University of Virginia Library

The Virgins Honour.

I, As a Child, that of it selfe can doe
Nothing, to sheild Virginity from woe,
Prostrate on bended Knees with teares I fall
Before thee Lord; O heare, on thee I call.
Pittie me wretch, I that am in the prime
Heate of my youth; and the most dang'rous tyme
Of all my life; beseech thy heavenly aide,
All holy helpes; Lord pitty me weake Maide.
Lest like the silly fly about the Flame,
I scortch to Cinders; burne out my good name.
Quench, quench the flames of all lewd carnall Motions,
Inordinate desires, all loose affections.
Never let my soule be led away good Lord
By Wanton Company, that no good afford.
Waking or sleeping; O thou King of Kings,
Let the safe peacefull shaddow of thy wings
Be my Eternall safetie, lest the mines
Of Golden Snares, after my chast designes.
By day and night, Lord let thy gracious beames,
Disperse all wandring thoughts, all idle dreames!
My Chastity, is a more pretious Iewell
Then I can keepe; let me not then be cruell
To my owne soule; but, by the more that I,
In the great danger of Temptation lie,
So much the greater, let thy grace preserve
My Uirgin Honour; and though I deserve
Thy Vengeance, indignation, and no favour,
Yet for thy Mercies sake, most sacred Saviour,
Be thou my Advocate, Lord make me free,
To sue in forma pauperis under thee,
Angelize thou my soule, to shunne the Tract
Of obscene speech; lew'd thought, and uncleane act.
To thee for ever make me reconcil'd,
In Body, and Soule, chast, holy, undefil'd.
And through the operation of thy grace,
To spit defiance in sinnes uggly face.
“Pleasures are poysons to this soule of mine,
“Ther's no true joy on Earth, but what's divine.
What shall I doe? helpe Prince of Paradise,
I cannot stand, nor stirre for slip'ry Vice.
Quicken me Lord, enable me to pray:
Humble my Minde, my Parents to obey
In all their just commands; and at all times,
Patient to beare reproofes, confesse my crimes.
Ne're let me (Lord) be so depriv'd of grace,
To scoffe (like some) their Parents to their face.
Make me in stead of stubborne waies to grieve 'em,
(At their most need) still able to relieve 'em.
Increase good Heav'n, the number of their dayes;
To speake thy glory, and to sing thy prayse.
And if thy will e're call me to the state
Of honorable wedlocke; let my Mate
Be such a one (good God) with whom I may
Serve thee in peace; and never goe astray.
Ne're let contention, nurs'd 'twixt Man and Wife,
Disturbe the Quiet of my married life.
Married or Single, let me ever be,
Fitted with Prudence, pleasing unto thee.
Make me to shunne (great God) sins dang'rous shelfe,
That I, a poore Tree, barren in my selfe
May Bud; and beare such fruits of Faith as may,
My soule emparadice at the Judgement day.