Who gave Judith couráge or hardiness To slay him, Holofernes, in his tent, And to deliver out of wretchedness The people of God? I say for this intent, That right as God spirit of vigour sent To them, and saved them out of mischance, So sent he might and vigour to Constance.
Forth went her ship throughout the narrow mouth Of Jubaltare and Septe, driving alway, Sometimë west, and sometime north and south, And sometime east, full many a weary day: Till Christë’s mother (blessed be she aye) Had shapen through her endëless goodness To make an end of all her heaviness.
Now let us stint of Constance but a throw, And speak we of the Roman emperor, That out of Syria had by letters know The slaughter of Christian folk, and dishonór Done to his daughter by a false traitór— I mean the cursed wicked Soudaness, That at the feast let slay both more and less.
For which this emperor had sent anon His senator, with royal ordinance, And other lordës, God wot, many a one, On Syrians to takë high vengeánce: They burn and slay, and bring them to mischance Full many a day: but shortly this is th’ end, Homeward to Rome they shaped them to wend.
This senator repaired with victóry To Romë-ward, sailing full royally, And met the ship driving, as saith the story, In which Constancë sat full piteously: And nothing knew he what she was, nor why She was in such array; nor she will say Of her estate, although that she should dey.
He brought her unto Rome, and to his wife He gave her, and her youngë son also: And with the senator she led her life. Thus can our Lady bringen out of woe Woeful Constance, and many another mo’: And longë time she dwelled in that place, In holy works ever, as was her grace.