Zoe heard of Michael's retirement & went on foot to see him, but he shut her out

Summary:
When the empress Zoe learned that Michael had been tonsured, she, unable to master her emotions and acting uncharacteristically for a woman and empress, slipped away to meet with him at the Anargyroi monastery, going there on foot. He however barred the door against her, either out of shame before her or in order not to backslide before God, and she returned alone without having seen him 
Dates:
1041 
Emperor Michael IV Paphlagon (Michael 4)
  • When it was announced to the empress (Zoe 1) that he had withdrawn to the Anargyroi monastery, she slipped away from the palace on foot and went to him (:) Zonaras 17.17.41
  • Shut the doors on Zoe 1 and debarred access to himself, I do not know whether from shame at his behaviour to her, or because he was fully repentant and did not wish to be reminded of his old disposition towards her (:) Zonaras 17.17.42
  • Zoe 1 went home without meeting him (:) Zonaras 17.17.43
  • Even Zoe 1 was not mistress of her emotion: when she learned from someone about his tonsure, she braved all men's looks and violated nature by going on foot to him (:) ἐπειδή περ τοῦτο παρά του μεμαθήκει Psellos: Chronographia IV 53.6-54.1
  • He either felt shame at the ills he had caused Zoe 1 or forgot even her because he had become mindful of God,: he did not grant her access to himself and she returned again to the palace (:) ἢ λήθην καὶ ταύτης διὰ τὴν πρὸς τὸν Θεὸν μνήμην λαβόμενος Psellos: Chronographia IV 53.9-54.1
Empress Zoe (Zoe 1)
  • When it was announced to her that Michael 4 had withdrawn to the Anargyroi monastery, she slipped away from the palace on foot and went to him (:) πεζῇ τῶν βασιλείων ὑπέξεισι Zonaras 17.17.41
  • Had the (monastery) doors shut on her by Michael 4 and was debarred access to him, I do not know whether from shame at his behaviour to her, or because he was fully repentant and did not wish to be reminded of his old disposition towards her (:) Zonaras 17.17.42
  • Went home without meeting Michael 4 (:) Zonaras 17.17.43
  • Even she was not mistress of her emotion: when she learned from someone about (Michael 4's tonsure), she braved all men's looks and violated nature by going on foot to him (:) κατατολμᾷ μὲν πάσης ἄρρενος ὅψεως, τὴν δὲ φύσιν παραβιάζεται καὶ πεζῇ πρὸς ἐκεῖνον ἄπεισιν Psellos: Chronographia IV 53.6-9
  • Michael 4 either felt shame at the ills he had caused her or forgot even her because he had become mindful of God: he did not grant her access to himself and she returned again to the palace (:) εἴτ’ αἰσχυνόμενος οἵων αὐτῇ κακῶν αἴτιος ἐγεγόνει Psellos: Chronographia IV 53.9-54.1