onely doth on Lust depend Doth like to Ammons with the Fury end This man was vertuous of noble race Rich beautifull in Body and in Face To him her parents gladly gaue consent And with her happy choise were well content Then see how Loue thus lawfully begun Betwixt this paire a holy course doth run A wise discreete man chaste and modest wife Liu'd 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 truely both one flesh and bone The old man farther would his Tale haue told But now they at the Hall arriu'd Behold The officers and sergeants cry out Roome Make way for heere my Lords the Elders come As Iudges which the wicked Iesabel To get the field which Naboath would not sell Corrupted by her Liâ—es proclaime a fast And guiltlesse Naboath with the chiefest plac't Till that two wicked persons sweare this thing We heard this man blaspheme God and the King Whereaâ— the godly Iurours out doe cry We finde him guiltie guiltie let him die So came thâ—se wicked Elders to the Hall Resolu'd to wreake their Spite and Malice all But that they might themselues vpright pretend They cause the people for the Dame to send Who with her parents children and her kin Appear'd as faire without as cleare within As when the course of some much honour'd peere Vnto her tombe is brought vpon a Beere Couer'd with veluet blacke downe to the ground Her friends and kins-folkes all about her round Their late delights now all to Sorrow turne But most her parents and her children mourne For losse of their deare childe and carefull mother Who neuer had nor shall haue such another That all the lookers on and standers by Bewaile the last act of this Tragedie So was this Dame brought out in blacke array Vnto the funerall of this sad day Her faire blacke stole low-reaching to the ground Vnder which heau'nly Beauties all abound Follow'd by noble Dames of Iâ—wish nation Who made for her exceeding Lamentation Yâ—a so her parents and her children mourne It doth all Iudas hearts to pittie turne Yet would the Elders Bowels not relent Thâ—â—ugh eu'n the rockes and stones seeme to lament And sure none can the ashes in an vrne Bewaile more than they all for her doe mourne Herein the difference doth only lye A Coâ—rse is dead and Susan is to dye One's Soule is whole in heauenly habitation Hers there as yet only by contemplation The Elders burning in old lustfull fire To satisfie their beastly Lusts desire Command the Serieants streight her face vncouer And at the Barre the prisoner plaine discouer As when the Coffin which the Coarse containes With blacke all couer'd on the Herse remaines The mourners seeme their loud Laments to hould But when the Sexton doth the Same vnfould Preparing it for earths last habitation All send out loudest groanes and Lamentation So all her friends this liuing Coarse bewaile When from her tender eyes they pull the vaile Her Face then vnder Sorowes clouds doth shine As neere as mortals may like to diuine Her haire like wires of burnisht gold appeares Whereon like pearles do hang her cristall teares Malicious Curres looke off your Sight is ill You like the Basiliske by eying kill For her but yesterday your Liues you venterd And into her Lords orchyard closely enterd But now I see the flame which you then burn'd Is all to Malice Hate and Fury turn'd In briefe the Clerke doth her Inditement reade To which she truely doth non-guiltie pleade Yet so the Law is that vpon Deniall Her Life must stand vpon the peoples triall Poore wretch saith then the eldest Iudge confesse And aske God pardon for thy wickednesse The Euidence alasse too plaine will be The witnesses thee in the act did see But who feares not to act Adulterie In Gods sight feares not before men to lie Thou thought'st this thing in secret to haue done But God shall make it clearer then the Sunne Then on her guiltlesse head both lay their hands Whil'st shee like Iepthes virgine-daughter stands Looking to Heau'n expecting when priests knife Should for burnt-offering dispatch her life And thus they sweare Aâ— last daies afternoone We two in shady arbour sate alone In at the foregate to the orchard came With maidens two attending her this Dame Whom at the back-gate soone away shee sends Whil'st some Deuotions priuate she pretends But in close shade we suddainly espie A yong man waiting with this Dame to lye And much asham'd 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 yong Out of the gate he breakes from vs away But what hee was this Dame will not bewray This truth 'fore God and man we testifie Now heare the Law against adultery The Clerke then reades The man that 's lying found With any woman-kinde in wedlocke bound They both shall die as both together lay So sinne from Israel is done away Then as the chimes the clocke doe follow soone As it hath told her longest tale at noone Not caring whether it goe false or true So doe the idle-giddy headed crew At hearing of the Iudges witnesse cry We finde her guiltie guiltie let her die Oh Heau'ns chaste Susan die Thou maist coÌ„plaine That thou thine heart hast clensed then in vaine In vaine hast wash'd thine hands in innocence And day and night endured chastisements But vnderstanding well the fearefull end Of those that so malitiously intend How they consume and perish suddainly Shee onely thus aloud to God doth cry Searcher of Secrets who from euer was And all things knowst before they come to passe Thou knowst they falsely these things testifie Against mee therefore Lo I guiltlesse die Thou knowst I neuer to such things consented As these men haue maliciously inuented As Bullet then which force of Powder sends Swiftly attaines the marke which it intends Eu'n so these words sent from a wounded Sprite Fly to the Lord that iudgeth all things right Who vnderstanding well by this appeale Guiltlesse Susann's wrong forthwith doth seale Without delay or fee an Inhibition And to a yong man grants a new commission For God as was seene often in those daies The Spirit of yong Daniel doth raise Who as shee 's led to execution cries I free am from this bloody Sacrifice The people which all noueltie desire Returne of him his meaning to enquire Who in the Spirit of Truth now waxing bold Before them all their errour doth vnfold O! Fooles of Israel who to discerne The Truth not able are nor seeke to learne You one of Israels daughters heere to die Condemned haue but know no reason why Before what Iudges did you her arraigne Who her accusers are and who againe Are witnesses What two false Elders shall Be Iudge accusers witnesses and all He that
SVSANNA OR THE ARRAIGNMENT OF THE TWO VNIVST ELDERS DEVT. 16.20 That which is iust and right shalt thou follow that thou maist liue and enioy the Land which the Lord thy God giueth thee LONDON Printed for Iohn Teage and are to be sold at his shoppe in Paules Church-yard at the signe of the Ball. 1622. To the Right Honourable ROBERT EARLE of WARVVICKE and to his most vertuous and Noble Countesse the Lady Frances THou who art in thy Country iustly hight Another Daniel for iudging right And thou his Dame a Susan of this age Let Both be graced with your Patronage The Argument or Morall of the whole Historie I Chaste Susanna here interpret Right Or Iustice cleare as pure celestiall Light Whom couetous false Elders most vniust Seeke to corrupt to satisfie their Lust. Diuine Astrea of immortall Seede Abhominates such foule and wicked deede Wherefore they to the people her disgrace And set vp wrong and bribing in her place The people alwaies prone to imitate Their vice not vertues that do sway the state Ioine with the Iudges al to beat down right And take in guifts and doing-wrong delight Till Ioue awaked with the piteous cry Of those that grone vnder Iniquity The gods his Peares to Parlament doth call And to Olâ—â— pus court them summons all Wâ—â—re they decree a Daniel to send To iudge the woâ—st that al the rest may meÌ„d Thence doth Astrea â—lâ—are like Susan shine And iudges measure by her equall Line THE FIRST BOOKE OF SVSANNA Gods goodnesse in Iudahs captiuitie Ioachims worth what Elders ought to be A good wife by Susanna is descride The greatest Blisse that can a man betide The Elders each to other doe discouer Their Lusts and plot their wishes to recouer I Sing the honour of that noble Dame Who for true vertues sake despised shame And rather chose to die with infamy Then violate her sacred Chastitie For she him made her confidence and stay That made her righteousnesse as cleare as day Lucrece be mute if chaste why should thou die If not why should we praise thy chastitie I sing of Iudges base not more vniust In iudgement than obscene in filthy lust I sing of Iustice Iudgement Equitie And knowledge of discerning Veritie Oh blessed Spirit who didst the spirit dispose Of youth the Elders malice to disclose Direct my Muse Iniustice to discouâ—r That hating vice I may be vertues louer And teach me sing Susannas sacred story To all chaste eares delight and to thy glory Whilst Canaans Land lay seauenty yeeres vntilde And Sabbaths all prophan'd had nigh fulfilld The Abramites that vnder bondage groane Sate weeping by the streames of Babylon Their Harpes vpon the willow trees then hung On which they lately Sions songs had sung And though their voices had forgot to sing And fingers touch of sweetest warbling string Iehouah could not for his Abrams sake Forget the promise he to him did make But gaue them fauour in the heathens sight And dwellings both for profite and delight And lest they should these benefits despise They had within themselues tâ—e exercise Of their owne Lawes and Elders euery yeare The people chose the gouernment to beare Who might by vprightnesse and skill in law Protect the Good and keepe the bad in awe Amongst the â—est that in that region Had large possessions In Babylon Ioachim had a house most rich and faire Most pleasant fruitfull healthfull eke for ayre But was renowm'd and famous most of all For one faire large and open goodly Hall Whither all Iewish suitours wont resort For Iustice there the Elders kept their Court Elders whiâ—h ought by Iethros counsell wise Be men of courage hating couetise Fearing the Lord in dealing iust vpright And able to discerne the wrong from right But these were Ancients in iniquity Malice Iniustice and Adultery Both like in Ignorance and base condition Both rais'd by bribing fauour and ambition Not vsing Law hard causes to decide For they all matters by one ballance tride Whose guift weighs heauiest victory obtaines This mickle profit brings with little paines Deferring strifes finall determination Not thereby to take better information But for to groape whose purse did heauiest way And vnto him they alwayes giue the day These iudged then the congregation Of captiue Iewes that were in Babylon And for Ioachim was a noble man To him the people with the Elders came Where they till noone the causes ouer call As now our Iudges in Westminster hall This noble man was not so honorable For ancestry or ought that 's heritable As for his vertues Iustice Pietie Humblenesse Meekenesse and Integritie These did his minde and actions more adorne Than wealth ambition fauour armes with scorne These made him of the highest reputation And sought vnto of all the Iewish nation Who though he Patron was and Aduocate And wondrous knowledge had to rule the State By his great skill in Lawes iudiciall The Morall and the Ceremoniall Yet seeing the corruptions of the Time And Folly into Seate of Iustice clime And that the most vniust and ignorant By bribing friends or boldnesse got the Grant Of highest Offices Hee free from charge Of publique Office chose to liue at large But for because man borne he vnderstood Not for himselfe but for his countreys good He tooke more paines than any Magistrate For wronged friends and good of publike state So that his was the House of Iustice hight His mouth an Oracle of Law and Right The widows poores and orphans sure defendour Th' Innocents aid and terrour of th' offendour He ware a Lawyers Gowne to keepe him warme But sould no Breath to doe a poore man harme He that describe all heauenly Graces can May tell the vertues of this noble man Which he not only learnd by contemplation But acted to the good of all his nation But aboue wealth and all this man possest He with a faithful honest wife was blest In whom her husbands heart might safely trust In wealth or want contented true and iust Who did him good not euill all her daies Industrious with her mind and hands alwaies Like merchants ship that foode from far doth bring Early and late her houshould ordering Her working hand still open for to feede The hungry and to giue to them that neede And in the Sommer for the Winter tide She cloathing for her houshould doth prouide This made her husband so much set by and To sit amongst the Rulers of the Land Her mouth was shut and couered her face In one sate modesty in th' other grace In one did angelique sweet beautie shine From th' other wisdome flowes and grace diuine To many daughters Graces rare befall But chaste Susannna went beyond them all Amongst the fruits of her Industriousnesse Who neuer eate her Bread in idlenesse Shee plants an orchard fruitfull rich and faire Whither she with her Lord doth oft repaire Themselues awhile from worldly cares to free And on their handy workes Gods
his throne on Iustice will erect Mens causes noâ— their persons must respect If Elders now accusers will become They must before the Priests and Iudges come And if they faile to prooue their accusation They must be subiect to like condemnation Returne returne make better inquisition Puâ— the accusers both out of Commission Apâ—oâ—nt new Iudges who with diligence May trâ—e the witnesses and her defence Returne returne in Iudgement sit againe For they against heâ— falsely doe complaine As when lost Sonne of Iacob did vnfold The meaning of the Dreame which Pharaoh told And 〈◊〉 that he should Officers command To store vp â—oode â—o 〈◊〉 aliue his land None then in Pharoeâ— and his seruants eyes Appeâ—red then this Hebrew childe more wise For by his gracious words they plaine descry 〈…〉 in him most abundâ—ntly And therefore next vnto the King must stand And 〈◊〉 by his word all Egypt land So when this youth doth his great Prudence show 〈…〉 like dew of Heau'n which from him flow 〈◊〉 one minde conclude for certainetie 〈◊〉 the Spirit rests of the most High And therefore as approouing of Gods choise 〈◊〉 all elect him Elder with one voice 〈◊〉 other from their offices suspend 〈…〉 their cause shall haue a finall end The end of the third Booke THE FOVRTH BOOKE OF SVSANNA The fickle state of seeming men of might Their peace of conscience that iudge vpright The people plaine the Elders malice see In that their testimonies disagree Susan 's absolu'd and they condemn'd to die Of Men and Angels heau'nly melody YOu Iudges that on earth Gods people wield As husbands trees and bushes in a field Crop which you list and which you list let grow And are as Gods Vicegerents here below Loe heere an embleme of your fickle fate And vaine inconstancy of humane staâ—e Who but this morning ruld both faâ—re and neere Ere noone as prisoners at the Barre appeare And who eu'n now were Iudges ouer all Must by their Subiects iudgement stand or fall Ambition base light puffe of worthlesse Pride How dost thou heere vaine mortals thoughts deride Them throwing like hand-bals against the ground That they againe the higher may rebound And when as thou hast finished thy Sport Them leau'st all in the Dust in equall sort Oh happy Elders could your conscience Now pleade with Samuels a iust defence That willing doth before King Saul appeare And people all himselfe of fraud to cleare Whole Oxe whose Asse haue I vniustly tane Whom haue I wrong'd saith he in Goods or Name Of whose hands haue I taken lesse or more To blind mine eyes and I will all restore Before God and 's Annointed say they wee Acknowledge thee from all corruption free Thus all acquitted vpright Samuel Who many yeeres had iudg'd all Israel But these two Elders had not rul'd one yeare Ere they are both brought forth themselues to cleare Before the Iudge and there to testifie Against themselues their owne iniquitie Oh peerelesse pearle of good sound conscience When we are call'd to plead our owne 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 receiue their iust and finall Dome When all in person must to Iudgement come How cheerefull shall good Consciences abide Whilst wicked wish the rockes may fall and hide Them from the vengeance of that iustest one Who retributes to all as they haue done As wisest Salomon when he could finde No certaine witnesse to resolue his minde When as two women did before him striue VVhose was the dead and whose the childe aliue VVell knowing one of them the truth did know Deuis'd how by themselues it plaine to show So this yong Iudge in heau'nly wisedome wise Doth with the Lords and people thus aduise Brethren Lo heere a question betwixt two VVhich none on earth but they doe truly know The Dame deny's what these accusers sweare Shee 's one they two but both one party are And witnesses therefore in lawes conception They both are lyable to iust exception Wherefore I will that one be put aside Whilst th' other is examined and tride God that from heau'n the truth of all doth see Will neuer let false witnesses agree When they are parted first to Barre they call The elder Iudge there to be seene of all Who as base Shemei of the cursing kind After he was by Solomon confind For passing 's bounds then brought before the King His guilty conscience 'gainst him witnessing The wickednesse he to King Dauid did When from his gracelesse Absolon he fled Stood mute amaz'd before the iudgement seate And out of hope no pardon doth intreate So stood the Carle amazed shaking mute Expecting God should vengeance retribute Yet being old and full of subtilty Doth thus his owne proceedings iustify My heart is confident and bold within Since all I did was but to punish sinne If in some circumstances faile I shall To be accuser witnesse Iudge and all My witnesse-bearing thus I iustify There was no more but we could testify And better we to bring this accusation Than leaue vnpunisht such abhomination As for condemning let the people say Who were the onely Iudges here to day We neuer vrg'd the rigour of the law We onely testifide what we both saw Let not her teares or beauty thee so blind As she a patrone for her sinne may find Besides the proofe which we by oaths haue showne T is plaine we found her naked all alone Alone 〈◊〉 Daniel â—â—ncâ—ed â—aâ—e that hast Liu'd wiâ—kedly so long and â—o vnchast Th' ungracious deedes thou actedst in Gods sight Shall here before vs all be brought to light False iuâ—gements thou hast giu'n and sore opprest The innocent the guilty hast releast Yet 〈◊〉 the Lord The innocent and righteous 〈…〉 nor iustify th'unrighteous We haue well mark'd the wicked accusation Thou bringst against this daughter of our nation If as thou swear'st thou saw'st th' adultery Tell now vnder what tree they then did lye A Mulbery tree the Elder then replyde Well then said Daniel now thou hast lyde Against thy selfe the Angell of the Lord Stands ready to divide thee with a sword Against thine owne life thou hast testifide Bring forth the other put this wretch aside As theeâ—e which feares besides his guilty breast That 's fellow hath before the theft confest Trembles and quakes at his examination And seekes to scape by nice equivocation At last resoluing still to hold his tale Doâ—h vtter words that tend to 's finall bale Eu'n so this second feares his will not hold Agreement with the tale his fellow told Or that his brother might the truth confesse In hope of pardon for his wickednesse But in the end t is his determination No whit to alter his first accusation And therefore with a feigned innocence He boldly speakes thus in his owne defence Brethren since you