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ND followeth her with ponderous mace,

Uplifted, round about the place

So fiercely, that ’twould seem as though

Her mistress she must overthrow

Within an hour.

O frail and weak

Is Chastity when both sides seek

Her death, and none appear to aid

Or help her; then, of all afraid,

She takes to flight.

If under oath

She were to fight, she yet were loth,

Knowing so little of the way

Of combat, to contest the day

Alone, for scarcely could she hope

With friend and foe alike to cope.

Alas! for traitorous Ugliness,

Whose duty ’twas and business

Frail Chastity to guard. I ween

Could she have hidden her between

Her skin and smock, she surely ought

Have popped her there as quick as thought.

Beauty, moreover, is to blame,

For Chastity may justly claim

Her love and reverence, and her peace

She ought to make with her, and cease