His Heart Arraigned of Theft, and Acquitted

My heart was found within my lady's breast,
Close couched for fear that no man might him see,
On whom suspect did serve a straight arrest,
And felon-like he must arraigned be;
What could he mean so closely there to stay,
But by deceit to steal her heart away?

The bench was set, the prisoner forth was brought,
My mistress' self chief judge to hear the cause:
Th' indictment read, by which his blood was sought,
That he, poor heart, by stealth had broke the laws;
His plea was such as each man might descry;
For grace and truth were read in either eye.

Yet forced to speak, his farther plea was this,
That sore pursued by me that sought his blood,
Because so oft his presence I did miss,
Whilst as he said, he laboured for my good:
He, void of help to have his harms redrest,
Took sanctuary in her sacred breast.

The gentle Judge that saw his true intent,
And that his cause did touch her honour near,
Since he from me to her for succour went:
That ruth might reign, where rigour did appear,
Gave sentence thus: that if he there would 'bide,
That place was made a guiltless heart to hide.