345 Be barr'd that happiness, might we but hear Or, while we speak, within the direful grasp Of favage hunger, or of favage heat? 350 Eld. Bro. Peace, Brother, be not over-exquifite To caft the fashion of uncertain evils; 360 For grant they be fo, while they rest unknown, What need a man forestall his date of grief, And run to meet what he would moft avoid? How bitter is fuch felf-delufion? 365 I do not think my Sifter so to seek, Or fo unprincipled in virtue's book, And the sweet peace that goodness bosoms ever, As that the fingle want of light and noise (Not being in danger, as I trust she is not) 370 Could Could ftir the constant mood of her calm thoughts, And put them into mis-becoming plight. Virtue could fee to do what virtue would By her own radiant light, though fun and moon Were in the flat sea sunk. And wisdom's felf 375 Oft feeks to sweet retired folitude, Where with her beft nurse contemplation She plumes her feathers, and lets grow her wings, Were all too ruffled, and fometimes impair'd. 380 But he that hides a dark soul, and foul thoughts, 2. Bro. 'Tis moft true, That musing meditation most affects Far from the chearful haunt of men and herds, 385 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 Hefperian tree Laden with blooming gold, had need the guard 395 You may as well spread out the unfunn'd heaps And tell me it is safe, as bid me hope I fear the dread events that dog them both, Left fome ill-greeting touch attempt the perfon Eld. Bro. I do not, Brother, 400 405 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, 415 My Sifter is not fo defenseless left As you imagin; she' has a hidden ftrength 2. Bro. What hidden strength, Unless the strength of Heav'n, if you mean that? 420 Eld. Bro. Imean 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 cómplete steel, And like a quiver'd nymph with arrows keen 425 Infamous hills, and fandy perilous wilds, Yea there, where very desolation dwells 430 By grots, and caverns fhagg'd with horrid fhades, 435 440 Do ye believe me yet, or fhall I call 445 Hence had the huntress Dian her dread bow, And noble grace that dafh'd brute violence P 3 450 With With fudden adoration, and blank awe? 455 460 And turns it by degrees to the foul's effence, 465 Ling'ring, and fitting by a new made grave, As loath to leave the body that it lov'd, And link'd itself by carnal sensuality To a degenerate and degraded state. 470 475 2. Bro. How charming is divine philosophy! Not harsh, and crabbed, as dull fools fuppofe, 480 But musical as is Apollo's lute, And a perpetual feast of nectar'd sweets, Where |