[A] p[ro]per new Ballad, intituled, When Jepha Judge of Israel.
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I Read that many yeares agoe,
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when Jepha Judge of Israel,
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Had one faire daughter and no moe,
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whom he beloved 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 Warres there should be,
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and who should be chiefe but he, but he.
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[Wh]en Jepha was appointed now,
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[chie]fe Captaine of the Company,
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[To Go]d the Lord he made a Vow:
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[if he m]ight have the Victory:
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[At his ret]urne, to burne,
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[For his of]fering the first quick thing,
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[Should mee]te with him then,
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[from his h]ouse when he came againe, againe
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[It chance]d so these Warres were done,
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[and hom]e he came with victory:
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[His Daugh]ter out of dores did runne,
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[to meet h]er father speedily:
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[And all the] way did play
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One taber and pipe with many a stripe,
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And notes full high,
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for joy that he was so nie, so nie.
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When Jepha did perceive and see,
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his daughter first and formostly:
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He rent his Cloaths and tore his Haire,
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and shrieked out most pittously:
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For thou art shee (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 doe, to doe,
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For I have made a vow (quoth he)
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which must not be deminished,
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A Sacrifice to God one 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 good will, good will.
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For sithence 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 performe all Promises,
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All this let be (quoth she)
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As you have said, be not afraid,
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Although it be I,
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keepe promise with God one high, one high
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But father, doe so much for me,
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as let me goe to wildernesse,
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There to bewaile my Virginitie,
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three months to moane my heavinesse,
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And let there goe some moe,
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Like Maides with me. Content (quoth hee)
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And sent her away,
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to mourne 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 Virgine sacrificed was,
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for to fulfill all Promises
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And as some say for ay,
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The Virgins there three times a yeare
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Like sorrow fulfill
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for the daughter of Jepha still, still still.
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