Like the stain'd web that whitens in the sun,
Grow pure by being purely shone upon.

Like the stain'd web that whitens in the sun,
Grow pure by being purely shone upon.

When a woman has lost her chastity, she will shrink from no
crime.
[Lat., Neque femina amissa pudicitia read more

When a woman has lost her chastity, she will shrink from no
crime.
[Lat., Neque femina amissa pudicitia alia abneurit.]

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.

An unattempted lady could not vaunt of her chastity.

An unattempted lady could not vaunt of her chastity.

Me of my lawful pleasure she restrained
And prayed me oft forbearance--did it with
A pudency so read more

Me of my lawful pleasure she restrained
And prayed me oft forbearance--did it with
A pudency so rosy, the sweet view on't
Might well have warmed old Saturn--that I thought her
As chaste as unsunned snow.

There's a woman like a dew-drop,
She's so purer than the purest.

There's a woman like a dew-drop,
She's so purer than the purest.

As pure as a pearl,
And as perfect: a noble and innocent girl.

As pure as a pearl,
And as perfect: a noble and innocent girl.

Then she rode forth, clothed on with chastity:
The deep air listen'd round her as she rode,
read more

Then she rode forth, clothed on with chastity:
The deep air listen'd round her as she rode,
And all the low wind hardly breathed for fear.

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.