CONTENTS

Preface

1  INTRODUCTION

‘thy passages of life’

2  SEPARATION AND INDIVIDUATION

‘a divided duty’

3  NOMINATION AND ELECTION

‘an adopted name of privilege’

4  PLAIN SPEAKING

‘I take thee at thy word’

5  WOMEN’S RITES

‘as secret as maidenhead’

6  COMPARISON AND DISTINCTION

‘counterfeit presentment’

7  DEATH AND DYING

‘this thing of darkness I acknowledge mine’

L’envoy

Index