Susanna: or, the arraignment of the two vniust elders

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 * 1.1 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 Ol•••• pus court them summons all: W••••re they decree a Daniel to send, To iudge the wo••st, that al the rest may mēd: Thence doth Astrea ••l••are, like Susan shine, And iudges measure by her equall Line.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Iustice.