Modernized text
Susanne un jour d'amour solicitée
Par deux viellards convoitans sa beauté,
Fut en son coeur triste (et) déconfortée,
Voyant l'effort fait à sa chasteté.
Elle leur dit: "Si par déloyauté
De ce mien corps vous avez jouissance,
C'est fait de moi. Si je fais résistance,
Vous me ferez mourir en déshonneur.
J'aime trop mieux périr en innocence,
Que d'offenser par péché le Seigneur".
English translation
Byrd's text
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.
English translation
Literal translation
One day, Susanne's love was solicited by
two old men coveting her beauty.
She became sad and displeased in her heart,
seeing the attempt at her chastity.
She said, 'If, dishonourably,
from my body you take pleasure,
this is done to me. If I resist,
you would make me die in disgrace.
But I would rather perish innocent,
than to offend the Lord with a sin.
English translation
Farnaby's text
Susanna fair some time of love requested,
by suitors false, whom her sweet looks allur'd,
was in her heart full sad and sore molested,
feeling such force of bitterness endur'd,
to them she said: If I by craft procur'd
do yield to your request with grief and sighing,
I lose my soul, yet hap your plaint denying,
you will me judge to death reproachfully,
but rather would I keep innocence,
e'en dying, than live in fault, to offend my God on high.
English translation
Verse translation
Susanne one day did have her favours sought
When two old fools were by her beauty caught,
And feeling in her heart sad and distraught
That they believed her virtue could be bought,
Told them, “If you achieve your vile plot
To take my body for your pleasures spry,
It is my end. And should I not comply,
In base dishonour will I be done in.
But I prefer in innocence to die
Than to offend the Lord with such a sin.
French text
English translation