Even from the body's purity, the mind
Receives a secret sympathetic aid.

Even from the body's purity, the mind
Receives a secret sympathetic aid.

It is difficult to believe in a religion that places such a high premium on chastity and virginity.

It is difficult to believe in a religion that places such a high premium on chastity and virginity.

'Tis Chastity, my brother, Chastity: She that has that, is clad in complete steel

'Tis Chastity, my brother, Chastity: She that has that, is clad in complete steel

The noble sister of Publicola,
The moon of Rome, chaste as the icicle
That's curded by the read more

The noble sister of Publicola,
The moon of Rome, chaste as the icicle
That's curded by the frost from purest snow
And hangs on Dian's temple--dear Valeria!

I call not that virginity a virtue, which resideth only in the bodies integrity; much less if it be with read more

I call not that virginity a virtue, which resideth only in the bodies integrity; much less if it be with a purpose of perpetually keeping it: for then it is a most inhumane vice. - But I call that Virginity a virtue which is willing and desirous to yield itself upon honest and lawful terms, when just reason requireth; and until then, is kept with a modest chastity of body and mind.

If she seem not chaste to me,
What care I how chaste she be?

If she seem not chaste to me,
What care I how chaste she be?

Chastity does not mean abstention from sexual wrong; it means something flaming, like Joan of Arc.

Chastity does not mean abstention from sexual wrong; it means something flaming, like Joan of Arc.

Mine honor's such a ring;
My chastity's the jewel of our house,
Bequeathed down from many ancestors,
read more

Mine honor's such a ring;
My chastity's the jewel of our house,
Bequeathed down from many ancestors,
Which were the greatest obloquy i' th' world
In me to lose.

Lord, Make me chaste, but not yet

Lord, Make me chaste, but not yet