0.23BOnum opus laudabila, which is as much to say,

0.24Good workes though playne are worthy prayse, and so haue bene (alway.

0.25Then though with Bullus Tully style, our Authour doe not frame,

0.26This his first worke which you shall heare, yet do accept the same,

0.27For why the Story being good, the matter also true,

0.28Doth but declare a matter olde, as it were done anew.

0.29And sheweth forth how prone God is, to helpe such as are iust,

0.30And in that God before all men, doe put assured trust,

0.31Of Susans lyfe the story is, what trouble she was in,

0.32How narrowly she scaped death because she would not sinne,

0.33How wonderously she was prouokte, how vertuously she fled,

0.34The strong assaultes of wiked men, that lecherous lustes had led,

0.35To rauish her, and to pollute, her chaste and wyfely view,

0.36This is the somme of all that shall be shewed vnto you,

0.37And though perchaunce some wanton worde, doe passe which may not (seeme

0.38Or gestures light not meete for this, your wisedomes may it deeme,

0.39Accoumpt that nought delightes the hart of men on earth,

0.40So much as matters graue and sad, if they be mixt with myrth,

0.41Of both which here I trust you shall, as in a myrrour see,

0.42And that in such a decent sort as hurtfull shall not be,

0.43And for because ensample good, is meete in these our dayes.

0.44This hath he done to shorten tyme, to God giue all the prayse.

0.45Thus crauing quyet sylence now, my speeche I meane to spare,

0.46Beholde when Sathan enters place, his mynde he will declare.

2P Among the plagues of thee O God,

3Wherewith thou plaguest man,

4Plague such as I would haue thee plague,

5Or let me if I can.

6I wallow now in worldly welth,

7And haue the world at will,

8Into eche hart I creepe by stealth,

9Of blood I haue my fill.