Thus spending of her time away In extreme wantonesse, Her private friends, when she did please, 35 Unto her had accesse. But the all-seeing eye of heaven Such sinnes will not conceale, And by some meanes at last will he The truth of all reveale. 40 Upon a time sore sicke she fell, Yea to the very death, And her physician told her plaine She must resigne her breath. Divines did likewise visit her, 45 And holy counsell gave, And bade her call upon the Lord, That he her soule might save. Amongst the rest, she did desire They would her husband bring; 50 "I have a secret to reveale," She said, "my heart doth sting." Then he came posting presently Unto her where she lay, And weeping then he did desire, 55 What she to him would say. She did intreat that all might voyd The roome, and he would stay; "Your pardon, husband, I beseech," Unto him she did say: 60 "For I have wrong'd your marriage-bed, And plaid the wanton wife; To you the truth I will reveale, Ere I depart this life. "Foure hopefull sonnes you think you have; 65 To me it best is knowne, And three of them are none of yours; Of foure but one's your owne, And by your selfe on me begot, Which hath a wanton beene; 70 These dying teares forgivenesse beg; Let mercy then be seene." This strooke her husband in a dump, His heart was almost dead; But rouzing of his spirits up, 75 These words to her he said. "I doe forgive thee with my heart, So thou the truth wilt tell, Which of the foure is my owne sonne, And all things shall be well." 80 "O pardon me, my husband deare," Unto him she did say; "They are my children every one," And so she went away. Away he goes with heavy heart; 85 His griefes he did conceale, And like a wise and prudent man, To none did it reveale. Not knowing which to be his owne, Each of his love did share, 90 And to be train'd in vertues paths Of them he had a care. In learning great and gentle grace They were brought up and taught, Such deare affection in the hearts 95 Of parents God hath wrought.