SUSANNA: OR, THE ARRAIGNMENT OF THE TWO UNJUST ELDERS.  DEVT. 16.20. 
That which is just and right shalt thou follow, that thou mayst live and enjoy the Land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.  
LONDON, Printed for john Teage, and are to be sold at his shop in Paul's Churchyard at the sign of the Ball. 1622.   

To the Right Honourable ROBERT, EARL of WARWICK, and to his most virtuous and Noble Countess, the Lady Frances:  
THou who art in thy Country justly hight,  
Another Daniel for judging right:  
And thou his Dame, a Susan of this age;  
Let Both be graced with your Patronage.   

The Argument, or Moral, of the whole History.  
I Chaste Susanna, here interpret Right,  
Or justice; clear, as pure celestial Light;  
Whom covetous false Elders, most unjust,  
Seek to corrupt, to satisfy their Lust.  
Divine 
justice..  Astrea, of immortal Seed,  
Abhominates such foul and wicked deed:  
Wherefore they to the people her disgrace,  
And set up wrong and bribing in her place.  
The people, always prone to imitate  
Their vice, not virtues, that do sway the state,  
join with the judges all to beat down right,  
And take in gifts and doing-wrong delight.  
Till jove, awaked with the piteous cry  
Of those that groan under Iniquity,  
The gods his Pears to Parliament doth call,  
And to Ol●● pus court them summons all:  
W●●re they decree a Daniel to send,  
To judge the wo●st, that all the rest may mend:  
Thence doth Astrea ●l●are, like Susan shine,  
And judge's measure by her equal Line.   

THE FIRST BOOK OF SUSANNA.  
God's goodness in judah's captivity;  
joachim's worth: what Elders ought to be;  
A good wife by Susanna is descried,  
The greatest Bliss that can a man betide.  
The Elders each to other do discover  
Their Lusts, and plot their wishes to recover.  
I Sing the honour of that noble Dame,  
Who for true virtue's sake despised shame;  
And rather chose to die with infamy,  
Then violate her sacred Chastity:  
For she him made her confidence and stay,  
That made her righteousness as clear as day.  
Lucrece be mute; if chaste, why should thou die?  
If not, why should we praise thy chastity?  
I sing of judges base, not more unjust  
In judgement, than obscene in filthy lust;  
I sing of justice, judgement, Equity,  
And knowledge of discerning Verity.  
Oh blessed Spirit, who didst the spirit dispose  
Of youth, the Elders malice to disclose,  
Direct my Muse; Injustice to discover,  
That hating vice, I may be virtue's lover:  
And teach me sing Susanna's sacred story,  
To all chaste ears delight, and to thy glory.  
Whilst Canaan's Land lay seventy years untilde,  

2 Chr. 36.21  And Sabbaths all profaned had nigh fulfilld:  
The Abramites that under bondage groan,  
Sat weeping by the streams of Babylon:  
Their Harps upon the willow trees then hung,  
On which they lately Zions songs had sung;  
And though their voices had forgot to sing,  
And fingers touch of sweetest warbling string;  
jehovah could not, for his Abraham's sake,  
Forget the promise he to him did make:  
But gave them favour in the heathens sight,  
And dwellings both for profit and delight:  
And, lest they should these benefits despise,  
They had, within themselves, t●e exercise  
Of their own Laws; and Elders every year,  
The people chose the government to bear,  
Who might by uprightness, and skill in law,  
Protect the Good, and keep the bad in awe.  
Amongst the ●est, that in that region  
Had large possessions; In Babylon  
joachim had a house most rich and fair,  
Most pleasant, fruitful, healthful eke for air:  
But was renowned and famous, most of all,  
For one fair, large and open goodly Hall,  
Whither all jewish suitors wont resort,  
For justice; there the Elders kept their Court.  
Elders which aught, by jethros counsel wise,  

Exo. 18.21.  Be men of courage, hating covetise;  
Fearing the Lord; in dealing just, upright;  
And able to discern the wrong from right:  
But these were Ancients in iniquity,  
Malice, Injustice and Adultery.  
Both like in Ignorance, and base condition:  
Both raised by bribing, favour and ambition:  
Not using Law hard causes to decide,  
For they all matters by one balance tried;  
Whose gift weighs heaviest, victory obtains,  
This much profit brings with little pains:  
Deferring strifes final determination,  
Not thereby to take better information,  
But for to grope whose purse did heaviest way,  
And unto him they always give the day.  
These judged then the congregation  
Of captive jews that were in Babylon:  
And for joachim was a noble man,  
To him the people with the Elders came;  
Where they till noon the causes over call,  
As now our judges in Westminster hall.  
This noble man was not so honourable  
For ancestry, or aught that's heritable,  
As for his virtues, justice, Piety,  
Humbleness, Meekness and Integrity.  
These did his mind and actions more adorn,  
Than wealth, ambition, favour, arms with scorn:  
These made him of the highest reputation,  
And sought unto of all the jewish nation;  
Who though he Patron was and Advocate,  
And wondrous knowledge had, to rule the State,  
By his great skill in Laws judicial,  
The Moral and the Ceremonial;  
Yet seeing the corruptions of the Time,  
And Folly into Seat of justice clime:  
And that the most unjust and ignorant,  
By bribing, friends, or boldness, got the Grant  
Of highest Offices; He free from charge,  
Of public Office, chose to live at large:  
But for because, man borne he understood,  
Not for himself, but for his country's good,  
He took more pains, than any Magistrate,  
For wronged friends, and good of public state.  
So that his was the House of justice hight,  
His mouth an Oracle of Law and Right;  
The widows, poors, and orphans sure defendor,  
Th' Innocents' aid, and terror of th' offendor.  
He ware a Lawyer's Gown to keep him warm,  
But sold no Breath, to do a poor man harm.  
He that describe all heavenly Graces can,  
May tell the virtues of this noble man;  
Which he not only learnt, by contemplation,  
But acted to the good of all his nation.  

A good wife described. Prou. 31.10.11. etc.  But above wealth and all this man possessed,  
He with a faithful, honest wife was blest,  
In whom her husband's heart might safely trust,  
In wealth or want contented, true and just,  
Who did him good, not evil all her days,  
Industrious with her mind and hands always:  
Like merchant's ship that food from far doth bring,  
Early and late her household ordering:  
Her working hand still open for to feed,  
The hungry, and to give to them that need:  
And in the Summer for the Winter tide,  
She clothing for her household doth provide.  
This made her husband so much set by, and  
To sit amongst the Rulers of the Land:  
Her mouth was shut, and covered her face,  
In one sate modesty, in th' other grace,  
In one did angelique sweet beauty shine,  
From th' other wisdom flows, and grace divine.  
To many daughters, Grace's rare befall,  
But chaste Susannna went beyond them all.  
Amongst the fruits of her industriousness,  
Who never eat her Bread in idleness,  
She plants an orchard fruitful, rich and fair,  
Whither she with her Lord doth oft repair,  
Themselves awhile from worldly cares to free,  
And on their handy works God's blessing see:  
There might they please, smell, touch, eat, taste and sight,  
With flowers, fruits, and music's sweet delight;  
For through the same a pure stream murmured,  
To which the Birds sweet trebles warbeled,  
The winds amongst the trees a Base did sound,  
And flowers all enameled the ground.  
But lo the winds, birds, streams and all were mute,  
At nimble touch of Susan's trembling Lute,  
Brooke stayed, Birds ceased, and Air calm became,  
To hear the heavenly music of this Dame;  
But most it doth her husband's heart rejoice,  
To hear her Lute outwarbled by her voice:  
Which seemed a choir of Angels, which did praise  
The King of heaven in David's holy lays.  
So have I often heard, in forest fair,  
When Spring begins with calm and gentle air,  
Groaves citizens, which thither do resort,  
Oft sing by turns, oft ●oyne in one consort;  
Till Philomele to welcome Phoebe's light,  
Having their music heard with due delight:  
Sends from her breast such lute-like warbeling,  
The other Birds are all ashamed to sing;  
And listening, in one strain most sweet and clear.  
Do all their changes in one Dittic hear.  
And so have I often seen the shepherd swains,  
Wooing the shepherdess on the plains,  
Challenge their mates by single pipe and voice,  
And join in consort with harmonious noise:  
That all the shepherds dance to hear them sing,  
And forests all with joy aloud do ring,  
Till Phillis with one stroke of warbling Lute,  
The shepherd's pipes, and voices all makes mute;  
Yea Collen Clout doth break his pipe for shame,  
To hear the heavenly ditties of his Dame.  
Thus oft she solaced for recreation,  
But most alone, for holy meditation,  
She in her orchyard walketh every day,  
To read the Scriptures meditate and pray,  
Where by sublime pure heavenly contemplation,  
With God and Angels she hath conversation,  
And by true Faith, and her spiritual eye,  
As present doth the day of Christ descry.  
This Di'mond of invaluable prize,  

 Was soon discerned by Elders lustful eyes,  
Lust th●t fierce Fire, which first in eyes conceives,  
And raging enters in, and never leaves,  
Till all the body it hath set on fire,  
And ●eard the soul with wicked strange desire;  
L●ke lightning, sent from Heaven for cursed sin,  
Which first on tops of Towers doth begin,  
Then fires the roof, thence falls down to the hall,  
And is not quenched ti●l it consumeth all.  
Sweet kindly heat, when youth kept in love's bounds  
A wife not womankind for scope propounds;  
But e'en a spark of hell, when it doth rage  
Amongst the Ancient, politic and Sage.  
" G●●y heads incontinent when they were young,  
" As they grow weak in limbs, in lust grow strong.  
This fire so fierce doth in the Elders burn,  
It all their mirth to heaviness doth turn,  
Their cast down eyes dare not behold the sight  
Of Heaven▪ nor think on God that judgeth right.  
Deep was indeed Self-guilty conscience wound,  
But they more violent Lust's fury found;  
Each his own fire but not his fellows knew,  
Not durst one it unto another show;  
Ashamed their filthy lust to her to tell,  
Yet both, to quench their flames, would burn in hell;  
Both wickedly do pro●ect day and night,  
That at the least they may enjoy her sight:  
To have their will on her both were full fain,  
But saw no means their longings to obtain.  
As Satan, when he would us work despite,  
Transforms him to an Angel of the Light,  
Lest if we should behold his proper Shape,  
Forearmd, forewarned, we might his malice scape:  
So these two Carls in Susan's presence sat,  
As if they all on justice meditate,  
And when they chanced with joachim to dine,  
Their tabletalk was of all things divine:  
Of a sound conscience, and equity,  
Wife's Loyalty, and virgin's chastity;  
Thus hoping, by their quaint Hypocrisy,  
To make a way to foul Adultery.  
One day from judgement seat when both did rise,  
And either turned home as was their guise,  
Both straight returned, and together met,  
With hope the sight of her alone to get:  
Where either of the other doth inquire,  
The cause of their so sudden back retire.  
Brother, said then, the Senior in degree,  
What is the cause I thee so heavy see?  
Doth any Ahab hold from thee some ground,  
That doth upon thy house, or vineyard bound?  
Which thou desir'st for profit or delight,  
Tell me, and he shall know a judge's might.  
Or doth there any Mardochee deny  
To do obeisance to thy Seignury?  
Hast thou received wrong of any wight,  
And wouldst again with sweet revenge requite?  
Or tell me, some fair Dame dost thou not love?  
Whose Chastity thou art afraid to prove:  
What ever be thy grief, now tell it me,  
And use my power, as I have used thee.  
What do we both like Kings o'er judah reign?  
And shall aught cross our pleasure or our gain?  
No no, we'll break or make them all obey;  
We rule not if our subjects us gainsay:  
My Lord, replied the puny judge again,  
'tis not Revenge, Ambition, Pleasure, Gaine,  
That so afflict my body and my mind,  
'tis Love of Fair: but shame there stopped his wind,  
The word Susanna rain he would have said,  
But was of man, though not of God afraid.  
As two old thieves, that have companions been  
Oft times in Murder, Theft and fouler Sin;  
Having a Booty in one place espied,  
But neither others mind thereto descried,  
At diverse windows slipping in by night,  
Into one Hall, which doth both much aff●ight,  
( One for the owner first the other taking,  
And each a true man, for a Thief mistaking,)  
Till by some secret marks each doth espy  
His fellow-theefe, there met unwillingly,  
Wherewith both glad, hope easilier to obtain,  
Their purpose, and be Sharers in the gain:  
E●'n so these Elders; who by might and fraud,  
Had often joined in judgement to defraud  
The fatherless, and widows of their right,  
And to oppress the weaker by their might;  
First feared one by the other to be spied,  
But after they had both their lusts descried,  
joy in their hap, and easilier hope to get,  
And share the Booty, for which there they met.  
Thrice noble Mate, the elder judge replied,  
I see one fire in both our hearts doth bide,  
Which smothered, smoking inwardly will burn,  
But blown and stirred, to purest flames will turn:  
I, by thy meeting here, do surely guess,  
It is one Dame doth both our hearts possess:  
For I have oft beheld thee six thine eye,  
Upon her beauty as she passed by,  
And therewith heard thee ●nly sigh and groan,  
As thou didst wish to be with her alone.  
But, since sweet Cupid smites both with one Dart,  
Let us not herein one another thwart,  
If discord our desires shall divide,  
Our power and empire can not long abide:  
Let name of Rival which breeds mortal hate,  
In youth, in age, our loves conglutinate.  
Her beauty that than Sun doth clearer shine,  
Hath heat enough to warm mine heart and thine,  
And both our longings fully satisfy,  
Let's share in loves, as in commodity.  
As strongest castle which doth fortify  
Itself t'endure the Siege of enemy,  
By force vnited's ●ooner overcome,  
Than if they should assault it one by one:  
So shall we find the Fortress of this Dame,  
By both, than one, more easy to be t●ne:  
Yea if through waywardness it shall stand out,  
By force or policy we'll bring't about,  
Either with peace our pleasures to enjoy,  
Or ruin it and utterly destroy.  
Dear Brother, I mine heart must tell thee plain,  
My stomach can not brook, so fowl a Swain  
As joachim, whom the base Multitude  
Honour as King, should thus unto be sued  
Of all, to be their Patron, Advocate,  
And sway our power in ruling o● the State:  
Alleging Law and Custom to maintain  
Things, that so cross our pleasure and our gain;  
That he, I say, should be the only wigh●,  
That feels the Beams of this clear Suns sweet light;  
That in his arms he should enjoy alone,  
Susanna, a fit Bride for Solomon.  
Let us bethink's of some convenient tide,  
Ourselves in some close shady place to hide,  
And take her in he● Orchard all alone,  
For there she walketh eu●ry afternoon:  
The●e, when we see our opportunity,  
Keep thou the doo●e, I'll keep Her company,  
And when I satisfied have my desire,  
As I did mine, thou mayst assuage thy fire:  
Thus wickedly one with another reason,  
Deferring all to more convenient season.  
The end of the first Book.   

The second Book of Susanna.  
Susan's devotions, works and Husewifery,  
joachim's justice, hospitality.  
Elders her washing tempt; but she denies:  
They offer force, then out for aid she cries▪  
On her transfer they▪ falsely, all the blame,  
Unto her own, and all her servant's shame.  
Now scarce his steeds had Phoebus watered,  
And for long journey ready harnessed,  
And fair Aurora usher of the day  
Made haste; because Sol went his longest way,  
When chaste Susanna from sweet side arose  
Of joachim, and putting on her clothes,  
She meditates on robe of righteousness.  
Wherewith the bridegroom his beloved doth dress:  
His merits made her own by imputation,  
In spiritual birth, nor fleshly generation.  
Long costly dress did the Dame decline,  
As nurse of pride and mis-expense of time,  
Wherefore her nightgowe quick at out her cast,  
With band and hat in seemly order placed,  
She suddenly up all her maidens calls,  
And kneeling with them to this prayer falls.  
Oh King of rest! that dost appoint the night  
For rest; the day that man should in thy sight,  
To all the duties of his calling tend,  
Having thy glory ever for his end;  
We first acknowledge our unworthiness,  
Relying whole, on Lamb's unspottedness,  
Which from world's first foundation was slain.  
That he might free us from eternal pai●e.  
We, for this wondrous grace, thee ever praise,  
Thy care and providence for us always,  
Grant we of this may ever meditate,  
Our tongues thy praise & noble acts relate,  
And make us truly do all thy commands,  
So thou the works mayst prosper of our hands.  
As nimble lark which with the morn doth rise,  
Mounts from her couch, first to salute the skies,  
And all the way to Heaven and earth she rings,  
Praise to the Lord of Lords and King of Kings:  
But, having finished her due devotion,  
Falls silent down with swift and nimble motion,  
And diligent takes pains for daily food,  
That may sustain and keep herself and brood:  
e'en so this Dame as soon as any light,  
Afforded her the least use of her sight,  
Up from the bed doth her fair body raise,  
Her soul mounts up to heaven the Lord to praise.  
But after her devotions finished,  
And all her servants duly ordered,  
Due portions to her maidens she divides  
And for her household daily food provides,  
Still caring for her husband's table most,  
To furnished bounteously with smallest cost:  
Here she directs her steward, and her cook,  
One to provide, the other well to look,  
That with her fair allowance they be able,  
To furnish plenteously her husband's table.  
This time she sovereign waters did distil,  
( For she in Physic art had much skill;  
Yet was her charity, than cunning, more,  
Stooping to heal the meanest Lazars sore:  
Her Lion's heart, fine hand, and eagle's eye  
Made her admired of all for surgery.)  
That done, she back returneth to her maids,  
Where either she to them the Scripture reads,  
Or learns them some choice precepts she collected,  
Or histories which most her soul affected,  
With piety their minds to exercise  
Whilst each her task with nimble joints applies:  
Their chiefest works were robes; to keep from cold,  
The orphans poor, and widows that were old;  
Of cloth which she had spun of her own fleece;  
Yet oft to show her skill in curious piece,  
She for her husband works a cap or band,  
To make him be more honoured in the land,  
Where thou might see, with cunning needle told,  
The subtle serpent simple Eve enfold.  
Here stands a tree, all covered with leaves,  
whose fairest fruit most lookers on deceives;  
By this was shadowed that Forbidden tree,  
That Adam ban'de and his posterity.  
Many fair trees she planted there around,  
But none so goodly to the eye was found,  
Like sin of pleasing show, but deadly taste;  
Better, than eat such poison, ever fast.  
But not far off, her cunning hand contrives  
An Antidote which out this poison drives:  
For here the child's depainted to the life,  
That trembleth under faithful Abraham's knife,  
Where lo! above his hand an Angel stays,  
And doth his faith and firm obedience praise:  
Here in the bush a spotless lamb doth lie,  
Willing, to save young isaack's life, to dye;  
A figure of that lamb that offered  
His life to save us all in isaack's seed.  
Oft with her maids, about her round, she sings  
David's sweet lays unto the King of Kings,  
Who joining all with angelique sweet noise,  
Do praise the Highest of all as with one voice,  
Thus was her house of maiden's arts the school,  
And Academy to instruct their soul:  
Her hands with use so cunning were become,  
That though her eyes looked off, her work was done,  
The whilst with them her maidens she directs,  
And her own business no whit neglects:  
Oft reads she them some holy Hymn of praise,  
Yet never from their work her fingers stays.  
Thus she her time in working spends till noon,  
Whilst joachim which rose from bed as soon,  
Doth his whole family together call,  
And joins in humble prayer with them all.  
Then walks he forth to see his oxen plow,  
Or mowers pearly locks of meadows mow,  
Or widows weeding of his ear-ring grain,  
Or maiden's milk from bags of kine to strain:  
Here he appoints a jolly Swain to tend  
His flock, and from the wolf and fly defend:  
Oft would he teach a courser for to place  
More easy, and to rain with pleasing grace.  
But ever he returneth home by eight,  
Where many longing Clients for him wait,  
And him for pity and compassion prayed,  
To be the widows and the orphans aid.  
Brethren, saith he, with all my skill and might  
I'll stand for you, if that your cause be right,  
But surely know, I cannot move my tongue  
To do you good, and do another wrong:  
Law is a constant will, a balance true  
That gives to every man what is his due,  
And therefore must not under false pretence,  
Be made a cloak for wrong or violence:  
Or be for envy, to the great a snare,  
Whilst faults for pity in the Poor we spare:  
Right setteth each thing in the proper place,  
Without respect of persons, fear, or grace.  
Then would he lend to all a patient ear,  
Till each his cause in order doth declare:  
The right with all his might he would defend,  
And what was wrong would counsel soon to end:  
Nor for displeasure, fear of loss or might,  
Would be deterred from pleading for the right.  
Therefore was called the just man's Advocate▪  
Truth's Champion▪ and maintainer of the State.  
For pair thus each their life in labour spends  
One feeds and clothes them th'other them defends:  
The wiseman's rule is unto both a guide,  
Prepare abroad, than things at home provide:  
A blessed pair, for Truth which always stood,  
Their end God's glory, and their neighbours good.  
Now had the glorious Titan's panting horse  
Attained the midway of their longest course,  
And Sol to check vain glorious humane pride,  
When as he highest sat was lest descried;  
When Chimes informed old stomaches it was noon,  
So judges rose, and all departed soon:  
And Nature craving after toil repast,  
Makes joachim unto his dinner haste.  
Here should my Muse in order, next propound,  
How he in order all things ready found;  
Susan him greeting, like the wise King's Bride,  
With many fair chaste Damsels by her side,  
Who all with cheerful comely modest face,  
Bow to the ground with courteous comely grace▪  
His servants round about the table stand,  
Attending all their Lords eye, and command:  
Who can describe the order of the King,  
Whose wisdoms glorious fame so far did ring,  
That it from Seba brought that prudent Dame,  
Which found his glory far exceed his fame:  
He to describe the order only able,  
This noble man observed at his table;  
His servants, ministers, his drink and meat  
Happy were they that at his table eat;  
Blissed are they that waiting by do stand,  
His gracious words and deeds to understand,  
Their thirst and hunger being satisfied,  
And God before and after glorified,  
After some sweet discourses, all arose,  
And to their business themselves dispose,  
〈◊〉 turns his books the law to find,  
Which might resolve some doubts then in his mind.  
With two maids Susan, as it was her guise,  
To bathe her sel●e into the orchard hies;  
And sending forth her maids for soap and oil  
Her daintiest body doth undress the while:  
Oh, Susan stay, oh, stay not here alone,  
The wiseman saith, two better are than one;  
The 〈◊〉 close in wait for thee do lie,  
So 〈◊〉 that Susan can them not descry.  
I 〈◊〉 that fair Dame which Jesse's son from high,  
〈◊〉 herself in garden did espy,  
〈…〉 dazzled with her splendour bright,  
Thinks he doth see a new Sun rise at night:  
So shines the beauty of Susanna's face,  
Her eyes like stars which frosty night do grace,  
Her teeth like ivory piles stand row by row,  
O'er which her lips like scarlet ribbons show,  
Her chin, her checks, her forehead and her nose,  
Like lilies mixed with red and damask rose.  
Her Iu'ry neck, fair shoulders which excel,  
Her paps that like two harvey apples swell:  
The which for sport her babes were wont to cull,  
When they from them have suckd their bellies ●ull.  
Her snowy arms each graced with milk-white palm,  
Like two e'en branches of the fairest Palm,  
Whose ends were with small fingers jointed neat,  
And at their ends smooth stones of Berill set,  
The rest who knows? them to omit I choose,  
As not once thought of by my graver Muse.  
But she into the water leaping light,  
To cool her heat, inflameth their delight,  
Where purest waters her fair limbs embrace,  
As ivory Sculpture in a crystal case.  
Like chastest Cynthia when with dreaded dart,  
She chaste the Tiger, Leopard and heart,  
Her body overtoiled with the heat,  
And fairest skin o'er shadowed with sweat,  
In purest fountain in the shade doth wash,  
Whilst all her darlings round about her pash:  
Till hunter, to his cost her beauty spies  
Which heavenly did amaze his humane eyes:  
The sight whereof so ravisheth his breast,  
A reasonable man turns senseless beast,  
With snaggy horns, clove hooves, & frighted looks,  
That he who upward erst, now downward looks;  
And all his Curs, that lately he so fed,  
Him chase as their game fast followed:  
Whom pulling down, like jesabel they tear,  
Such beastly ends, all beastly Lechers fear;  
Such beastly ends these Elders eke befall,  
Whilst clouds of stones sing their cursed funeral.  
As subtle Serpent close himself did hide  
In Eden, till a fit time he espied,  
When Adam to some other corner gone,  
He there might take Eve naked all alone:  
So these two Elders of the Serpents breed,  
Who bear like enmity to all her seed,  
This naked Dame alone, watch to assail,  
And first with promises seek to prevail:  
Madam, saith one, the ardour which we prove  
Burning our hearts with flames of fervent love,  
Compel us life and honour to adventure,  
And closely now into your garden enter:  
If you will us in true affection meet,  
Silver to you shall be like stones in street,  
And we with gold will fill your fairest hands  
Like Danae's lap, or Tagus' golden sands:  
Thy beauty like the Day stars shall be seen,  
And thou shalt reign in judah like a Queen.  
But if thou shalt refuse with us to lie,  
Behold, we then against thee testify,  
We saw thee with a youth thy bed defile,  
And thou hadst sent thy maids away the while.  
Who can express Daphne's perplexity,  
When gods for pity turned her to a tree,  
As she doth naked from Apollo fly,  
And than her honour lose, would rather dye?  
Or who can tell that pitiful sore-taking  
Of Absalon's fair sister, when she baking  
Cakes for her brother Amnon for to eat, 
2. Sam. 13.11.   
Perceived her honour was his longd-for meat?  
And cried, forbear, oh brother, to discover  
Thy sister's nakedness; nay rather cover  
My shame than force me: oh! let no man tell  
Such wickedness was done in Israel;  
And I e'en whither shall I go for shame?  
And for a fool all Israel shall thee blame:  
May tell how Helchi's daughter was ashamed;  
But most the Elders for their lust she blamed,  
That they which ought to judge adultery,  
Should authors be of such iniquity;  
That those her Lord and she so honoured,  
Should plot with shame now to defile his bed.  
Her nakedness with clothes she fain would hide,  
But they all covering to her denied:  
Her covering was sorrow, grief and shame,  
And floods of tears for to express the same.  
As when fierce thunder threats to rend the skies,  
Great floods by storms most violent arise,  
That rivers all their channels overflow,  
And drown the seed which husbandmen do sow,  
So fill her tears the laver to the brim,  
That drowned in sorrow, she in tears may swim:  
Her drops of sweat like pearls do trickle down,  
And she is all benumbed as in a swoon:  
Sol, erst that shined, ashamed, now in a cloud  
Himself, from seeing this foul sin, doth shroud:  
Showers fall from heaven, as if the stars did mourn,  
And all the birds their songs to murmurs turn:  
The trees small drops like tears about do das●,  
And all the under shrubs with weeping wash;  
The shrubs, the herbs, and all make lamentation,  
To see this Dame so near her desolation:  
And e'en my Muse, as I this story write,  
Laments and mourns to see her piteous plight.  
At last ●ore grieved that humane eye beholds  
Her naked body, she her mind unfolds.  
My Lords for love of God, this sin forbear,  
If not for love nor honour, yet for fear,  
When you condemn another for this crime,  
You judge yourselves! 'tis now a fitter time,  
To fast and pray in our captivity,  
Than thus to double our iniquity.  
If I like Eve consent unto your mind,  
I sure with her a like reward shall find▪  
And if I do your wickedness withstand,  
Yet know I not how to escape your hand:  
But I all mortal deaths will rather die,  
Than in God's sight commit adultery:  
Who doth with lust her laser limbs enrol,  
Defiles her body, and doth dam her soul:  
Have I not promised before God and you,  
To be unto my husband just and true?  
And must not all by laws judicial dye?  
Without exception for adultery?  
Oh judges grave: but bridle yet your lust,  
And once a woman's Secrecy entrust,  
That never will bewray this offered shame,  
For honour of our nation and your name.  
But howsoever you my flesh torment,  
My heart to wickedness shall not consent,  
A guilty conscience is a soarer wound,  
Than tortures all that Tyrants out have found.  
Dame; said the judge; art thou yet so unwise,  
Thou know'st not Politicians did devose  
Religion, only to repress the base,  
And hold the Noble in the people's grace?  
Dost fear God should us in this action see?  
This Lawyer's gown shall cover thee and me;  
Under which oft to Heaven hath passed unseen,  
far greater Trespasses than this, I ween▪  
Lust is a Sport, if closely carried,  
And from all fleshly eyes close covered;  
The Troth which to your husband you did plight,  
Was but for ceremony in our Sight.  
And as for our judicial Laws offence,  
judges have power therewith to dispense:  
Yourself and honour unto us entrust,  
And you shall find us faithful, true, and just▪  
Great is the honour of an Elders name,  
Then who shall dare or thee or us defame?  
And for your conscience now so foolish tender,  
Custom like ours, will strong and valiant render:  
we'll not torment your flesh, but it delight,  
Come, Madam, you must try an Elders might.  
Then, like fowl Bear, that greedy of his prey,  
His filthy Paw on milk-white Lamb doth lay,  
So he by force would bring her to his Lust.  
But she that in th' Almighty put her trust,  
Needs no Stiletto, now for to defend  
Her honour, but loud cries to heaven doth send;  
" Surest defence that women have to cry,  
" To save them from Lust's raging villainy.  
You females-masculine, that do pretend,  
You weapons wear your honours to defend,  
If in the Court or City, villainy,  
Should be attempted against your chastity:  
See here this naked woman all alone,  
Defends her honour having two to one.  
Her modest Looks were late her sure defence,  
Against base attempts, now cries against violence.  
Oh model of a chaste and constant Dame,  
The world all chaste ones, hence Susanna's name.  
Eve tempted was, and by temptation fell,  
Fair Thamar forced was against her will,  
Sarah was ta'en away, but never tried;  
Shames Fear made Lucrece yield, whereof she died.  
But Iuda's daughter naked all alone,  
Here overcomes her Tempter's, two to one.  
But one of them, ah! suddenly doth run  
To the foregate, which he hath soon undone,  
And coming back, both against the woman cry,  
Stop, stop the adulterer, they both must dye.  
The Servants much affrighted with the noise,  
And knowing well the● heard their Lady's voice,  
Rushing in at the backdoor, found their Dame,  
Accused by the Elders to their shame.  
Vile woman! cried the one of them, fie, fie,  
Is this thy modest holy Purity?  
Thy Prayer, Fasting, Alms, and Meditation,  
sabboth's, and New-moones, holy observation,  
With which thou seek'st thy wickedness to cover?  
God now will thy Hypocrisy discover.  
Thy piteous looks, and feigned strict Conscience  
Shall be no Subterfuge for foul offence;  
Was this the cause thou forth thy maids didst send?  
More closely with a young man to offend;  
We as true witnesses, do testify,  
That thou art taken in Adultery,  
Thy Minion we do hope to catch ere long,  
Who broke from us because he was too strong:  
For testimony, open see the door,  
Through which he scap't, that was close spared before▪  
And see her naked, as with him she lay,  
Lo here for heat her garments laid away.  
The Servants all were grieved and much ashamed▪  
To hear their Dame thus by the Elders blamed,  
For envious Fame durst never till that day,  
Lest Spot or Blemish on Susanna lay.  
The end of the second Book.   

THE THIRD BOOK OF SUSANNA.  
True Lover's greeting, willinger to dye,  
Than suspect mutual integrity;  
An old-man into talk of Susan falls,  
And her describes from birth to nuptials:  
She is brought forth; arraigned, condemned to dye,  
God her delivers, soon as she doth cry.  
NOw clouds black curtains under Heaven were spread,  
And Morn was all in Scarlet mantled,  
( For chaste Aurora put on this array,  
To show the horror of this bloody day:)  
When Elders from their Beds of Down arise,  
Who nought but mischief all the night device;  
And send their Sergeants out to summon all  
The people to assemble at the Hall.  
Their Love was turned now to Indignation,  
Their Lust to mischievous Imagination,  
And Hostile-like since they may not enjoy  
Her Fort by parley, seek it to destroy.  
But here chaste Susan doth my Muse invite  
To tell, how with her Lord she spent that night:  
Who hearing in his study at his Book,  
A wondrous noise, doth from his window look;  
But when he thence but little could discern,  
For shade of trees, comes down the Truth to learn.  
As wh●n great Ebers Son,( to save his life,  
Her, 
Gen. ●●  sister called, who was indeed his wife,  
Which made the King of Gerar for her send  
And for his own wife Sarah apprehend:)  
Was vexed with Fear, Doubts, Love and jealousy,  
For loss of Honour, and the Chastity  
Of mother of the faithful, who for clea●e,  
Both mind, and body, never yet had peer:  
But when the King conveyed her home again,  
And she affirmed herself without all stain:  
Doth unto Heaven both Heart and hands advance,  
And praised the Lord for her deliverance;  
And though foul Fame, her for this shame reprove,  
He her more sure and constantly doth love.  
e'en so joachim was at first afraid,  
His wife was used as the Elders said,  
But weighing well her Faith and Constancy,  
Soon blames his foolish Fear and jealousy:  
And turneth all his doubts and bitter passion  
To tender Love, tears, pity and compassion:  
And her embracing thus began: My Deer!  
Forbear to weep; And let me from thee hear,  
The depth of this profound iniquity,  
That Both us plungeth in this misery.  
The desert sooner shall be fruitful plain,  
Mount Sinas top be drowned in Ocean main:  
And Iordans fruitful valleys turn to waste,  
Than I suspect my loyal Wife unchaste.  
As when fierce Storms do all the mountains wash,  
And threat to drown the valleys with a dash,  
If Titan please to cast a golden Gleam,  
The coasts are clear, and all the Heaven serene;  
So, at these gracious speeches of her Knight,  
Susanna turns her cloudiness to Light;  
Her eyes are dried, which fountains were of tears▪  
Sighs turned to speech; And thus herself she clears,  
O wretched ay! yet wretched who can be,  
That hath so kind, a noble Lord, as thee?  
Who dost me now in loving arms embrace,  
When enemies do plot my most disgrace:  
My Lord! shouldst thou suspect my Loyalty,  
My heart should burst for Grief, and I should die.  
But Jordan streams shall sooner backward slide,  
And Force my Body from my Soul divide;  
Celestial Fire unto Earth's centre tend,  
And Centre Titan's fiery coach ascend,  
Than I consent for fear of Death or Shame,  
My conscience with eternal spots to blame.  
Persuaded be that I have loyal stood,  
I joyfully will seal it with my blood;  
I fear no accusations unjust,  
For I do know in whom I put my trust.  
These wicked Lords for me in wait have laid,  
But shame and Sorrow here her Speeches stayed:  
And suddenly another Cloud appears,  
Which dims her Light, and drowneth all in tears:  
So deep she sighs, ●o fast her tears do flow,  
That joachim doth weep with her for woe,  
And both with Sighs and Groans their love's record▪  
But neither able is to speak a word.  
As when two Cloud in Summer's day arise,  
In East and West, which do obscure the Skies,  
The lesser Cloud which Zephyrus doth blow,  
Comes swift, but Lo●● the greater comes but slow,  
Till they both meeting in the Welkin wide,  
Raise raging ●louds, like to an Eastern tide,  
Whose violence the ears of Oorne down beats;  
And all the Ploughman's Labour ill entreats:  
So do the tears of this grieved Couple fall,  
That they in Sorrow drown Words, Eyes, and All.  
And e'en my pen with Sorrow drowned is faint,  
To leave them weeping, and you next acquaint,  
With that which passed in the judgement Hall,  
For there the people do assemble all.  
Amongst the rest, one called jeremy,  
( That was a child of the Captivity,  
Who was old Helchi's ancient friend and pear,  
And from their cradles most familiar were,  
And often had the Elders office borne,  
Till Pride and base Ambition with scorn,  
Had thrown from Seat of justice, Equity,  
And foisted in her room base Bribery)  
Being now summoned to appear that day,  
Enquired of Tobith then upon the way,  
What cause was of this Summons general,  
Who told him what to Susan had befall.  
Susan, said he, what Helchi's daughter fair,  
Which is her parents only child and heir,  
Could she be brought her father's house to blame,  
And bring her husband's honour unto shame?  
Together with her parents I was one  
Led Captive by the King to Babylon:  
There was no man more noble in the Land,  
Than he, nor more for Country's Good did stand,  

● Kin. 25.57  We saw our King's Sons slain before his face,  
And then his eyes thrust out, for more disgrace;  
Yet virtue graced to Helchi in this Land,  
He in high grace soon with the King did stand,  
And was the first dwelled here in his own house,  
Most Valiant, Noble, Wise, Religious,  
Most happy in one chaste and godly wife,  
By whom he had this child, their joy and Life▪  
I tell thee Neighbour, I this Girl did know  
e'en from a child, as pure as any Snow,  
Who from her mother suckd milk, as sincere,  
As ever any nurse to child did bear:  
For she so much this infant tendered,  
As with her own Breasts she it suckled,  
" For with the milk, it is an old tradition,  
" The child may suck a good or bad condition.  
So soon as Parents could her tongue prepare  
To speak, they neither Cost nor Labour spare,  
To teach her all demeanour mannerly,  
But above all, the dread of the most High:  
In Scripture they her daily taught to read,  
So that in time they sowed in her such seed,  
As might produce in Harvest certain gain,  
For all their tillage, labour, cost, and pain.  
Scarce had the Sun twelve times through Virgo past,  
When fair Susanna's manners sweet, were cast,  
By care of Parents, in so fair a mould,  
That all with wonder did the maid behold:  
In public Dancing she doth not delight,  
Fairs, banquets, plays, or sit up at night,  
Nor yet in wand'ring Dinas conversation,  
But keeps at home her father's habitation:  
Employing all her pains and careful thought,  
To please and tend on them that up her brought.  
Like, Stork who when her parents old have need,  
Sustains in Eld, who her in youth did feed;  
Accounting it a wondrous happiness,  
For gifts received to render thankfulness.  
At vacant hours it was her chief delight,  
To read the stories of Gods glorious might,  
Where all the choicest precepts she could find,  
She stored as heavenly Manna for her mind:  
The lives of choicest Dames of jewish nation,  
To her as patterns are for imitation,  
Which oft with needle, lest she should forget,  
She in most curious Colours neatly set.  
Here in a table she doth tell the story,  
Of Egypt's overthrow, and judas glory,  
Where Miriam leads her Daughters in a dance,  
To sing Heavens Praises for Deliverance:  
The Red Sea here his waters doth divide,  
Whilst Israel passeth to the other side;  
And here the waves begin to meet again,  
To drown the proud Egyptians in the main:  
One breaks, but knows not how, his Chariot wheel,  
Another's horse doth of the staggers reel;  
Here one yet without hope of Life, doth swim,  
Another si●●ing catcheth hold on him,  
And never lets him go, till he him strain,  
●nto ●he late-●ry bottom of the Main.  
Here stands a Palm, whose height and breadth excel,  
Whe●e Deborah sits judging Israel.  
Close by whose side sat valiant Barac, who  
Unto the war without Her, would not go.  
Here weanes She jephtes daughter in a Loam,  
From Conquest welcomming her father home,  
When lo, he rends his hair, and tears his beard,  
That one would think the picture had been scared:  
Who for the Vow he made to the most High,  
Devotees her to perpetual Chastity.  
Then would She wish her Father such a cross,  
So both thereby might have no greater loss:  
Oft sings she to her Lute divinest Lays,  
And oft to make sweet Hymns herself assays,  
So that indeed to win her for his Bride,  
Young Princes sought, but she them all divide.  
Thus wooed of all, but yet loves fiery dart,  
Could never thaw the chaste y●e of her heart,  
But like a Diamond, which nothing but  
A Diamond is able for to cut,  
So nothing could this peerless Lady move,  
But pairelesse Joachim's most constant Love:  
The iron easilier from beloved Side,  
Of Loadstone than their Loves you might divide:  
" For as words cut in Diamonds, ay last,  
" So Love on virtue grounded standeth fast,  
" When that which only doth on Lust depend,  
" Doth like to Ammon's with the Fury end.  
This man was virtuous, of noble race,  
Rich, beautiful in Body, and in Face;  
To him her parents gladly gave consent,  
And with her happy choice were well content.  
Then see how Love thus lawfully begun  
Betwixt this pair, a holy course doth run;  
A wise discreet man; chaste and modest wife,  
Lived as their Bodies both had but one Life▪  
One will, one mouth to wish and to direct,  
What one delights, the other doth affect,  
And he offends both, that displeaseth one,  
Thus are they truly both one flesh and bone.  
The old man farther would his Tale have told,  
But now they at the Hall arrived, Behold!  
The officers, and sergeants cry out, Room,  
Make way, for here my Lords the Elders come.  
As judges( which the wicked jesabel,  
To get the field which Naboath would not sell) 
1. King. 21, 8.   
Corrupted by her Li●es proclaim a fast,  
And guiltless Naboath with the chiefest placed;  
Till that two wicked persons swear this thing,  
We heard this man blaspheme God and the King.  
Wherea● the godly jurours out do cry,  
We find him guilty, guilty let him die;  
So came th●se wicked Elders to the Hall,  
Resolved to wreak their Spite and Malice all:  
But that they might themselves upright pretend,  
They cause the people for the Dame to send,  
Who with her parents, children, and her kin,  
Appeared as fair without, as clear within.  
As when the course of some much honoured peer,  
Unto her tomb is brought upon a Beer,  
Covered with velvet black down to the ground,  
Her friends and kinsfolks all about her round,  
Their late delights now all to Sorrow turn;  
But most her parents and her children mourn,  
For loss of their dear child, and careful mother,  
Who never had, nor shall have such another:  
That all the lookers on and standers by,  
Bewail the last act of this Tragedy:  
So was this Dame brought out in black array,  
Unto the funeral of this sad day,  
Her fair black stole low-reaching to the ground,  
Under which heavenly Beauties all abound,  
Followed by noble Dames of Jewish nation,  
Who made for her exceeding Lamentation:  
Y●a, so her parents and her children mourn,  
It doth all judas hearts to pity turn;  
Yet would the Elders Bowels not relent,  
Through e'en the rocks and stones seem to lament.  
And sure none can the ashes in an urn,  
Bewail more than they all for her do mourn:  
Herein the difference doth only lie,  
A Co●rse is dead, and Susan is to dye.  
One's Soul is whole in heavenly habitation,  
Hers there as yet only by contemplation.  
The Elders burning in old lustful fire,  
To satisfy their beastly Lust's desire,  
Command the Sergeants straight her face uncover,  
And at the Bar the prisoner plain discover.  
As when the Coffin which the Coarse contains,  
With black all covered, on the Hearse remains,  
The mourners seem their loud Laments to hold,  
But when the Sexton doth the Same unfold,  
Preparing it for earth's last habitation;  
All send out loudest groans and Lamentation;  
So all her friends this living Coarse bewail.  
When from her tender eyes they pull the veil,  
Her Face then under Sorrows clouds doth shine,  
As near as mortals may, like to divine;  
Her hair like wires of burnished gold appears,  
Whereon like pearls do hang her crystal tears.  
Malicious Curs! look off, your Sight is ill,  
You, like the Basilisk, by eyeing kill:  
For her but yesterday your Lives you ventured,  
And into her Lord's orchyard closely entered,  
But now I see the flame which you then burned,  
Is all to Malice, Hate, and Fury turned.  
In brief the Clerk doth her Indictment read,  
To which she truly doth non-guiltie plead,  
Yet so the Law is, that upon Denial,  
Her Life must stand upon the people's trial.  
Poor wretch( saith then the eldest judge) confess,  
And ask God pardon for thy wickedness:  
The Evidence, alas! too plain will be,  
The witnesses thee in the act did see.  
" But who fears not to act Adultery,  
" In God's sight, fears not before men to lie.  
Thou thought'st this thing in secret to have done,  
But God shall make it clearer than the Sun.  
Then on her guiltless head both lay their hands,  
Whilst she like Iepthes virgine-daughter stands,  
Looking to Heaven, expecting when priests knife,  
Should for burnt-offering dispatch her life.  
And thus they swear; A● last days afternoon,  
We two in shady arbour sat alone,  
In at the foregate to the orchard came,  
With maidens two attending her, this Dame,  
Whom at the back-gate soon away she sends,  
Whilst some Devotions private she pretends;  
But in close shade we suddenly espy,  
A young man waiting with this Dame to lie;  
And much ashamed of such most wicked fact,  
Arise and take them in the very act.  
The man escapes, because he was too strong,  
For we alas are old, and he was young:  
Out of the gate he breaks from us away,  
But what he was this Dame will not bewray:  
This truth 'fore God and man we testify,  
Now hear the Law against adultery.  
The Clerk than reads: The man that's lying found,  
With any womankind in wedlock bound,  

Deut. 22.22.  They both shall die, as both together lay,  
So sin from Israel is done away.  
Then as the chimes the clock do follow soon,  
As it hath told her longest tale at noon,  
Not caring whether it go false or true,  
So do the idle-giddy headed crew,  
At hearing of the judge's witness, cry,  
We find her guilty, guilty let her die.  
Oh Heavens! chaste Susan die? Thou mayst complain,  
That thou thine heart haste cleansed then in vain,  
In vain haste washed thine hands in innocence,  
And day and night endured chastisements:  
But understanding well the fearful end  
Of those that so maliciously intend,  
How they consume and perish suddenly,  
She only thus aloud to God doth cry.  
Searcher of Secrets: who from ever was,  
And all things know'st before they come to pass,  
Thou know'st they falsely these things testify,  
Against me: therefore, Lo I guiltless die.  
Thou know'st I never to such things consented,  
As these men have maliciously invented.  
As Bullet then which force of Powder sends,  
Swiftly attains the mark which it intends:  
e'en so these words sent from a wounded Spirit,  
Fly to the Lord that judgeth all things right.  
Who understanding well by this appeal,  
Guiltless Susann's wrong, forthwith doth seal,  
Without delay, or fee, an Inhibition,  
And to a young man grants a new commission.  
For God( as was seen often in those days)  
The Spirit of young Daniel doth raise,  
Who as she's led to execution, cries,  
I free am from this bloody Sacrifice.  
The people which all novelty desire,  
Return of him his meaning to inquire,  
Who in the Spirit of Truth now waxing bold,  
Before them all their error doth unfold.  
O! Fools of Israel! who to discern  
The Truth not able are, nor seek to learn:  
You one of Israel's daughters here to die,  
Condemned have, but know no reason why.  
Before what judges did you her arraign?  
Who her accusers are? and who again,  
Are witnesses? What, two false Elders shall,  
Be judge, accusers, witnesses, and all?  
" He that his throne on justice will erect,  
" men's causes, no● their persons must respect.  
If Elders now accusers will become,  

〈◊〉 19 ●●.  They must before the Priests and judges come:  
And if they fail to prove their accusation,  
They must be subject to like condemnation.  
Return, return, make better inquisition,  
Pu● the accusers both out of Commission;  
Appoint new judges, who with diligence,  
May tr●e the witnesses and her defence.  
Return, return, in judgement sit again,  
For they against he● falsely do complain.  

〈◊〉 41.38.  As when lost Son of jacob did unfold,  
The meaning of the Dream which Pharaoh told,  
And 〈◊〉 that he should Officers command,  
To store up ●oode ●o 〈◊〉 alive his land:  
None then in Pharoe● and his servant's eyes,  
Appeared then this Hebrew child more wise;  
For by his gracious words they plain descry,  
〈…〉 in him most abundantly:  
And therefore next unto the King must stand,  
And 〈◊〉 by his word all Egypt land.  
So when this youth doth his great Prudence show,  
〈…〉 like dew of Heaven which from him flow,  
〈◊〉 one mind conclude for certainty,  
〈◊〉 the Spirit rests of the most High:  
And therefore as approving of God's choice,  
〈◊〉 all elect him Elder with one voice:  
〈◊〉 other from their offices suspend,  
〈…〉 their cause shall have a final end.  
The end of the third Book.   

THE FOURTH BOOK OF SUSANNA.  
The fickle state of seeming men of might:  
Their peace of conscience that judge upright.  
The people plain the Elders malice see,  
In that their testimonies disagree.  
Susan's absolved, and they condemned to die:  
Of Men and Angels heavenly melody.  

YOu judges; that on earth God's people wield,  
As husband's trees and bushes in a field,  
Crop which you list, and which you list let grow,  
And are as God's Vicegerents here below;  
Lo here an emblem of your fickle fate,  
And vain inconstancy of humane sta●e:  
Who but this morning ruled both fa●re and near,  
Ere noon, as prisoners, at the Bar appear;  
And who e'en now were judges over all,  
Must by their Subject's judgement stand or fall.  
Ambition base, light puff of worthless Pride,  
How dost thou here vain mortals thoughts deride?  
Them throwing like hand-bals against the ground,  
That they again the higher may rebound,  
And when as thou hast finished thy Sport,  
Them leav'st all in the Dust in equal sort:  
Oh happy Elders! could your conscience  
Now plead, 
1. Sa●. 12.3.  with samuel's, a just defence:  
That willing doth before King Saul appear,  
And people all, himself of fraud to clear.  
Whole Ox, whose Ass have I unjustly ta'en?  
Whom have I wronged, saith he, in Goods or Name?  
Of whose hands have I taken less or more,  
To blind mine eyes, and I will all restore?  
Before God and's Anointed( say they) we  
Acknowledge thee from all corruption free:  
Thus all acquitted upright Samuel,  
Who many years had judged all Israel,  
But these two Elders had not ruled one year,  
Ere they are both brought forth themselves to clear,  
Before the judge, and there to testify  
Against themselves, their own iniquity.  
Oh peerless pearl of good sound conscience!  
When we are called to plead our own defence,  
Especially before the Lord of might,  
Before whom all our deeds must come to light,  
When Angels shall aloud their trumpets blow,  
And mortals all at once in flesh shall show,  
For to receive their just and final Dome,  
When all in person must to judgement come.  
How cheerful shall good Consciences abide?  
Whilst wicked wish the rocks may fall and hide,  
Them, from the vengeance of that justest one,  
Who retributes to all as they have done.  
As wisest Solomon when he could find,  

1. King. 2. ●3.  No certain witness to resolve his mind,  
When as two women did before him strive,  
Whose was the dead, and whose the child alive▪  
Well knowing one of them the truth did know,  
Devised how by themselves it plain to show:  
So this young judge in heavenly wisdom wise,  
Doth with the Lords and people thus advise:  
Brethren, Lo here a question betwixt two,  
Which none on earth, but they, do truly know.  
The Dame denies, what these accusers swear,  
she's one, they two; but both one party are,  
And witnesses: therefore in law's conception,  
They both are liable to just exception.  
Wherefore I will, that one be put aside  
Whilst th'other is examined and tried:  
" God that from heaven the truth of all doth see,  
" Will never let false witnesses agree.  
When they are parted, first to Bar they call,  
The elder judge, there to be seen of all:  
Who as base Shemei( of the cursing kind,  
After he was by Solomon confined)  
For passing 's bounds, 
1. Kin, 2. 4●.  then brought before the King,  
His guilty conscience against him witnessing,  
The wickedness he to King David did,  
When from his graceless Absalon he fled)  
Stood mute, amazed before the judgement seat,  
And, out of hope, no pardon doth entreat:  
So stood the Carl amazed, shaking, mute,  
Expecting God should vengeance retribute:  
Yet being old and full of subtlety,  
Doth thus his own proceedings justify.  
My heart is confident and bold within,  
Since all I did was but to punish sin:  
If in some circumstances, fail I shall,  
To be accuser, witness, judge and all,  
My witness-bearing thus I justify,  
There was no more but we, could testify,  
And better we to bring this accusation,  
Than leave unpunished such abomination▪  
As for condemning, let the people say,  
Who were the only judges here to day.  
We never urged the rigour of the law,  
We only testifide what we both saw:  
Let not her tears or beauty thee so blind,  
As she a patron for her sin may find:  
Besides the proof, which we by oaths have shown;  
'tis plain, we found her naked all alone.  
Alone 〈◊〉 Daniel, ●●nc●ed ●a●e that haste  
Lived wickedly, so long and ●o unchaste,  
Th'ungracious deeds thou actedst in God's sight,  
Shall here before us all be brought to light.  
False judgements thou hast given, and sore oppressed  
The innocent, the guilty hast released.  
Yet 〈◊〉 the Lord, The innocent and righteous,  
〈…〉 nor justify th'unrighteous:  
We have well marked the wicked accusation,  
Thou bringst against this daughter of our nation,  
If, as thou swearest, thou saw'st th' adultery,  
Tell now under what tree they then did lie.  
A Mulberry tree, the Elder then replied:  
Well, then said Daniel, now thou hast lied  
Against thyself; the Angel of the Lord,  
Stands ready to divide thee with a sword,  
Against thine own life thou hast testifide;  
Bring forth the other, put this wretch aside.  

Simile.  As thee●e which fears, besides his guilty breast,  
That's fellow hath before the theft confessed,  
Trembles and quakes at his examination,  
And seeks to scape by nice equivocation,  
At last resolving still to hold his tale,  
Do●h utter words that tend to's final bale:  
e'en so this second fears, his will not hold  
Agreement with the tale his fellow told;  
Or that his brother might the truth confess,  
In hope of pardon for his wickedness:  
But in the end, 'tis his determination,  
No whit to alter his first accusation,  
And therefore with a feigned innocence,  
He boldly speaks thus in his own defence.  
Brethren, since you to me this office gave,  
I know I did so well myself behave,  
As guiltless now I need not be afraid,  
To beg unto mine innocence your aid.  
That you from me my dignity have rend,  
And brought me to the Bar, I am content:  
My shoulders of a burden is well lighted,  
For never I in Sovereignty delighted▪  
That which mine heart with grief doth now affect,  
Is, that you me of Falsity suspect:  
That you should think I durst swear to a Lie,  
And not expect ●read lightning suddenly.  
Young man, God send thee honour in thy place,  
Thy greatness build not yet on our disgrace:  
What us befalls may come to thee as soon,  
We judged in the morning, thou at noon:  
Therefore beware, oh man, thou judgest right,  
Thou know'st not who may judge thyself ere ●igh●  
What profit is't to me in this to lie,  
And to condemn my true friends wife to dye▪  
Good Joachim's, who were she chaste as fair,  
They were a holy, noble, peerless pair.  
But that whereof we now accuse this Dame,  
I swear is true; who dares deny the same?  
Then Daniel said, Oh thou of Canaan's seed,  
And not of judas, Beauty hath indeed  
Deceived thee, and lust doth e'en thy heart  
And all the powers of thy soul pervert:  
Thus you with Israel's daughters dealt before,  
And they for fear have played with you the whore;  
But judas daughter, Joachim's chaste b●ide,  
Could never such foul wickedness abide.  
But they that will have one condemned to dye,  
Ought of the time and place to testify:  
Then tell me truly, underneath what tree  
Them companing together thou didst see,  
Under a Pomegranate, he than replies,  
Behold now all, how this vile villain lies,  
Saith then the judge; the Angel with a sword,  
Shall thee divide, of God and man abhorred.  
Had she in orchyard to your lust consented,  
This crime against her had not been invented.  
Well knew I this before by revelation,  
But would make't plain by their examination,  
Before! unto judgement did proceed.  

The sentence.  Wherefore ●, In God's name, this sentence read.  
I Daniel, a judge by your commission,  
Having with diligence made inquisition,  
In cause pretended of Adultery,  
Between this Dame, and these two Elders by,  
And witnesses in different tales so found,  
That thereby one the other doth confound,  
First do absolve from guilt this chastest Dame,  
Restoring her to her good name and fame.  

Deu. 19.16  Next I pronounce, that who so up shall rise,  
And 'gainst his brother falsely testifi's,  
Ought justly to receive that punishment,  
Which wickedly he to his brother meant;  
Do to him as he would have done, I say,  
So ill from Israel is done away.  
And so shall other hear of it and fear,  
And henceforth no false testimony bear,  
Let not your eyes of them take least compassion,  
Respect not greatness, person, age or nation:  
A hand for hand, for tooth tooth, eye for eye,  
A foot for foot, for murder let them dye.  
Never did any people say Amen,  
More gladly to the preachers prayer, when  
He for the safety of our King doth pray,  
And their confusion, that would him betray,  
Than all the multitude their shoutings raise,  
To bliss his justice and their maker praise.  
God that from fraud delivereth the just,  
And from the wicked, all that in him trust.  
And as when Faux that arsenal full fraught 
Gunpowder treason.   
With treason, mischief, and rebellious thought,  
( Plotting the death and utter desolation,  
Of King, Priests, Nobles, and of all our nation,  
Because like Susan here we did deny, 
Reu.   
To leave our Lord, and to accompany,  
With jezabel in foul abomination,  
With whom earth's Princes commit fornication,)  
Condemned was by judge's justest doom,  
Lo all the people do together come,  
With joyful hearts, unto his execution,  
Where he receiveth justest retribution:  
e'en so when Daniel for false-witness-bearing,  
The Elders had convict in people's hearing,  
Upon them the whole multitude doth run,  
And did to them e'en as they would have done,  
To chastest Dame; so sin was done away,  
And her blood innocent was saved that day.  
My history is done, but not my song,  
For they that all this while have held their tongue,  
Up now their voices unto heaven raise,  
And for this Dame's deliverance sing praise:  
First old Helchias spirit doth revive,  
As Jacob's hearing joseph was alive,  
And like to upright godly Simeon old  
When he his Saviour in his arms doth hold,  
Sings nunc Dimittis, Oh now let me dye:  
In Susan▪ s found not lest dishonesty.  
And next his wife like Miriam doth sing,  
The noble praises of her heavenly King.  
When as she saw her enemies confounded,  
And all th' Egyptians in the red sea drowned.  
Oh joachim, who can the joy descry!  
That thou conceiud'st for her delivery?  
He only that hath skill to touch the st●ing,  
Of David's Harp, and Psalms like his to sing,  
Can here describe the heavenly melody,  
Was made on earth by this whole company.  
Father and mother for their daughter sung,  
The children which about their mother hung,  
Like fairest clusters of the fruitful vine,  
S●ng all with angelique, sweet voice divine.  
●oe all her kindred, and her servants sing,  
And e'en Dame Echo seemed from heaven to ring;  
But 'twas not Echo, but sweet Angels voice,  
That for this Dame's deliverance did rejoice.  
And now my Muse, the Reader only stays,  
To sing one ditty of this stories praise.  
Ha●●e all chaste Ladies, all just judges hear,  
Both old and young unto my words give ear,  
Let them like dew upon your hearts distil,  
And silver drops which heavens on meadows spill.  
joachim, Susan, Hel●hi with me sing  
The glorious bounty of the righteous king:  
And babes who scarce have learnt to tune your voice,  
Yea: sucklings in his noble strength rejoice.  
He, to whom erst you lifted up your eyes,  
Now hears your groans, and listens to your cries,  
And you delivers from Bears cruel paws,  
The Lion's throat, and Crocodiles foul jaws.  
He in all ages past hath saved the just,  
And those that put in him their hope and trust;  
But never plainer have we heard or read,  
Than here, his providence discovered.  
Susanna chaste to justice I compare,  
The Elders two corrupted judges are,  
Who seek for pleasure, favour, gain, ambition,  
Her to corrupt, but to their own perdition.  
judge's corrupt, when you this story hear,  
At God's just vengeance tremble, quake and fear;  
And judging others for the like offence,  
Condemn your own soul, guilty conscience.  
And think not when you find yourselves unjust,  
Such punishment is only due for lust.  
Who for ambition, favour, fear or gain,  
Do judge unjustly, merit equal pain.  
You that project to prove by witnesses,  
Things false, for gain, or for malciousnesse;  
Lo here your Fate in this example see,  
Your testimonies never shall agree.  
Old lechers that in beastly lust delight,  
See here your deeds of darkness brought to light;  
Who doth from heaven your secret sins behold,  
Will one day to your shame, them all unfold.  
judges and people diligently try  
The truth, before you one condemn to dye;  
For some for malice, some will swear for gain,  
Of envy and ambition some will strain.  
When as you see th'accusers violent,  
And offer oath to prove their own intent,  
Though it may seem them little to concern,  
Yet warily, before you judge, discern.  
Chaste Dames! who rather had endure the shame,  
Th●n proudly your consciences to blame,  
Wait on the Lord, and in his law's delight,  
So he will bring all wickedness to light.  
Whilst Susan-like your innocence shall shine,  
And be commended to succeeding time.  
Henceforth let all the Ladies that live chaste,  
Be with the title of Susanna's graced:  
So far as isaack's seed the Sceptre sways,  
And Phoebus doth divide the nights from days,  
So far shall honoured be chaste Susan's name,  
And all chaste Dames shall glory in the same.  
And when as witnesses do disagree,  
judges shall praise her honoured chastity:  
And daniel's prudent diligence admire,  
And by this pattern, out the truth inquire▪  
In this she suffers like that holy One,  
Who though he never ill had thought or done▪  

Mark. 14.58, 59  Yet was accused for cursed Blaspheme,  
But never could the witnesses agree.  
Lo wicked Pilate like these Elders stands,  
Was●ing before just judge, his guilty hands,  
Yet nothing but hell's lake shall wash from thence,  
That guiltless blood, the blood of innocence.  
In thee two wicked judges I do see,  
The devil and the world accusing me,  
Whose malice surely had me overcome,  
Had not the Prophet to my rescue come.  
I see in Daniel, sitting on the throne,  
A true resemblance of that holy One,  
Who though he all things past as present knows,  
By Spirit which the truth to Daniel shows,  
Yet by discussing will make all things clear,  
That men and Angels which his Dome do hear,  
May second it with final approbation,  
The justs reward, the wickeds condemnation.  
Go on, brave Daniel, in doing right,  
And thou shalt favour find in Prince's sight,  

Gen. 41.40.  Cyrus succeeds in Persian Monarchy,  
Who thee shall raise to high Authority,  
And like wise joseph place thee next his throne,  
He Egypt, thou shalt Persia rule alone.   

IN all thy Poems thou dost wondrous well,  
But thy Susanna doth them all excel.   
R. C.  
FINIS.