The chronicle of Abomilech, King of the Isles, translated from a Latin manuscript, written in the year 1220. By William of Salisbury
William of Salisbury (pseud.)
ss eee ia Hi as Wei vf Wi v apn (SS ie C = Ss Ly if Zi Fe : \ x CC % CC << . ae: < SN a SS = <a = “XC =e ‘ ra €CES Ca =a e "e ee es OE EE CLC ee PBS ‘ CAKE CER MEKM Ee = ¢ ee Ca COG SCE RS LE (ESE EEK (aS OF ) nN UT & Ss THE SHERIDAN LIBRARIES INNA 03717 8054 eee WN wer LRONICLE COO GAC EM SE | BIBLIOTH =~ IEE | x<at@ ECA FICTIVA |. > [Se h 2s ~~ )) — Re eS I Es . ss S mt \ \ : \ \ oN | ¥ = \N) vit THE CHRONICLE OF Avamtlech, KING OF THE ISLES, TRANSLATED FROM A LATIN MANUSCRIPT, WRITTEN IN THE YEAR 1220. By Willian of Salisbury. Respondit autem et dixit ad eam: Egredere hinc; non sumus idonei ad invicem, neque enim corda nostra sub voluntate nostra sunt; et ego non amo te, Tunc assumpsit infantulam suam, discessit tristis. Gulielmus Salisburiensis in Chronico Abomilechi. Cap. 1. LONDON ; PUBLISHED BY T. DOLBY, 299, STRAND, 30, HOLYWELL STREE®, AND 34, WARDOUR STREET, SOHO. 1820. Price One Shilling. WY, Molineux, Printer, 5, Bream’s Buildings, Chancery Lane. PRESS NLS WS ES PREFACE. —___— THE following pages are a translation from a Latin manu- script, which by accident fell into the hands of the Editor a few months ago. This manuscript bears the name of WILLIAM of SALISBURY, who was probably a monk, or a person connected with the scholastic establishments of his day. The Latin, as the learned reader will perceive fromthe subjoined specimen, is in the style of the middle ages, which bears a strong resemblance to that of the vulgate translation of the Bible. From this circumstance alone, the translator has been induced to imitate the style of the English translation of the Bible, and not for the purpose of paro- dying, or bringing into ridicule the contents of that sacred volume, than which nothing could be more repugnant to his feelings, or more foreign to his intentions. The story, probably, was composed for the purpose of re- cording the improper conduct of some king of the Author’s own times. Late events, however, it was conceived, might render it interesting to the readers of the present day. The following specimen of the Author’s latinity will enable our readers to judge whether or not we have done justice to our original :— iv | PREFACE. “« Et dixtt ad servos suos: Nunc quoniam pater meus tex non potest amplius me prohibere, auferam a muliere ista filiam suam ; et statim jussit illis adducere eam ad se. “« Postquam autem venerunt ad puellam regiam, et tradi- derunt illi mandata patris sui, ipsa ingressa est ad matrem suam, et flevit amare, et pependit in collo matris sue et dixit: O mater mea, mater mea, ego volo mort tecum ; isti nequaquam auferent me,” Gulielmus Salisburiensis in Chronico Abomilechi, Cap. t. The translator has several other curious and_ interesting manuscripts by the same Author, which he intends to lay before the public; but as the vellum has sustained considerable injury from being exposed to the damp, they will take some time to decypher. They are, however, in the hands of a gentleman, well acquainted with Sir Humphrey Davy’s process, and who was for some years employed in unrolling the manuscripts of Hercu- Janeum, and he assures us, that they are in a state of great for- wardness. To prevent imposition, it may be necessary to inform the public, that the genuine works of WILLIAM of SALISBURY will be published only by Mr. Dousy. Chronicle of Abomilech. Cuap. I. 1 Abomilech walketh not in the steps of the King his Father. 3 He humbleth himself before his Father, and promiseth re- pentance. 5 Abomilech taketh unto himself a Wife. 7 She beareth unto him a Daughter. 9 He putieth away his Wife, and taketh her Child from her. 12 He accuseth her of Adultery. 17 She journeyeth unto a far Country, and the Daughter of Abomilech marrieth. N°” the King, the father of Abomilech, had many sons and many daughters ; but Abomilech was his first born. 2 And Abomilech walked not in the steps of his father who was beloved in the land, but Ws ) 6 “CHRONICLE. Abomilech humbleth himself before his Father. was given to riotous living, and lusted after strange women. 3 @ And, lo! when he had spent all his substance, he went unto his father and fell upon his knees, and said unto him; O, father, I have seen the error of my ways, and repent me of my misdoings; give unto me money whereby I may pay those to whom I am indebted, and henceforward I will obey thee in all things. 4 And his father said unto him, Son, thou hast been much to blame, and sinned greatly before the Lord, and in the eyes of the people ; nevertheless, if thou wilt take unto thy- self a wife, and, forsaking all others, cleave unto her alone, I will call upon the elders and chief men of the land, and thy debts shall be paid. RSS SY ES Q\\\ CHAP. I. q a) Abomilech taketh unto himself a Wife. 5 | And Abomilech said unto him, [ con- sent; and he sought unto himself a wife from amongst his father’s kindred; and presents of gold and presents of silver were sent unto her upon whom his choice had fallen, a damsel of comely appearance, and one who was much beloved on account of her many virtues. 6 But Abomilech’s heart still lusted after strange women, and he went not out to meet his spouse to conduct her to his father’s house, but sent one of his concubines, a woman of a wicked heart, who told him lies and _per- suaded him that she was not worthy of his love. ¢ @ Nevertheless he took her unto his house, and she bore unto him a daughter; but while the child was yet young and sucked at O CHRONICLE. He putteth away his Wife. the breast of its mother, Abomilech said unto his wife, get thee out of my house, I have no further need of thee. 8 And she wept bitterly, and said unto him, What have I done that thou shouldst treat me thus? Have I not left father and mother, brother and sister, and travelled unto a strange land, forsaking my country, my home, and my kindred, for thy sake ? 9 { But he answered and said unto her, Get thee gone, nature has not made us for one another, our inclinations are not in our power, and I love thee not: and she took up her child and departed, sorrowing. 10 And she went unto the rathee of Abo- milech and told him what had happened, and CHAP, I. 9 He accuseth her of Adultery. he was exceedingly angry at the conduct of his wicked son; but he said unto her, Dry up thy tears and be of good cheer, for no further wrong shall come unto thee, and he soothed her sufferings and comforted her. 11 Now, when Abomilech saw that the child was a comfort and blessing to its mother, his henit was troubled, and he said unto his slaves, Take away the child from her and bring it unto me; but the King waxed exceeding wroth, and said, It should not be so. 12 4 Then Abomilech placed spies about his wife, who went unto the judges and elders of the people, and said, Lo, the wife of the young Prince has committed adultery: and the wise men after having heard their accusations, and made diligent inquiry, declared, that they B 10 , CHRONICLE. The King becometh unable to rule. had borne false witness against the Princess, and were not to be believed. / 13 Now after these things the King be- came unable to govern on account of his in- firmities, and Abomilech ruled in his stead. 14 And the Princess, having lost the good old King, who had preserved her from the anger of her cruel husband, and been unto her as a father, became exceedingly alarmed, for Abomilech’s heart was cruel and unfor- giving. 15 And he said unto his slaves, Now that the King my father can no longer hinder me, I will take from this woman her daughter , and immediately he commanded them to bring her unto him. & SASS NOW SES EAS CHAP. I. 11 The Queen journeyeth into a distant Land. 16 And when they came unto the young Princess, and delivered unto her the commands of her father, she went unto her mother and wept bitterly, and she hung upon her mother’s neck, and cried, O my mother, my mother, | will die with thee; they shall not take me away. 17 Nevertheless they forced her away, and carried her unto her father ; and when she came unto him she fell upon her knees, and begged that she might not be separated from her mother; but his heart was hardened, and he listened not unto her prayers, neither could her tears avail her aught. 18 And the wife of Abomilech, fearing lest peradventure evil should come unto her, yielded unto the advice of her counsellors, and } FE SD gees eile 12 CHRONICLE. Phe Daughter of Abomilech marrieth. departed and travelled into distant countries, and amongst strange people. 19 @ Now. it came to pass that the daughter of Abomilech, having grown up a comely maiden, was given in marriage to a Prince of the name of Agag. RRS ONS ML IS ES 13 GHaP ti: 2 The young Princess declareth that the people should be judged as they were of old. & Abomilech casteth the pro- phets into prison. 6 The daughter of Abomilech becometh with child. 9 Abomilech being much troubled, consulteth with his mother, Jezebel, who persuadeth him to put his daughter out of the way. 183 He holdeth counsel with a false prophet and a wicked physician. 17 The Princess bringeth forth a dead child, after which she dieth. 19 Great moanings and lamenta- tions in the land. 26 The physician killeth himself. 28 Great distress in the land. 30 The men of Abomilech slay great num- bers of the people. Ry OW the people of the land were much pleased to hear this, for they loved the young maiden, and they said unto themselves, She will bear unto us a son that shall reign Over US. 2 Moreover she had declared, that when she became their ruler she would call from LN a 14 CHRONICLE: Abomilech casteth the Prophets into Prison. amongst them their elders and their wise men, that the people might be governed by men of their own choice, as it had been in the days of their forefathers. 3 Now for all these things she was greatly beloved in the land, but her father, Abomilech, loved her not. 4 His heart was led astray by wicked counsellors and false prophets, who had pro- phesied unto him lies. oO 4@ And the prophets who had prophesied unto him truth he cast into prison, and the land groaned with his cruelties and abomina- tions. 6 Now it came to pass that the daughter CHAP. TI. 15 He consulteth with his Mother Jezebel. of Abomilech was near unto the time of child- bearing. 7 And when Abomilech heard this his heart was troubled, for he hated his daughter more and more, because she was a friend to the poor, and beloved by the people; more- over, he knew that her heart yearned towards her mother. & Now Abomilech said unto himself, If she should bear a child, and do well, the people will not consent that | should put away my wife and take another, for they will say, W here- fore should he do so, seemg we shall not want Princes to reign over us. 9 @ And he consulted with his mother, Jezebel, a woman of a hard and wicked heart, who hated his wife and his wife’s daughter. . LASSEN NS EA ANN ON) Wo. \ ' J) \\8) Aen) We 16 CHRONICLE. Abomilech counselleth with a wicked Physician. 10 And he said unto her, O my mother, what shall I do, my soul is much troubled? O that I could take unto myself another wife, that should bear unto me _a son to fill the throne of my father. 11 Then Jezebel said unto him, Thou must get thy daughter removed out of the way, for if she bear a child the people will not con- sent. that thou shouldst put away thy wife. 12 And Abomilech called unto his counsel afalse prophet, of the tribe of Dan, who had daily, for many years, prophesied lies unto the people from his dwelling place, near the den of wild beasts, in the midst of the great city. 13 ¢ Now when this false prophet had counselled with Abomilech, they called unto them a cunning, wicked man from a_ strange Wor See : SS NONE ANA ead eco | i) RO \ vary Sih Be . ‘ RON SEN WN. NO aN \ \ i \ af ie ANASN \Nt NO Wy S) Zh = ’ Naas Weg es SS )) \ ea i \ i RCN A Nee NWA Wi Qa 2) x) » AN \N , = - . A : \ : WAIN mg A) PASE eT ROR Wee Gt CHAP. il. 17 He sendeth presents unto the false Prophet. land, skilled in herbs, one who had, for hire, administered unto the sick poisonous medicines. 14 And, lo! Abomilech was well pleased with their counsel, and he sent unto the false prophet the royal services of silver and of gold that had been taken from his wife before she journeyed into a distant country. 15 Then they communed with another man learned in medicine, whom the young Princess had appointed to wait upon her in her travail, and him, by their witchcraft and wicked arts, they persuaded to join with them in their evil doings. 16 And the midwife they also brought into heir counsel. 17 Now when the hour drew near that the Princess should be delivered of her first- C ¥ 18 | CHRONTOLE. Abomilech’s Daughter dieth. born, the physician and the midwife waited upon her, and she brought forth a dead child. 18 And behold they gave unto her a potion, on which her stomach became disorder- ed, and she died. I9 On hearing these things the land was filled with moanings and lamentations; and the people covered themselves with sackcloth and ashes, for their grief was exceedingly great. 20 And, lo! on the day of her burial, the exchanges were shut up, and the Merchants bought and sold not, neither were their ships unladen, but all the people fasted and went into the temples and humbled themselves before the Lord. ARCS NS) EN I ERs CHAP. II. 19 Abomilech is sorely afraid. 921 « Now Abomilech’s heart was smitten with fear, so much so, that he durst not sleep in his bed alone, for his conscience was sorely stricken, and he feared lest his great wickedness should become known unto the people. 22 And he was so exceedingly troubled, that he ordered more guards to be placed around his house and on the roof thereof, lest peradventure evil should come unto him. 23 Now his chamber in which he slept was lighted with lamps, so that even in the middle of the night its light was equal to that of the day, and a servant, who slept not, was placed at the door; yet was his soul afraid, for he saw in his dreams the spirit of his depart- ed daughter. VA! a BS a QO | CHRONICLE. The Physician hilleth himself. | 24 Then he said unto his brother, O my brother, come thou and sleep with me, for I am sorely troubled, and his brother did as he com- manded him. 2) Nevertheless he turned not from his wicked ways, and continued persecuting the prophets of truth and the friends of the people 26 Now it came to pass that the man learned in medicine, whom the young Princess had appointed to wait upon her in her travail, became sorely troubled, insomuch, that when he sat down to meat he would cry out in the bitter- ness of his soul, I cannot bear it, I cannot bear it; and he went out and killed himself. 27 { And the wicked physician from the CHAP. If. QT The Midwife and wicked Physician are slain. strange land, and the midwife, were slain at the command of the false prophet, that no one might be left to bear witness against him. 23 And it came to pass that the land, because of the wickedness of its rulers, was overrun by a famine, and the distress of the people was very great 23 Now when the people met together in great numbers to send up their prayers to Abomilech, that they might be governed as they were in the days of their forefathers, he said unto his armed men, Go ye amidst them with your drawn swords, and spare them not. 30 And, lo! the people had no arms wherewith to defend themselves, and great Q9 CHAP. IIL. Great numbers of the people arc put to deaths was the slaughter which the men of Abomi- lech made, for they spared not the young nor the old, neither the mother, nor the child at the mother’s breast. 31 4 Now those of the people that escaped from the sword, and were taken captive, were cast into prison; and Abomilech thanked his men for the slaughter they had made; but the people hated him more and more, and their wroth waxed exceedingly great. 23 ~ Cuap. III. 1 Abomilech sendeth spies after his wife. 2 The old King dieth. 4 The people murmur exceedingly on account of their great dis- tress. 6 Abomilech buildeth high places after the manner of the Gentiles. 13 He offereth his wife silver and gold. 15 She refuseth it, and returneth to her people. 16 Great reoicings in the land. 17 Abomilech commandeth the Elders to condemn the Queen. 22 He feareth te remain in the land. 29 The people curse kim. ND it came to pass that after the death of the young Princess, her mother hav- ing no one to protect her, Abomilech sent spies into the lands in which his wife sojourned, who reported unto him lies. 2 Now the King being well stricken in years, and borne down by his many infirmi- hd SS 1 KCI (Ae Q4 : CHRONICLE. Abomilech is proclaimed King. ties, died, and was buried in the chief sepulchre of his fathers, and Abomilech. was proclaimed King in his stead. 3 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, setting at nought the statutes and ordnances which had been delivered unto the people in the days of their forefathers. 4 And behold even on the day that the King was gathered unto his fathers, Abomilech sent for one of the servants of his wife who had betrayed his mistress, and said unto him, Swear falsely against this woman, and I will abundantly reward thee with silver and gold. 5 Now Abomilech cared not for the words of his daughter which she had said while living, O, my father, my father, do unto me as thou CHAP. IIT. 95 He buildeth high places after the manner of the Gentiles. pleasest, but let no further wrong be done unto my mother. 6 Atthis time the distress of the land was very great, and the people murmured exceed- ingly at the extravagance of their rulers, but Abomilech minded them not. 7 And he called unto him cunning work- men in ivory and in brass, and with the money of the people he built him temples and high places, after the manner of the Heathen nations ; and his abominations were great in the eyes of the people, because of his extortions and his whoredoms. 8 ™{ Moreover he built him palaces like unto the Eastern nations such as had never been seen in the land before. bb 26 CHRONICLE. The Wise Men laugh him to scorn. 9 And, lo! he ornamented them with graven and molten images of Dragons and: of Lizards, andthe figures of Serpents, and Venom- ous animals, and all sorts of Strange Beasts. 10 And the wise men laughed him to scorn because of his perverseness and his folly, but the people laughed not, for the money by which he did these things was taken from them, So that they had not wherewith to buy bread for themselves, and their Wives, and little ones, 11 Now when the wife of Abomilech heard of the death of the old King, she said unto herself, IT will return unto my kingdom and be crowned with the King my husband. 12 But when Abomilech heard jt he was CHAP. III. Bi He offereth his Wife money. exceedingly angry, and he commanded the priests not to offer up prayers for her in the temples of the Lord, for said he, She has com- mitted adultery; but the people believed not his words. 13 And behold the Queen being on her journey homewards, the King became greatly troubled, and he said unto his slaves, Go, and offer her money, even fifty thousand pieces of gold yearly, and persuade her to return, for if she come hither the people will be following after her, and we shall be undone. 14 And they did as Abomilech bade them. 15 But when the Queen heard what they had to say unto her, she was exceedingly angry UWA Wa AN IY Ww sail A) iF 26 CHRONICLE. Abomilech commandeth the Elders to condemn the Queen. and she said, No, I will go unto the people that love me, albeit I should suffer death. 16 And she did even as she had said, and great were the rejoicings of the people through- out all the land. I'v Then Abomilech gathered together the judges and the elders of his kingdom, and commanded them to condemn the Queen for adultery, that she might be put to death. 18 And the greater part of them being wicked men, and given to all sorts of extor- tions, abominations, and whoredoms, were will- ing to do as the King commanded them, and said, O King Abomilech, live for ever, we will in all things obey thee, for thou art our Lord _ our Master, and our God, and besides thee we worship no other. WO PREQUEL CHAP. III. As | They sit in Judgment upon her: | 19 But these were not the judges that the people had appointed to judge the land, but tyrants and usurpers, who ruled the people according to their own wills. 20 And they sat in judgment upon her and many were the false witnesses that appear- ed against her. 21 «4 Now the wroth of the people waxed exceedingly great against Abomilech and _ his wicked judges. 22 And Abomilech feared to remain 10 the land lest the people should rise up against him and put him to death. 23 « Now Abomilech was much given to gluttony and strong wine, and he was exceed- ingly fat, even fatter than Eglon King of Moab, Viv UY 30 CHRONICLE. He buildeth a ship of curious workmanship. who was slain by a dagger that went into his belly, so that the fat closed thereon, and the dirt came out. 24 And it came to pass that he went unto his palace by the o side, and commanded his slaves to prepare a ship that he might sail unto a neighbouring land. 2) And, lo! a ship of curious workman- ship was built, and the masts thereof were made of cedar, and the doors and seats thereof of shit- tim wood ; and behold it was ornamented with silver and gold, and all sorts of costly things. 26 & Now when the time drew near that Abomilech had fixed upon for his departure, he sent to the ship provisions in great quantities, bread, and meat, and wine, and delicious fruits. #7 And behold the ship became so heavily CHAP, TIT. 3] The people curse him. laden that the sailors feared lest it should sink and they said if we take in any more meat we shall be drowned, and our wives and little ones will be left alone. 28 And while they communed among themselves, they looked and beheld a com- pany of horsemen with timbrels and harps coming towards them, who called upon the peo- ple to shout, for, they said, behold the King cometh ! 29 But the people hated Abomilech, and instead of shouting they cursed him, and prayed that they might behold his face no more. FINIS. [Here the Manuscript terminates abruptly. The Translator has not been able to discover the fate of the unfortunate Queen or that of her cruel and vindictive husband.] id] Ne Wo \ PEON SS \N IT gern y See CATALOGUE OF NEW AND INTERESTING WORKS, Published by THOMAS DOLBY, Hereto attached. Printed by W. Molineux, 5; Bream’s Buildings, Chancery Lane. A ( \ Soy Wy el ae 5 STW ANA I ee oe wr Wee et eos (Gan ~ Ne A 4. 