by Anonymous / Unidentified Author
Susanna fair
Language: English
Susanna fair some time assaulted was by two old men, desiring their delight, which lewd intent they thought to bring to pass, if not by tender love, by force and might, to whom she said, if I your suit deny, you will me falsely accuse, and make me die. And if I grant to that which you request, my chastity shall then deflowered be, which is so dear to me, that I detest my life, if it berefted be from me, and rather would I die of mine accord, ten thousand times, than once offend our Lord.
Authorship:
- by Anonymous / Unidentified Author [author's text not yet checked against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by William Byrd (1542?3? - 1623), "Susanna fair", published 1589 [SAT chorus a cappella], from the collection Songs of sundrie natures, no. 8. [text verified 1 time]
- by William Byrd (1542?3? - 1623), "Susanna fair", published 1588. [five-part chorus a cappella] [text verified 1 time]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2010-08-09
Line count: 12
Word count: 97