Page:Aelfric's Lives of Saints Vol 2.djvu/89

 He fled  then  to  the  wilderness,  and  many  men  with  him,

with constant  minds,  and  despised  the  wicked  one.

Then sent  the  king  soon  after  him

a great  company  to  the  vast  mountains,

where they  by  troops  went  with  their  families.

Then was  there  slain  a  part  of  the  folk,

that were  at  a  distance  from  Mattathias,

because that  they  would  not  fight  on  the  feast-day  [sabbath],

but let  them  slay  them  with  impunity.

The host  then  waxed  exceedingly  that  was  with  Mattathias,

and they  firmly  fought,  and  put  to  flight  the  heathen,

with great  strength,  who  were  highminded  against  God.

Mattathias then  went,  with  his  kinsmen's  help,

and chased  the  heathen,  and  altogether  drove  them  away,

and reared  up  God's  law,  and  God  also  helped  them.

He then  grew  old,  and  his  end  approached,

and he  taught  his  sons  with  faith,  and  quoth,


 * Contend now  manfully,  now  your  need  is  great,

and proffer  your  own  life  for  the  true  law,

and for  our  fathers'  testimony;    it  shall  come  to  your  glory.

Be ye  mindful  now,  my  children,

how the  great  Abraham,  in  much  temptation,

was true  to  God,  and  that  was  imputed  to  him  for  righteousness.

Also Joseph,  and  Jesus  [Joshua]  son  of  Naue  [Nun],

David and  Daniel,  and  all  they  who  trusted  in  God,

were ever  encouraged,  for  their  trust  in  Him.

Be ye  now  heartened,  and  rejoice  in  God,

and hold  with  (true)  service  the  holy  law  of  God,

because that  ye  shall  be  glorified  therein.

Fear ye  not,  I  pray,  the  threats  of  the  sinful  one,

because his  glory  is  corruption  and  muck;