Fruits of Retirement Or, Miscellaneous Poems, Moral and Divine. Being Some Contemplations, Letters, &c. Written on a Variety of Subjects and Occasions. By Mary Mollineux ... To which is Prefixed, Some Account of the Author |
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Of MODESTY.
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 | Fruits of Retirement |  |
77
Of MODESTY.
Some covet to be deck'd in Rich Attire,
With Gold and Pearl, that others may admire,
Esteem, and honour them; and that they may
Advance a Beauty, that will soon decay.
If Imperfections did not lodge within,
What mean these Deckings of the fading Skin?
They, in whose noble Breast true Vertue dwells,
Need not so much t'adorn their outward Shells;
For Modesty doth many ways express,
To all Observers, innate Comeliness:
Modest Attire, and Meekness, signify
A Mind compos'd of Native Purity.
Needs no Appendices so to set forth
A Jewel of a more admired worth,
Than Indian Mines can boast; those beautify
A Sepulchre, and make it fair to th' Eye;
But this shews Innate Worth, and adds thereto
Such Lustre, those alone could never shew:
For where there is a Chaste Retired Mind,
Th' Apparel, Gesture, Speech, and Look's confin'd
Within the Bounds of Modesty, proclaim
An Upright Heart, kept clear from Spot or Stain:
This both adorns the Gravity of Age,
And doth in Blooming Years timely presage
A right Heroick Heart; where Liberty,
That's inconsistent with true Modesty,
Is not desir'd: Such study to behave
Themselves Discreetly, Modest, Meek, and Grave;
But if a Smile appear, such as a Child
Reflects on's Mother, in Love undefil'd,
'Tis guarded with such simple Innocence,
As gives no just occasion of Offence.
For Modesty in Covenant doth bind
The Eyes, lest they prove Traytors to the Mind;
But ne'er instructs the Hand to plant a Snare,
Lay Nets with gaudy Garments, plaited Hair,
Or other Golden Superfluities,
To captivate vain Hearts, and wand'ring Eyes:
No, it abhors whatever seems to be
A Blemish unto Chaste Simplicity:
Yet proves it self a far more Potent Charm,
Than wanton Looks; but daunts approaching harm,
Like some strong Fortress, whence the Enemy
Retreats, despairing of a Victory.
Thus Modesty, and Spotless Innocence,
Is often to its self a sure Defence.
This is the Virgin's Ornament, whereby
Beauty's adorn'd; for this doth Beautify,
Where fading Colours flourish not, and may
Be term'd a Dow'r, whose Worth shall ne'er decay,
Sure Men, as Men, cannot forget to prize it;
Tho' some, as Bruits, not minding it, despise it;
Else would their Words and Gesture rarely be
So Poysonous, with gross Impiety:
Obscene Discourse, that horrid Smoak that fumes
From scorching Darkness, that within consumes
Some broyl'd tormented Hearts, cannot proceed
From a Chaste Breast; no Rose brings forth a Weed.
For this doth always constantly retain
Such an abhorrence of all frothy, vain,
Absurd Expressions, that 'twill manifest,
The sad Resentment of a troubled Breast,
In Crimson Colours; which do oft appear
In modest Blushes, when th' unwilling Ear
Is made partaker of such words as be
A bold Affront to Spotless Modesty.
Altho' there doth no inward Guilt upbraid,
Or bring Indictment; yet, with Looks dismay'd,
They signify Disgust, and seem to fear
They should be Censur'd, being present where
Such Words were utter'd (tho' injuriously)
As one with them in the Conspiracy.
Some say, 'Tis Treason but to lend an Ear
To Treasonable Speeches, and forbear
T' Accuse, or else to leave the Company.
Thus Chaste Clitomachus, through Modesty
Quickly departing, shew'd that he abhorr'd
The needless Guilt of an Uncivil Word,
When'er he heard it; and 'twas worthily
Recorded, to instruct Posterity.
For tho' the Dictates in each Humane Breast,
Would, if observ'd, teach all Men to detest
Such Criminal Expressions, as declare
Their Owners odious to a Modest Ear;
Yet Precedents of Vertue may be found
Of good Effect, when those of Vice abound.
Nor let it seem to any sober Mind
A Paradox, that Modesty should find
A place in either Sex, altho' it be
Ascribed to the one peculiarly.
With Gold and Pearl, that others may admire,
Esteem, and honour them; and that they may
Advance a Beauty, that will soon decay.
If Imperfections did not lodge within,
What mean these Deckings of the fading Skin?
They, in whose noble Breast true Vertue dwells,
Need not so much t'adorn their outward Shells;
For Modesty doth many ways express,
To all Observers, innate Comeliness:
Modest Attire, and Meekness, signify
A Mind compos'd of Native Purity.
Needs no Appendices so to set forth
A Jewel of a more admired worth,
Than Indian Mines can boast; those beautify
A Sepulchre, and make it fair to th' Eye;
But this shews Innate Worth, and adds thereto
Such Lustre, those alone could never shew:
For where there is a Chaste Retired Mind,
Th' Apparel, Gesture, Speech, and Look's confin'd
Within the Bounds of Modesty, proclaim
An Upright Heart, kept clear from Spot or Stain:
This both adorns the Gravity of Age,
And doth in Blooming Years timely presage
A right Heroick Heart; where Liberty,
That's inconsistent with true Modesty,
Is not desir'd: Such study to behave
Themselves Discreetly, Modest, Meek, and Grave;
78
Reflects on's Mother, in Love undefil'd,
'Tis guarded with such simple Innocence,
As gives no just occasion of Offence.
For Modesty in Covenant doth bind
The Eyes, lest they prove Traytors to the Mind;
But ne'er instructs the Hand to plant a Snare,
Lay Nets with gaudy Garments, plaited Hair,
Or other Golden Superfluities,
To captivate vain Hearts, and wand'ring Eyes:
No, it abhors whatever seems to be
A Blemish unto Chaste Simplicity:
Yet proves it self a far more Potent Charm,
Than wanton Looks; but daunts approaching harm,
Like some strong Fortress, whence the Enemy
Retreats, despairing of a Victory.
Thus Modesty, and Spotless Innocence,
Is often to its self a sure Defence.
This is the Virgin's Ornament, whereby
Beauty's adorn'd; for this doth Beautify,
Where fading Colours flourish not, and may
Be term'd a Dow'r, whose Worth shall ne'er decay,
Sure Men, as Men, cannot forget to prize it;
Tho' some, as Bruits, not minding it, despise it;
Else would their Words and Gesture rarely be
So Poysonous, with gross Impiety:
Obscene Discourse, that horrid Smoak that fumes
From scorching Darkness, that within consumes
Some broyl'd tormented Hearts, cannot proceed
From a Chaste Breast; no Rose brings forth a Weed.
For this doth always constantly retain
Such an abhorrence of all frothy, vain,
Absurd Expressions, that 'twill manifest,
The sad Resentment of a troubled Breast,
79
In modest Blushes, when th' unwilling Ear
Is made partaker of such words as be
A bold Affront to Spotless Modesty.
Altho' there doth no inward Guilt upbraid,
Or bring Indictment; yet, with Looks dismay'd,
They signify Disgust, and seem to fear
They should be Censur'd, being present where
Such Words were utter'd (tho' injuriously)
As one with them in the Conspiracy.
Some say, 'Tis Treason but to lend an Ear
To Treasonable Speeches, and forbear
T' Accuse, or else to leave the Company.
Thus Chaste Clitomachus, through Modesty
Quickly departing, shew'd that he abhorr'd
The needless Guilt of an Uncivil Word,
When'er he heard it; and 'twas worthily
Recorded, to instruct Posterity.
For tho' the Dictates in each Humane Breast,
Would, if observ'd, teach all Men to detest
Such Criminal Expressions, as declare
Their Owners odious to a Modest Ear;
Yet Precedents of Vertue may be found
Of good Effect, when those of Vice abound.
Nor let it seem to any sober Mind
A Paradox, that Modesty should find
A place in either Sex, altho' it be
Ascribed to the one peculiarly.
Reason, that honours Mankind more than Beast,
Gives forth its Laws and Dictates in each Breast;
Vertue should therefore in both Sexes dwell;
Some may in these, and some in those excel:
Yet this, with many more, are not confin'd
To either solely; but the prudent Mind
In both embrace it; for it Regulates
Deportment both in high and low Estates:
For where she dwells, insulting Arrogance,
Or any unbecoming Confidence,
Must not remain, lest these defile and stain
The Heart, where Vertue should prevail and reign;
That Modesty may, by its Influence,
Hide and avoid occasion of Offence.
As Scripture-Record to Posterity,
Doth Chronicle the Virgin Modesty
Of Shem and Japhet, who went back to hide
The Nakedness their Brother did deride;
On whom the Curse became thereby entail'd
To after-Ages, but a Blessing seal'd
To them, and to their Progeny, whose Names
(Like to a precious Ointment, that retains
Its fragrancy) shall still inherit Praise,
And be a Precedent to latter Days.
For tho' the Memory of some doth rot,
Vertue shall live, and never be forgot:
The Wise in Heart esteem it, and thereby
Order their Conversation prudently;
And would not an unseemly Act commit,
Tho' Mortal Eye should ne'er discover it:
For Modesty, that in their Bosom reigns,
Detests and loaths whatever spots or stains;
Restraining from all Rudeness, it inclines
To Gravity and Meekness, and refines
The Language; intimating, that we should
Be swift to hear, but never over-bold
To speak, tho' Eloquent; and then take heed,
Lest Words extravagantly may exceed
A mild and civil Tone; for spoken loud,
They seem to Summons-in the list'ning Crowd:
Nor should they savour of Scurrility;
For these are not th'Effects of Modesty,
Which never can delight in Calumnies,
Abusing others with Tongue-Injuries,
Although revil'd: Civility disdains
To vie in Folly, where no Prize pertains
Unto the Victors; the true Noble Mind
Conquers a Wrong by Patience, is resign'd
For Vertue's sake to bear, that Reason may
Be Re-enthron'd, and Passion pass away.
Th' Examples, which the Ancients did afford
Hereto, are many, left upon Record;
For Civil Natures dictates in each Breast,
Do far exceed what here can be express'd.
Gives forth its Laws and Dictates in each Breast;
Vertue should therefore in both Sexes dwell;
Some may in these, and some in those excel:
Yet this, with many more, are not confin'd
To either solely; but the prudent Mind
80
Deportment both in high and low Estates:
For where she dwells, insulting Arrogance,
Or any unbecoming Confidence,
Must not remain, lest these defile and stain
The Heart, where Vertue should prevail and reign;
That Modesty may, by its Influence,
Hide and avoid occasion of Offence.
As Scripture-Record to Posterity,
Doth Chronicle the Virgin Modesty
Of Shem and Japhet, who went back to hide
The Nakedness their Brother did deride;
On whom the Curse became thereby entail'd
To after-Ages, but a Blessing seal'd
To them, and to their Progeny, whose Names
(Like to a precious Ointment, that retains
Its fragrancy) shall still inherit Praise,
And be a Precedent to latter Days.
For tho' the Memory of some doth rot,
Vertue shall live, and never be forgot:
The Wise in Heart esteem it, and thereby
Order their Conversation prudently;
And would not an unseemly Act commit,
Tho' Mortal Eye should ne'er discover it:
For Modesty, that in their Bosom reigns,
Detests and loaths whatever spots or stains;
Restraining from all Rudeness, it inclines
To Gravity and Meekness, and refines
The Language; intimating, that we should
Be swift to hear, but never over-bold
To speak, tho' Eloquent; and then take heed,
Lest Words extravagantly may exceed
A mild and civil Tone; for spoken loud,
They seem to Summons-in the list'ning Crowd:
81
For these are not th'Effects of Modesty,
Which never can delight in Calumnies,
Abusing others with Tongue-Injuries,
Although revil'd: Civility disdains
To vie in Folly, where no Prize pertains
Unto the Victors; the true Noble Mind
Conquers a Wrong by Patience, is resign'd
For Vertue's sake to bear, that Reason may
Be Re-enthron'd, and Passion pass away.
Th' Examples, which the Ancients did afford
Hereto, are many, left upon Record;
For Civil Natures dictates in each Breast,
Do far exceed what here can be express'd.
1679.
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