Of MODESTY

Some covet to be deck'd in rich Attire, With Gold and Pearl, that others may admire, Esteem, and honour them; and that they may Advance a Beauty, that will soon decay. If Imperfections did not lodge within, What mean these Deckings of the fading Skin? They, in whose noble Breast true Virtue dwells, Need not so much t'adorn their outward Shells; For Modesty doth many Ways express, To all Observers, innate Comliness: Modest Attire, and Meekness, signify A Mind compos'd of native Purity; Needs no Appendices for to set forth A Jewel of more admired Worth, Than Indian Mines can boast; those beautify A Sepulchre, and make it fair to th' Eye; But this shews innate Worth, and adds thereto Such Lustre, those alone could never shew: For where there is a chaste retired Mind, Th' Apparel, Gesture, Speech, and Looks confin'd Within the Bounds of Modesty, proclaim An upright Heart, kept clear from Spot or Stain: This both adorns the Gravity of Age, And doth in blooming Years timely presage A right heroic Heart; where Liberty, That's inconsistent with true Modesty, Is not desir'd: Such study to behave Themselves discreetly, modest, meek, and grave; But if a Smile appear, such as a Child Reflects on's his Mother, in Love undefil'd, 'Tis guarded with such simple Innocence, As gives no just Occasion of Offence. For Modesty in Covenant doth bind The Eyes, lest they prove Traitors to the Mind; But ne'er instructs the Hand to plant a Snare, Lay Nets with gaudy Garments, plaited Hair, Or other golden Superfluities, To captivate vain Hearts, and wand'ring Eyes: No, it abhors whatever seems to be A Blemish unto chaste Simplicity: Yet proves itself a far more potent Charm, Than wanton Looks, but daunts approaching Harm, Like some strong Fortress, whence the Enemy Retreats, despairing of a Victory. Thus Modesty, and spotless Innocence, Is often to itself a sure Defence. This is the Virgin's Ornament, whereby Beauty's adorn'd; for this doth beautify, Where fading Colours flourish not, and may Be term'd a Dow'r, whose Worth shall ne'er decay. Sure Men, as Men, cannot forget to prize it; Tho' some, as Brutes, not minding it, despise it; Else would their Words and Gesture rarely be So poisonous, with gross Impiety: Obscene Discourse, that horrid Smoke that fumes From scorching Darkness, that within consumes Some broil'd tormented Hearts, cannot proceed From a chaste Breast, no Rose brings forth a Weed. For this doth always constantly retain Such an Abhorrence of all frothy, vain, Absurd Expressions, that 'twill manifest, The sad Resentment of a troubled Breast, In crimson Colours; which do oft appear In modest Blushes, when th' unwilling Ear Is made Partaker of such Words as be A bold Affront to spotless Modesty. Although there doth no inward Guilt upbraid, Or bring Indictment; yet with Looks dismay'd, They signify Disgust, and seem to fear They should be censur'd, being present where Such Words were utter'd (though injuriously) As one with them in the Conspiracy. Some say, 'tis Treason but to lend an Ear To treasonable Speeches, and forbear T' accuse, or else to leave the Company. Thus chaste Clitomachus, through Modesty Quickly departing, shew'd that he abhorr'd The needless Guilt of an uncivil Word, Whene'er he heard it; and 'twas worthily Recorded, to instruct Posterity. For though the Dictates in each human Breast, Would, if observ'd, teach all Men to detest Such criminal Expressions, as declare Their Owners odious to a modest Ear; Yet Precedents of Virtue may be found Of good Effect, when those of Vice abound. Nor let it seem to any sober Mind A Paradox, that Modesty should find A Place in either Sex, although it be Ascribed to the one peculiarly. Reason, that honours Mankind more than Beast, Gives forth its Laws and Dictates in each Breast; Virtue should therefore in both Sexes dwell; Some may in these, and some in those, excel: Yet this, with many more, are not confin'd To either solely; but the prudent Mind In both embrace it; for it regulates Deportment both in high and low Estates: For where she dwells, insulting Arrogance, Or any unbecoming Confidence, Must not remain, lest these defile and stain The Heart, where Virtue should prevail & reign; That Modesty may by its Influence, Hide and avoid Occasion of Offence. As Scripture Record to Posterity, Doth chronicle the virgin Modesty Of Shem and Japhet, who went back to hide The Nakedness their Brother did deride; On whom the Curse became thereby entail'd To after Ages, but a Blessing seal'd To them, and to their Progeny, whose Names (Like to a precious Ointment, that retains Its Fragancy) shall still inherit Praise, And be a Precedent to latter Days. For though the Memory of some doth rot, Virtue shall live, and never be forgot: The wise in Heart esteem it, and thereby Order their Conversation prudently, And would not an unseemly Act commit, Though mortal Eye should ne'er discover it: For Modesty, that in their Bosom reigns, Detests and loaths whatever spots or stains; Restraining from all Rudeness, it inclines To Gravity and Meekness, and refines The Languages intimating, that we should Be swift to hear, but never overbold To speak, though eloquent; and then take heed Lest Words extravagantly may exceed A mild and civil Tone; for spoken loud, They seem to summons in the list'ning Croud: Nor should they savour of Scurrility; For these are not the Effects of Modesty, Which never can delight in Calumnies, Abusing others with Tongue-injuries, Although revil'd: Civility disdains To vie in Folly, where no Prize pertains Unto the Victors; the true noble Mind Conquers a Wrong by Patience is resign'd For Virtue's Sake to bear, that Reason may Be re-enthron'd, and Passion pass away. Th' Examples, which the Ancients did afford Hereto, are many, left upon Record; For civil Nature's Dictates in each Breast, Do far exceed what here can be express'd.