Ma. What do you talk of?  Is Virginity to be violated, that it may be learned?

Pa. Why not?  As by little and little drinking Wine sparingly, we learn to be abstemious.  Which do you think is the most temperate Person, he that is sitting at a Table full of Delicacies, and abstains from them, or he who is out of the Reach of those Things that incite Intemperance?

Ma. I think he is the most temperate Person, that the greatest Plenty can’t debauch.

Pa. Which is the most laudable for Chastity, he that castrates himself, or he that having his Members entire, forbears Venery?

Ma. The latter, in my Opinion:  I should call the former a Madman.

Pa. Don’t they in a Manner castrate themselves, that abjure Matrimony?

Ma. I think they do.

Pa. Then it is no Virtue to forbear Coition.

Ma. Is it not?

Pa. I prove it thus; if it were of itself a Virtue not to copulate, it were a Sin to do it:  so that it follows of Consequence, it is a Fault not to copulate, and a Virtue to do it.

Ma. When does this Case happen?

Pa. As often as the Husband requires his due of his Wife; especially if he would embrace her for the Sake of Procreation.

Ma. But if it be out of Wantonness?  Is it not lawful to deny him?

Pa. He may be admonish’d or dissuaded by soft Language to forbear; but if he insists upon it, he ought not to be refus’d.  But I hear very few Husbands complain of their Wives upon this Account.

Ma. But Liberty is a very sweet Thing.

Pa. Virginity is rather a greater Burthen.  I will be your King, and you shall be my Queen, and we’ll govern the Family according to our Pleasure:  And do you think that a Bondage?

Ma. Marriage is called a Halter.

Pa. They deserve a Halter that call it so.  Pray tell me, is not your Soul and Body bound together?

Ma. Yes, I think they are.

Pa. Just like a Bird in a Cage; and yet, ask it if it would be freed from it, I believe it will say, no:  And what’s the Reason of that?  Because it is bound by its own Consent.

Ma. But we have neither of us got much of Portion.

Pa. We are the safer for that, you shall add to it at Home by good Housewifery, and that is not without good Reason said to be a great Revenue, and I’ll increase it abroad by my Industry.

Ma. But Children bring a great many Cares along with them.

Pa. Have done with Scruples.

Ma. Would you have me marry a dead Man?

Pa. No, but I shall come to Life again then.

Ma. Well, you have removed my Objection.  My Pamphilus, farewell.

Pa. Do you take Care of that.

Ma. I wish you a good Night.  Why do you sigh?