THE LUST FOR DEFLOWERING VIRGINS

The lusts discussed in the next four chapters are not merely adulterous lusts, but more serious than these, since they do not arise except as the result of adultery; for they are seized on by those who have become tired of adultery. For instance, the lust for deflowering virgins, the first subject, something which cannot previously arise in any case. Equally the following subjects: the lust for variety, the lust for rape and the lust for seducing the innocent. These are called lusts, because they are made one's own in proportion to their scale and nature.

As regards the lust for deflowering in particular, this will be set forth in the following sequence, to provide an evident proof that it is a crime. (i) The state of a virgin or untouched woman before marriage and after marriage. (ii) Virginity is the crown of chastity and a pledge of conjugial love. (iii) Deflowering with no intent to marry is a piratical crime. (iv) The fate after death of those who have convinced themselves that the lust for deflowering is not a sinful evil is dire.

There now follows an explanation of these points.