Or while we speak within the direfull grasp
        Of Savage hunger, or of Savage heat?
          Eld. Bro. Peace brother, be not over-exquisite
        To cast the fashion of uncertain evils;
        For grant they be so, while they rest unknown,
        What need a man forestall his date of grief,
        And run to meet what he would most avoid?
        Or if they be but false alarms of Fear,
        How bitter is such self-delusion?
        I do not think my sister so to seek,
        Or so unprincipl'd in vertues book,
        And the sweet peace that goodnes boosoms ever,
        As that the single want of light and noise
        (Not being in danger, as I trust she is not)
        Could stir the constant mood of her calm thoughts,
        And put them into mis-becoming plight.
        Vertue could see to do what vertue would
        By her own radiant light, though Sun and Moon
        Were in the flat Sea sunk. And Wisdoms self
        Oft seeks to sweet retired Solitude,
        Where with her best nurse Contemplation
        She plumes her feathers, and lets grow her wings
        That in the various bussle of resort
        Were all to ruffl'd, and somtimes impair'd.
        He that has light within his own cleer brest
        May sit i'th center, and enjoy bright day,
        But he that hides a dark soul, and foul thoughts
        Benighted walks under the mid-day Sun;
        Himself is his own dungeon.
          2. Bro. Tis most true
        That musing meditation most affects
        The pensive secrecy of desert cell,
        Far from the cheerfull haunt of men, and herds,
        And sits as safe as in a Senat house,
        For who would rob a Hermit of his Weeds,
        His few Books, or his Beads, or Maple Dish,
        Or do his gray hairs any violence?
        But beauty like the fair Hesperian Tree
        Laden with blooming gold, had need the guard
        Of dragon watch with uninchanted eye,
        To save her blossoms, and defend her fruit
        From the rash hand of bold Incontinence.
        You may as well spred out the unsun'd heaps
        Of Misers treasure by an out-laws den,
        And tell me it is safe, as bid me hope
        Danger will wink on Opportunity,
        And let a single helpless maiden pass
        Uninjur'd in this wilde surrounding wast.
        Of night, or lonelines it recks me not,
        I fear the dred events that dog them both,
        Lest som ill greeting touch attempt the person
        Of our unowned sister.
          Eld. Bro. I do not, brother,
        Inferr, as if I thought my sisters state
        Secure without all doubt, or controversie:
        Yet where an equall poise of hope and fear
        Does arbitrate th' event, my nature is
        That I encline to hope, rather then fear,
        And gladly banish squint suspicion.
        My sister is not so defenceless left
        As you imagine, she has a hidden strength
        Which you remember not.
          2. Bro. What hidden strength,
        Unless the strength of Heav'n, if you mean that?
          Eld. Bro. I mean that too, but yet a hidden strength
        Which if Heav'n gave it, may be term'd her own:
        'Tis chastity, my brother, chastity:
        She that has that, is clad in compleat steel,
        And like a quiver'd Nymph with Arrows keen
        May trace huge Forests, and unharbour'd Heaths,
        Infamous Hills, and sandy perilous wildes,
        Where through the sacred rayes of Chastity,
        No savage fierce, Bandite, or mountaneer
        Will dare to soyl her Virgin purity,
        Yea there, where very desolation dwels
        By grots, and caverns shag'd with horrid shades,
        She may pass on with unblench't majesty,
        Be it not don in pride, or in presumption.
        Som say no evil thing that walks by night
        In fog, or fire, by lake, or moorish fen,
        Blew meager Hag, or stubborn unlaid ghost,
        That breaks his magick chains at curfeu time,
        No goblin, or swart faery of the mine,
        Hath hurtfull power o're true virginity.
        Do ye beleeve me yet, or shall I call
        Antiquity from the old Schools of Greece
        To testifie the arms of Chastity?
        Hence had the huntress Dian her dred bow
        Fair silver-shafted Queen for ever chaste,
        Wherwith she tam'd the brinded lioness
        And spotted mountain pard, but set at nought
        The frivolous bolt of Cupid, gods and men
        Fear'd her stern frown, and she was queen oth' Woods.
        What was that snaky-headed Gorgon sheild
        That wise Minerva wore, unconquer'd Virgin,
        Wherwith she freez'd her foes to congeal'd stone?
        But rigid looks of Chast austerity,
        And noble grace that dash't brute violence
        With sudden adoration, and blank aw.
        So dear to Heav'n is Saintly chastity,