Actus. v. Scæna. iii.

Christian Custance.

C. Custance. O Lorde, howe necessarie it is nowe of dayes,

That eche bodie live uprightly all maner wayes,

For lette never so little a gappe be open,

And be sure of this, the worst shall be spoken[.]

Howe innocent stande I in this for deede or thought,[596] 5

And yet see what mistrust towardes me it hath wrought[.]

But thou Lorde knowest all folkes thoughts and eke intents

And thou arte the deliverer of all innocentes.

Thou didst helpe the advoutresse [597] that she might be amended,

Much more then helpe Lorde, that never yll intended. 10

Thou didst helpe Susanna, wrongfully accused,

And no lesse dost thou see Lorde, how I am now abused,

Thou didst helpe Hester, when she should have died,

Helpe also good Lorde, that my truth may be tried.

Yet if Gawin Goodlucke with Tristram Trusty speake. 15

I trust of yll report the force shall be but weake,

And loe yond they come sadly talking togither, H iii b

I wyll abyde, and not shrinke for their comming hither.