The Anatomy of Melancholy

“A young fellow with a neatly trimmed, pointed beard,” says Jerome, “will come with a string of compliments, support you by the arm as you walk, and squeeze your fingers, enticing you or being enticed himself. One drinks to you, another embraces you, a third kisses you, while the fiddler plays or sings a lewd song. A fourth chooses you as his dancing partner. One speaks through nods and signs, expressing by emotional gestures what he dares not say. Amid so many powerful incitements to pleasure, lust conquers even the hardest and most unyielding minds; scarcely can anyone remain chaste amid feasting and entertainments or at such great gatherings.”

For, as he continues, “She walks along and draws men’s eyes with the rustling of her clothes. Her shoes creak; her breasts are bound up; her waist is drawn in to make her look small. She is tightly girdled, her hair hangs loose about her ears, and her outer garment sometimes falls and sometimes lingers, exposing her bare shoulders. Then, as though she did not wish to be seen, she hastily covers what she deliberately showed.”

Nor only at feasts, plays, pageants and similar gatherings: as Chrysostom complains, these tricks are practised during church services and even at Communion itself. If such silent displays, signs and more veiled expressions of love have so much power, what will those do who have complete freedom to sing, dance, kiss, embrace, and indulge in every kind of conversation and dalliance? What can a man do when besieged on every side?

Whom so many rosy girls pursue, Whom elegant women desire, and love On every side, from everywhere, unceasingly— All Love surrounds him, Venus too, and Hymen.

Whom so many rosy maidens seek, Whom dainty dames and loving people desire, Courted everywhere, continually, at all times, Whom gods and gentle goddesses woo;

How can he restrain himself?

The very sound of some women’s voices—a pretty, pleasing way of speaking, an affected tone they adopt—can by itself captivate a young man. But when wit joins in, with art and eloquence, enchanting speech, pleasant conversation and graceful gestures, the Sirens themselves cannot cast such a spell. Paolo Giovio praises his Italian countrywomen for excelling in this art above all other nations, especially the ladies of Florence. Some prefer Roman and Venetian courtesans: their tongues are so pleasing and their speech so elegant that they could overcome a saint.

For many women, their voice has served as a procuress in place of beauty.