A proper new ballad, intituled, Jepha Judge of
Israel.
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I Read that many years agoe,
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when Jepha Judge of Israel,
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Had one fair Daughter and no more,
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whom he loved so passing well.
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And as by lot God wot,
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It came to passe most like it was,
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Great warrs there should be,
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and who should be the chiefe, but he, but he.
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When Jepha was appointed now,
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chiefe Captain of the company,
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To God the Lord he made a vow,
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if he might have the victory,
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At his return to burn
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For his offering the first quick thing,
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Should meet with him then,
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from his house when he came agen, agen.
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It chanced so these warrs were done,
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and home he came with victory,
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His Daughter out of doores did run,
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to meet her Father speedily,
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And all the way did play
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To Taber and Pipe, and many a stripe,
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And notes full high.
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for joy that he was so nigh so nigh.
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When Jepha did perceive and see
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his Daughter firm and formostly,
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He rent his cloths and tore his haire,
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and shrieked out most piteously.
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For thou art she (quoth he)
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Hath brought me low, alas for woe,
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And troubled me so,
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that I cannot tell what to do to doe.
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For I have made a vow (quoth he)
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which must not be diminished,
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A sacrifice to God on high,
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my promise must be finished,
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As you have spoke, provoke,
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No further care but to prepare,
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Your will to fulfill,
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according to Gods will Gods will.
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For silence God hath given you might,
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to overcome your Enemies,
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Let me be offered up as right,
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for to perform all promises,
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And this let be quoth she,
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As thou hast said be not afraid,
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Although it be I.
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keep promise with God on high, on high.
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But Father do so much for me,
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as let me goe to Wildernesse,
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There to bewaile my virginity,
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three months to bemoan my heavinesse,
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And let there go some moe,
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Like Maids with me. content quoth he,
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And sent her away,
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to mourn till her latter day her day.
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And when that time was come and gone,
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that she should sacrificed be,
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This Virgin sacrificed was,
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for to fulfill all promises;
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As some say for aye:
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The Virgins there three times a year,
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Like sorrow fulfill,
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for the Daughter of Jepha still, still, still.
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