This is more like the compass for finding your way out of a geometry book. A mathematical compass (like this one) is used to draw perfect circles. For Donne, it was the perfect metaphor for the long-distance relationship he imagined with his wife. Line 26: The compass is introduced emphasizing two crucial features.
Single women in Puritan society had a very low social status and did not have much influence in society, but they were seen as very innocent, pure and credible people, since they were not married and had not been "corrupted". This is because, single women, in Puritan society, were considered children and therefore shared the same innocence, until they entered adulthood, where they would get married and leave the status of a child and, consequently, the status of incocence. Women prostitutes were also not considered innocent and did not deserve to be heard because of their sinful nature.
In "The crucible" the girls who started the accusations, mainly Abigail, were single and that's why nobody believed they were lying. Abigail used her reputation as an "innocent" to accuse all the people she believed should get out of her way, as no one knew she was Proctor's lover, her words were easily accepted by everyone.
MERCUTIO: Why, is not this better now than groaning for love?
now art thou sociable, now art thou Romeo; now art
thou what thou art, by art as well as by nature:
for this drivelling love is like a great natural,
that runs lolling up and down to hide his bauble in a hole.
This is the line...I think
