You Lordlings, all that present be this Tragedy to hear,
Note well what zeal and love herein doth well appear:
And, ladies, you that linked are in wedlock bands for ever,
Do imitate the life you see, whose fame will perish never.
But Virgins you, O Ladies fair, for honour of your name.
Do lead the life apparent here to win immortal fame.
Let not the blinded God of Love, as poets term him so,
Nor Venus with her venery, nor lechers, cause of woe,
Your Virgins’ name to spot or file: dear dames, observe the life[153]
That fair Virginia did observe, who rather wish[ed] the knife