["Ifnobilitybevirtue，itlosesitsqualityinallthingswhereinnotvirtuous:andifitbenotvirtue，’tisasmallmatter。"
——LaByuyere。]
’tisavirtue，ifitbeone，thatisartificialandapparent，dependingupontimeandfortune:variousinform，accordingtothecountry;livingandmortal;withoutbirth，astheriverNile;genealogicalandcommon;，ofsuccessionandsimilitude;drawnbyconsequence，andaveryweakone。
Knowledge，strength，goodness，beauty，riches，andallotherqualities，fallintocommunicationandcommerce，butthisisconsummatedinitself，andofnousetotheserviceofothers。Therewasproposedtooneofourkingsthechoiceoftwocandidatesforthesamecommand，ofwhomonewasagentleman，theothernot;heorderedthat，withoutrespecttoquality，theyshouldchoosehimwhohadthemostmerit;butwheretheworthofthecompetitorsshouldappeartobeentirelyequal，theyshouldhaverespecttobirth:thiswasjustlytogiveititsrank。Ayoungmanunknown，comingtoAntigonustomakesuitforhisfather’scommand，avaliantmanlatelydead:"Friend，"saidhe，"insuchprefermentsasthese，Ihavenotsomuchregardtothenobilityofmysoldiersastotheirprowess。"
And，indeed，itoughtnottogoasitdidwiththeofficersofthekingsofSparta，trumpeters，fiddlers，cooks，thechildrenofwhomalwayssucceededtotheirplaces，howignorantsoever，andwerepreferredbeforethemostexperiencedinthetrade。TheyofCalicutmakeofnoblesasortofsuperhumanpersons:theyareinterdictedmarriageandallbutwarlikeemployments:theymayhaveofconcubinestheirfill，andthewomenasmanylovers，withoutbeingjealousofoneanother;but’tisacapitalandirremissiblecrimetocouplewithapersonofmeanerconditionsthanthemselves;andtheythinkthemselvespolluted，iftheyhavebuttouchedoneinwalkingalong;andsupposingtheirnobilitytobemarvellouslyinterestedandinjuredinit，killsuchasonlyapproachalittletoonearthem:insomuchthattheignobleareobligedtocryoutastheywalk，likethegondoliersofVenice，attheturningsofstreetsforfearofjostling;andthenoblescommandthemtostepasidetowhatparttheyplease:bythatmeanstheseavoidwhattheyreputeaperpetualignominy，thosecertaindeath。Notime，nofavouroftheprince，nooffice，orvirtue，orriches，caneverprevailtomakeaplebeianbecomenoble:towhichthiscustomcontributes，thatmarriagesareinterdictedbetwixtdifferenttrades;thedaughterofoneofthecordwainers’gildisnotpermittedtomarryacarpenter;andparentsareobligedtotrainuptheirchildrenpreciselyintheirowncallings，andnotputthemtoanyothertrade;bywhichmeansthedistinctionandcontinuanceoftheirfortunesaremaintained。
Agoodmarriage，iftherebeanysuch，rejectsthecompanyandconditionsoflove，andtriestorepresentthoseoffriendship。’Tisasweetsocietyoflife，fullofconstancy，trust，andaninfinitenumberofusefulandsolidservicesandmutualobligations;whichanywomanwhohasarighttaste:
"Optatoquamjunxitluminetaeda"——
["Whomthemarriagetorchhasjoinedwiththedesiredlight。"
——Catullus，lxiv。79。]
wouldbelothtoserveherhusbandinqualityofamistress。Ifshebelodgedinhisaffectionasawife，sheismorehonourablyandsecurelyplaced。Whenhepurportstobeinlovewithanother，andworksallhecantoobtainhisdesire，letanyonebutaskhim，onwhichhehadratheradisgraceshouldfall，hiswifeorhismistress，whichoftheirmisfortuneswouldmostafflicthim，andtowhichofthemhewishesthemostgrandeur，theanswertothesequestionsisoutofdisputeinasoundmarriage。
Andthatsofewareobservedtobehappy，isatokenofitspriceandvalue。Ifwellformedandrightlytaken，’tisthebestofallhumansocieties;wecannotlivewithoutit，andyetwedonothingbutdecryit。
Ithappens，aswithcages，thebirdswithoutdespairtogetin，andthosewithindespairofgettingout。Socratesbeingasked，whetheritwasmorecommodioustotakeawifeornot，"Letamantakewhichcoursehewill，"
saidhe;"hewillrepent。"’Tisacontracttowhichthecommonsaying:
"Homohominiautdeusautlupus，"
["Mantomaniseitheragodorawolf。"——Erasmus，Adag。]
mayveryfitlybeapplied;theremustbeaconcurrenceofmanyqualitiesintheconstruction。Itisfoundnowadaysmoreconvenientforsimpleandplebeiansouls，wheredelights，curiosity，andidlenessdonotsomuchdisturbit;butextravaganthumours，suchasmine，thathateallsortsofobligationandrestraint，arenotsoproperforit:
"Etmihidulcemagisresolutoviverecollo。"
["Anditissweettometolivewithaloosenedneck。"
——PseudoGallus，i。61。]
MightIhavehadmyownwill，IwouldnothavemarriedWisdomherself，ifshewouldhavehadme。But’tistomuchpurposetoevadeit;thecommoncustomandusanceoflifewillhaveitso。Themostofmyactionsareguidedbyexample，notbychoice，andyetIdidnotgotoitofmyownvoluntarymotion;Iwasledanddrawntoitbyextrinsicoccasions;fornotonlythingsthatareincommodiousinthemselves，butalsothingshoweverugly，vicious，andtobeavoided，mayberenderedacceptablebysomeconditionoraccident;sounsteadyandvainisallhumanresolution！
andIwaspersuadedtoit，whenworsepreparedandlesstractablethanI
amatpresent，thatIhavetriedwhatitis:andasgreatalibertineasIamtakentobe，Ihaveintruthmorestrictlyobservedthelawsofmarriage，thanIeitherpromisedorexpected。’Tisinvaintokick，whenamanhasonceputonhisfetters:amanmustprudentlymanagehisliberty;buthavingoncesubmittedtoobligation，hemustconfinehimselfwithinthelawsofcommonduty，atleast，dowhathecantowardsit。
Theywhoengageinthiscontract，withadesigntocarrythemselvesinitwithhatredandcontempt，doanunjustandinconvenientthing;andthefinerulethatIhearpassfromhandtohandamongstthewomen，asasacredoracle:
["Servethyhusbandasthymaster，butguardthyselfagainsthimasfromatraitor。"]
whichistosay，comportthyselftowardshimwithadissembled，inimical，anddistrustfulreverence（acryofwaranddefiance），isequallyinjuriousandhard。Iamtoomildforsuchruggeddesigns:tosaythetruth，Iamnotarrivedtothatperfectionofabilityandrefinementofwit，toconfoundreasonwithinjustice，andtolaughatallruleandorderthatdoesnotpleasemypalate;becauseIhatesuperstition，Idonotpresentlyrunintothecontraryextremeofirreligion。
（Ifamanhatesuperstitionhecannotlovereligion。D。W。）
Ifamandoesnotalwaysperformhisduty，heoughtatleasttoloveandacknowledgeit;’tistreacherytomarrywithoutespousing。
Letusproceed。
Ourpoetrepresentsamarriagehappyinagoodaccordwhereinneverthelessthereisnotmuchloyalty。Doeshemean，thatitisnotimpossiblebutawomanmaygivethereinstoherownpassion，andyieldtotheimportunitiesoflove，andyetreservesomedutytowardmarriage，andthatitmaybehurt，withoutbeingtotallybroken？Aservingmanmaycheathismaster，whomneverthelesshedoesnothate。Beauty，opportunity，anddestiny（fordestinyhasalsoahandin’t），"FatumestinpartibusillisQuassinusabscondit;nam，sitibisideracessent，Nilfacietlongimensuraincognitanervi;"
["Thereisafatalityaboutthehiddenparts:letnaturehaveendowedyouhoweverliberally，’tisofnouse，ifyourgoodstarfailsyouinthenickoftime。"——Juvenal，ix。32。]
haveattachedhertoastranger;thoughnotsowholly，peradventure，butthatshemayhavesomeremainsofkindnessforherhusband。Theyaretwodesigns，thathaveseveralpathsleadingtothem，withoutbeingconfoundedwithoneanother;awomanmayyieldtoamanshewouldbynomeanshavemarried，notonlyfortheconditionofhisfortune，butforthosealsoofhisperson。Fewmenhavemadeawifeofamistress，whohavenotrepentedit。Andevenintheotherworld，whatanunhappylifedoesJupiterleadwithhis，whomhehadfirstenjoyedasamistress！
’Tis，astheproverbruns，tobefoulabasketandthenputituponone’shead。Ihaveinmytime，inagoodfamily，seenloveshamefullyanddishonestlycuredbymarriage:theconsiderationsarewidelydifferent。
Weloveatonce，withoutanytie，twothingscontraryinthemselves。
Socrateswaswonttosay，thatthecityofAthenspleased，asladiesdowhommencourtforlove;everyonelovedtocomethithertotakeaturn，andpassawayhistime;butnoonelikeditsowellastoespouseit，thatis，toinhabitthere，andtomakeithisconstantresidence。Ihavebeenvexedtoseehusbandshatetheirwivesonlybecausetheythemselvesdothemwrong;weshouldnot，atallevents，methinks，lovethemthelessforourownfaults;theyshouldatleast，upontheaccountofrepentanceandcompassion，bedearertous。
Theyaredifferentends，hesays，andyetinsomesortcompatible;
marriagehasutility，justice，honour，andconstancyforitsshare;
aflat，butmoreuniversalpleasure:lovefoundsitselfwhollyuponpleasure，and，indeed，hasitmorefull，lively，andsharp;apleasureinflamedbydifficulty;theremustbeinitstingandsmart:’tisnolongerlove，ifwithoutdartsandfire。Thebountyofladiesistooprofuseinmarriage，anddullsthepointofaffectionanddesire:toevadewhichinconvenience，dobutobservewhatpainsLycurgusandPlatotakeintheirlaws。
Womenarenottoblameatall，whentheyrefusetherulesoflifethatareintroducedintotheworld，forasmuchasthemenmakethemwithouttheirhelp。Thereisnaturallycontentionandbrawlingbetwixtthemandus;andthestrictestfriendshipwehavewiththemisyetmixedwithtumultandtempest。Intheopinionofourauthor，wedealinconsideratelywiththeminthis:afterwehavediscoveredthattheyare，withoutcomparison，moreableandardentinthepracticeoflovethanwe，andthattheoldpriesttestifiedasmuch，whohadbeenonewhileaman，andthenawoman:
"Venushuiceratutraquenota:"
["Bothaspectsoflovewereknowntohim，"
——Tiresias。Ovid。Metam。，iii。323。]
andmoreover，thatwehavelearnedfromtheirownmouthstheproofthat，inseveralages，wasmadebyanEmperorandEmpressofRome，——[Proclus。]
——bothfamousforabilityinthataffair！forheinonenightdefloweredtenSarmatianvirginswhowerehiscaptives:butshehadfive—and—twentyboutsinonenight，changinghermanaccordingtoherneedandliking;
"AdhucardensrigidaetentiginevulvaeEtlassataviris，nondumsatiata，recessit:"
["Ardentstill，sheretired，fatigued，butnotsatisfied。"
——Juvenal，vi。128。]
andthatuponthedisputewhichhappenedinCataluna，whereinawifecomplainingofherhusband’stoofrequentaddressestoher，notsomuch，asIconceive，thatshewasincommodatedbyit（forIbelievenomiraclesoutofreligion）asunderthispretence，tocurtailandcurbinthis，whichisthefundamentalactofmarriage，theauthorityofhusbandsovertheirwives，andtoshewthattheirfrowardnessandmalignitygobeyondthenuptialbed，andspurnunderfooteventhegracesandsweetsofVenus;thehusband，amantrulybrutishandunnatural，replied，thatevenonfastingdayshecouldnotsubsistwithlessthantencourses:
whereuponcameoutthatnotablesentenceoftheQueenofArragon，bywhich，aftermaturedeliberationofhercouncil，thisgoodqueen，togivearuleandexampletoallsucceedingagesofthemoderationrequiredinajustmarriage，setdownsixtimesadayasalegitimateandnecessarystint;surrenderingandquittingagreatdealoftheneedsanddesiresofhersex，thatshemight，shesaid，establishaneasy，andconsequently，apermanentandimmutablerule。Hereuponthedoctorscryout:whatmustthefemaleappetiteandconcupiscencebe，whentheirreason，theirreformationandvirtue，aretaxedatsucharate，consideringthediversjudgmentsofourappetites？forSolon，masterofthelawschool，taxesusbutatthreeamonth，——thatmenmaynotfailinpointofconjugalfrequentation:afterhaving，Isay，believedandpreachedallthis，wegoandenjointhemcontinencyfortheirparticularshare，anduponthelastandextremepenalties。
Thereisnopassionsohardtocontendwithasthis，whichwewouldhavethemonlyresist，notsimplyasanordinaryvice，butasanexecrableabomination，worsethanirreligionandparricide;whilstwe，atthesametime，goto’twithoutoffenceorreproach。Eventhoseamongstuswhohavetriedtheexperimenthavesufficientlyconfessedwhatdifficulty，orratherimpossibility，theyhavefoundbymaterialremediestosubdue，weaken，andcoolthebody。We，onthecontrary，wouldhavethematoncesound，vigorousplump，high—fed，andchaste;thatistosay，bothhotandcold;forthemarriage，whichwetellthemistokeepthemfromburning，isbutsmallrefreshmenttothem，asweorderthematter。Iftheytakeonewhosevigorousageisyetboiling，hewillbeproudtomakeitknownelsewhere;
"Sittandempudor;auteamusinjus;
Multismentulamillibusredempta，Nonesthaectua，Basse;vendidisti;"
["Lettherebesomeshame，orweshallgotolaw:yourvigour，boughtbyyourwifewithmanythousands，isnolongeryours:thouhastsoldit。——"Martial，xii。90。]
Polemonthephilosopherwasjustlybyhiswifebroughtbeforethejudgeforsowinginabarrenfieldtheseedthatwasduetoonethatwasfruitful:if，ontheotherhand，theytakeadecayedfellow，theyareinaworseconditioninmarriagethaneithermaidsorwidows。Wethinkthemwellprovidedfor，becausetheyhaveamantoliewith，astheRomansconcludedClodiaLaeta，avestalnun，violated，becauseCaligulahadapproachedher，thoughitwasdeclaredhedidnomorebutapproachher:
but，onthecontrary，webythatincreasetheirnecessity，forasmuchasthetouchandcompanyofanymanwhateverrousestheirdesires，thatinsolitudewouldbemorequiet。Andtotheend，’tislikely，thattheymightrendertheirchastitymoremeritoriousbythiscircumstanceandconsideration，BoleslasandKingehiswife，kingsofPoland，voweditbymutualconsent，beinginbedtogether，ontheirveryweddingday，andkepttheirvowinspiteofallmatrimonialconveniences。
Wetrainthemupfromtheirinfancytothetrafficoflove;theirgrace，dressing，knowledge，language，andwholeinstructiontendthatway:theirgovernessesimprintnothinginthembuttheideaoflove，iffornothingelsebutbycontinuallyrepresentingittothem，togivethemadistasteforit。Mydaughter，theonlychildIhave，isnowofanagethatforwardyoungwomenareallowedtobemarriedat;sheisofaslow，thin，andtendercomplexion，andhasaccordinglybeenbroughtupbyhermotherafteraretiredandparticularmanner，sothatshebutnowbeginstobeweanedfromherchildishsimplicity。ShewasreadingbeforemeinaFrenchbookwheretheword’fouteau’，thenameofatreeverywellknown，occurred;——[Thebeech—tree;thenameresemblesinsoundanobsceneFrenchword。]——thewoman，towhoseconductsheiscommitted，stoppedhershortalittleroughly，andmadeherskipoverthatdangerousstep。I
letheralone，nottotroubletheirrules，forIneverconcernmyselfinthatsortofgovernment;femininepolityhasamysteriousprocedure;wemustleaveittothem;butifIamnotmistakenthecommerceoftwentylacquiescouldnot，insixmonths’time，havesoimprintedinhermemorythemeaning，usage，andalltheconsequenceofthesoundofthesewickedsyllables，asthisgoodoldwomandidbyreprimandandinterdiction。
"MotusdocerigaudetIonicosMaturavirgo，etfrangiturartibus;
JamnuncetincestosamoresDetenero，meditaturungui。"
["ThemaidripeformarriagedelightstolearnIonicdances，andtoimitatethoselasciviousmovements。Nay，alreadyfromherinfancyshemeditatescriminalamours。"——Horace，Od。，iii。6，21。，thetexthas’fingitur’。]
Letthembutgivethemselvesthereinalittle，letthembutenterintolibertyofdiscourse，wearebutchildrentotheminthisscience。Hearthembutdescribeourpursuitsandconversation，theywillverywellmakeyouunderstandthatwebringthemnothingtheyhavenotknownbefore，anddigestedwithoutourhelp。
[Thissentencereferstoaconversationbetweensomeyoungwomeninhisimmediateneighbourhood，whichtheEssayistjustbelowinformsusthatheoverheard，andwhichwastooshockingforhimtorepeat。
Itmusthavebeentolerablybad。——Remarkbytheeditorofalateredition。]
Isit，perhaps，asPlatosays，thattheyhaveformerlybeendebauchedyoungfellows？IhappenedonedaytobeinaplacewhereIcouldhearsomeoftheirtalkwithoutsuspicion;IamsorryIcannotrepeatit。
By’rlady，saidI，wehadneedgostudythephrasesofAmadis，andthetalesofBoccaccioandAretin，tobeabletodiscoursewiththem:weemployourtimetomuchpurposeindeed。Thereisneitherword，example，norsteptheyarenotmoreperfectinthanourbooks;’tisadisciplinethatspringswiththeirblood，"EtmentemipsaVenusdedit，"
["Venusherselfmadethemwhattheyare，"
——Virg。，Georg。，iii。267。]
whichthesegoodinstructors，nature，youth，andhealth，arecontinuallyinspiringthemwith;theyneednotlearn，theybreedit:
"Nectantumniveogavisaestullacolumbo，Compar，velsiquiddiciturimprobius，Osculamordentisemperdecerpererostro，Quantumpraecipuemultivolaestmulier。"
["Nomilk—whitedove，oriftherebeathingmorelascivious，takessomuchdelightinkissingaswoman，wishfulforeverymanshesees。"——Catullus，lxvi。125。]
Sothatifthenaturalviolenceoftheirdesirewerenotalittlerestrainedbyfearandhonour，whichwerewiselycontrivedforthem，weshouldbeallshamed。Allthemotionsintheworldresolveintoandtendtothisconjunction;’tisamatterinfusedthroughout:’tisacentretowhichallthingsaredirected。WeyetseetheedictsoftheoldandwiseRomemadefortheserviceoflove，andthepreceptsofSocratesfortheinstructionofcourtezans:
"NonconlibelliStoiciintersericosJacerepulvillosamant:"
["TherearewritingsoftheStoicswhichwefindlyinguponsilkencushions。"——Horace，Epod。，viii。15。]
Zeno，amongsthislaws，alsoregulatedthemotionstobeobservedingettingamaidenhead。WhatwasthephilosopherStrato’sbookOfCarnalConjunction？——[DiogenesLaertius，v。59。]——AndwhatdidTheophrastustreatofinthoseheintituled，theone’TheLover’，andtheother’OfLove？’OfwhatAristippusinhis’OfFormerDelights’？WhatdothesolongandlivelydescriptionsinPlatoofthelovesofhistimepretendto？andthebookcalled’TheLover’，ofDemetriusPhalereus？and’Clinias’，orthe’RavishedLover’，ofHeraclides;andthatofAntisthenes，’OfGettingChildren’，or，’OfWeddings’，andtheother，’OftheMasterortheLover’？AndthatofAristo:’OfAmorousExercises’
WhatthoseofCleanthes:one，’OfLove’，theother，’OftheArtofLoving’？TheamorousdialoguesofSphaereus？andthefableofJupiterandJuno，ofChrysippus，impudentbeyondalltoleration？Andhisfiftysolasciviousepistles？IwillletalonethewritingsofthephilosophersoftheEpicureansect，protectressofvoluptuousness。Fiftydeitieswere，intimepast，assignedtothisoffice;andtherehavebeennationswhere，toassuagethelustofthosewhocametotheirdevotion，theykeptmenandwomenintheirtemplesfortheworshipperstoliewith;
anditwasanactofceremonytodothisbeforetheywenttoprayers:
"Nimirumproptercontinentiamincontinentianecessariaest;
incendiumignibusextinguitur。"
["Forsoothincontinencyisnecessaryforcontinency’ssake;aconflagrationisextinguishedbyfire。"]
Inthegreatestpartoftheworld，thatmemberofourbodywasdeified;
inthesameprovince，someflayedofftheskintoofferandconsecrateapiece;othersofferedandconsecratedtheirseed。Inanother，theyoungmenpubliclycutthroughbetwixttheskinandthefleshofthatpartinseveralplaces，andthrustpiecesofwoodintotheopeningsaslongandthickastheywouldreceive，andofthesepiecesofwoodafterwardsmadeafireasanofferingtotheirgods;andwerereputedneithervigorousnorchaste，ifbytheforceofthatcruelpaintheyseemedtobeatalldismayed。Elsewherethemostsacredmagistratewasreverencedandacknowledgedbythatmemberandinseveralceremoniestheeffigyofitwascarriedinpomptothehonourofvariousdivinities。TheEgyptianladies，intheirBacchanalia，eachcarriedonefinely—carvedofwoodabouttheirnecks，aslargeandheavyasshecouldsocarryit;besideswhich，thestatueoftheirgodpresentedone，whichingreatnesssurpassedalltherestofhisbody。——[Herodotus，ii。48，says"nearlyaslargeasthebodyitself。"]——Themarriedwomen，neartheplacewhereIlive，makeoftheirkerchiefsthefigureofoneupontheirforeheads，toglorifythemselvesintheenjoymenttheyhaveofit;andcomingtobewidows，theythrowitbehind，andcoveritwiththeirheadcloths。ThemostmodestmatronsofRomethoughtitanhonourtoofferflowersandgarlandstothegodPriapus;andtheymadethevirgins，atthetimeoftheirespousals，situponhisshamefulparts。AndIknownotwhetherI
havenotinmytimeseensomeairoflikedevotion。Whatwasthemeaningofthatridiculouspieceofthechaussuyeofourforefathers，andthatisstillwornbyourSwiss？["Cod—piecesworn"——Cotton}——Towhatenddowemakeashowofourimplementsinfigureunderourbreeches，andoften，whichisworse，abovetheirnaturalsize，byfalsehoodandimposture？
Ihavehalfamindtobelievethatthissortofvestmentwasinventedinthebetterandmoreconscientiousages，thattheworldmightnotbedeceived，andthateveryoneshouldgiveapublicaccountofhisproportions:thesimplenationswearthemyet，andnearabouttherealsize。Inthosedays，thetailortookmeasureofit，astheshoemakerdoesnowofaman’sfoot。Thatgoodman，who，whenIwasyoung，geldedsomanynobleandancientstatuesinhisgreatcity，thattheymightnotcorruptthesightoftheladies，accordingtotheadviceofthisotherancientworthy:
"Flagitiiprincipiumest，nudareintergivescorpora，"
["’Tisthebeginningofwickednesstoexposetheirpersonsamongthecitizens"——Ennius，ap。Cicero，Tusc。Quaes。，iv。33。]
shouldhavecalledtomind，that，asinthemysteriesoftheBonaDea，allmasculineappearancewasexcluded，hedidnothing，ifhedidnotgeldhorsesandasses，inshort，allnature:
"Omneadeogenusinterris，hominumque，ferarumque，Etgenusaequoreum，pecudes，pictaequevolucres，Infuriasignemqueruunt。"
["Sothatalllivingthings，menandanimals，wildortame，andfishandgaudyfowl，rushtothisflameoflove。"
——Virgil，Georg。，iii。244。]
Thegods，saysPlato，havegivenusonedisobedientandunrulymemberthat，likeafuriousanimal，attempts，bytheviolenceofitsappetite，tosubjectallthingstoit;andsotheyhavegiventowomenonelikeagreedyandravenousanimal，which，ifitberefusedfoodinseason，growswild，impatientofdelay，andinfusingitsrageintotheirbodies，stopsthepassages，andhindersrespiration，causingathousandills，till，havingimbibedthefruitofthecommonthirst，ithasplentifullybedewedthebottomoftheirmatrix。Nowmylegislator——[ThePopewho，asMontaignehastoldus，tookitintohisheadtogeldthestatues。]——
shouldalsohaveconsideredthat，peradventure，itwereachasterandmorefruitfulusagetoletthemknowthefactasitisbetimes，thanpermitthemtoguessaccordingtothelibertyandheatoftheirownfancy;insteadoftherealpartstheysubstitute，throughhopeanddesire，othersthatarethreetimesmoreextravagant;andacertainfriendofminelosthimselfbyproducinghisinplaceandtimewhentheopportunitywasnotpresenttoputthemtotheirmoreserioususe。Whatmischiefdonotthosepicturesofprodigiousdimensiondothattheboysmakeuponthestaircasesandgalleriesoftheroyalhouses？theygivetheladiesacruelcontemptofournaturalfurniture。AndwhatdoweknowbutthatPlato，afterotherwell—institutedrepublics，orderedthatthemenandwomen，oldandyoung，shouldexposethemselvesnakedtotheviewofoneanother，inhisgymnasticexercises，uponthatveryaccount？TheIndianwomenwhoseethemenintheirnaturalstate，haveatleastcooledthesenseofseeing。AndletthewomenofthekingdomofPegusaywhattheywill，whobelowthewaisthavenothingtocoverthembutaclothslitbefore，andsostrait，thatwhatdecencyandmodestysoevertheypretendbyit，ateverystepallistobeseen，thatitisaninventiontoallurethementothem，andtodivertthemfromboys，towhomthatnationisgenerallyinclined;yet，peradventuretheylosemorebyitthantheyget，andonemayventuretosay，thatanentireappetiteismoresharpthanonealreadyhalf—gluttedbytheeyes。Liviawaswonttosay，thattoavirtuouswomananakedmanwasbutastatue。TheLacedaemonianwomen，morevirginswhenwivesthanourdaughtersare，saweverydaytheyoungmenoftheircitystrippednakedintheirexercises，themselveslittleheedingtocovertheirthighsinwalking，believingthemselves，saysPlato，sufficientlycoveredbytheirvirtuewithoutanyotherrobe。
Butthose，ofwhomSt。Augustinspeaks，havegivennudityawonderfulpoweroftemptation，whohavemadeitadoubt，whetherwomenatthedayofjudgmentshallriseagainintheirownsex，andnotratherinours，forfearoftemptingusagaininthatholystate。Inbrief，weallureandfleshthembyallsortsofways:weincessantlyheatandstiruptheirimagination，andthenwefindfault。Letusconfessthetruth;
thereisscarceoneofuswhodoesnotmoreapprehendtheshamethataccruestohimbythevicesofhiswifethanbyhisown，andthatisnotmoresolicitous（awonderfulcharity）oftheconscienceofhisvirtuouswifethanofhisown;whohadnotrathercommittheftandsacrilege，andthathiswifewasamurderessandaheretic，thanthatsheshouldnotbemorechastethanherhusband:anunjustestimateofvices。Bothweandtheyarecapableofathousandcorruptionsmoreprejudicialandunnaturalthanlust:butweweighvices，notaccordingtonature，butaccordingtoourinterest;bywhichmeanstheytakesomanyunequalforms。
Theausterityofourdecreesrenderstheapplicationofwomentothisvicemoreviolentandviciousthanitsownconditionneeds，andengagesitinconsequencesworsethantheircause:theywillreadilyoffertogotothelawcourtstoseekforgain，andtothewarstogetreputation，ratherthaninthemidstofeaseanddelights，tohavetokeepsodifficultaguard。Donottheyverywellseethatthereisneithermerchantnorsoldierwhowillnotleavehisbusinesstorunafterthissport，ortheporterorcobbler，toiledandtiredoutastheyarewithlabourandhunger？
"Numtu，quxtenuitdivesAchaemenes，AutpinguisPhrygiaeMygdoniasopes，PermutareveliscrineLicymnim？
PlenasautArabumdomos，DumfragrantiadetorquetadosculaCervicem，autfacilisxvitianegat，Quaeposcentemagisgaudeateripi，Interdumrapereoccupet？"
["WouldstthounotexchangeallthatthewealthyArhaemeneshad，ortheMygdonianrichesoffertilePhrygia，foroneringletofLicymnia’shair？orthetreasuresoftheArabians，whensheturnsherheadtoyouforfragrantkisses，orwitheasilyassuagedangerdeniesthem，whichshewouldratherbyfaryoutookbyforce，andsometimesherselfsnatchesone！"——Horace，Od。，ii。12，21。]
IdonotknowwhethertheexploitsofAlexanderandCaesarreallysurpasstheresolutionofabeautifulyoungwoman，bredupafterourfashion，inthelightandcommerceoftheworld，assailedbysomanycontraryexamples，andyetkeepingherselfentireinthemidstofathousandcontinualandpowerfulsolicitations。Thereisnodoingmoredifficultthanthatnotdoing，normoreactive:
Iholditmoreeasytocarryasuitofarmourallthedaysofone’slifethanamaidenhead;andthevowofvirginityofallothersisthemostnoble，asbeingthehardesttokeep:
"Diabolivirtusinlumbisest，"
saysSt。Jerome。Wehave，doubtless，resignedtotheladiesthemostdifficultandmostvigorousofallhumanendeavours，andletusresigntothemtheglorytoo。Thisoughttoencouragethemtobeobstinateinit;
’tisabravethingforthemtodefyus，andtospurnunderfootthatvainpre—eminenceofvalourandvirtuethatwepretendtohaveoverthem;theywillfindiftheydobutobserveit，thattheywillnotonlybemuchmoreesteemedforit，butalsomuchmorebeloved。Agallantmandoesnotgiveoverhispursuitforbeingrefused，provideditbearefusalofchastity，andnotofchoice;wemayswear，threaten，andcomplaintomuchpurpose;
wethereindobutlie，forwelovethemallthebetter:thereisnoallurementlikemodesty，ifitbenotrudeandcrabbed。’Tisstupidityandmeannesstobeobstinateagainsthatredanddisdain;butagainstavirtuousandconstantresolution，mixedwithgoodwill，’tistheexerciseofanobleandgeneroussoul。Theymayacknowledgeourservicetoacertaindegree，andgiveuscivillytounderstandthattheydisdainusnot;forthelawthatenjoinsthemtoabominateusbecauseweadorethem，andtohateusbecausewelovethem，iscertainlyverycruel，ifbutforthedifficultyofit。Whyshouldtheynotgiveeartoouroffersandrequests，solongastheyarekeptwithintheboundsofmodesty？
whereforeshouldwefancythemtohaveotherthoughtswithin，andtobeworsethantheyseem？Aqueenofourtimesaidwithspirit，"thattorefusethesecourtesiesisatestimonyofweaknessinwomenandaself—
accusationoffacility，andthataladycouldnotboastofherchastitywhowasnevertempted。"
Thelimitsofhonourarenotcutsoshort;theymaygivethemselvesalittlerein，andrelaxalittlewithoutbeingfaulty:thereliesonthefrontiersomespacefree，indifferent，andneuter。Hethathasbeatenandpursuedherintoherfortisastrangefellowifhebenotsatisfiedwithhisfortune:thepriceoftheconquestisconsideredbythedifficulty。Wouldyouknowwhatimpressionyourserviceandmerithavemadeinherheart？Judgeofitbyherbehaviour。Suchanonemaygrantmore，whodoesnotgrantsomuch。Theobligationofabenefitwhollyrelatestothegoodwillofthosewhoconferit:theothercoincidentcircumstancesaredumb，dead，andcasual;itcostsherdearertograntyouthatlittle，thanitwoulddohercompaniontograntall。Ifinanythingraritygiveestimation，itoughtespeciallyinthis:donotconsiderhowlittleitisthatisgiven，buthowfewhaveittogive;
thevalueofmoneyaltersaccordingtothecoinageandstampoftheplace。Whateverthespiteandindiscretionofsomemaymakethemsayintheexcessoftheirdiscontent，virtueandtruthwillintimerecoveralltheadvantage。Ihaveknownsomewhosereputationhasforagreatwhilesufferedunderslander，whohaveafterwardsbeenrestoredtotheworld’suniversalapprobationbytheirmereconstancywithoutcareorartifice;
everyonerepents，andgiveshimselfthelieforwhathehasbelievedandsaid;andfromgirlsalittlesuspectedtheyhavebeenafterwardadvancedtothefirstrankamongsttheladiesofhonour。SomebodytoldPlatothatalltheworldspokeillofhim。"Letthemtalk，"saidhe;"Iwilllivesoastomakethemchangetheirnote。"BesidesthefearofGod，andthevalueofsorareaglory，whichoughttomakethemlooktothemselves，thecorruptionoftheageweliveincompelsthemtoit;andifIwerethey，thereisnothingIwouldnotratherdothanintrustmyreputationinsodangeroushands。Inmytimethepleasureoftelling（apleasurelittleinferiortothatofdoing）wasnotpermittedbuttothosewhohadsomefaithfulandonlyfriend;butnowtheordinarydiscourseandcommontable—talkisnothingbutboastsoffavoursreceivedandthesecretliberalityofladies。Inearnest，’tistooabject，toomuchmeannessofspirit，inmentosuffersuchungrateful，indiscreet，andgiddy—headedpeoplesotopersecute，forage，andriflethosetenderandcharmingfavours。
Thisourimmoderateandillegitimateexasperationagainstthisvicespringsfromthemostvainandturbulentdiseasethatafflictshumanminds，whichisjealousy:
"Quisvetatappositolumendeluminesumi？
Dentlicetassidue，niltamenindeperit;"
["Whosaysthatonelightshouldnotbelightedfromanotherlight？
Letthemgiveeversomuch，asmucheverremainstolose。"——Ovid，DeArteAmandi，iii。93。Themeasureofthelastlineisnotgood;
butthewordsaretakenfromtheepigramintheCatalectaentitledPriapus。]
she，andenvy，hersister，seemtometobethemostfoolishofthewholetroop。Astothelast，Icansaylittleaboutit;’tisapassionthat，thoughsaidtobesomightyandpowerful，hadnevertodowithme。Astotheother，Iknowitbysight，andthat’sall。Beastsfeelit;theshepherdCratis，havingfalleninlovewithashe—goat，thehe—goat，outofjealousy，came，ashelayasleep，tobutttheheadofthefemale，andcrushedit。Wehaveraisedthisfevertoagreaterexcessbytheexamplesofsomebarbarousnations;thebestdisciplinedhavebeentouchedwithit，and’tisreason，butnottransported:
"EnsemaritalinemoconfossusadulterPurpureoStygiassanguinetinxitaquas。"
["NeverdidadultererslainbyahusbandstainwithpurplebloodtheStygianwaters。"]
Lucullus，Caesar，Pompey，Antony，Cato，andotherbravemenwerecuckolds，andknewit，withoutmakinganybustleaboutit;therewasinthosedaysbutonecoxcomb，Lepidus，thatdiedforgriefthathiswifehadusedhimso。
"Ah！tumtemiserummaliquefati，Quemattractispedibus，patenteporta，Percurrentraphaniquemugilesque:"
["Wretchedman！when，takeninthefact，thouwiltbedraggedoutofdoorsbytheheels，andsufferthepunishmentofthyadultery。"——Catullus，xv。17。]
andthegodofourpoet，whenhesurprisedoneofhiscompanionswithhiswife，satisfiedhimselfbyputtingthemtoshameonly，"AtquealiquisdedisnontristibusoptatSicfieriturpis:"
["Andoneofthemerrygodswishesthatheshouldhimselfliketobesodisgraced。"——Ovid，Metam。，iv。187。]
andneverthelesstookangeratthelukewarmembracesshegavehim;
complainingthatuponthataccountshewasgrownjealousofhisaffection:
"Quidcausaspetisexalto？fiduciacessitQuotibi，diva，mei？"
["Dostthouseekcausesfromabove？Why，goddess，hasyourconfidenceinmeceased？"——Virgil，AEneid，viii。395。]
nay，sheentreatsarmsforabastardofhers，"Arenarogogenitrixnato。"
["I，amother，askarmourforason。"——Idem，ibid。，383。]
whicharefreelygranted;andVulcanspeakshonourablyofAEneas，"Armaacrifaciendaviro，"
["Armsaretobemadeforavalianthero。"——AEneid，viii。441。]
with，intruth，amorethanhumanhumanity。AndIamwillingtoleavethisexcessofkindnesstothegods:
"Necdivishominescomponieraequumest。"
["Norisitfittocomparemenwithgods。"
——Catullus，lxviii。141。]
Astotheconfusionofchildren，besidesthatthegravestlegislatorsordainandaffectitintheirrepublics，ittouchesnotthewomen，wherethispassionis，Iknownothow，muchbetterseated:
"SaepeetiamJuno，maximacoelicolam，Conjugisinculpaflagravitquotidiana。"
["OftenwasJuno，greatestoftheheaven—dwellers，enragedbyherhusband’sdailyinfidelities。"——Idem，ibid。]
Whenjealousyseizesthesepoorsouls，weakandincapableofresistance，’tispitytoseehowmiserablyittormentsandtyrannisesoverthem;itinsinuatesitselfintothemunderthetitleoffriendship，butafterithasoncepossessedthem，thesamecausesthatservedforafoundationofgood—willservethemforafoundationofmortalhatred。’Tis，ofallthediseasesofthemind，thatwhichthemostthingsserveforalimentandthefewestforremedy:thevirtue，health，merit，reputationofthehusbandareincendiariesoftheirfuryandill—will:
"Nullaesuntinimicitiae，nisiamoris，acerbae。"
["Noenmitiesarebitter，savethatoflove。"
（Or:）"Nohateisimplacableexceptthehatredoflove"
——Propertius，ii。8，3。]
Thisfeverdefacesandcorruptsalltheyhaveofbeautifulandgoodbesides;andthereisnoactionofajealouswoman，letherbehowchasteandhowgoodahousewifesoever，thatdoesnotrelishofangerandwrangling;’tisafuriousagitation，thatreboundsthemtoanextremityquitecontrarytoitscause。ThisheldgoodwithoneOctaviusatRome。
HavinglainwithPontiaPosthumia，heaugmentedlovewithfruition，andsolicitedwithallimportunitytomarryher:unabletopersuadeher，thisexcessiveaffectionprecipitatedhimtotheeffectsofthemostcruelandmortalhatred:hekilledher。Inlikemanner，theordinarysymptomsofthisotheramorousdiseaseareintestinehatreds，privateconspiracies，andcabals:
"Notumquefurensquidfaeminapossit，"
["Anditisknownwhatanangrywomaniscapableofdoing。"
——AEneid，V。21。]
andaragewhichsomuchthemorefretsitself，asitiscompelledtoexcuseitselfbyapretenceofgood—will。
Now，thedutyofchastityisofavastextent;isitthewillthatwewouldhavethemrestrain？Thisisaverysuppleandactivething;athingverynimble，tobestayed。How？ifdreamssometimesengagethemsofarthattheycannotdenythem:itisnotinthem，nor，peradventure，inchastityitself，seeingthatisafemale，todefenditselffromlustanddesire。Ifweareonlytotrusttotheirwill，whatacasearewein，then？Dobutimaginewhatcrowdingtherewouldbeamongstmeninpursuanceoftheprivilegetorunfullspeed，withouttongueoreyes，intoeverywoman’sarmswhowouldacceptthem。TheScythianwomenputouttheeyesofalltheirslavesandprisonersofwar，thattheymighthavetheirpleasureofthem，andtheyneverthewiser。O，thefuriousadvantageofopportunity！Shouldanyoneaskme，whatwasthefirstthingtobeconsideredinlovematters，Ishouldanswerthatitwashowtotakeafittingtime;andsothesecond;andsothethird——’tisapointthatcandoeverything。Ihavesometimeswantedfortune，butIhavealsosometimesbeenwantingtomyselfinmattersofattempt。