have them, that unless I miss my mark, Anon I will deceive their greatest Clarke.
These thinges shall in their time wtout all faile Be brought to passe. As now I will assaile One Abraham, who onely with his race Withstands me, and defies me to my face. In deede I haue him often times assailed: But euer of my purpose I haue failed. I neuer saw olde fellow hold such tack. But I will lay such loade vpon his backe, That (as I hope) ere long I shall him make ⟨p. 10⟩A sonne of myne. I know that he doth take The true Creator for his onely hold To trust vnto: and that doth make him bold. In deede he hath alliance with the trew Creator, who hath promist him a new Right wondrous thinges, according whereunto He hath already done, and still will doe. But what for that? If stedfastnes him faile To hold out still: what shall his hope auaile? I trow I will so many blowes him giue, That from his hold at length I shall him driue. His elder sonne I feare not: and the other Shal hardly scape these hands of mine: ye mother Is but a woman: as for all the meynie That serue him, they be simple sowles as enie Can lightly be: there is a ragged stowt Of sillie shepherds, nother skild nor stowt Ynough against my wily sleights to stand. But hence I will and worke so out of hand, To haue them, that vnlesse I misse my marke, Anon I will deceiue their greatest Clarke.