The lady's Blush: Or, THE HISTORY OF SUSANNA, THE GREAT EXAMPLE OF Conjugal Chastity. An HEROIC POEM. By W. V. Attentant formâ celebréinque pudore Susannam Injusti, quibus est facta repulsa, Senes: Ira metúsque fidem laesam testantur, at insons Fatidici vatis solvitur ore niece. LONDON: Printed by James Cotterel, for Robert Robinson, near Grays-Inne-gate in Holborn. 1673. To the AMOROUS READERS. PRREFACES to Books are as Gentleman-ushers to Ladies; when they have given a short account of the person or Subject they introduce, your own prudence will dictate to you, that your entertainment of them should be, in some measure, answerable to their quality. But the Lady we here bring into your view being of greater eminency than any other, as to the virtue for which her memory hath been celebrated through all ages, it is thought requisite, to do it with more pomp and ceremony. The Author of this Poem having spent some time in the perusal of the Apocryphal part of the Holy Scriptures, reflected, that there were three eminent virtues recommended to us in the persons and examples of three remarkable Women. The first is Prudence, in those of Judith, a Woman, as to Counsel and Cond●ct, in the greatest extremities of a tedious Siege, surpassing the best Politicians of the Jewish Government; and as to Action, outdoing all the Stratagems of the Inhabitants of the Hill-countries, to the admiration and amazement of Posterity. The second is Fortitude, observable in the magnanimous Matron mentioned in the Maccabees, who, with undaunted courage, chose rather to follow her seven sons through the gates of death, by a generous Martyrdom, then violate the Law of her Country. The third, Continence, exemplified in the incomparable Susanna, for which she will be looked on by all subsequent generations, as the great Example of Conjugal Chastity. Our Author hath thought fit to pitch upon this last for the Subject of his Work; waving the first, as implying a wish of that which the world calls Dissimulation for the more prosperous management of her design; and the second, as being too great a precedent of Feminine courage, to be exposed to the world, when those of that sex, being made Egyptians by the Public Faith of the Covenanting Cause, were already overforward to be personally engaged against the late Royal Standard. For about that time do I conceive this Piece to have been written; if not rather in the year— Forty four, famous for the Story of the Four-legged Elder. History tells us of a Roman Lady, who, reflecting too seriously on a forced enjoyment, whether confounded with shame at her not having made a greater resistance, or the more to animate her Relations to revenge the violence, daggered herself out of a loathed life. But as to our Susanna, what can be imagined more nearly approaching Martyrdom itself, then for a young Lady, of transcendent Beauty, to be brought to a public and shameful Execution, surrounded with her disgraced and lamenting Relations, to avoid a pleasure she had often tasted (as being a Wife) and might then have accepted, from persons who managed the Government of her Nation, and had the title of Elders, not so much upon the score of their Age, as that of their Authority? Can there be a greater discovery of Resolution, then for a delicate person of that tender Sex, to prefer Stoning in the open field, before the pressing solicitations of two Elderly, yet not too far superannuated Gallants, in the shady solitude of a Garden? But never was so violent a temptation so bravely opposed, yet without any other defensives, than those of a meek and innotent resistance. Let any but imagine the horror it must have been to her, to be so strangely surprised in that posture of Paradise; and what confusion of thoughts it must have raised in her, to observe, in the Crystal Mirror of her Cistern, the representations of two persons so little expected, and, ere she could lift up her eyes to look about her, to find herself within their unwelcome embraces: Let any, I say, but imagine these circumstances, and thence compute, what an incredible presence of spirit what a recollection of virtuous and Matrimonial obligations was requisite, to withstand the shock of so sudden an assault. These reflections, I suppose, occasioned our Author's dressing up of this History of Susanna into an Heroic Poem; which he might have much enlarged, had he not thought it more convenient, to make it somewhat proportionate to the Story itself, as it lies in Sacred Writ. Wherein, if I am not mistaken, he hath obliged several sorts of persons, as first, those who are mightily affected with a Story put into Verse or fitted for public Action, when in dull Prose it makes no impression at all upon them; and would rather see Susanna represented with Scenes in the Theatre, then hear of her exemplary Virtue and deliverance in a Sermon at St. Paul's, before the whole Representative of the City. To another sort especially the Sisterhood of the Nation, it may serve for a smart reproach of their frailty, who, upon the very score of this Story, have entertained such a pique against the Apocryphal Writings, that, of the many hundreds of Thousands of Bibles, printed during the five fatal Olympiads of the late Usurpation; I doubt the number of such as had those bound with the Canonical, does not amount to the square root of the whole. In fine whoever are concerned in the sacred bond of Matrimony, are accordingly concerned in the strange accidents occurring in this Story; finding here how innocent Virtue was miraculously rescued out of the jaws of death; and the guilty contrivers of Susanna's shame brought to condign punishment; to be perpetual precedents, to all such as shall presumptuously attempt the tasting of that fruit, which the Laws of God and Man have forbidden them. The Lady's Blush: OR, The HISTORY of SUSANNA. SLeep on, perfuming Morn, let not thy smiles With one Reflex gild the Molucca-Isles: 'Tis time enough; on Tython's Saffron-bed Repose the curls of thy refulgent head; And let the Aethiopians Pearly Ore, Sown by thy hand, lie on their Swarthy shore A while ungathered, that no Signal may Alarm the nimble minutes of the Day To harness Sol's fierce Steeds, lest while the Fates Enforce a passage through th'East's Lattice-gates, And send them panting up the Indian hill, This monstrous change him with amazement fill, To see, since he descended last t'allay His flaming Temples in th' Atlantic Sea, Nature inverted, heat with cold thus fight Within one body, as before rude Night First spread its frozen arms to entertain That warmth which after brooded on the Main; And i'll December quit his weeds of grey, T'usurp the Robe and Diadem of May: Chaste Groves polluted, where fair Daphne's hair True concord holdeth with th'affrighted Air, And sacred streams complaining as they scape From Springs attempted by the Elders rape; So pure a Fountain, that the mighty Jove Might thence make Hebe mix him Healths of love, And Iris draw her Aromatic dews Which on the Persian Vales she daily strews; Whilst Justice with her mystic Sceptre saves Virtue, that's shipwrackt, from the raging waves. The Scene's Judea, Babylon's the Stage Of Jacob's toiling issue's pilgrimage, Whereon oft acted was the Tragic story Of heavens Firstborn, Israel's expiring glory. Backsliding Nation! yet still forward went First unto Sin, then into Banishment. Therefore it pleased th'eternal power to raise Assyria's Monarch, to proclaim his praise, By sound of Ethnic Trumpets, too too shrill Not to advance the great Commander's will Against those Tribes which took Roboam's part, And laid not the diviner threats to heart, Till, fury answering folly, they did lie Under the doom of God's enraged Eye, In miserable thraldom, to bemoan Judah's extinguished light in parts unknown. Among the rest, Joakim, next of kin, As well to Judah, as to Judah's sin, His progress made; where, ere long seated, he Wisely provideth for Captivity, By losing bonds with bonds. For Cupid drew A golden Shaft armed with flames that flew First to his bosom, then to one most rare As ere perfumed the uncorrupted air. She was Chelkiah's daughter, brought along, At Babel's brooks to sing a Sion-song. And though their mournful Harp was quite unstrung, And tuneless on th' Assyrian willows hung, Yet Hymen took it down, and played so true, That discontents fled like the morning-dew, Or winged sleep, and darkness drew amain Her sable Ensigns from the Shinar-plain, By Diana's Torches chased, who led the way Before this Couple to their Marriage-day, And joined them hand in hand; so great a Prize As she's, both Indies scarce can equalise. Besides her Beauty, which was highly fair, Her youth and comeliness beyond compare, Greater perfections she yet owned, chaste, good, And mild as Euphrates' Silver-flood, Which, softly gliding where old Eden lies, Seems here to court a better Paradise. There was besides, wherewith this Bride was stored, Another virtue yet, She feared the Lord; And as she feared, she loved; no servile fear, Such as base Slaves unto their Tyrants bear, But like a Daugther, who with filial care T'her Father's just commands doth give an ear, Sh'observed her Maker; so 'tis hard to say If Love or Fear most taught her to obey. Thus was she by her righteous Parents bred, And in the holy Laws of Moses read. Who would not Solon or Lycurgus be, To have their Laws confirmed by such as she? Or what good Lawgiver could then repent To choose, as he did, lasting Banishment? Then Numa's labour surely vain had been In his retirements to that Fairy Queen; When here's Egeria, this the substance whence His frantic Raptures did at first commence; Yet he mistook it, that the fate of Rome Might still join hands with preordained doom. Susanna therefore i'th' Chaldean land Doth for the Jewish Nation's wonder stand, Where like her Father's parched and in distress 'Mongst scorching Sands in Paran's wilderness, She served him that by a flaming light His servants guided through the horrid night; Though here confined, like Noah in the fold Of damned wolves lost in the world of old; Or Let in Sodom, Daniel in the Den Of Lions, milder than those cruel men; Or as Ezekiel 'mongst the Scorpions, where No holy Charm could make them lend an ear: So she, where God's a stranger, 's always known A Votary at his eternal Throne. For Joakim's riches, none of all the East, Nay wealthy Job can't call himself the best; Mighty in stock, and happier far in this, Job's wanton Dinah ne'er compared with his; Nor churlish Nabal, though his flocks could bring A widow's Dowry fit for Israel's King. Moreo're, a House whose building stretched so wide, As might compare with the Neronian pride; No less a wonder then Rabyrus wrought, When Stars and Poles idaeaed to his thought, What work might take the proud Domitian, Corinthian, Tuscan, or Ionian. Besides a Garden, which the Curious will Best see described by learned Bacon's Quill; Or in a lesser Folio view the same By th' Muse's sacred held to Danby's Name. Hither therefore the scattered Jews refort, In stead of Judah's, now to Joakim's Court, As to an Emblem of their sad Whitehall, Because he had more honour than they all. About this time two Judges chosen were To stand at Helm, and the Republic steer, Both sons of Belial, far more like to split Poor Judah's tattered Bark, then manage it; Of cursed Ahab's race, whose wickedness Claims here in them by Metempsychosis. Thus unto Wolves committed were the Sheep, And over Lambs, two Lions sent'nel keep: For such they were, as oft the Lord foretold, With 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from the days of old, Should cast up Babel's foam, men grave with crimes, Who seem to govern, but pervert the times. This place these Judges made their Rendezvous, Where daily mustered the litigious Jews Their forlorn troops, for Orders here to call, As Ragged Regiments from a General; Even those who Zealot-like at Law contend, And counter by as with their dearest friend, Though Bench and Ear corrupt: the Judges here And Pleaders as in after-ages were, Knaves, and the most part Fools, ere Dulman knew Whether his Master could write false or true, Or ever Sleep produced upon the Stage That Lawyer Ignoramus with his Page. The throng therefore of jarring Suitors gone, And clouds of business chased by Noonday-sun, Susanna, as the Seasoned heat required, Into her husband's Garden oft retired, With trembling leaves to fan, and shades assuage Th'hot entertainments of the Tropick's rage. Mean while, stern Lust with eyes more subtle far Than those pure Optics of the Eagles are, Or Lynceus, whose perspicil, they say, Can measure paces with swift-footed day, Stirs up these purblind Elders still to view The usual walkings of this matchless Jew. As Artists fingers busily convey Notes to that Instrument whereon they play: So every step of hers, as she did move, Jars on the Frets of their exalted love, But Discord raiseth with a murmuring tone, Unheard by any save themselves alone, Till what before did gently glow, now streams Out in the atoms of devouring flames. For suddenly, this gale of lust awoke Hell's smothering embers wrapped in clouds of smoke, And our choice pair obliquely turned their eye, Looking asquint upon Eternity, Lest that most simple undivided light, Once breaking in, might their black souls affright, As yet securely quiet and asleep, While stubborn thoughts no watch at all will keep. Howe'er they knew quite to desist was good; But wickedness, swelled to so high a flood, Broke down that saving rampart, till at length Rebellion plumes it in her pride and strength: Reason commands, what then shall Heaven say no? Or Conscience check, when Nature bids men go? Yet here a witness unperceived stood, While thus they did consult with flesh and blood. For as in Fields appointed foes display Ensign 'gainst Ensign, till the doubtful day, Swayed by Fates hand, unto one side doth yield; So now it fareth in a Spiritual field. The battle's pitched, Colours on each side fly, Upon the wing of hoped Victory; Lance threatening lance, conjoined Bodies meet, And one another with loud Volleys greet. Both Flesh and Spirit grapple, parties made Hence from a congress of th'infernal shade. On th'other side, One, only, subtle, pure, Th' adverse Phalanges able to endure. These Elders then, who such brave Champions had, (So potent was deceit) with joy grew mad At th'honour of their crime, and both apart This dispute echoed from's redoubling heart. 'Tis true, I'm great, and do the people awe By Israel's spotless and impartial Law; The Tribes committed are unto my hand, As to a Shepherd in a Captive-land; And if the Shepherd chance to go astray, To Savage beasts my Sheep must be a prey: Their lovely fleeces briers and thorns will tear, When they, o'erwhelmed with pensiveness and fear, Without their Leader wander, whose disgrace Advantage gets by th'honour of his place. Know it the people may, who oft forsake The paths of goodness for examples sake; And great men's faults move in a Sphere so high, As to be noted by each vulgar eye: Just as from Conflagrations in the sky, Star-blazing streams prodigiously do fly. But yet my greatness a disguise will lend, That safely I accomplish may my end. Fond mortal! thinkest thou heavens clearer fight Hath now put on the mourning robe of night? Can mists, or darkness, or ought interpose Betwixt his eye that all things does disclose? No, no, there's one with flames of fire that flies Strictly t'avenge the world's impieties, And by the blast of his consuming breath Sure to repay sin, with its wages, Death. Though it be so, my unconfined will Is towering now upon too high a Quill To mind such weak reclaims: I cannot stay, For fierce desire, like to a raging Sea, Bears me along; and though the best I love, Depraved sense makes me the worst approve. Let Bears and Tigers, all the Monsters that First roared upon the Mountain Ararat, (As Satan at the Sun-cloathed woman hurled The Lethe-vomits of his dreadful world) Our Tribes pursue, then scatter and divide, My headstrong passion will not be denied: Destruction come, I'm satisfied if I May satiate my lust, and after die. Thus as Ripheus fell most good and true, Scarce matched for virtue mongst the Trojan crew, Because the Gods thought fit: so in this heat heavens powerful Spirit's pleased to retreat, And this Triumvirate of darkness wields Its conquering Sword through the forsaken fields, And reins once laid upon the stubborn neck Of each proud Elder, not the sharpest check Of Conscience might them stay, blindfold proceed, As always those whom Hellish Princes lead. Thus Virtue bleeding lay, successful Sin Beats down the Bulwarks, let's the Victor in, Who to complete his Triumph, strives t'unite Those which did under his black Banner fight, Unknown to one another; though both were Wounded alike, yet neither durst declare. So timorous guilt is, ere its branches shoot, Having i'th' mind but newly taken root. How many black conceits within them move From day to day hatching lust-raging Love? The object fair Susanna, whom to win, These Sages walk their usual rounds in sin, Contented with a bare reflex, till Chance Conspired their hellish purpose to advance. For being both departed at high Noon, Each to his several habitation, They wheeled about, turned by an unseen rain, Which brought them to the selfsame place again. Even as a Needle touched by th' Magnet-stone Abhors all points of variation: So these, impregnate by infernal fires, No point inclined to but their base desires. Therefore as rays that to one centre tend, Or different footsteps to th'same journey's end, They meet from whence they went, (dissembling it, And forced to leave their former counterfeit) Each on the other gazed, their wrinkled veins Swelled up with guilt, died in Vermilion-stains, Exchanged red for white, and white for red, More than a thousand tongues discovered, Till each as in the Mirror of a Glass Reflections darted to the others face, And prologue thereunto was first to learn, The certain cause of either's quick return. So that at last they both revealed their lust, And huddled up the thing 'twixt fit and just. Both thus alleged: I thought at home to stay, But there's no food my hunger can allay, That longeth much, since first I chanced to see The golden fruit of one forbidden tree, Near to this place, which flourishng doth stand, As if ne'er planted by a mortal hand, Or that its fruit was ne'er ordained to grow For the rude taste of worldlings here below. It is the wondrows Spouse of Joakim's bed That hath m'unwary hopeless fancy fed With new Idaea's; yet mean while I pine For that which shuns these restless lips of mine. Nor may one's thirst be quenched with that drink Which touched once, forthwith away doth shrink. Observe the motions of this glorious Star, Not such another's in our Hemisphere; Nay, Venus, whom youth call the Queen of Love, Doth not with such a radiant lustre move: In short, those women came not near her, when Angels of God were Sons-in-law to Men. The thought of home therefore's abhorred, for Hell's In every place but where Susanna dwells; And th'entertainments of our Beldames breathe More dreadful are then shocks of sudden death, Who with revengeful kisses daily strive Kindly to bury us poor two alive. But, doting Fools! they are mistaken, why? Old Aesons Bath proves now no Poetry: Experience hath confirmed it true and good I'th' vigour of our metamorphosed blood. We're young again, and, like the Lads of Greece, We'll venture to surprise this Golden Fleece. All Colchos can't withstand, nor Dragons keep Their dreadful guard, whilst charmed by us a sleep. Yet, fair Laverna, this request fulfil, That when all's done, we may seem righteous still. Now was that time when the Nemaean beast Stretched out his paws with rage on Cancer's breast, Roused by the Delian God, roars out amain Quite through the fields of the Celestial plain, Whilst from his furious breath fierce flames are hurled, With Thunders mixed upon the lower world, And frozen Stars which court the Arctic Pole In sweltering Thaws about their centres roll. As then of old, the chaste Nymphs made their streams A refuge from that Boy's misguided flames: So here Susanna to the Spring retires, To countermand the heat of July's fires, I'th'Garden to her Husband's Palace nigh, Where stood a Fountain that was never dry, But like to those which Paradise once said, Sendeth fresh glories unto every Bed, Two Maids attending only. Th'elder had Themselves before into this place conveyed, Whey they lay hid like Serpents to deceive, Taught by that Monster which so served Eve. Ye lofty Powers! some reasons to us mind Why Hell, the World, and Flesh are thus combined, Within that place Cothurnick steps to tread, Where Flora does her various beauties spread? What is the cause that made them this devise? Are Gardens Stages fit for Tragedies? In such a place first was the Devil's Prize God and the creature to make enemies. Prodigious Garden, that could bear a weed So full of poison, as all Adam's seed Still cries, O wrerched man, what hast thou done, Thus to orewhelm us in perdition? David did there, with an adulterous eye, Bathsheba naked in the Fountain spy, An eye with winged murder charged, which flew As far as Rabbah, and V; riah slew. A Garden 'twas wherein a painful flood Sweat from our Saviour like to drops of blood; And in a Garden Judas him betrayed; Where also was his righteous body laid. Whilst thus the Elders and their Engines lie, Not the least thought of sordid Jealousy Disturbs Joakim's quiet, who affords No small respect to these Judicial Lords, Whom to mistrust were madness, their grey hairs Being Antidote enough against such fears; But rather thinks, These learned Sages will Susanna with some virtuous precepts fill; On whose each look an aged History sits, The best improvement of all younger wits, Whereby she may, or ere old-age draws on, The prospect have of a free Horizon, Her understanding clearly so to view Fore passed events, and judge what shall ensue: Such guides I wish our Fathers had, perhaps They ne'er had longed for these accursed Grapes That edge their children's teeth, whose offspring we The cause lament in our Captivity. Thus Joakim's well-composed mind foresees Not aught of the two Elders treacheries, But, unsuspecting man, receives as friends Those that disguised lusts with lawful ends; Which freedom bond them to this fixed day, Wherein they might his virtuous Spouse betray. For being here, she thinks it fit to lave Her wearied limbs in the refreshing wave; So said unto her Maidens, Hence, be gone; The place is private, leave me here alone: Haste, balls perfumed, Sabaean Odours bring Without delay, to wash me at the Spring. Susanna then unveils her orient skin, Like Eve's in Eden, ere imperious sin First found an Apple, than a Leaf to hid The spotted Beauty of her newborn pride, Into the Fountain goes, whose amorous brims Dropped tears for joy, t'embrace such snowy limbs, And curled in a wanton brayed, t'o'ercome Love's fire concealed in its watery womb. Had you but see●, when yet she was half-bare, Part of her Mantle sporiing with the air, The rest in folds about her middle born: So sparkling Phlegon looketh in the morn, Whilst glorious cloud● in glittering fleeces fly, To interpose 'twixt it and humane eye. But once aloft, and to th'Meridian fled, His naked body on the hills doth spread; Such was she when those weeds or rags of clay From her diviner flesh were cast away. Ye fabulous Anoients! was not this same She Your Aphrodite, descended of the Sea? With Nymphs, not Neptune thus encompassed, Whilst now Lucina brings the Spring to bed. Yea sure the same, although your purblind eyes Mistook when she did from a Fountain rise. And this the Piece, Apelles to portray Durst not adventure have one line a day. Gleaned up from thousand Beauties that might give The Painter fire to make his Picture live. So rare th'idea seemed, such work there was T'extract from mortals an immortal face. Her Ivory-neck's like David's Tower of war, Wherein so many conquering Bucklers are, And Arrows numberless, and sure to hit Unhappy Man that gazeth once at it. Her Rosy Breasts like the two Indies stand, A Globed Hemisphere on either hand; The cause perhaps our Father's first did call East the right side of Earth's ever-rowling Ball; And hither Merchants, laden with desire, Hurry to quench the flames of fire with fire. The other Regions which beneath those lay, Are not unfitly termed Incognita, Hid by the swelling water, which denies Further pursuit to our discoveries. Howe'er the Elders who stood watching here None of the worst Geometricians were; Like him, who having on Olympus found Alcides' foot imprinted on the ground, Did thereupon his whole proportion guests, And so engraved the big-boned Hercules: These not unlike conclude, from what they saw, An image they of th'unseen features draw, And argue from the lesser; Vales close by Must needs abound with more variety: For when hills vaunt their fruitful pride, sure we In lower parts shall richer pasture see. Thus swelled with hope, they made out all their Sail, And swiftly rid before a prosperous Gale; Their Keels the Flesh, the Devil Pilots it, Like some grave Artist, whither he thinks fit: Hell lends them Wind, Presumption plies the Oar, To land it safely at Susanna's shore. Not many leagues this well-manned Vessel flew, Till now within its wished Harbour's view, When rapt with joy the goodly Steersman cries, Io, my Babes, lift up your aged eyes! Behold your peace, rejoice, for yonder is Th'expected Port of all true happiness, Where bliss more than eternal rests in store: Go, and possess; what can be wished-for more? Hereat these Elders, though until this time The Gout and Palsy troubled every limb, Make shift to run; those who of late had gone In Lordly Chairs to the Judicial Throne, Now find their heels. Desire, as well as Fear, Oft wings the slowest feet, turns earth to air. Love knows no pomp, but stoops to meanest things, And levels Subjects with their Captive-Kings. Even like two Eagles that are towering high Within the Champion of the liquid sky, No sooner do discern their harmless preys, But them with ne'r-failing talons seize: So they by Lust's most hungry rage compelled, Susanna in their eager gripe held. She strives and cries: alas! what should she do? One naked woman in the arms of two, Not men, but monsters, such as Poets feign The Cyclops were, that did in Aetna reign. Think how Susanna blushed, looked pale, and then A trembling fear, blushed, and looked pale again; Whilst they: ' Fair creature, now behold the doors ‛ Are all made fast, y'are now within our powers; ‛ Yet we entreat: consent, come, do ned deny; ‛ We're smitten, Lady, and with you must lie; ‛ There's none can see't, 'tis witness causeth shame, ‛ Whilst unrevealed Ills are free from blame. Susanna sighs, and strives, and cries again, ‛ O subtle Elders! O polluted men! To which they: ' If thou'lt not, we Judges are, ‛ And 'gainst thy innocence will both declare, ‛ That, as we walked in this neighbouring Grove, ‛ Thou play'dst the harlot with thy wanton Love. ‛ Therefore thy Maids away were sent, lest they ‛ Should notice take of thine Adultery. A strange Dilemma put forth to perplex The wavering judgement of that tender Sex. Therefore Susanna: ' Heaven be my guide; ‛ I am betrayed, distressed on every side: ‛ If I consent, by Moses Law 'tis said, ‛ No wife shall climb up to another's bed ‛ Unpunished; which divine decree implies ‛ Death the reward of all Adulteries. ‛ But if refuse, y'already have designed ‛ What base return true virtue's like to find! ‛ Howe'er I must not, dare not sin: your skill ‛ Extends no further than this life to kill; ‛ But God will me avenge, and one day plead ‛ My guiltless cause with vengeance on your head. Thus as a Rock perceiving her unmoved, The more she did refuse, the more they loved. For threats prevailing not with her, they try By speeches fair, and thus to her reply: ‛ Lady, such Coyness misbecomes your years; ' 'Tis time enough, when care hath sown grey hairs, ‛ And ploughed furrows on your aged head, ‛ Then to confine unto a husband's bed. ‛ Y'are young, and handsome, of a comely feature; ‛ Can it be thoughtere God made such a creature ‛ For one man's sole embraces? why should Law ‛ Men more than other base creatures awe? ‛ What though our Father's Moses led? must he ‛ A pattern be to all posterity? ‛ Or if he must, what sin can you it call, ‛ To break one Law, when we oft break them all? ‛ No, no; regard the days 'fore Moses was; ‛ There were no sins, till he invented Laws. ‛ Can you suppose the Destinies ere withstood ‛ A free Community in what is good? ‛ Observe the Air, nothing more spotless is, ‛ Yet in a thousand thousand bosoms lies. ‛ Y'are born not for yourself; the Lord doth hate ‛ Those that are backward to communicate; ‛ And rashness 'tis t'engross heavens liberal store, ‛ Lest he who gave too much, should give no more. ‛ Nor be offended that old age hath drawn ‛ A ghostly curtain o'er our youthful Lawn, ‛ Or think it strange that lusty blood remains ‛ Still in the channel of our paler veins. ' 'Tis you that gave it life, the fault is yours; ‛ Do but consent, and then it shall be ours. Yet she again (tears trickling down her face) Reflecteth on their Honours, Charge and Place. All's labour lost. When they could not persuade, A rash attempt they on her body made. Whereat Susanna (for it was high time) Cried out aloud, ' O Heaven avenge this crime! And shrieked so, that the Palace did rebound With dismal echoes of that dreadful sound. The Servants all amazed run to and fro, Distracted, ingorant which way to go. By this the Elders therefore roared as high Against Susanna: for those that were nigh Such yells had never heard before; for there Two throats appeared one open Sepulchre. Her Servants then in a most frightful maze Into the Garden rush at several ways; But when they saw their beauteous Lady stand Stark naked, and the Judges on each hand, What numerous thoughts possess them! yea what shame! While the lewd Elders do this scandal frame: ‛ Friends, wonder not, our clamour though so high, ‛ Had cause enough even for the stones to cry, ‛ Out of this Garden-wall, so to declare ‛ Your Lady's wickedness beyond compare, ' T'her Husband's shame, by being naught with one ‛ Young and spruce Gallant, who now hence is gone. ‛ For us to wink at such a fault, had been ‛ Upon our own heads to pull down the sin. The Servants, much astonished to hear The Elders give her such a character, Durst not their Lady's cause defend, though she Ne'er was before charged with unchastity, And no such blemish was till then laid on The candour of her Reputation. By this report, Susanna's ill name flown In one small moment through all Babylon. Fame's wings are long, and ever as it flies New courage gains, and strangely multiplies. How swiftly was the Persian once overthrown! That loss from Greece unto Mycale blown Even in a point of time. Th'immortal Powers Themselves confine not unto days or hours. There's sure some secret hand that doth convey With more than natural speed, an infamy. This was Susanna's fate, in virtue's place Only succeed base titles of Disgrace; Made Town-talk: What, is modest Susan, she, Turned Harlot, taken in Adultery? O wretched woman! infant's yet unborn This fact will rue, and for their mother mourn, If she should scape with life; but 'tis unfit The earth should bear so arch an Hypocrite. Nay, old wives scarce with teeth to chew their bread, The thing through streets and every corner spread: ‛ What think ye, Neighbours, of that youthful Bride ‛ In whom such holiness was thought t'abide, ‛ To day the Strumpet played, and's apprehended: ‛ Is this that Virtue men so much commended? ‛ The world is surely changed; both young and fair ‛ Ourselves were once, yet 'twas our constant care ‛ Our Husbands not to injure; now it's common: ‛ He wants not faith, that henceforth ere trusts woman. What art thou; Lust? or where is thy black seat? What devilish power did such a fiend beget? 'Tis thou that movest in hell through every part, And (whilst Love binds the world that nothing start) Confusion bring'st, and shatterest asunder Its pleasant frame, to trembling Nature's wonder. How is't that love so soon should hatred prove? And fierce revenge possess the seat of love? Or what unites such different extremes, But that Revenge and Love are equal flames? And Good and Bad oft lie so close together, That 'tis not easy to distinguish either. Sin, when conceived, Lust for a parent hath, Lust the Grandsire unto that monster Death; A wretched offspring by these Elders got Upon Susanna, though they knew her not. For night was come, and it they wholly spent In thoughts of their inten ded Ravishment, And Junctoes' set consisting but of three, Resolved before debate on Villainy. ‛ Mischief, said they, must in progression be; ‛ There's no retrogradation in Villainy: ‛ Let's than pursued; he has but half a will ‛ To be unjust, who seems a afraid to kill; ‛ Nor knows he well a mischief how to cover, ‛ Who ere completed thinks fit to give over. ‛ Her life must pay for this disdain, else we ‛ Ourselves of guilt shall scarce acquitted be. Spotless Susanna! what misfortune's this, Occasioned by these Elders wickedness? Thus Joseph's Mistress would have slily brought Him to th'embraces which to eschew he sought: Or that brave Grecian boy, whose blood was spilt, To expiate his lustful mother's guilt. Sol had by this ran his nocturnal round Over the utmost Antipodian ground, And coming to Aurora's Rosy place, From off the Ocean sends his smiling rays, Whom to adore the mixed Heathen rise, Devoutly ordering their Idolatries. But woe is me! he did the summons give Unto a Judgement, where for no Reprieve Susanna hoped: O immortal Steeds, Turn back for shame, be clad in mourning weeds; Why should ye read in such resplendent glory The fatal accents of a Jewish Story? Your Maker's darling, one that's innocent, Unto the place of Execution sent? That day therefore a greater concourse met At Joakim's house, where was the Judgement set; These Elders Pres'dents, and if that wo'ned do, They will be Judges and Accusers too. O barbarous men! and more perverted Law! Where none is found, will you there make a way? Like Hannibal the horrid Alps climb over, And force a passage never known before? And that pure Justice might attest the deed, A Court is called to make good Naboth bleed. These Elders then gravely began to call For poor Susanna to the Judgement Hall: ‛ Go, bring her in; she folly did commit, ‛ Such as our Law by no means may acquit. With Father, Mother, Kindred, and a Train Of numerous Friends, pitied Susanna came; Where think what blubbered eyes, what dreadful grace By this usurped the splendour of her face. And blame her not, when harmless soul she's come From wicked hands to take her final doom. Yet ne'er theless her glorious beauty shone, Like to the Studs of Ariadne's Crown; Or as the Sun, after a latter rain, Out of the clouds gins to peep again; Wherefore these wicked Belials gave command T'uncover her, that she might barefaced stand, And with her Beauty feast their hungry eye, Before the Sentence passed that she should die. Corrupted Elders! what bewitched your mind? Nay, though you saw her, what made you thus blind? Mark but her Friends and Kindred that stand by, Show me amongst them any cheek that's dry: Behold the tears out of their pensive womb, Themselves delivering silent Suitors come For Susan's life; see, see what trembling speed Poor hearts they make for th'innocent to plead. Where are your Children, if you ere had one, Suppose Susanna's, their Destruction. But vilest wretches, 'cause you ne'er had any, Chelcias, though but one, yet hath too many. And could the Tempter (view her well, I pray) Persuade? what Rhet'rick used he to betray A matchless woman! O eternal Powers, Can this be born with, and not flaming showers With Sulphur mixed into their bosoms flow, Who are contrivers of this Lady's woe? She's now Arraigned; th'Indictment being read By th'elder's laying hands upon her head, Amongst the people, whilst discons'late she Weeping implores aid from Eternity, Wherein she trusted, whose all-powerful King Can easily save her, and deliverance bring. The Elders thus: ' O sons of Jacob dear, ‛ To these Impleading lend a gracious ear; ‛ Our Legislator of everlasting name, ‛ You know, did all our sacred Statutes frame; ‛ Which after were confirmed by heavens broad Seal, ‛ That did each Ordinance to him reveal. ‛ Amongst the rest, if man or woman be ‛ Surprised in th'act of Adultery, ‛ Both of them must adjudged be to die, ‛ That they, not we, may bear th'iniquity. ‛ This wicked woman, as we lately were ‛ I'th' Garden walking for to take the air, ‛ And chancing by great hap to look aside, ‛ With her adult rous mate by us was spied. ‛ But that to innocence she might pretend, ‛ Two Maids at first upon her did attend; 'Till Vice impatient grown, they did straightway ‛ By her commands, themselves from thence convey, ‛ And shut the doors; none but in private we ‛ The perpetration of the act could see. ‛ For then a young man, by appointment sure, ‛ Secretly lodged in the Grove's coverture, ‛ Draws near unto her, kindly doth embrace; ‛ She likewise him; such willingness there was, 'Till close approaches (for we both it saw) ‛ Made them transgressors of that sacred Law. ‛ Then from a corner of the Garden, whence ‛ We closely standing saw this foul offence, ‛ Both of us made to the adulterous pair, ‛ And came upon them ere they were ware; ‛ Them apprehended, but the sturdy knave ‛ Sprang from our feeble hands, and did us leave; ‛ And in such haste out of the Garden flew, ‛ As those whom guilt of Conscience doth pursue: ‛ And she, though much entreated, nevertheless ‛ Will by no means th'adulterer's name confess. ‛ These things are true, which we here testify; ‛ Now judge, my Brethren, if sh'ought not to die. A confused murmur from th'Assembly broke, Who thought all true which these two Elders spoke, B'ing also backed with such Authority As might by patent colour o'er a lie. They therefore soon believed, O foolish Jews! E'er unbelieving, or too credulous! Susanna's then condemned, false Judgement hath, By this, her sentenced to a shameful death. She now no more appeals to flesh and blood; No favour craves of men, nor yet withstood Their wicked deal by her just Replies, But unto Heaven in suchlike language cries: ‛ O everlasting Power, to whom alone ‛ The thoughts of all men are entirely known, ‛ Things secret open, and events most clear ‛ Before their causes in the Embryo's were: ‛ O great Jehovah! whose admired eye ‛ Runs through the Circle of Eternity, ‛ Thou knowst, and none but thou, the wrong I bear ‛ From those that have polluted Moses Chair, ‛ Thy Law perverted, witness being given ‛ Against their Conscience, my poor self, and Heaven; ' 'Gainst me, that now must guiltless die, and shame ‛ To after-ages my disgrace proclaim, ‛ When all the Monument my life shall have, ‛ Will be th' advantage of a scandaled grave, ‛ O'rlaid with slanderous Marble; woe is me! ‛ The fatal subject of this Tragedy, ‛ Contrived in darkness, by those wretched men, ‛ Who place the guiltless in the guilty's Scene. This said, Susanna's Angel swiftly bears Her prayers beyond the rolling spangled Spheres, And does them soon to the Almighty show, Whilst all's secure and careless here below, The Elders safe, Revenge its end attained, Where Lust could not; Injustice also gained A dreadful Goal; all things completely done That might ascertain her confusion. Th'Almighty Word than forthwith leapeth down From th'highest Spire of the Celestial Throne, Like to a man of war, whose direful power Commission hath whole Kingdoms to devour, With horror, death, and with amazement flies Into th' surprised Camp of Enemies: So this descending with his great Commands, At length within the Chaldees Palace land's, And finds out Daniel, one of great renown With King and Princes all in Babylon; An Hebrew Captive, young, but very wise, And able to unfold hard Mysteries, Though wrapped up secret in th'eternal deep, Where 'tis not fit for mortal men to peep. This Word commanded him to undertake Susanna's Cause, examination make Who her Accusers are, and vindicate The injured truth, before it be too late. Hereat inflamed with zeal, this Youth forth fled Amongst the Throng which woeful Susan led To execution, with as eager haste As even now rash Sentence on her passed. Then with a loud voice cried, ' Sirs, O Sirs hear, ‛ From this just woman's blood I am most clear; ‛ Why, why so fast, ye heedless Brethren, why, ‛ To see Chelcia's virtuous daughter die? This said, the overhasty multitude To Daniel turned: ' Youth from above endued ‛ With knowledge great, tell us thy meaning; we ‛ Would gladly be informed the truth by thee, ‛ If oughtst amiss: just and transgressor too ‛ Cannot consist; the latter we do know ‛ Proved by sufficient Test, but do not see ‛ How virtuous wives commit Adultery. ‛ Our witness uncorrupted Judges were, ‛ We think it rashness to think they should err: ‛ Then, noble Youth, beloved of God and men, ‛ Show us this thing, and we will turn again. By this therefore they had enclosed about Daniel, to be resolved of their doubt, Who with a comely grace i'th' midst doth stand, And gravely calls for Silence with his hand; Which being made, ' Are ye such fools indeed, ‛ In weighty things to make such careless speed? ‛ Where life's concerned, what doth of right belong ‛ Even Heathens know, thinking delays not long; ‛ And shall the Gentiles Moral righteousness ‛ Show Heav'n-taught Jews the way not to transgress, ‛ And yet unfollowed be? For shame, my friends, ‛ See what dishonour all rash acts attends, ‛ Us odious renders in the sight of those ‛ Who neither God nor yet true Judgement knows, ‛ That thus, the truth unsearched, or the Cause, ‛ You are so forward t'execute our Laws, ‛ And upon Israel's daughter Sentence give, ‛ Who nought has done but that she still may live. ‛ Infernal Angels sometimes seem as bright ‛ As those blessed ones in unapproaching light; ‛ And Justice often in its full careers, ‛ The true complexion of Injustice bears. ‛ Return ye then unto the Judgement-seat; ‛ Examine well, for sure th'imposture's great; ‛ And witnesss more false than Hell have stood ' T'imbrue their hands in this chaste woman's blood. The people then with one consent rejoice, And shout aloud with a confused noise, Saying, To the Tribunal let's return, And try if these men have false witness born. Think how perplexed the pensive Elders were, 'Twixt stings of Conscience, reinforced with fear, And heavens revengeful hand, that thus had sent Means unexpected for their punishment; Whilst its Revenge doth still in triumph ride For Murder more than any sin beside. No amorous blushes now, no lustful eyes; To Cytherea no more Sacrifice: But Reason's offered succours once-betrayed, (Known too too well to those that are afraid) Blood from the Circle to the Centre flies, And that which first does live with life supplies. Hence came the Elders paleness, that wan fit Which did on their cadav'rous temples sit, Whereby to each indifferent person there Their guilt appeared, ere to the place drawn near. Thou sacred Conscience! O mysterious thing! From what hid cause does thy bright essence spring? And most unhappy he whom fear alone Hath strength to chain in desolation. Fear, Mortal's bane, and this world's slavery, That makes too pensive man not dare to die, But slight his happiness which no where dwells Within the concave of our earthly cells, And forceth silence where most need's to speak, And courage stops when she her flight should take. Such was our Elders fate; no word we hear They said, till to the Court returned they were: Then passion somewhat overcome, they mutter These speeches as their stammering tongues could utter: ‛ Thou Princely Youth, admired for thy fame, ‛ Since first we to th' Caldean Nation came, ‛ Great is thy wisdom, that all Asia know, ‛ That 'mongst the Heathen makes thee honoured so, ‛ And doth thy hand with such a Sceptre fill, ‛ As shines no less than our dread Monarch's will, ‛ Who thinks the Gods do love thee, whilst such years ‛ To thy great gifts but small proportion bears: ‛ Come, and with us, thy Seniors, sit down, ‛ Since God does youth ofttimes with knowledge crown, ‛ And turns Gray-hairs to Babes; come, let us see ‛ (If thou canst show it) our iniquity. ‛ We both are Witnesses, th'Indictment's read; ‛ Then as truth shall appear thou may'st proceed. Whereat young Daniel to th'Assembly said, ‛ Let these two Elders forthwith be conveyed ‛ To several distant places, not to speak ' T'each other whilst I shall enquiry make. ‛ Whom once examined, you will surely find ‛ This woman guiltless, and they both combined ‛ To second Lust with Murder, and disguise ‛ With show of Justice their lewd Villainies. ‛ Justice sometimes becomes that cooling shade ‛ Wherein Serpentine wickedness is laid. The Elders are (to all the people's wonder At Daniel's strange proceeding) set asunder; And Joakim's house did more with men abound Then Dagon's, when from Gaza Samson bound Was brought, to make th'uncircumcised sport; So great's the throng, so numerous the resort. A sudden change and great, methinks, to see Two Judges late, now Prisoners to be. Such is the nature of polluting sin, T'enslave those souls where once it enters in. When Righteousness a Kingdom gives, no less Is Bondage purchased by Wickedness. Such was that grand Rebellion, those evils That poisoned glorious Angels into Devils, Till spirit'al pustules to appear begun, And Leprosy those Spirits over-ran, That to the world's amazement their bright frame Is grown as loathsome as their cursed name. One Elder forth is called; observe his pace, And read Guilt's crimson lines upon his face, Drawn in a dusky Argent; he, whose pride With murder joined, even now his God defied, Arraigned stands 'fore man, his junior too: 'Tis Wisdom's privilege, and this Truth can do. Wherhfore our Princely youth unto him said, ‛ O thou in sin grown old! wert not afraid ‛ False Judgement 'gainst this woman to declare, ‛ Whose spotless deal so resplendent are, ‛ Adorned with Virtue, that renowned Gem ‛ Of Honour, and immortal Diadem? ‛ Was not, thinkest thou, just Heaven's dreadful hand ‛ With vengeance armed, enough to countermand ‛ Such high presumption? O most foolish spite, ‛ That dares against the very Thunder fight! ‛ But 'tis decreed, thy sins hith'rto lain hid ‛ Now in their time should be discovered. ‛ Thus have you dealt with the poor innocent, ‛ And Malefactors freed from punishment; ‛ Regarding not that Greatness which doth say, ‛ The guiltless soul thou by no means shalt slay. ‛ Now therefore, since this woman thou didst see, ‛ And took'st i'th'act, tell me, under what tree? The Elder at this Question could not choose Demurring, till th'enraged concourse of Jews Most part Susanna favouring, now bethought Themselves she might be to this Trial brought Unjustly, and with a tumultuous cry, Say, Answer Elder, or expect to die. After some pause, astonished, he declared, Under a Mastic they their pleasure shared. Then Daniel smiling, ' Very well, replied; ‛ Against thyself, vile man, thus hast thou lied: ‛ Behold, I see an Angel now receiving ‛ Command to take thee from among the living. ‛ But stand aside,— And bring his fellow hither, ‛ That as two Brethren both may go together; ‛ Vvhened shall appear false witnesses own breath ‛ Themselves, not I, shall sentence unto death. The other's brought, for whose true counterfeit Unto the former we need not retreat, Being much confounded and amazed to hear The Court with Acclamations rend the air. At last a silence made: ' O cursed breed ‛ Of Cham, says Daniel, not of Judah's seed! ‛ Could Beauty thus bewitch you? why then see ‛ Its full perfection, blessed Eternity; ‛ Thou shouldst have looked thither, where thy fill ‛ No less were then to understand and will. ‛ So hadst thou been too high for Satan's lure, ‛ And all false joys beneath thee lain obscure. ‛ But Lust's still armed with most poisonous stings; ‛ And where it woundeth, swift destruction brings. ‛ This hath thine heart corrupted, and one stroke ‛ The slender clue of thy short Destiny broke. ‛ Thus Israel's daughter have you served, whilst she ‛ Stood fearful of big-looked Authority, ‛ And gazing on your place, durst not deny ‛ The freedom of Adulterous company. ‛ But Judah's daughter, she, would not transgress; ‛ Her chaster soul abhorred your wickedness; ‛ Nor threats nor death prevailed which you conspired, ‛ For she refused to grant what Lust desired. ‛ O glorious woman! may this ever be ‛ A Jewel to adorn thy memory! ‛ But since thou saw'st her, to her charge hast laid, ‛ That in the Garden she th'Adultress played, ‛ Under what tree? I pray declare it here, ‛ And thou thereby thine innocence shalt clear. Now comes the proof: many a doubtful thought This perjured Elder to confusion brought, Lest from the others answer he might vary, Or for the right, light on the quite contrary: Since the Almighty hath one Truth disposed To be unto lies numberless opposed. Yet forced to speak after some short delay, This desperate anxious speech t'himself did say: ‛ I am now straightened; hereon doth depend ‛ The utmost trial of my fatal end: ‛ Come life or death, or hell or heaven, whether, ‛ Under an Holm tree they were naught together. Then pious Daniel mildly to him said, ‛ Even now thou hast thy cursed life betrayed; ‛ God's holy Angel has Commission ta'en ‛ Forthwith to cut thy wretched life in twain, ‛ And with a sword attends, this very hour, ‛ Fierce vengeance on thy sinful head to pour. Convicted plainly thus the Elders stand, And Susan's freed by holy Daniel's hand. Whereat th'impatient Jewish concourse rise; The Palace trembles at their thundering cries, To God with praises first that still doth save Distressed sinners who his mercy crave; Nor any forlorn creature will forsake, That heaven doth only his sure anchor make. This godly heat howe'er soon had an end; They all their fury 'gainst the Elders bend, With such a rage as Nature doth possess (So violent 'twas) the whelp-robed Lioness; That had not mighty Justice them reserved Unto the shameful death by both deserved, Their blood had doubtless washed the Judgement-floor, And died its Marble in a Purple-gore. But they who Innocence would have betrayed, To public Execution are conveyed: Nor is there Law more just, then when man shall Perish by that he laid for others fall. Thus did one day, e'r-blessed may it be, The guilty punish, and the guiltless free. Unpitied died these Elders, whose black soul In hell about the fiery wheel may roll, Whilst Susan, late i'th' period of her age, Betakes her to a better Pilgrimage; To see those Virtues in their native rays, Which gave their follower here such lasting praise. Behold her Parents, Kindred, Husband too, (The mists exhaled of all former woe) Observe them now, imagine with what cheer They do congratulate their Susan dear, From death to life restored, brought from the grave, And, one foot in, snatched from the Stygian wave. Then to complete their joy, with one accord, For her deliverance they praise the Lord. ‛ O thou most worthy to be feared great God, ‛ Who rul'st the Nations with an Iron rod, ‛ But gently dost thine own choice Israel bring, ‛ To be refreshed at thy mercy's spring; ‛ Our Fathers trust in thee was not mistaken, ‛ Nor were they in their greatest wants forsaken: ‛ Thou heard'st the groans of this thy servant, when ‛ She stood betrayed, condemned by wicked men, ‛ Who falsely charged her, though no stain was found ‛ Whereby thy faithful Handmaid to confound. ‛ Blessed, and for e'er admired be thy Name; ‛ May worlds to come sing forth thy mighty fame, ‛ That to death's portal turnest man, and then ‛ Proclaim'st, Return again ye sons of men. By this time Daniel's glory proudly ran Like panting Phoebus to th'Meridian Of Babylon's Court, where it still rising towers Nearer and nearer to th'eternal Bowers. Divinest Youth! well worthy of a Throne More glorious than ere earthly wight sat on, And of a righteous Crown, whose guards shall be Such mystic Gems as Susan's Chastity. FINIS.