Stoop thy pale vifage through an amber cloud, 335 Of fome clay habitation, vifit us With thy long level'd rule of streaming light, 340 Or Tyrian Cynofure. 2 BRO. Or if our eyes Be barr'd that happiness, might we but hear 345 350 Where may she wander now, whither betake her Or 'gainst the rugged bark of fome broad elm Or, while we speak, within the direful grasp Of favage hunger, or of favage heat? I BRO. Peace, Brother, be not over-exquifite 360 What What need a man forestall his date of grief, I do not think my Sifter fo to feek, Or fo unprincipled in virtue's book, 365 And the fweet peace that goodness bosoms ever, (Not being in danger, as I trust she is not) 370 Could stir the constant mood of her calm thoughts, And put them into mif-becoming plight. Virtue could fee to do what virtue would By her own radiant light, though fun and moon Were in the flat fea funk. And wifdom's felf 375 Where with her beft nurse contemplation She plumes her feathers, and lets grow her wings, Were all too ruffled, and fometimes impair'd. He that has light within his own clear breast May fit i'th' center, and enjoy bright day : 2 BRO. 'Tis most true, That mufing meditation most affects 380 385 The penfive fecrecy of defert cell, Far from the chearful haunt of men and herds, And fits as fafe as in a fenate house; For who would rob a hermit of his weeds, 390 His few books, or his beads, or maple dish, Or do his gray hairs any violence? But beauty, like the fair Hesperian tree 395 To fave her bloffoms, and defend her fruit You may as well spread out the unfunn'd heaps Of mifers' treasure by an out-law's den, 400 And tell me it is fafe, as bid me hope I fear the dread events that dog them both, Of our unowned Sifter. I BRO. I do not, Brother, 405 Left fome ill-greeting touch attempt the person Infer, as if I thought my Sifter's state Secure without all doubt, or controversy: Yet where an equal poife of hope and fear 410 That I incline to hope, rather than fear, As you imagin; she' has a hidden strength 415 Which you remember not. 2 BRO. What hidden ftrength, Unless the strength of Heav'n, if you mean that? K 4 Which Which if Heav'n gave it, may be term'd her own: 'Tis chastity, my Brother, chastity: She that has that, is clad in cómplete steel, And like a quiver'd nymph with arrows keen 420 425 Yea there, where very defolation dwells, By grots, and caverns fhagg'd with horrid shades, 430 Be it not done in pride, or in prefumption. 435 Hath hurtful power o'er true virginity. Do ye believe me yet, or fhall I call To testify the arms of Chastity? 440 Hence had the huntress Dian her dread bow, Fair filver-fhafted queen, for ever chaste, Wherewith fhe tam'd the brinded lionefs 445 Fear'd her ftern frown, and she was queen o'th' woods. What was that fnaky-headed Gorgon shield, Wherewith the freez'd her foes to congeal'd stone, But rigid looks of chaste austerity, 450 And noble grace that dafh'd brute violence With fudden adoration, and blank awe? 455 460 And turns it by degrees to the foul's effence, Till all be made immortal: but when luft, By unchafte looks, loose geftures, and foul talk, But most by leud and lavish act of fin, 465 Lets in defilement to the inward parts, Such are thofe thick and gloomy fhadows damp 2 BRO. How charming is divine philosophy ! Not harsh, and crabbed, as dull fools fuppofe, But mufical as is Apollo's lute, 470 475 And |