It chanced so these warrs were done, To taber and pipe, and many a stripe, For joy that he was so nigh, so nigh. When Jepha did perceive and see Hath brought me low, alas for woe, That I cannot tell what to doe, to doe. For I have made a vow (quoth he) According to God's will, God's will. For sithence God hath given you might, To overcome your enemies, Let one be offer'd up as right, And this let be, quoth she, As thou hast said be not afraid, Although it be I. Keep promise with God on high, on high. But father do so much for me, Three months to bemoan my heavinesse, And let there go some moe, Like maids with me. Content, quoth he, And sent her away, To mourn till her latter day, her day. And when that time was come and gone, That she should sacrificed be, This virgin sacrificed was, For to fulfill all promises; As some say for aye: The virgins there three times a year, Like sorrow fulfill, For the daughter of Jepha still, still, still. III. "An excellent Ballad, intituled, THE CONSTANCY OF SUSANNA." This is the Ballad the first line of which Sir Toby Belch cites, with other poetical fragments, in Twelfth Night. THERE dwelt a man in Babylon Of reputation great by fame, He took to wife a fair woman, Susanna she was called by name; A woman fair and virtuous; Lady, lady: Why should we not of her learn thus To live godly? Virtuously her life she lead, She feared God, she stood in awe, As in the story we have read, Was well brought up in Moses' law; Her parents they were goodly folk, Lady, lady: Why should we not, then, sing and talk That year two judges there were made, Lady, lady; These elders oft to his house came Joachim had an orchard by Fast joining to his house or place, Whereas Susanna commonly Herself did daily there solace, And that these elders soon espied, Lady, lady, And privily themselves did hide For that lady. These elders came to her anon, And thus they said, Fair dame God speed, Thy 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 canst thou then avoid the 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! Lady, lady; It is my death right well I wot, O true lady! Better it were for me to fall Into your hands this day 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 cried aloud, Pitifully. These elders both likewise again, Their wickedness they sought to hide, |