Poems, with a maske by Thomas Carew ... ; the songs were set in musick by Mr. Henry Lawes ...

2. Feminine Honour.

IN what esteem did the Gods hold Fair Innocence, and the chast bed, When scandall'd vertue might be bold, Bare foot, upon sharp Cultures spread O'r burning coles to march, yet feel Nor scorching fire, nor piercing steel?

Why, when the hard edg'd Iron did turn Soft as a bed of Roses blown, When cruell flames forgot to burn Their chast pure limbs, should man alone Gainst female Innocence conspire, Harder than steel, fiercer than fire?

Oh haplesse sex! Vnequall sway Of partiall Honour! who may know Rebels from subjects that obey, When malice can on Vestals throw Disgrace, and Fame fix high repute On the close shameless Prostitute?

Vain Honour! thou art but disguise, A cheating voyce, a jugling art, No judge of vertue, whose pure eyes Court her own Image in the heart, More pleas'd with her true figure there, Than her false Eccho in the ear.