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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On Modesty and Chastity.
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On Modesty and Chastity.
O how is this Luxurious World beguil'd!That Spotless Modesty seems quite exil'd;
And Chastity cashier'd, or banish'd hence,
Lest her prevailing pow'rful Influence
Should tincture Humane Hearts with holy Awe,
And deeply there engrave the Royal Law;
Which few regard, though of a vast Extent,
Although its Precepts teacheth to prevent
The sad Effects, Grief, Shame, and Obloquy,
That still attend them that slight Modesty.
For Chastity, sits as with awful Grace,
Enthron'd i'th' Heart, and sweetly in the Face
Holds forth its Ensign, Modesty, as 'twere
A Flag of Peace, which, when it doth appear,
It bids Defiance to th'Voluptuous Mind,
Although to Hospitality inclin'd;
And doth with Friendly Treatments entertain
Those that converse therewith, without a Stain,
Or base Extravagance of wanton Look,
Wherewith deluding Syrens bait their Hook,
To catch unstable Hearts with seeming Joy,
Though the design is chiefly to destroy.
No, here's a pure, tho' far more potent Charm,
That, as a Castle, daunts approaching Harm
With simple Innocence, whose chiefest Care
Is to prevent, rather than plant a Snare.
Then why Should either Sex claim Liberty,
Beyond the Confines of sweet Modesty?
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Deportment, both to High and Low Estates;
It crowns the Man with Comeliness: But she
That wants it, deserves Shame and Infamy.
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