Which, if Heaven gave it, may be termed her own.

’Tis chastity, my brother, chastity.”

(ll. 418–420.)

So The Lady herself witnesses, when in the great crisis of her life she appeals to faith, hope, and chastity; if need were, she is confident that heaven would send an angel to her defence.

“O, welcome, pure-eyed Faith, white-handed Hope,

Thou hovering angel, girt with golden wings,

And thou unblemished form of Chastity!

I see ye visibly, and now believe

That He, the Supreme Good, to whom all things ill

Are but as slavish officers of vengeance,