Susanna fair

Settings by composers

• William Byrd SATTB
• William Byrd SAT

Other settings possibly not included in the manual list above

• Alfonso Ferrabosco I — Susanna fayre sometime of love (5 voices)

Text and translations

The text is based on Guéroult's poem Susanne un jour.

English text

1  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.
2  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.