So dear to Heaven is saintly chastity, That, when a soul is found sincerely so A thousand liveried angels lackey her, Driving far off each thing of sin and guilt, And in clear dream and solemn vision Tell her of things that no gross ear can hear; Till oft converse with heavenly habitants Begin to cast a beam on the outward shape.
A smile that glow'd Celestial rosy red, love's proper hue.
She has a hidden strength ... ... The strength of Heaven, It may be termed her own. 'Tis chastity ... chastity.... She that has that, is clad in complete steel; And, like a quiver'd Nymph with arrows keen, May trace huge forests, and unharbour'd heaths, ... and sandy perilous wilds ... She may pass on with unblench'd majesty Be it not done in pride, or in presumption.
O Woman, in thy native innocence, rely On what thou hast of virtue: summon all, For God toward thee hath done His part, do thine.
What higher in her society thou find'st Attractive, human, rational, love still; In loving thou dost well, in passion not Wherein true love consists not.
The wife, where danger or dishonour lurks, Safest and seemliest by her husband stays, Who guards her, or with her the worst endures.
Greatness of mind and nobleness their seat Build in her loveliest, and create an awe About her, as a guard angelic placed.
Those graceful acts, Those thousand decencies that daily flow From all her words and actions mix'd with love And sweet compliance, which declare unfeign'd Union of mind, or in us both one soul; Harmony to behold in wedded pair More grateful than harmonious sound to the ear.
Come, pensive Nun, devout and pure, Sober, steadfast, and demure. * * * * * With even step and musing gait; And looks commercing with the skies, Thy wrapt soul sitting in thine eyes.
Innocence and virgin modesty Her virtue, and the conscience of her worth, That would be woo'd, and not unsought be won Not obvious, not obtrusive, but retired The more desirable.
Lady, thy care is fix'd, and zealously attends To fill thy odorous lamp with deeds of light. And hope that reaps not shame.
A creature ... ... So lovely fair, That what seem'd fair in all the world seem'd now Mean, or in her summ'd up, in her contain'd.
All things from her air inspired The spirit of love and amorous delight.