The Ladie 's Blush Or THE HISTORY OF SUSANNA THE GREAT EXAMPLE OF Conjugal Chastity An HEROICK 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 nece LONDON Printed by James Cotterel for Robert Robinson neer Grays-Inne-gate in Holborn 1673. To the AMOROUS READERS PRREFACES to Books are as Gentlemen-Vshers 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 eminencie then any other as to the vertue 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 vertues 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 Condâ—ct in the greatest extremities of a tedious Siege surpassing the best Politicians of the Jewish Government and as to Action out-doing all the Stratagems of the Inhabitants of the hill-Hill-countries to the admiration and amazement of Posterity The second is Fortitude observable in the magnanimous Matrone 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 exemplifi'd in the incomparable Susanna for which she will be look'd 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 designe and the second as being too great a precedent of Feminine courage to be expos'd to the world when those of that sexe being made Egyptians by the Publick Faith of the Covenanting Cause were already over-forward to be personally engag'd 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-legg'd Elder History tells us of a Romane Lady who reflecting too seriously on a forc'd enjoyment whether confounded with shame at her not having made a greater resistance or the more to animate her Relations to revenge the violence dagger'd her self out of a loath'd life But as to our Susanna what can be imagin'd more neerly approaching Martyrdome it self then for a young Lady of transcendent Beauty to be brought to a publick and shameful Execution surrounded with her disgrac'd and lamenting Relations to avoid a pleasure she had often tasted as being a Wife and might then have accepted from persons who manag'd 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 Could there be a greater discovery of Resolution then for a delicate person of that tender Sexe to prefer Stoning in the open field before the pressing sollicitations 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 oppos'd yet without any other defensives then those of a meek and innotent resistance Let any but imagine the horrour it must have been to her to be so strangely surpriz'd in that posture of Paradise and what confusion of thoughts it must have rais'd in her to observe in the Chrystal Mirrour of her Cistern the representations of two persons so little expected and ere she could lift up her eyes to look about her to finde her self 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 vertuous and Matrimonial obligations was requisite to withstand the shock of so sudden an assault These reflections I suppose occasion'd our Author's dressing up of this History of Susanna into an Heroick Poem which he might have much enlarged had he not thought it more convenient to make it somewhat proportionate to the Story it self as it lies in Sacred Writ Wherein if I am not mistaken he hath oblig'd several sorts of persons as first those who are mightily affected with a Story put into Verse or fitted for publick 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 Vertue 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 entertain'd 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 concern'd in the sacred bond of Matrimony are accordingly concern'd in the strange accidents occurring in this Story finding here how innocent Vertue was miraculously rescu'd out of the jaws of death and the guilty contrivers of Susanna's shame brought to condigne 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 'T is 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 ungather'd 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' Atlantick 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 chill December quit his weeds of gray 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
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 num'rous Friends piti'd Susanna came VVhere think what blubber'd eyes what dreadful grace By this usurpt 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'r 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 begins to peep again Wherefore these wicked Belials gave command T' uncover her that she might bare-fac'd stand And with her Beauty feast their hungry eye Before the Sentence pass'd that she should die Corrupted Elders what bewitch'd your minde Nay though you saw her what made you thus blinde Mark but her Friends and Kindred that stand by Shew me amongst them any cheek that 's dry Behold the tears out of their pensive womb Themselves deliv'ring 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'r had any Chelcias though but one yet hath too many And could the Tempter view her well I pray Perswade what Rhet'rick us'd he to betray A matchless woman O eternal Pow'rs Can this be born with and not flaming show'rs VVith Sulphur mixt into their bosomes flow VVho are contrivers of this Lady's wo She 's now Arraign'd th'Indictment being read By th'Elders laying hands upon her head Amongst the people whilst discons'late she Weeping implores aid from Eternity VVherein she trusted whose all-pow'rful King Could easily save her and deliverance bring The Elders thus ' O sons of Jacob dear ' To these Impleadings lend a gracious ear ' Our Legislator of erelasting name ' You know did all our sacred Statutes frame ' VVhich after were confirm'd by Heav'ns broad Seal ' That did each Ordinance to him reveal ' Amongst the rest if man or woman be ' Surprized 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 ' VVith her adult rous mate by us was spi'd ' 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 lodg'd in the Grove's coverture ' Draws neer 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 ' VVe closely standing saw this foul offence ' Both of us made to the adult'rous pair ' And came upon them ere they were aware ' 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 intreated ne'rtheless ' VVill by no means th'Adult'rer's name confess ' These things are true which we here testifie ' Now judge my Brethren if sh'ought not to die A confus'd murmure from th' Assembly brake VVho thought all true which these two Elders spake B'ing also backt with such Authority As might by patent colour o'r a lye They therefore soon believ'd O foolish Jews E'r unbelieving or too credulous Susanna's then condemn'd false Judgement hath By this her sentenc'd to a shameful death She now no more appeals to flesh and blood No favour craves of men nor yet withstood Their wicked dealings by her just Replies But unto Heav'n in such-like language cries ' O everlasting Pow'r 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 know'st 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 Heav'n ' ' Gainst me that now must guiltless die and shame ' To after-ages my disgrace proclaim ' VVhen all the Monument my life shall have ' Will be th' advantage of a scandal'd grave ' O'rlaid with sland'rous Marble wo is me ' The fatal subject of this Tragedie ' Contriv'd in darkness by those wretched men ' Who place the guiltless in the guilty's Scene This said Susanna's Angel swiftly bears Her pray'rs beyond the rowling spangled Sphears And does them soon to the Almighty show Whilst all 's secure and careless here below The Elders safe Revenge its end attain'd VVhere Lust could not Injustice also gain'd A dreadful Goale all things compleatly done That might ascertain her confusion Th' Almighty VVord then forthwith leapeth down From th' highest Spire of the Celestial Throne Like to a man of war whose direful pow'r Commission hath whole Kingdoms to devour VVith horrour death and with amazement flies Into th' surprized Camp of Enemies So this descending with his great Commands At length within the Chaldee's Palace lands And findes out Daniel one of great renown VVith King and Princes all in Babylon An Hebrew Captive young but very wise And able to unfold hard Mysteries Though wrapt up secret in th' eternal deep VVhere 't is not fit for mortal men to peep This Word commanded him to undertake Susanna's Cause examination make VVho her Accusers are and vindicate The injur'd truth before it be too late Hereat inflam'd with zeal this Youth forth fled Amongst the Throng which woful Susan led To execution with as eager haste As even now rash Sentence on her pass'd Then with a loud voice cry'd ' Sirs O Sirs hear ' From this just woman's bloud I am most clear ' VVhy why so fast ye heedless Brethren why ' To see Chelcia's vertuous daughter die This said the over-hastie multitude To Daniel turn'd ' Youth from above endu'd ' VVith knowledge great tell us thy meaning we ' VVould gladly be inform'd the truth by thee ' If ought's amiss just and transgressor too ' Cannot consist the latter we do know ' Prov'd by sufficient Test but do not see ' How vertuous wives commit Adultery ' Our witness uncorrupted Judges were ' We think it rashness to think they should erre ' Then noble Youth belov'd of God and men ' Shew us this thing and we will turn agen By this therefore they had enclos'd about Daniel to be resolved of their
it woundeth swift destruction brings ' This hath thine heart corrupted and one stroke ' The slender clue of thy short Dest'ny broke ' Thus Israel's daughter have you serv'd whilst she ' Stood fearful of big-look'd 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 abhorr'd your wickedness ' Nor threats nor death prevail'd which you conspir'd ' For she refus'd to grant what Lust desir'd ' O glorious woman may this ever be ' A Jewel to adorn thy memory ' But since thou saw'st her to her charge hast lay'd ' That in the Garden she th'Adultress play'd ' Under what tree I pray declare it here ' And thou thereby thine innocence shalt clear Now comes the proof many a doubtful thought This perjur'd 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 dispos'd To be unto lyes numberless oppos'd Yet forc'd to speak after some short delay This desperate anxious speech t'himself did say ' I am now straightned hereon doth depend ' The utmost tryal 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 ' Ev'n now thou hast thy cursed life betraid ' God 's holy Angel has Commission ta'n ' 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 VVhereat 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 heav'n doth onely his sure anchor make This godly heat howe'r soon had an end They all their fury ' gainst the Elders bend With such a rage as Nature doth possess So violent 't was the whelp-rob'd Lioness That had not mighty Justice them reserv'd Unto the shameful death by both deserv'd Their bloud had doubtless wash'd the Judgement-floor And dy'd its Marble in a Purple-gore But they who Innocence would have betray'd To publike Execution are convey'd 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 Unpiti'd di'd these Elders whose black soul In hell about the fiery wheel may roul Whilst Susan late i' th' period of her age Betakes her to a better Pilgrimage To see those Vertues in their native rays Which gave their follower here such lasting praise Behold her Parents Kindred Husband too The mists exhaled of all former wo Observe them now imagine with what chear They do congratulate their Susan dear From death to life restor'd brought from the grave And one foot in snatch'd from the Stygian wave Then to compleat their joy with one accord For her deliverance they praise the Lord. ' O thou most worthy to be fear'd 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 betray'd condemn'd by wicked men ' Who falssy charg'd her though no stain was found ' Whereby thy faithful Handmaid to confound ' Bless'd and for e'r 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 tow'rs Neerer and neerer to th' eternal Bow'rs Divinest Youth well worthy of a Throne More glorious then ere earthly wight sate on And of a righteous Crown whose guards shall be Such mystick Gems as Susan's Chastity FINIS