VIRGINITY is an entire _State of Nature_ in this Point; and nothing else, than the _Integrity_ of the _Muliebrian Parts_ from the Violence of _Virile Congress_.
TOUCHING the real _Signs_ of _VIRGINITY_, many learned _Controversies_ have risen; particularly as to the _Membrane_, call’d HYMEN: _Some_ great _Anatomists_ and _Physicians_[25] strenuously denying its _Existence_, and representing it as some _preternatural Production_; and _Others_[26] as vigorously maintaining the contrary Opinion. Upon which _Contention_, if I may humbly offer my _Sentiment_; the _later Authorities_ are so commonly receiv’d, that (I think) this _Dispute_ sufficiently decided.
WE find the _Reality_ of it has been abundantly confirm’d by the _Greeks_, as it was discover’d by the _Arabians_ of old: And the _Gentiles_, for that very Reason, call’d their _Nuptial God_, HYMENEUS. But, moreover, being since so positively asserted, by so many _famous_ and _learned Men_, who openly vouch and aver that they have found and seen it; I do not see why we should longer doubt of this _Membrane’s_ being to be found in _Most_, if not in _All_, _VIRGINS_, to distinguish them from the rest of their _Sex_: Especially since ’tis certain, that something _extraordinary_ happens in the first COITION, which made _Terentius_ call it, _Coitio Acerrima_. Upon which Notion, _Catullus’s_ Verses are very elegant and _à propos_: viz.
_“Ut flos in Septis secretus nascitur hortis, “Ignotus pecori, nullo contusus Aratro; “Quem mulcent Auræ, firmat Sol, educat Imber, “Multi illum Pueri, multæ optavêre Puellæ: “Idem cùm tenui carptus defloruit ungui, “Nulli illum Pueri, nullæ optavêre Puellæ. “Sic Virgo dum intacta manet, tum chara suis; sed “Cùm Castum amisit polluto Corpore florem, “Nec Pueris jucunda manet, nec grata Puellis._
This I take to be a notable _Emblem_ both of the _HYMEN_ and of _VIRGINITY_ itself.
OTHERS again affirm, that the _Effusion of Blood_, in the first ACT, is common to all _VIRGINS_; founded upon the _Authority_ of the 22d Chap. of _Deut_. &c: By which ’tis plain, that _this Criterion_ or _Mark_, has been of the nicest _Consequence_ among the JEWS; as also in several other _Nations_: according to _Claudianus_ in the _Epithalamium_ of _Honorius_, viz.—