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Secure without all doubt, or controverſie:
Yet where an equall poiſe of hope, and feare
Does arbitrate th'event, my nature is
That I incline to hope, rather than feare
And gladly baniſh ſquint ſuspicion.
My ſiſter is not ſo defenceleſſe left
As you imagine, ſhe has a hidden ſtrength
Which you remember not.
2. Bro. What hidden ſtrength
Vnleſſe the ſtrength of heav'n, if meane that?
Eld. Bro. I meane that too, but yet a hidden ſtrength
Which if heav'n gave it, may be term'd her owne:
'Tis chaſtitie, my brother, chaſtitie:
She that has that, is clad in compleat ſteele,
And like a quiver'd nymph with arrowes keene
May trace huge forreſts, and unharbour'd heaths
Infamous hills, and ſandie perillous wilds
Where through the ſacred rays of chaſtitie
No ſavage fierce, bandite, or mountaneete
Will dare to ſoyle her virgin puritie
Yea there, where very deſolation dwells
By grots, and caverns ſhag'd with horrid ſhades
She may paſſe on with unblench't majeſtie
Be it not done in pride, or in preſumption.
Some ſay no evill thing that walks by night
In fog, or fire, by lake or mooriſh fen
Blew meagre hag, or ſtubborne unlayd ghoſt
That breaks his magicke chaines at curfeu time
No goblin, or ſwart Faërie of the mine
Has hurtfull power ore true virginity.
Doe yee beleeve me yet, or ſhall I call
Antiquity from the old ſchools of Greece
