[A Pleasant BALLAD of TOBIAS:
Wherein is shewed what wonderful Things chanced to him in his Youth; and
how he wedded a young Damosel that had had Seven Husbands, but never enjoyed
their Company, being all Slain by an Evil Spirit.]
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The Angel said, good courage take,
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for so it shall be with thee,
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For Such perfumes I will thee make,
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the wicked Spirit away shall flee.
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To Raguel's house away they run,
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where Sarah met them, fair and bright
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And after Salutations done,
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she brought them to her fathers sight,
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Great cheer there was and down they sat
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and all for young Tobias's sake,
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And after long and pleasant chat
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between them both a match did make
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By Moses Law they maried were,
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the Bride's Bed-chamber prepar'd likewise:
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When young Tobias came in there,
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the tears fell down from Sarah's eyes,
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A pan of coles he brought with him,
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the Fish's heart and Liver there,
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within the fire he did cast in,
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which cast a faour everywhere,
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And by that sweet and pleasant smell,
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the wicked Spirit was displac'd.
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within that room he could not dwell,
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and there out he went in haste,
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In bed they laid this beautious bride,
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the chamber door Was shut therefore;
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Young Toby lying by her side,
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whom she did think to see no more:
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And therefore Raguel in the night;
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for him before had made a grave;
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And to his wife he wept and said,
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There is no way his life to save.
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One of the maidens send quoth he,
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to see how all the matters stands
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And if so be that dead he be,
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he shall be buried by my hands.
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This maiden Joyfull news did bring,
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Tobias is alive quoth she,
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When Raguel heared of this thing,
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he did reJoyce exceedingly,
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For Joy he made a solemn feast,
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the bridal fourteen days they kept;
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There came many Friendly Guest;
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in sorrow now no more they Slept,
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Azarius went straitway,
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unto the feast Gabriel brought:
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Rejoycing at his mariage day,
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and paid the money that he ought.
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But yet old Toby and his wife,
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did all this while in sorrow dwell,
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They thought their Son had lost his life,
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and nothing could their grief expel;
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His aged mother every day.
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did watch the high way side;
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And for his welfare oft did pray,
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no meat nor drink she could abide.
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But when the weding ended was,
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young Toby with his lovely bride,
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To Nineve did homewards pass,
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with Goods and Cattle on each side,
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But Toby and his Angel bright,
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before his wife made haste to go,
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For to prepare all things aright.
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his lovely bride to welcome home
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His mother watching in the way,
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full soon espy'd her tender Son;
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Rejoycing at that happy Day,
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she told her Husband he was come,
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Whereat old Toby Tumbled out,
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for he was blind and could not see;
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Young Toby with the Fish's Gaul,
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rub'd both his eyes immediately,
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Whereat the whiteness of his eyes,
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incontinent did fall out quite;
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So that before he did arise,
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he had again his perfect sight
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Great Joy there was, and do[wn they sat,]
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Young Toby told his fathe[r all]
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Who went to meet his lovely [Bride,]
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with joy and mir[th that was not small.]
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