The Bird in a Box

Men lose, then seek, fair maidens brave,
But by seeking, they lose even what they have.

"Wherein does chastity lie?" fair Joan did ask her nurse,
Who thought, "If I tell her not, this matter could get worse."
Lest she gets picked up by an older rogue,
And thereby raises alarms.
"I pray you take this box," said she,
"For it will preserve your youthful charms."

(Within that box there was a bird) the nurse's smile scarce betrayed,
But curious Joan the box did open, and the bird then flew away.
"What good then is virginity," asked Joan,
As the bird flew 'round and 'round;
"Since it'll fly away when you try to explore it,
And it remains hidden when it's around?"

You don't know what you've got
until you lose it.