262 TREATISES ATTRIBUTED TO CYPRIAN. free,nor letany sortof forcebe intrudedupon God's works. She isalwayswretched who isnot satisfiedto be such as she is. Wherefore isthe colourof hairchanged ? Why are the edgesof the eyes darkened? Why is the face moulded by artintoa differentform? Finally,why is the looking-glass consulted,unlessfrom fearlesta woman should be herself? Moreover,the dressof a modest woman shouldbe modest ; a believershouldnot be consciousof adulteryeven in the mix tureof colours. To wear gold in one'sgarments isas if it were desirableto corruptone's garments. What do rigid metalsdo among the delicatethreadsof the woven textures, exceptto pressupon the enervatedshoulders,and unhappily to show the extravaganceof a boastfulsoul? Why are the necks oppressedand hidden by outlandishstones,the prices of which,withoutworkmanship, exceed the entirefortuneof many a one ? It is not the woman thatisadorned,but the woman's vicesthataremanifested. What, when the fingers ladenwith so much gold can neitherclosenor open, is there any advantage soughtfor,or is itmerely to show the empty parade of one'sestate? It isa marvellousthingthatwomen, tenderin allthingselse,in bearingthe burden of theirvices are strongerthan men. 13. But to return to what I began with : chastityis ever to be cultivatedby men and women ; itistobe kept with all watchfulnesswithinitsbounds. The bodilynatureisquickly endangered in the body,when the flesh,which isalways fall ing,carriesitaway with itself.Because under the pretext of a naturewhich isalways urging men to desireswhereby the ruinsof a decayed race are restored,deceivingwith the enticementof pleasure,itdoes not lead itsoffspringto the continenceof legitimateintercourse,but hurls them into crime. Therefore,in oppositionto thesefleshlysnares,by which the devilboth obtrudeshimself as a companion and makes himselfa leader,we must strugglewith every kindof strength. Let the aid of Christ be appropriated,accord ing to the apostle,and letthe mind be withdrawn asmuch as possiblefrom the associationof the body ; letconsentbe withheldfrom the body ; letvicesbe always chastised,that