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Lust requires for its consummation darkness and secrecy; and this not
only when unlawful intercourse is desired, but even such fornication as
the earthly city has legalized. Where there is no fear of punishment,
these permitted pleasures still shrink from the public eye. Even where
provision is made for this lust, secrecy also is provided; and while
lust found it easy to remove the prohibitions of law, shamelessness
found it impossible to lay aside the veil of retirement. For even
shameless men call this shameful; and though they love the pleasure,
dare not display it. What! does not even conjugal intercourse,
sanctioned as it is by law for the propagation of children, legitimate
and honorable though it be, does it not seek retirement from every
eye? Before the bridegroom fondles his bride, does he not exclude the
attendants, and even the paranymphs, and such friends as the closest
ties have admitted to the bridal chamber? The greatest master of
Roman eloquence says, that all right actions wish to be set in the
light, i.e., desire to be known. This right action, however, has
such a desire to be known, that yet it blushes to be seen. Who does
not know what passes between husband and wife that children may be
born?
Is it not for this purpose that wives are married with such ceremony?
And yet, when this well-understood act is gone about for the
procreation of children, not even the children themselves, who may
already have been born to them, are suffered to be witnesses. This
right action seeks the light, in so far as it seeks to be known, but
yet dreads being seen. And why so, if not because that which is by
nature fitting and decent is so done as to be accompanied with a
shame-begetting penalty of sin?
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