| |
| GIRT 1 in my guiltless gown, as I sit here and sow, | |
| I see that things are not in deed, as to the outward show. | |
| And who so list to look and note things somewhat near, | |
| Shall find where plainness seems to haunt, nothing but craft appear. | |
| For with indifferent eyes, myself can well discern, | 5 |
| How some to guide a ship in storms stick not 2 to take the stern; | |
| Whose skill and courage tried 3 in calm to steer a barge, | |
| They would soon shew, you should foresee, 4 it were too great a charge. | |
| And some I see again sit still and say but small, | |
| That can 5 do ten times more than they that say they can do all. | 10 |
| Whose goodly gifts are such, the more they understand, | |
| The more they seek to learn and know, and take less charge in hand. | |
| And to declare more plain, the time flits not so fast, | |
| But I can bear right 6 well in mind the song now sung, and past; | |
| The author whereof came, wrapt in a crafty cloak, | 15 |
| In 7 will to force a flaming fire where he could raise no smoke. | |
| If power and will had met, 8 as it appeareth plain, | |
| The 9 truth nor right had ta’en no place; their virtues had been vain. | |
| So that you may perceive, and I may safely see, | |
| The innocent that guiltless is, condemned should have be. | 20 |
| Much like untruth to this the story doth declare, | |
| Where the Elders laid to Susan’s charge meet matter to compare. | |
| They did her both accuse, and eke condemn her too, | |
| And yet no reason, right, nor truth, did lead them so to do! | |
| And she thus judg’d to die, toward her death went forth, | 25 |
| Fraughted with faith, a patient pace, taking her wrong in worth. | |
| But he that doth defend all those that in him trust, | |
| Did raise a child for her defence to shield her from th’ unjust. | |
| And Daniel chosen was then of this wrong to weet, | |
| How, in what place, and eke with whom she did this crime commit. | 30 |
| He caused the Elders part the one from th’ other’s sight, | |
| And did examine one by one, and charg’d them both say right. | |
| ‘Under a mulberry tree it was;’ first said the one. | |
| The next named a pomegranate tree, whereby the truth was known. | |
| Then Susan was discharg’d, and they condemn’d to die, | 35 |
| As right requir’d, and they deserv’d, that fram’d so foul a lie. | |
| And He that her preserv’d, and lett them of their lust, | |
| Hath me defended hitherto, and will do still I trust. | |
