An Excellent Ballad, Intituled,
The Constancy of Susanna.
To an Excellent New Tune.
Licensed according to Order.
|
THere was a Man in Babylon,
|
of reputation great by fame,
|
He took to Wife a fair woman,
|
Susanna was she call'd by name:
|
A woman fair and vertuous,
|
Lady, Lady.
|
Why should not we of her learn thus,
|
to live Godly?
|
Virtuously her life she led,
|
she feared God, she stood in awe,
|
As in the story you may read,
|
was well brought up in Moses law:
|
Her Parents they were Godly folk,
|
Lady, Lady.
|
Why should not we then talk
|
of this Lady?
|
That year two Judges there were made,
|
which were the Elders of Babylon,
|
To Joachims house was all their trade,
|
who was Susanna's husband then:
|
Joachim was a great rich man.
|
Lady, lady.
|
These Elders oft to his house came
|
for this Lady.
|
Joachim had an Orchard by,
|
fast joining to his house or palace,
|
Whereas Susanna commonly
|
herself did daily there solace;
|
And that these Elders soon espyed,
|
Lady, lady.
|
And privately themselves did hide
|
for that Lady.
|
Her chast and constant life was try'd,
|
by these Elders of Babylon,
|
A time convenient they espy'd
|
to have this lady all alone;
|
In this Orchard came to pass,
|
Lady, lady.
|
Where she alone herself did wash
|
her fair Body.
|
The Elders come to her anon,
|
and thus they said, fair Lady speed,
|
The Doors are fast, the Maids are gone,
|
consent to us and do this deed;
|
For we are Men of no mistrust,
|
Lady, lady.
|
And yet to thee we have a lust,
|
O fair Lady.
|
If that to us thou dost say nay,
|
a testimonial we will bring,
|
We will say that one with thee lay,
|
how can'st thou then avoid this thing?
|
therefore consent and to us turn,
|
Lady, lady.
|
For we to thee in lust do burn,
|
O fair Lady.
|
Then did she sigh, and said alas!
|
now woe is me on every side,
|
Was ever wretch in such a case,
|
shall I consent and do this deed?
|
whether I do or do not,
|
Lady, lady.
|
It is my death right well I wot,
|
O true Lady
|
Better it were for me to fall
|
into your hands and be guiltless,
|
Then that I should consent at all,
|
to this your shameful wickedness;
|
And even with that (whereas she stood)
|
Lady, Lady.
|
Unto the Lord she cry'd aloud,
|
pittifully.
|
Hese Elders doth likewise again,
|
against Susanna aloud they cry'd
|
Their filthy lust could not obtain,
|
their wickedness they thought to hide,
|
Unto her Friends they then her brought
|
Lady, lady-
|
And with all speed the life was soght
|
of that Lady.
|
On the morrow she was brought forth,
|
before the people for to stand,
|
that they might hear and know the truth,
|
how these two Elders Susanna found,
|
The Elders swore and thus did say,
|
Lady, lady.
|
How that they saw a young Man lay
|
with this Lady.
|
Judgment there was for no offence,
|
Susanna causeless she must die,
|
These Elders bore such evidence,
|
against her they did verifie:
|
Who were believed then indeed,
|
Lady, lady.
|
Against Susanna to proceed
|
that she should die.
|
Susannas Friends that stood by her,
|
they did lament and were full woe,
|
When as they saw no Remedy,
|
but that to death she then must go,
|
Then unto him that is so just,
|
Lady, lady.
|
In God was all her hope and trust,
|
to him they cry.
|
The Lord her voice heard, and beheld
|
the Daughters cry of Israel,
|
His Spirit he raised in a Child,
|
whose name they call'd young Daniel;
|
Who cryed aloud whareas he stood,
|
Lady, lady.
|
I am clear of the guiltless blood
|
of this Lady.
|
Are you such fools, quoth Daniel then?
|
in Judgment you have not done well;
|
Nor yet the right way have you gone,
|
to judge the Daughter of Israel;
|
By this witness of false disdain,
|
Lady, lady.
|
Wherefore to Judgment they were set,
|
for that Lady.
|
And when to judgment they were set,
|
and called for these wicked men,
|
And soon he did them separate,
|
putting the one from the other then;
|
He askt the first were he did see
|
that fair Lady.
|
He said under a Mulberry tree,
|
who lyed falsly.
|
Thou lyest (said Daniel) on thy head,
|
thy sentence is before the Lord,
|
He bad that forth he might be led,
|
and bring the other that bear Record
|
To see how they two did agree,
|
Lady, lady.
|
He said under a Pomegranate Tree,
|
who lyed falsly.
|
Said Daniel as he did before,
|
behold the Messenger of the Lord
|
Stands waiting at the Door,
|
even to cut thee with a Sword:
|
And even with that the multitude
|
aloud did cry.
|
Give thanks to God and to conclude,
|
for this Lady.
|
They dealt like with these wicked men,
|
according as the Scripture saith,
|
They did as with their Neighbour then,
|
by Moses Law were put to death;
|
She innocent preserved was,
|
Lady, lady.
|
As God by Daniel brought to pass,
|
for this Lady.
|
|
|
|
|
|