I BR. I do not, Brother

Infer, as if I thought my Sister's state

Secure without all doubt, or controversy;

Yet where an equal poise of hope and fear

Does arbitrate th' event, my nature is

That I incline to hope, rather than fear,

And gladly banish squint suspicion.

My Sister is not so defenceless left,

As you imagine; she has a hidden strength
Which you remember not.

2 BR. What hidden strength,

Unless the strength of Heav'n, if you mean that?

I BR. I mean that too, but yet a hidden strength, Which, if Heav'n gave it, may be term'd her own; 'Tis chastity, my Brother, chastity:

She that has that, is clad in complete steel,
And like a quiver'd Nymph with arrows keen
May trace huge forests, and unharbour'd heaths,
Infamous hills, and sandy perilous wilds,
Where through the sacred rays of chastity,
No savage fierce, bandit, or mountaineer
Will dare to soil her virgin purity:
Yea there, where very desolation dwells,

By grots, and caverns shagg'd with horrid shades,
She may pass on with unblench'd majesty,
Be it not done in pride, or in presumption.
Some say no evil thing that walks by night,
In fog, or fire, by lake, or moorish fen,
Blue meagre hag, or stubborn unlaid ghost,
That breaks his magic chains at curfew time,
No goblin, or swart faery of the mine,
Hath hurtful power o'er true virginity.