Theodora's Song

Secret alone, and silent in my bed,

When follies of my youth do touch my thought;

And reason tells me that all flesh is sin,

And all is vain that so by man is wrought.

Heart's sighs,

Eyes' tears,

With sorrow throb when in my mind I see,

All that man doth is foolish vanity.

When pride presents the state of honor's pomp,

And seeks to set aspiring minds on fire;

When wanton Love brings beauty for a bait,

To scorch the eye with over hot desire.

Heart's sighs,

Eyes' tears,

With sorrow throb when in my mind I see,

That pride and love are extreme vanity.

O Love that ere I loved, yet love is chaste,

My fancy lik'd none but my husband's face.

But when I think I loved none but him,

Nor would my thought give any other grace.

Heart's sighs,

Eyes' tears,

With sorrow throb, when in my mind I see,

The purest love is touch'd with jealousy.

Alas mine eye had never wanton looks,

A modest blush did ever taint my cheeks;

If then suspicion with a false conceit,

The ruin of my fame and honour seeks,

Heart's sighs,

Eyes' tears,

Must needs throb sorrows, when my mind doth see,

Chaste thoughts are blam'd with causeless jealousy.

My husband's will was ere to me a law,

To please his fancy is my whole delight;

Then if he thinks whatsoever I do is bad,

And with suspicion chastity requite:

Heart's sighs,

Eyes' tears,

Must needs throb sorrows, when my mind doth see,

Duty and love are quit with jealousy.

No deeper hell can fret a woman's mind,

Than to be tainted with a false suspect;

Then if my constant thoughts be overcross'd,

When prattling fond, can yield no true defect.

Heart's sighs,

Eyes' tears,

Must needs throb sorrows, when my mind doth see,

Duty and love are quit with jealousy.

Seek I to please, he thinks I flatter then,

Obedience is a cover for my fault;

When thus he deems I tread my shoe awry.

And going right, he still suspects I halt,

Heart's sighs,

Eyes' tears,

Must needs throb sorrows, when my mind doth see,

Duty and love are quit with jealousy.

No salve I have to cure this restless sore,

But sighs to God, to change his jealous mind;

Then shall I praise him in applauding hymns,

And when the want of this mistrust I find:

Heart's sighs,

Eyes' tears,

Shall cease, and Lord, I'll only pray to thee,

That women ne'er be wrong'd with jealousy.