[5014] “Auferimur cultu, et gemmis, auroque teguntur
        Omnia; pars minima est ipsa puella sui.”

       “With gold and jewels all is covered,
          And with a strange tire we are won,
        (Whilst she’s the least part of herself)
          And with such baubles quite undone.”

Why do they keep in so long together, a whole winter sometimes, and will not be seen but by torch or candlelight, and come abroad with all the preparation may be, when they have no business, but only to show themselves? Spectatum veniunt, veniunt spectentur ut ipsae.

[5015] “For what is beauty if it be not seen,
        Or what is’t to be seen if not admir’d,
        And though admir’d, unless in love desir’d?”

why do they go with such counterfeit gait, which [5016]Philo Judeus reprehends them for, and use (I say it again) such gestures, apish, ridiculous, indecent attires, sybaritical tricks, fucos genis, purpurissam venis, cerussam fronti, leges occulis, &c. use those sweet perfumes, powders and ointments in public; flock to hear sermons so frequent, is it for devotion? or rather, as [5017]Basil tells them, to meet their sweethearts, and see fashions; for, as he saith, commonly they come so provided to that place, with such curious compliments, with such gestures and tires, as if they should go to a dancing-school, a stage-play, or bawdy-house, fitter than a church.

       “When such a she-priest comes her mass to say,
        Twenty to one they all forget to pray.”

“They make those holy temples, consecrated to godly martyrs and religious uses, the shops of impudence, dens of whores and thieves, and little better than brothel houses.”  When we shall see these things daily done, their husbands bankrupts, if not cornutos, their wives light housewives, daughters dishonest; and hear of such dissolute acts, as daily we do, how should we think otherwise? what is their end, but to deceive and inveigle young men?  As tow takes fire, such enticing objects produce their effect, how can it be altered?  When Venus stood before Anchises (as [5018]Homer feigns in one of his hymns) in her costly robes, he was instantly taken,

       “Cum ante ipsum staret Jovis filia, videns eam
        Anchises, admirabatur formam, et stupendas vestes;
        Erat enim induta peplo, igneis radiis spiendidiore;
        Habebat quoque torques fulgidos, flexiles haelices,
        Tenerum collum ambiebant monilia pulchra,
        Aurea, variegata.”------

       “When Venus stood before Anchises first,
        He was amaz’d to see her in her tires;
        For she had on a hood as red as fire,
        And glittering chains, and ivy-twisted spires,
        About her tender neck were costly brooches,
        And necklaces of gold, enamell’d ouches.”

So when Medea came in presence of Jason first, attended by her nymphs and ladies, as she is described by [5019]Apollonius,