University of Virginia Library

A VIRGIN LIFE.

Since, O ye Pow'rs, ye have bestow'd on me
So great a kindness for Virginity,
Suffer me not to fall into the Pow'rs
Of Mens almost Omnipotent Amours;
But in this happy Life let me remain,
Fearless of Twenty five and all its train,
Of slights or scorns, or being call'd Old Maid,
Those Goblings which so many have betray'd:
Like harmless Kids, that are pursu'd by Men,
For safety run into a Lyon's Den.
Ah lovely State how strange it is to see,
What mad conceptions some have made of thee,
As though thy Being was all wretchedness,
Or foul deformity i'th' ugliest dress;
Whereas thy Beauty's pure, Celestial,
Thy thoughts Divine, thy words Angelical:
And such ought all thy Votaries to be,
Or else they're so, but for necessity.
A Virgin bears the impress of all good,
In that dread Name all Vertue's understood:
So equal all her looks, her mien, her dress,
That nought but modesty seems in excess.
And when she any treats or visits make,
'Tis not for tattle, but for Friendship's sake;
Her Neighb'ring Poor she do's adopt her Heirs,
And less she cares for her own good than theirs;
And by Obedience testifies she can
Be's good a Subject as the stoutest Man.
She to her Church such filial duty pays,
That one would think she'd liv'd i'th' pristine days.
Her Closet, where she do's much time bestow,
Is both her Library and Chappel too,
Where she enjoys society alone,
I'th' Great Three-One—
She drives her whole Lives business to these Ends,
To serve her God, enjoy her Books and Friends.