Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A WOMAN'S ANSWER, by HENRY HOWARD


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A WOMAN'S ANSWER, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Girt in my guiltless gown, as I sit here and sew
Last Line: Hath me defended hitherto, and will do still I trust.
Alternate Author Name(s): Surrey, Earl Of


Girt in my guiltless gown, as I sit here and sew,
I see that things are not indeed as to the outward show.
And whoso list to look and note things somewhat near,
Shall find, where plainness seems to haunt, nothing but craft appear.
For with indifferent eyes myself can well discern
How some to guide a ship in storms sticks not to take the stern;
Whose skill and cunning tried in calm to steer a barge,
They would soon show, you should soon see, it were too great a charge.
And some I see again sit still and say but small
That can do ten times more than they that say they can do all,
Whose goodly gifts are such, the more they understand,
The more they seek to learn and know and take less charge in hand.
And to declare more plain, the time flits not so fast
But I can bear right well in mind the song now sung and past.
The auctour whereof came, wrapt in a crafty cloak,
In will to force a flaming fire where he could raise no smoke.
If power and will had met, as it appeareth plain,
The truth nor right had ta'en no place, their virtues had been vain.
So that you may perceive, and I may safely see,
The innocent that guiltless is condemned should have be.
Much like untruth to this the story doth declare,
Where th' elders laid to Susan's charge meet matter to compare.
They did her both accuse and eke condemn her too,
And yet no reason, right, nor truth did lead them so to do.
And she thus judged to die, toward her death went forth
Fraughted with faith a patient pace, taking her wrong in worth.
But he that doth defend all those that in him trust,
Did raise a child for her defense to shield her from th' unjust.
And Daniel chosen was then of this wrong to weet
How, in what place, and eke with whom she did this crime commit.
He caused the elders part the one from th' other's sight,
And did examine one by one and charged them both say right.
Under a mulberry tree it was, first said the one;
The next named a pomegranate tree, whereby the truth was known.
Then Susan was discharged, and they condemned to die,
As right requires and they deserve, that framed so foul a lie.
And he that her preserved, and let them of their lust,
Hath me defended hitherto, and will do still I trust.





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