, not for emperors and princes, but almost for
serving men and tailors; all the flowers, stars, constellations, gold and
precious stones do condescend to set out their shoes. To repress the luxury
of those Roman matrons, there was [5031]Lex Valeria and Oppia, and a Cato
to contradict; but no laws will serve to repress the pride and insolency of
our days, the prodigious riot in this kind. Lucullus's wardrobe is put down
by our ordinary citizens; and a cobbler's wife in Venice, a courtesan in
Florence, is no whit inferior to a queen, if our geographers say true: and
why is all this? "Why do they glory in their jewels" (as [5032]he saith)
"or exult and triumph in the beauty of clothes? why is all this cost? to
incite men the sooner to burning lust." They pretend decency and ornament;
but let them take heed, that while they set out their bodies they do not
damn their souls; 'tis [5033]Bernard's counsel: "shine in jewels, stink in
conditions; have purple robes, and a torn conscience." Let them take heed
of Isaiah's prophecy, that their slippers and attires be not taken from
them, sweet balls, bracelets, earrings, veils, wimples, crisping-pins,
glasses, fine linen, hoods, lawns, and sweet savours, they become not bald,
burned, and stink upon a sudden. And let maids beware, as [5034]Cyprian
adviseth, "that while they wander too loosely abroad, they lose not their
virginities:" and like Egyptian temples, seem fair without, but prove
rotten carcases within. How much better were it for them to follow that
good counsel of Tertullian? [5035]"To have their eyes painted with
chastity, the Word of God inserted into their ears, Christ's yoke tied to
the hair, to subject themselves to their husbands. If they would do so,
they should be comely enough, clothe themselves with the silk of sanctity,
damask of devotion, purple of piety and chastity, and so painted, they
shall have God himself to be a suitor: let whores and queans prank up
themselves, [5036]let them paint their faces with minion and ceruse, they
are but fuels of lust, and signs of a corrupt soul: if ye be good, honest,
virtuous, and religious matrons, let sobriety, modesty and chastity be your
honour, and God himself your love and desire." _Mulier recte olet, ubi
nihil olet_, then a woman smells best, when she hath no perfume at all; no
crown, chain, or jewel (Guivarra adds) is such an ornament to a virgin, or
virtuous woman, _quam virgini pudor_, as chastity is: more credit in a