rt; [4967]_forma verecundae,
nocuit mihi visa puellae_; but much more when those artificial enticements
and provocations of gestures, clothes, jewels, pigments, exornations, shall
be annexed unto it; those other circumstances, opportunity of time and
place shall concur, which of themselves alone were all sufficient, each one
in particular to produce this effect. It is a question much controverted by
some wise men, _forma debeat plus arti an naturae_? Whether natural or
artificial objects be more powerful? but not decided: for my part I am of
opinion, that though beauty itself be a great motive, and give an excellent
lustre _in sordibus_, in beggary, as a jewel on a dunghill will shine and
cast his rays, it cannot be suppressed, which Heliodorus feigns of
Chariclia, though she were in beggar's weeds: yet as it is used, artificial
is of more force, and much to be preferred.

[4968] "Sic dentata sibi videtur Aegle,
Emptis ossibus Indicoque cornu;
Sic quae nigrior est cadente moro,
Cerussata sibi placet Lychoris."

"So toothless Aegle seems a pretty one,
Set out with new-bought teeth of Indy bone:
So foul Lychoris blacker than berry
Herself admires, now finer than cherry."

John Lerius the Burgundian, _cap. 8. hist. navigat. in Brazil._ is
altogether on my side. For whereas (saith he) at our coming to Brazil, we
found both men and women naked as they were born, without any covering, so
much as of their privities, and could not be persuaded, by our Frenchmen
that lived a year with them, to wear any, [4969]"Many will think that our
so long commerce with naked women, must needs be a great provocation to
lust;" but he concludes otherwise, that their nakedness did much less
entice them to lasciviousness, than our women's clothes. "And I dare boldly
affirm" (saith he) "that those glittering attires, counterfeit colours,
headgears, curled hairs, plaited coats, cloaks, gowns, costly stomachers,
guarded and loose garments, and all those other accoutrements, wherewith
our countrywomen counterfeit a beauty, and so curiously set out themselves,
cause more inconvenience in this kind, than that barbarian homeliness,
although they be no whit inferior unto them in beauty. I could evince the
truth of this by many other arguments, but I appeal" (saith he) "to my
companions at that present, which were all of the same mind." His
countryman, Montague, in his essays, is of the same opinio