Susanna and the Elders

November 14, 1612

   Today, the long trial with Tassi has ended. Papa is just as relieved as I am. The torture is over. We have struggled for 7 months to prove my innocence. The world is so unfair... They put me through hell just because of my gender. It frustrates me how they even took consideration towards the outrageous lies of that man, Tassi... He is no man. He is a coward. That coward was planning to murder his wife while committing adultery with his own sister-in law! And he accused me of having relations with Papa! For our Lord's sake, this imbecile was a convicted felon! He placed numerous girls such as I through situations that took away our innocence. To this day, I still feel unclean. It is a feeling... a scar I must bear for the rest of my life in this biased world. It is worse than the physical pain I was put through. I was the victim, yet they put me in thumbscrews. The pain is still vivid in my mind. They nearly destroyed my life, my future, my world. The one thing that is more dear to an artist than anything is her hands. They are the most divine tools given to us by God, only to be subject to the cruel distorting acts of men.

   Throughout the trial, I remember the story of Susanna. Susanna was harassed by two old men while bathing. Refusing to sleep with them, the old men blackmailed her. She was put through hell as I was, however, she was almost cost her life. This case almost cost me my honor. However, justice was served at last, to both of us. Tassi shall pay with his sentence, which I believe is nowhere near where it should be. I wish him a year of agony, for he must pay the debts owed to countless women, including me.