Book Of Joshua

by: Michael Livingston (Editor)

from: The Middle English Metrical Paraphrase of the Old Testament  2011

	JOSUE.
[JOSHUA SENDS SPIES TO JERICHO; RAHAB AIDS THEM (2:1–24)]
2680 2685 2690 2695 2700 2705 2710 2715 2720 2725 2730 2735 2740 2745	224. Moyr of the storé may men se    what was done aftur Moyses dede. A nobyll duke, heyght Josue,    was ordand to stand in his sted; Elyazar, byschope was he    the pepyll forto rewle and rede. Then neght thei nere that cuntré    God them heyght of His Godhede, So that yt myght be sene,    the land of Canan: Noyght bot the flome betwen.    And thus thei ordand than. 225. Becawse the cyté of Gerico    was next the flome and fast therby, Josue had ordand two    most cunnand of that cumpany Unto that cyté forto go    and bad that thei suld spyre and spye The wardes and the wals also    and all that passage prevely, How thei myght tytyst take    that cyty be on asent. This message forto make    two wyght men furth ther went. 226. To Jerico thei toke the way,    a cety semly unto syght. Thei spyrd full ryght all ther aray,    both ways beneth and wals on heyght. So dyd thei dewly all that day    to tyme that neght nere the nyght; Ther thar loygyng in a place toke thei    with a woman that Raab hyght. Scho had fayr rent in hand,    laft of hyr elders beforn; Bot scho was commyn kend    as hostler evyn and morn. 227. Whyls thei the cyté thus aspyd,    all yf thei ware wytty and wyse, To the wardyns thei wer ascryde    that Raab herberd swylk to spyse. The bayles went in the evyn tyde    to foche them furth befor the justyce. Bot prevely scho can them hyde    and hold from handes of ther enmyse. Scho lett them lang or day    over the wals of that cyté And teched them the redy way    from all enmyse to flee. 228. Bot fyrst scho festend this connand    or ever scho wan them over the wall: “When ye sall entur into this land    and govern this cyté, grett and small, Me and myn, loke ye warrand    that no defawt unto us fall.” Herto thei both held up ther hand    and sayd, “This cunnand kepe we sall. Thou and thi meneye both    sall well be sayved,” thei say. Thei went withowtyn wothe    over the flome the evyn way. 229. Unto Josue thei reckynd ryght    of Jerico all poyntes playn, And wher thei suld muster ther myght    to wyn yt well withowtyn payn; And how thei had to Raab heygh    so that scho suld be saved certayn, Bycawse scho sayved them in the nyght,    when bayles suld them have slayn. Thei loved God with gud wyll    that tho yong men so yemed, And hetes yt to fulfyll    and do evyn os thei demed.	More; story; (t-note) died called Joshua ordained; place Eleazar rule and guide When they came close to; (t-note) promised seen Canaan river [Jordan] gathered then Jericho strong most cunning [men] look and spy out watchmen; walls way secretly quickest by one assent mission to undertake two fellows went forth there beautiful to look upon spied; their array the ways beneath [the city]; (t-note) duly until; the night came near lodging Rahab was called a substantial legacy; (t-note) before commonly known; (see note) innkeeper evening spied out although they were careful watchmen; reported; (t-note) harbored such two spies bailiffs fetch; judge secretly enemies let them down long before daybreak taught; best way she pledged this agreement [between them] before she got them over (t-note) be sure disadvantage To this; their hands agreement your household danger river the quickest way reported without loss agreed; (t-note) officers; (t-note) those young men so guided assures just as they had said
[JOSHUA LEADS ISRAEL ACROSS THE JORDAN (3:1–17)]
2750 2755 2760	230. Josue bad the pepyll pray    and honer God with mayn and mode, And ordan that on the thryd day    suld thei passe furth over the flud. The suns of Levy, befor went thai    berand the Arke of God full gud. Thei fand ther wath and redy way,    wher never folke befortym yode. Wemen and chylder yyng    then next them fowled fast. The flud sessyd of fluyng    whyls all the pepyll past.	might and spirit ordered; (t-note) river (i.e., the Levites), in front bearing there a ford had before gone young children followed closely river ceased flowing while; passed
[MONUMENT COMMEMORATING THE CROSSING; PASSOVER CELEBRATED (4:1–24, 5:10)]
2765 2770	231. When thei war past, both best and man,    the stremys wex agayn full strang. Thei loyge them in Canan,    that land that thei had coyvet lang. Elyazar has ordand then    that certan men sone suld gang For twelf stones to the Flome Jordan    and make an auter them amang. Thei purveyd sone a place    wher God honerd suld be. Ther held thei fest of Pasce    with grett solempnité.	grew; strong; (t-note) lodged; (t-note) coveted long Eleazar; (see note) go altar provided soon Pasch (Passover)
[JERICHO BESIEGED (6:1–20)]
2775 2780 2785 2790 2795 2800 2805 2810 2815 2820	232. And when the solempne day was done     And all the folke refreyshed were, Josue semled hys host full sone     of lysty men, both lesse and mayre; Pristes and dekyns gart he gone     and beyr Goddes Arke up them beforne. To Jerico thei went ylkon     and hastely, when thei come thore, A day jornay abowt     be strengh thei have dystroyde. Then thei within had dowtt     full sone forto be noyde. 233. Then Josue bad the clargy gang    with all the lynage of Levy And beyr the Arke up them amang    abowt the town to ylk party, And at thei suld syng solemp song    and make all maner of mynstralsy. And yf the wals war never so strang,     so suld God send them the vyctory. “Bot o thyng I yow of warne:     when ye entur within, Sparse no manys wyfe ne barne    bot Raab and hyr kyn. 234. “For scho our messyngers con sayve    when we them sent over the flude.” And also he commawnd knyt and knave    and comyns that with hym yode That thei suld nawder hyde ne have    to themselfe sylver ne other gud, Bot stryke them down with sword and stave    and stroy all that befor them stud. Gold to that Tabernakyll    he bad that thei suld beyre, To God that dyd that merakyll    to them in all ther were. 235. That thei suld kepe this commawnment    he charegd the ost, both old and yong, And sayd forsothe thei suld be schent    that to themself toke any thyng. Abowt the cety then thei went    full solemply and sanges can syng. And on the sevynt day hath God sent    entré ewyn at ther awn lykyng. Wher the Arke of God can dwell,    the folke abydyn styll. The wals fayled and down fell,    and thei enturd at wyll.	(t-note) assembled strong men Priests and deacons he ordered bear each one there [And everything for] a day’s journey by those within [the city] killed go (t-note) each side that they; solemn songs; (see note); (t-note) one man’s wife nor child Rahab; family did save river knight common [soldiers]; went neither hide nor keep goods carry their wars (t-note) army destroyed Around (t-note) entry even as they had desired; (t-note) (t-note) (t-note) remained silent
[JERICHO DESTROYED; ACHAN BREAKS GOD’S COMMANDMENT (6:21–7:1)]
2825 2830	236. So when thei had this cyté wun,    thei slow and brent both best and man. Bot Raab, os thei had begun,    and hyr kyn thei keped as thei cane. On Achor, that was Caryn son,    A full rych mantyll fand he then; He hyd yt when he had yt fun;    that boldnes aftur myght he ban. He brake Goddes commawnment,    that Josue forbede. Therfor fele folke war schent,    and he had dulfull dede.	killed and burned (t-note) as they were able One [man named] Achan; Carmi’s; (see note) cloak he found found regret many people were killed a piteous death
[DEFEAT AT AI (7:2–26)]
2835 2840 2845 2850 2855	237. Bot how that care began to com,     the story furth reherses ryght. Thor stud afferrom, ner the flome,    A rych cyté that Adan hyght. Josue semled all and sum    his knyghtes that ware wyse and wyght, And thryty thowssand on a thrum    sent he with tho folke to fyght. Bot thei that ware within    so boldly batell bede, The Ebrews, moyre and myn,     war sum slayn, and sum fled. 238. When Josue herd this folke to flayd,    no mervell yf he war yll meved. “Sum of ourself has synd,” he sayd.    “Wherfor our God is to us greved.” Lottes amang them sone thei layd    so forto se the soth, thei beleved. Thei fand how Achor them betrayd,    and how the mantyll had them myscheved. To ded sone was he staned,     as his werke was worthy. And Josue fast wold fownd    forto venge this velany.	stood afar, near the river; (t-note) Ai was called; (see note) assembled capable 30,000 together; (see note) who were carried out altogether heard that these men were dispersed surprise; ill at ease sinned Lots; soon thus to reveal the truth had worked against them; (t-note) death soon; stoned attempt (t-note)
[VICTORY AT AI (8:1–29)]
2860 2865 2870 2875 2880 2885 2890 2895 2900	239. To Adan he ys wentt agayn     with thryty milia and well moe. And when he come nere on a playn,    he parted hys pepell evyn in two: The on half to a mowntan    prevely bad he them go. To tyme the saw his syng certan,    the cety suld thei entur so. Thei past furth prevely    In buschement so forto be. He and hys company    asawted that cety. 240. Within thei ware full sterne and stowte,     for them had falyn so fayr befor. Thei opynd the gattes and wentt owt,     all men of armes, lesse and more. Then Josue feyned to fle for dowt     to thei fare fro the cyté wore; Then to the mowntane he made a schowt    and set his syng to them thore. To the cety then thei wentt    and fand full evyn entre. Full fast thei schott and brentt     that folke myght farre see. 241. When Josue agayn can loke    unto the cyté styfe of stone, He saw thor fyre and full grett smoke    and sparkes fleand full gud one. To his men then he undertoke    that that cyté to them was tone. He bad them wett wele ylka noke    that ther enmys scaped none. All that behynd oght dwelt    be lyve ware dongyn down; That wentt before ware feld     with them that toke the town. 242. Ther ware the panyms put to payn;    thei had no bodes them to beld. And the Ebrews ware farly fayn    to se ther enmys feld in feld. Thrughowt the cyté past thei playn    and spared none in yowth ne eld. Thei gatt ther gold that myght them gayn    and other welth at wyll to weld. So went thei, old and yong,    to ther awn cumpany And mad full grett offeryng    to God, os was worthy.	(t-note) 30,000; more evenly; (see note) one he ordered them to go quietly At the time they saw his sign city secretly ambush (t-note) assaulted strong and stout they (the Hebrews) had fallen so quickly pretended to flee out of doubt; (t-note) until they were far from (t-note) sign; there found very easy entry Very quickly; shot and burned see [it] from afar (t-note) made there fire flying in great numbers; (t-note) taken to check each nook thoroughly so that none of their enemies escaped ought to remain quickly were struck down felled pagans assurances to comfort them; (see note) greatly gladdened fallen in the field spared neither young nor old profit wield in their own tribes as was right
[GIBEONITES TRICK JOSHUA INTO PEACE (9:1–27)]
2905 2910 2915 2920 2925 2930 2935 2940	243. When thei had wonn this grett renown,    grett word of them began to ryse, How Jacob suns wold dyng al down    and in were how thei wan the prise. So was a cuntré heyght Gabown,    and the pepyll heygh Gabonyse. Thei sembled in that same seson    and toke ther cownsell on this wyse: To putt them furth in presse    ther land forto dyffend, Or elles persew for peyse,    and thus ther consell kend. 244. Thei toke twelfe of that same ceté,    qwylke that thei for most cunnand knew, And sent them unto Josue    for sympyll peyse forto persew. Thei sayd, “We cum fro far cuntré    with ye, ser, forto take peyse and trew. By our cloghys that may thou se.    When we went furth, then ware thei new. Or we wyn hom agayn    wyl be full mony a day.” Thei toke trewse by this trayn,    and fast thei went ther way. 245. When Josue thus ther peyse had sworn,    he trowed them folke of full far land. Bot hym was told sone on the morn    that thei ware neghbours nere at hand Of Canan — this toyght hym scorne —    not thre days jornay thens dwelland. Bot for sewrty was fest beforn,    he sayd the peyse suld stably stand. So that thei suld not fall    that land whyls thei wonned in, To bere wode and fuell    ther sacurfyce to begyne.	rumor; arise soon would take down all war; won the rewards called Gibeon Gibeonites at that same time held their discussions en masse defend else pursue peace decision was made known twelve men from whom; knew to be most cunning; (t-note) (t-note) you, sir; truce cloths; see; (t-note) journeyed forth; were they; (t-note) Before we reach home truce by this trickery believed he was soon told thought three days’ journey away they lived because the pact was made before; (t-note) fail dwelled bear wood; (see note) there
[JOSHUA STILLS THE SUN AND DEFEATS FIVE KINGS (10:1–27)]
2945 2950 2955 2960 2965 2970 2975 2980 2985 2990 2995 3000	246. Kyng of Jerusalem herd tell    of bayle that in that land began: How that the chylder of Israel    ware comyn fare over Flom Jordan, And how thei hade wun them omell    fyrst Jerico and sythyn Adan And Gabonyse with them to dwell.    That mad hym a full mornand man. Hee sayd hys men to ryse    and prestly to persew To stroy the Gabonyse,     for thei had takyn trew. 247. For faur kynges sone had he send,    qwylk well he wyst wold with hym last. To Gabonyse wyghtly thei wend    them and ther cytes down to cast. Bot Josue wold them dyffend,    for thei in fayth war festynd fast. With his meneye them to amend    to paynyms planly ys he past. He tokyd them in that tyme    so that ther fled bot fone, Fro on howr aftur prime     to fowr howrs aftur none. 248. Hym toyght the day went hastely;    therfor he prayd God for His grace. And God of Hys gud curtasay    lenghed that day two days space: He made the sone to stand forthi    and passe not furth his kyndly pase Tyll Josue had the vyctory    and overcomyng of all hys foyse. Sqwylke grace os God dyd thore    Agayns the cowrse of kynd Was never seyne before,    als fere os men may mynd. 249. The paynyms os in parke war pynd,    to byd them batell was not to byd. The fyve kynges held them behynd,    and in a hole thei have them hyde. Bot Josue furth can them fynd.    That he was kyng thore well he kyd. Thar handes to ther bakkes gart he bynd,    and on this wyse with them he dyd: He gart them lyg on lang    apon the grownd thor grayd And Ebrews on them gang,    and thus to them he sayd: 250. “Als ye fare with kynges fyve    that fulse them heyr under your fette, So sall ye be lordes in your lyve    of paynyms kynges, her I yow hett, And have maystry of man and wyfe    that wyll no to yow make them mett. Ther sall none stand with yow to stryfe,    whyls ye your God with gud wyll grett.” Then gart he hang thos kynges,     als other had bene before, And sythyn of other thynges    sone made he maystry more.	misery far over the River Jordan won; among Jericho and then Ai Gibeonites very mournful man told promptly destroy truce soon who; knew would; (t-note) strongly they went their compact were well allied help against the pagans has he moved defeated; (t-note) there fled but few one hour after prime four hours after noon thought; [too] swiftly lengthened; [to] two days in length; (see note) sun; therefore natural pace Until foes Such grae as God; (t-note) Against the course of nature seen as far as men can remember pagans as if in an enclosure were pinned; (see note) make; happen; (t-note) cave; hid themselves; (t-note) (t-note) there; made known backs he had bound in this way at length arrayed walked prostrate themselves here; feet; (t-note) here I promise you complaint (t-note) ordered those kings hung then (t-note)
[SOUTHERN CANAAN CONQUERED (10:28–43)]
3005 3010	251. Sex cytes wan thei that same day    and on the morn als other mo. To Galgala then toke thei way    unto ther frendes that thei wentt fro. Of all this fayre full fayn ware thei    and thanked God wherso thei go. Then made thei myrth and mekyll play;    thei wyst of non to werke them wo. Bot sone aftur thei war    noyd of new maner: Kyng Jabyn of Dasore    geydderd full grett power	Six cities they won as many more Gilgal allies; left behind these happenings very glad much play; (t-note) knew; (t-note) they were troubled with a new problem; (t-note) Jabin of Hazor; (see note) gathered
[NORTHERN CANAAN CONQUERED (11:1–12:24)]
3015 3020 3025 3030 3035 3040 3045 3050 3055 3060	252. Of kynges and dukes and mony a knyght,    that wysly cowd the wepyns weld; Thre hunderth chareottes hath he dyght    of vetell and tentes with to teld, Fowr hunderth thowssand folke to fyght    Full well at hors with spere and scheld. To see that was a semly syght    when that thei fared furth on the feld. When Ebrews con them se,    thei ware adred sum dele, Bot God sayd unto Josue    he suld overcom them well. 253. Duke Josue and Fynyes    wold take no tyme to tary lang; Thei putt them furth full fast in presse    agayns ther enmys forto gang. Ther was no poynttyng unto peyse    bot ylk man his fere to fang. The Ebrews con ever incresse,    bot paynyms toyght the stoure full strang: Thei had no strengh to stand     agayns Goddes folke to stryfe. Of faur hunderth thowssand    ther leved bot few on lyfe. 254. Ther chareys was fest on fyr ylkon     with vessell and with mony a tent. Thei spoled and spylt and spared non,    tyll all was wast and schamly schent. Bot tresour to them have thei tone;    Cytes and burghes have thei brent. When thei had wonn so welth gud wone,    to Galgala agayn thei went. Then was none leved in land,    kyng ne prince with pryde, That them durst more gayn stand,    ne in batell them abyd. 255. Ne forto fle war leved bot fone;    thei conquerd all thos cuntreys clene. Thyrty kynges to ded was done    withowtyn dukes and knyghtes kene. Bott all this werke was not wroght sone;    thei toke full mony tym betwene. Then forto noye them fand thei none,    bot all on myrth thei wold mene. Thei made grett sacurfyce     unto God Allmighty, Wyt wrschepe on this wyse,    als yt was well worthy.	knew how; wield chariots; (see note) victuals and tents to pitch wondrous sight went out were frightened somewhat (t-note) Phinehas wait long en masse against; to go signaling of peace adversary to catch grew strong the pagans thought the battle; (t-note) 400,000 [men]; (see note) remained only a few alive Every one of their chariots was set on fire shamefully destroyed; (see note) taken Cities and towns; burned in abundance Gilgal no one left nor That any more dared stand against them Nor were any left to flee but a few whole death; (see note) keen done quickly a great amount of time; (t-note) to trouble in joy Did worship in this way
[DIVISION OF THE LAND (13:1–19:51)]
3065 3070 3075 3080	256. Duke Josue then folke arayse    on Sylo. That was a solempne syght. And all thus to them he says,    “Hevys up your hertes to God on hyght And wrschep Hym with wyll all ways    that now hath fulfylled that He heyght In Abraham and in Ysac days:    that thei suld have this remes be ryght To them and ther ofspryng    and weld yt with honowrs. For now is all that hetyng    fulfylled in us and ours. 257. “The grownd therof in them begane     and past furth to ther progenyté. Yow menys how Moyses commawnd then     to us and to all our cumpany, ‘Qwen ye have conqwerde Canan    and hath yt at your awn maystry, Depart yt als wele os ye cane    to the twelf kynradyns communly.’ Thus was his bydyng last,     and so part yt we sall. Sythyn sall we lottes cast    qwylke part to qwylke sall fall.”	gathered; (t-note) at Shiloh (t-note) what He promised; (t-note) these realms by right are all those promises (t-note) foundation [of this promise] remember; (t-note) When under your own control Divide twelve tribes which; which [tribe]
[JOSHUA’S FAREWELL AND DEATH (23:1–24:33)]
3085 3090 3095 3100 3105 3110 3115 3120 3125 3130 3135 3140 3145 3150 3155	258. Ten of the wysest furth can fayre    and mett the land in lengh and bred. When thei had done that charge and charre,    agayn then hastely can thei sped. Then Josue and Elezaar    to ylke a kynradyn toke gud hede And gafe ylkon aftur thei wayre    mony or few ther on to fede. So wentt thei all and sum    aftur ther cowrse was cast. And thei beyond the flome    unto ther partes past. 259. Qwen twenty yeres war full spend    fro tyme thei past Flome Jordayn, Then Josue full clere kend    that he most passe by kynd of man. Aftur the Ebrews hath he sent,    and to them thus sayd he than, “Syrs, I may no langer lend     to governe yow, ose I began. My tyme neghys nere    that me behovys fownd yow fro. My consell sall ye heyre    and takes gud tent therto. 260. “Honowrs God ever, old and yyng,     and kyndly kepes Hys commawndment. And coveyttes now non other kyng,    bot trows in Hym with trew entent. Whyls ye do so, all erthly thyng    that nedfull is is to yow sent. And what tyme ye breke this bydyng,    full sodanly ye sall be schent. Hath mynd, both more and lesse,    what dedes He for yow dyde And of seyre grett kyndnese     He to your kyndradyn kyde. 261. “He lede them fayr fro Fayran    and mad ther way thrugh waters clere And drowned ther enmys ylkon    that none with noye myght neghe them nere, And sythyn in wyldernes gud wone    sent them of foyde full faurty yere. This land to ther lynag alon    He heyght, and now ye have yt here. Therfor forgeyttes Hym noyght    bot nevyn Hym in your nede. Whyls ye of Hym hath toyght,    allway ye sall well spede. 262. “I warn yow all so and all Ebrews    that ar of Jacob kynradyn knawn That ye comyn not with Cananews,    nor with non nacion bot your awn. For yf ye mell yow with swylke schrews,    in donger sone sall ye be drawn. And whyls ye use all honest thews,    full savely sall your sede be sawn.” Thus lerned he lest and most    to eschew all yll thyng. And then he gafe his gost     to Goddes awn goveryng. 263. Thus qwen this nobyll duke was ded,    the folke made doyle withowtyn drede. And whyls thei wroyght aftur his rede,    thei had lordschep of ylke led. Elezaar, ther sufferan hed,    the same way sone aftur yode. And hys sun Fynyes in his sted    was ordand furth thos folke to led. This boke ys of Josue    sen tyme thei past the flome. And other new say sall we;    that is called Judicum.	(t-note) measured; (t-note) chore back again each of the tribes each one according to whether they were feed [themselves] river [of Jordan] to their lands went the River Jordan very clearly knew pass by the natural course of man remain grows near I must leave you counsel shall you hear pay careful attention to naturally keep trust; proper will that you need; (t-note) command destroyed Keep in mind deeds the many to your tribes showed; (t-note) far from Pharaoh (t-note) harassment then during their long sojourn; (t-note) food for; (t-note) people alone invoke; (t-note) While you have Him in mind always Jacob’s kindred commune; (t-note) nation; (t-note) mix yourself with such cursed people; (t-note) (t-note) while you; habits seed be sewn; (t-note) taught he one and all bad things; (t-note) gave over his soul when grief certainly performed after his advice each nation Eleazar, their sovereign chief-priest soon afterward went Phinehas; place since; passed the river narrate; (t-note) Judges; (t-note)

Go to Book of Judges

Footnotes

BOOK OF JOSHUA: EXPLANATORY NOTES

ABBREVIATIONS: CA: Gower, Confessio Amantis; CM: Cursor mundi; CT: Chau­cer, Canterbury Tales; DBTEL: A Dic­tionary of Biblical Tradition in English Literature, ed. Jeffrey; HS: Peter Comes­tor, Historia Scholastica, cited by book and chapter, followed by Patrologia Latina column in paren­theses; K: Kalén-Ohlander edition; MED: Middle English Dictionary; NOAB: New Oxford Annotated Bible; OED: Oxford English Dictionary; OFP: Old French Paraphrase, British Library, MS Egerton 2710, cited by folio and column; Whiting: Whiting, Proverbs, Sentences, and Pro­verbial Phrases; York: York Plays, ed. Beadle. For other abbreviations, see Textual Notes.

2711–12 scho was commyn kend / as hostler evyn and morn. Rahab is called a prostitute in both Joshua 2:1 and HS Jos. 2 (1261). The Paraphrase-poet is somewhat oblique in referencing her trade here, however, describing her status in terms that are what the reader makes of them. She is commyn kend as hostler, which could mean either that she is “commonly known as one who runs a hostel,” or that she is “commonly known,” and that she welcomes men into her hostel (with its various allusions) both morning and evening, as an inn­keeper should do. Note that the modern slang term hustler to refer to a pros­titute is unrelated to these terms, as it derives from the verb hustle, itself a late-seventeenth-century derivation from various possible High and Low German dialects. The OED thus lists an initial instance of hustler meaning “prostitute” as dating from 1924.

2765 Elyazar has ordand then. The order, according to Joshua 4:1, comes not from Eleazar but from God Himself. It is possible that the poet is here trying to make a theological point about the place of the priest as conduit to God in a post-Mosaic world, though elsewhere he seems unshy about allowing God the ability to still speak directly to the people (e.g., lines 3023–24, where God reassures Joshua).

2789–90 thei suld syng solemp song / and make all maner of mynstralsy. The seven trumpets and the shouts of the people and the circling of the city seven times are here omitted in favor of solemnity. And the association between the shout of the people and the breaching of the wall (Joshua 6:20) is similarly left out in lines 2819–20, where the active hand is that of God alone, acting on His own accord. The omission is, perhaps, part of a “historization” of the text, where the poet regards the trumpets and shouts as more “mythic” or “fantastic” than the active intercession of God.

2825 Achor. In Hebrew, “trouble”; his activities befit his name, or the reverse.

2836 Adan. As Ohlander notes, the Paraphrase-poet has taken the name of the town not from the Vulgate but from OFP 24a or an Old French source very similar to it, where the name “Ai” has been altered to “Adan” in order to meet rhyme: “Pur aseger la vile d’Adan / Qui est assise sur le flum Jordan” (“Old French Parallels,” p. 205).

2839 thryty thowssand on a thrum. Joshua 7:4 reports three thousand men, rather than thirty thousand. It is possible that the number of men sent against Ai in the second assault (Joshua 8:3) may have simply been transfered to the first. Also of note, however, is HS Jos. 6 (1265), where Comestor records three thousand before noting that Josephus gives the number as thirty thousand.

2860 he parted hys pepell evyn in two. Joshua 8:12 gives the number in the am­bushing party as five thousand. The Paraphrase-poet has apparently here opted for the exigencies of rhyme over text.

2894 thei had no bodes them to beld. The contrast is clearly with Rahab and her family, who had gained assurances of safety that were granted when Jericho was taken. The people of Ai made no such deals.

2939–40 To bere wode and fuell / ther sacurfyce to begyne. That is, the Gibeonites were tasked with producing wood and water for the sacrifices that took place in the Israelite services. The story thus serves to explain both “the presence of non-Israelites in the service of Israelite sanctuaries” and “the survival of some Canaanites despite the command to exterminate them” (NOAB, p. 281).

2968 lenghed that day two days space. That the lengthened day was of two days in duration is an extrabiblical detail (compare Joshua 10:12–14) derived from HS Jos. 9 (1267), where the additional day gained here is contrasted with the ten hours gained by Isaias as proof for Hezekiah (see 4 Kings [2 Kings] 20:7–11 and Isaias 38:7–8).

2977–3000 The sense of what is happening here may be in need of explanation. Joshua has ordered the five kings brought out from the cave in which they were hi­ding and has bound them (lines 2977–84). He makes them lie down upon the ground, and then the Hebrews walk among them (lines 2985–88). Josh­ua tells his men that they are to have no more fear of other kings than they have of these five bound ones, for God will give them such power over them all, just as He has promised (lines 2989–96). The five kings are then hanged as an example before they move on (lines 2997–3000). Making the sense par­ticularly difficult to construe is line 2990, that fulse them heyr under your fette. The word fulse means to “oppress,” “subdue,” or “trample down” (MED fullen v.2[c]), making this line a further explication of the ye referred to in both the preceding and succeeding lines. Thus Joshua says to his men that they, who are trampling upon these five kings with their feet, will be thus always vic­torious against the enemy. What can only be inferred here, but is plain from Joshua 10:24–25, is that this trampling of the kings is no meta­phor: “he called all them men of Israel, and said to the chiefs of the army that were with him: Go, and set your feet on the necks of these kings. And when they had gone, and put their feet upon the necks of them lying under them, He said again to them: Fear not, neither be ye dismayed, take cour­age, and be strong: for so will the Lord do to all your enemies, against whom you fight.”

3011 Kyng Jabyn of Dasore. The Paraphrase-poet has once again (see note to line 2836) taken the name of a town not from the Vulgate but from a French source. OFP 25c reads “Li reis Jabin dasor” (= “d’Asor”).

3015–17 The description of Jabyn’s army, which the Paraphrase gives as three hun­dred chariots and four hundred thousand armed men, is not based on any clear source. Joshua 11:1–5 gives no specific number of men, while Judges 4:3 gives only nine hundred chariots. HS Jos. 10 (1267) reads: “Egres­sique sunt viginti quatuor reges, cum turmis suis, habentes secum trecenta millia arma­torum, et duo millia curruum” (i.e., two thousand chariots and three hundred thou­sand men). And OFP 25c reduces HS’s chariots by tenfold: “Dous cent cur­res, treis cent millers de gent” (Ohlander, “Old French Parallels,” p. 211).

3035 faur hunderth thowssand. See note to lines 3015–17.

3040 schamly schent. The poet’s comment here, which is unparalleled in his pri­mary sources (Bible, HS, OFP), is striking in its candor. It certainly seems to invert one reading of the preceding lines, which have re­ported the slaughter so factually as to imply approval of the devastation. The comment goes far toward painting a picture of the Paraphrase-poet as a man of peace who, though he recognizes and cannot deny the historicity and efficacy of such destruction, cannot wholly approve of it. He would take a place, then, along with other late-fourteenth-century poets who are es­pousing irenic goals in works as varied as Siege of Jerusalem, Gower’s Con­fessio Amantis, and Lang­land’s Piers Plowman.

3051–52 Thyrty kynges to ded was done / withowtyn dukes and knyghtes kene. Joshua 12 provides a comprehensive listing of the many kings killed by the Israelites.

BOOK OF JOSHUA: TEXTUAL NOTES

ABBREVIATIONS: L: MS Longleat 257; H: Heuser edition (partial); K: Kalén-Ohlander edition; O: Ohlander’s corrigenda to K; P: Peck edition (partial); S: MS Selden Supra 52 (base text for this edition).

2677, 79 Lines indented to leave space for an initial capital; first letter of line 2677 writ­ten in the middle of the space.

2683 cuntré. So L, K. S omits.

2704 ways. So L, K. S: be ways.

2709 Marginalia in S (at top of fol. 25v): no heading.

2715 wardyns. So L, K. S: wardyn.

2728 govern. So L, K. S: gouerd.

2741 had to. So L, K. S omits.

2744 slayn. S: inserted above the line.

2751 ordan. So K. S: ordans, with s canceled. L: ordand.

2762 full strang. S: inserted below the line.

2763 Marginalia in S (at top of fol. 26r): no heading.

2773 when. So L, K. S omits.

2787 Arke. S: inserted above the line in different ink.

2789 song. So K. S, L: sang.

2809 commawnment. So L, K. S: commawment.

2814 and. So L, K. S omits.

2815 Marginalia in S (at top of fol. 26v): no heading.

2816 ewyn. So L, K. S: wyn.

2817 can. So L, K. S omits.

2823 Bot. So L, K. S: Bo.

2835 afferrom. So L, K. S: afforrom.

2852 myscheved. S: ved inserted below the line.

2856 this. So L, K. S: þs.

2857 he. So L, K. S omits.

2867 Marginalia in S (at top of fol. 27r): no heading.

2873 dowt. S: d dowt.

2875 to. S: inserted above the line.

2881 can. So K. L: gun. S omits.

2884 one. So S, O. L, K: wone.

2918 knew. S: inserted below the line.

2919 Marginalia in S (at top of fol. 27v): no heading.

2923 By. So L, K. S: Bot.

2924 When. S: ff when.
new. S: inserted above the line.

2935 Bot. S: t inserted above the line in different ink.

2954 wold. So L, K. S: was.
last. So L, K. S: fast.

2961 them. So L, K. S: hym.

2973 Marginalia in S (at top of fol. 28r): no heading.

2978 byd₂. So L, O. S, K: abyd.

2980 in. So L, K. S: made.

2981 them. So L, K. S: þen.

2990 fulse. So S, O. L, K: sulse.

2996 your God with gud wyll. So L, K. S: wyll your god with gud.

3000 maystry. So O. S, K: maystur. L: maistres.

3007 myrth. So L, K. S: mrth.

3008 werke. S: r inserted above the line.

3010 noyd. S: inserted above canceled new.

3023 Marginalia in S (at top of fol. 28v): no heading.

3032 paynyms. So L, K. S: pynyms.

3054 betwene. S: twene inserted below the line.

3061 arayse. So L, K. S: he rayse.

3064 hyght. So O. S, L, K: myght.

3066 heyght. S: inserted below the line.

3072 fulfylled. S: l₁ inserted above the line.
and. S: d inserted above the line.

3075 Marginalia in S (at top of fol. 29r): no heading.

3085 fayre. So L, K. S: þei fayre.

3086 mett. So L, K. S: wett.

3114 is₂. So L, K. S omits.

3120 kyde. S: dede kyde.

3123 Marginalia in S (at top of fol. 29v): no heading.

3125 gud wone. So L, K. S: when þei can wun.

3126 of. So L, K. S omits.

3130 bot. So L, K. S: be.

3135 Cananews. So L, K. S: Canews.

3136 nacion. So L, O. S: nacon, with n inserted above the line, followed by K.
your awn. So L, K. S: yf 3e be ouer drawn.

3137 schrews. So L, K. S: schews.

3138 drawn. So L, K. S omits.

3140 sall. So L, K. S: sad.

3142 thyng. S: thynges.

3155 other. So L, K. S: other ther.

3156 Judicum. S: Iudicium, with last i canceled.