University of Virginia Library

A disswasion to a very virtuous Lady, who resolved to be a Nun.

Recall this Resolution, or you'l prove
Sinful to God, to Nature, and to Love:
He that did form all creatures for increasing,
Made fruitful Amity the first great blessing.
Why were you made a woman? Why were we
(By different Sex) put in capacity
Of getting Children? you cross Gods decree,
You will live single, God bids multiply:
You wrong the Law of Nature, every thing
Contributes to the store-house of the Spring:
Beasts, Fish, Fowle, Grain, one ear of corn will yeeld
(With husbandry) enough to fill a field:
Were every thing fruitless (as you would be)
You'd eat the walls down of your Nunnery.
But your transgression unto Love is such,
As no man's pen can aggravate too much;
Were those blue veins, red lips, white hands black eys
Made only for a vestal sacrifice?
But you reply, tis to prevent those crimes,
And hot allurements which pollute the times:
Madam, are you so weak, or sin so stout,
That nothing but stone walls can keep it out?
“Vlisses when he fear'd to be imbrac'd
“By Syreus, bound himself to the ship mast;
Because he found his soul so much inclin'd
Unto temptation, did his body bind;
And is it so vvith you? must you needs run
This tempting race, unless y'have fetters on?
Are Maids so frail, can Virgins find no trick
For chastity, but to be buried quick?
And yet vvhen all this streight prevention's vvrought,
Not all your vvalls, nor bars, can keep out thought:
In my conceipt those hearts have firmest stations,
That can be chast in spite of all temptations:
Chast vvedlock vvas at first design'd, that vve
Might not abuse, but keep our chastity.
You may do so, and yet not live alone,
That vvoman's chast enough that knovvs but one;
Stop your resolve then e're it further runs,
For vertuous vvives are chaster then some Nuns.