SUSANNA

¶I cannot but must marvel much, of Joachim my Lord, And why he comes not home to dine, according to his word. Was it not at a Clock that he said he would dine, How think you both in faith is it not, a little passed that time. ¶What yonder he is me thinks. ¶I will not say unto you now, what you did cause me think, In deed I will conceal it now, and at the matter wink. ¶Well, well, to avoid this controversy, I will confess that crime, And I pray you heartily to arise, and let us home to dine. ¶Yes good my Lord I pray you now, make ready and go we soon. ¶And Serva have you for your partly done that I bid you do, ¶Well then will I go wash my self, to the Orchard let us go. Me thinks the weather very warm the season very hight, And yet there is a thing or two, that both you have forgotten. ¶Neyth r of you both I think, have brought me soap and oil, To wash the sweat of from my skin, or rid away the soil. Well go you both together hence, I think you know wherefore, And speed again, but here you hoe, make fast the Orchard door, ¶Alas me thinks your thoughts and words together do not gr e, You are of age, and know right well, that no such sin should be, You know also God does it curse, and ache our law on earth, Does recompense such sinners to, with sharp and cruel death. And therefore good my friend I say, do leave as you begun, And I will hold me so content, and hide that you have done. ¶O Lord, oh God, o King of bliss, what storms do stop my breath, If I fulfil your filthy lust, I know it breeds my death, And if I do not, then ah, alas, ou trap me in your bands, And thus can I poor Innocent, by no means escape your hands. Well better it is without the act, your danger to fallen in. Then to attempt my Lord my God with this so vile a sin. ¶O God, o King, o mighty one, o everliving Lord, What secrets is there thou seest not, what sin is not abhorred, Before eke thing do come to pass, thou knowest what it will be, Thou knowest good Lord these wicked men, have falsely blamed me. Because I would not to their lust, most shamefully consent, Against me Lord thou knowest they do, this matter thus invent. Behold my God I die therefore, through malice of their heart, That refore my God receive my soul, none else can ease my smart. ¶Why Lord my God, my King and joy, what have I done for Thee, That in the amid of all my woes, thus thou shouldst succour me, I as touching filthy flesh, nought but a lump of clay, Yet thou Oh Lord I find it still, wilt always be my stay, What can I do for recompense unto thy heavenly grace, Nought else good Lord but praise thy name while I have living space And I shall be a witness still, to those that cleave to thee, Thou wilt not suffer them to fallen but wilt their aider been. Now Lord while life and days shall last, and till my breath be spent, I will set forth thy glorious praise, which is so parmament. ¶See here good people, unto you all I speak, How God does help the innocent, and eake their sorrows break, Let mine example comfort you, in all kind of distress, That if you suffer for his sake, he will your Can S case. And let not fear of any man your constant that , From him that thus most constantly, his does true, You see I am at liberty, that erst hath be in thrall, And thus will God deal with all such, as end is mercy call. ¶No, no, good Lord above the rest, to praise thee I am bound, That me dost help miraculously, and eake my foes confound I was but dead, and thou to life, restoredst me silly wight, What is she then that bears breath, that more can show thy might, And this thine act shall so increase, within me evermore, And from thy laws I will not slide, although I die therefore, ¶And for this company gathered here, do I my prayer make, God grant them their life in quietness, and then their souls do take. ¶And reason good in faith my Lord, both now and always to, That I should follow your behests, as reason wills me do. ¶If any woman in this world, my God may justly praise. It is I good Lord above the rest, that lives in these days. Thou blessest me my Lord my God, and ache my loving Spouse, My Cattayle in the field abroad, my servants in the house. My Corn both in the Bairn and field, does yield full great increase, And thus Oh Lord thy benifytes, towards us does never seance. Oh Lord do grant that these thy gifts do not our hearts so syll, That if thou lay thy hand on us, we take that partly for ill. But as by this thy providence, we live and take our rest, We may if any storm do fallen, account it for the be to. Anci la have you warnde the Cook, his business so to end, As sl cknesse in the same his act, my Lord do not offend. ¶Here my Lord.