I would not however be understood, by any thing I have here said, to discourage that natural Modesty in the Sex, which renders a Retreat from the first Approaches of a Lover both fashionable and graceful:  All that I intend, is, to advise them, when they are prompted by Reason and Inclination, to demurr only out of Form, and so far as Decency requires.  A virtuous Woman should reject the first Offer of Marriage, as a good Man does that of a Bishoprick; but I would advise neither the one nor the other to persist in refusing what they secretly approve.  I would in this Particular propose the Example of Eve to all her Daughters, as Milton has represented her in the following Passage, which I cannot forbear transcribing intire, tho’ only the twelve last Lines are to my present Purpose.

The Rib he form’d and fashion’d with his Hands; Under his forming Hands a Creature grew, Man-like, but diff’rent Sex; so lovely fair!  That what seem’d fair in all the World, seem’d now Mean, or in her summ’d up, in her contain’d And in her Looks; which from that time infus’d Sweetness into my Heart, unfelt before:  And into all things from her Air inspir’d The Spirit of Love and amorous Delight.

  She disappear’d, and left me dark!  I wak’d
  To find her, or for ever to deplore
  Her Loss, and other Pleasures [all [1]] abjure;
  When out of Hope, behold her, not far off,
  Such as I saw her in my Dream, adorn’d
  With what all Earth or Heaven could bestow
  To make her amiable:  On she came,
  Led by her heav’nly Maker, though unseen,
  And guided by his Voice, nor uninform’d
  Of nuptial Sanctity and Marriage Rites: 
  Grace was in all her Steps, Heav’n in her Eye,
  In every Gesture Dignity and Love. 
  I overjoyed, could not forbear aloud.

  This Turn hath made Amends; thou hast fulfill’d
  Thy Words, Creator bounteous and benign! 
  Giver of all things fair! but fairest this
  Of all thy Gifts, nor enviest.  I now see
  Bone of my Bone, Flesh of my Flesh, my Self....

  She heard me thus, and tho’ divinely brought,
  Yet Innocence and Virgin Modesty,
  Her Virtue, and the Conscience of her Worth,
  That would be woo’d, and not unsought be won,
  Not obvious, not obtrusive, but retir’d
  The more desirable; or, to say all,
  Nature her self, tho’ pure of sinful Thought,
  Wrought in her so, that seeing me, she [turn’d [2]]
  I followed her:  she what was Honour knew,
  And with obsequious Majesty approved
  My pleaded Reason.  To the Nuptial Bower
  I led her blushing like the Morn [3]——­

[Footnote 1:  to]

[Footnote 2:  fled;]

[Footnote 3:  P. L. Bk.  VIII.]

* * * * *

No. 90.  Wednesday, June 13, 1711.  Addison.

      ’...  Magnus sine viribus Ignis
      Incassum furit’