The Emperor of Constantinople - Emperor Theophilus (d. 842AD) -

Wanted Kassia as his wife.

Even though she defended icons

She was not ready to be a wife.

Kassia chose to become an abbess and poet instead.

Theodore the Studite  - a wise man indeed

Condescendingly wrote that he was ‘astonished’ by her erudition

Kassia was, it is true, very well-educated - as only Greeks can be -

She responded favourably when Theodore said:

‘The fair form of your discourse has far more beauty

Than a mere specious prettiness’.

And so it was to be.

But if Kassia had lived in 1453

Her tears would've been unceasing

At this unholy travesty.