Susanne un jour d'amour solicitée
par deux viellardz, convoitans sa beauté,
fut en son coeur triste et desconfortée,
voyant l'effort fait à sa chasteté.
Elle leur dict, Si par desloyauté
de ce corps mien vous avez jouissance,
c'est fait de moy. Si je fay resistance,
vous me ferez mourir en deshonneur.
Mais j'aime mieux périr en innocence,
que d'offenser par peché le Seigneur.
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
Verse translation
Susanne one day did have her favors 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 dishonor will I be done in.
But I prefer in innocence to die
Than to offend the Lord with such a sin.