Page:Aelfric's Lives of Saints Vol 2.djvu/113

 unto Jerusalem,  with  all  his  army,

and they  defended  themselves  keenly  against  the  conquering  army

until the  king  instituted  peace  with  them

by his  counsellors'  advice;    but  he  quickly  brake  it.

He turned  then  homeward  with  the  remnant  of  his  army,

and soon  a  victorious  thane  slew  him,

named Demetrius,  and  possessed  his  kingdom

in the  city  Antioch,  and  everywhere  thereabout.

VIII. Moreover Alcimus,  the  impious  priest,

accused with  lyings  his  people  to  the  king;

and the  king  Demetrius  believed  the  wicked  one,

and aflflicted  the  Jews  until  he  sent  to  them

Nicanor his  alderman,  that  he  might  destroy  them  all.

Nicanor then  went  with  a  host  to  Jerusalem,

and sent  to  Judas  with  deceit,  and  quoth,

'I have  not  come  for  any  battle,  but  for  friendship  to  you,'

and kissed  then  Judas,  and  his  champions  were

ready to  take  Judas  in  bands.

Judas then  perceived  their  cruel  deceitfulness,

and turned  from  him  soon,  and  would  not  see  him.

Nicanor then  perceived  that  his  guile  was  known,

began then  to  fight  suddenly  against  Judas,

until there  fell  of  his  army  five  thousand  men,

and the  rest  fled,  affrighted  because  of  Judas.

Nicanor then  beheld  Solomon's  temple,

and swore  by  his  gods  that  he  the  house  of  God

would burn  up  with  fire,  except  one  should  give  up  to  him

Judas bound,  to  shameful  death;

(and) so  turned  him  away,  madly  enraged.