Artemisia, Part 7 of 12

(One of Artemisia's paintings deals with this story, found only in the Catholic and Orthodox bibles. Susannah is sexually bullied by two old men, but the young Daniel passes by and condemns the culprits.) Susannah and the Elders Legs bare, she padded to the river’s edge to bathe her body. Slipping off her slip, and setting free her hair, she cleared the sedge and waded in, to take her morning dip. Ah, lust is the dominion of the young! The two old men who watched, provoke disgust in us. High in the branches where they hung, demanded sex, or else … well, such is lust! Along the forest path, a decent youth named Daniel chanced to pass. No fawning spaniel when faced with elders, he. Perceived the truth. Condemned the lechers, innocence set free. A Daniel come to judgment! yea, a Daniel! O wise young judge, how I do honor thee!