Grace was in all her steps, Heaven in her eye,
In every gesture dignity and love.
_Paradise Lost, Book 8._
When I approach
Her loveliness, so absolute she seems
And in herself complete, so well to know
Her own, that what she wills to do or say
Seems wisest, virtuest, discreetest, best.
_Paradise Lost, Book 8._
Nothing lovelier can be found
In woman than to study household good,
And good works in her husband to promote.
_Paradise Lost, Book 9._
For contemplation he and valour form'd;
For softness she and sweet attractive grace;
He for God only, she for God in him.
_Paradise Lost, Book 4._
Among daughters of men ...
Many are in each region passing fair
As the noon sky; more like to goddesses
Than mortal creatures; graceful and discreet;
... Persuasive ...
Such objects have the power to soften and tame
Severest temper.
_Paradise Regained, Book 2._
Ladies, whose bright eyes
Rain influence.
_L'Allegro._
Love, sweetness, goodness, in her person shined.
_Sonnet._
O fairest of Creation, last and best
Of all God's works, creature in whom excell'd
Whatever can to sight or thought be form'd,
Holy, divine, good, amiable, or sweet!
_Paradise Lost, Book 9._
Curiosity, inquisitive, importune
Of secrets, then with like infirmity
To publish them, both common female faults.
_Samson Agonistes._
In argument with men, a woman ever
Goes by the worse, whatever be her cause.
_Samson Agonistes._
Thus it will befall
Him who to worth in woman overturning
Lets her will rule; restraint she will not brook,
And left to herself, if evil thence ensue,
She first his weak indulgence will accuse.
_Paradise Lost, Book 9._
Daughter of God ...
I, from the influence of thy looks, receive
Access in every virtue: and in thy sight
More wise, more watchful, stronger, if need were
Of outward strength; while shame, thou looking on.
Shame to be overcome or overreach'd.
Would utmost vigour raise, and raised unite.
Why shouldst not thou like sense within thee feel
When I am present, and thy trial choose
With me, best witness of thy virtue tried?
_Paradise Lost, Book 9._
By his countenance he seem'd
Entering on studious thoughts abstruse; which Eve
Perceiving, where she sat retired in sight,
With lowliness majestic from her seat,
And grace that won who saw to wish her stay,
Rose, and went forth among her fruits and flowers,
To visit how they prosper'd, bud and bloom,
Her nursery; they at her coming sprung,
And, touch'd by her fair tendance gladlier grew.
_Paradise Lost, Book 8._
So dear to Heaven is saintly chastity,
That, when a soul is found sincerely so
A thousand liveried angels lackey her,
Driving far off each thing of sin and guilt,
And in clear dream and solemn vision
Tell her of things that no gross ear can hear;
Till oft converse with heavenly habitants
Begin to cast a beam on the outward shape.
_Comus._
A smile that glow'd
Celestial rosy red, love's proper hue.
_Paradise Lost, Book 8._
She has a hidden strength ...
... The strength of Heaven,
It may be termed her own.
'Tis chastity ... chastity....
She that has that, is clad in complete steel;
And, like a quiver'd Nymph with arrows keen,
May trace huge forests, and unharbour'd heaths,
... and sandy perilous wilds ...
She may pass on with unblench'd majesty
Be it not done in pride, or in presumption.
_Comus._
O Woman, in thy native innocence, rely
On what thou hast of virtue: summon all,
For God toward thee hath done His part, do thine.
_Paradise Lost, Book 9._
What higher in her society thou find'st
Attractive, human, rational, love still;
In loving thou dost well, in passion not
Wherein true love consists not.
_Paradise Lost, Book 8._
The wife, where danger or dishonour lurks,
Safest and seemliest by her husband stays,
Who guards her, or with her the worst endures.
_Paradise Lost, Book 9._
Greatness of mind and nobleness their seat
Build in her loveliest, and create an awe
About her, as a guard angelic placed.
_Paradise Lost, Book 8._
Those graceful acts,
Those thousand decencies that daily flow
From all her words and actions mix'd with love
And sweet compliance, which declare unfeign'd
Union of mind, or in us both one soul;
Harmony to behold in wedded pair
More grateful than harmonious sound to the ear.
_Paradise Lost, Book 8._
Come, pensive Nun, devout and pure,
Sober, steadfast, and demure.
* * * * *
With even step and musing gait;
And looks commercing with the skies,
Thy wrapt soul sitting in thine eyes.
_Il Penseroso._
Innocence and virgin modesty
Her virtue, and the conscience of her worth,
That would be woo'd, and not unsought be won
Not obvious, not obtrusive, but retired
The more desirable.
_Paradise Lost, Book 8._
Lady, thy care is fix'd, and zealously attends
To fill thy odorous lamp with deeds of light.
And hope that reaps not shame.
_Sonnet._
A creature ...
... So lovely fair,
That what seem'd fair in all the world seem'd now
Mean, or in her summ'd up, in her contain'd.
_Paradise Lost, Book 8._
All things from her air inspired
The spirit of love and amorous delight.
_Paradise Lost, Book 8._
It is for homely features to keep home--
They had their name thence: coarse complexions
And cheeks of sorry grain will serve to ply
The sampler and to tease the housewife's wool.
_Comus._
With dispatchful looks in haste
She turns, on hospitable thoughts intent.
What choice to choose for delicacy best,
What order, so contrived, as not to mix
Tastes, not well join'd, inelegant, but bring
Taste after taste upheld with kindliest change.
_Paradise Lost, Book 5._
I do not think my sister ...
... So unprincipled in Virtue's book
And the sweet peace that goodness bosoms ever,
As that single want of light and noise
Could stir the constant mood of her calm thoughts,
And put them into misbecoming plight.
Virtue could see to do what Virtue would
By her own radiant light, though sun and moon
Were in the flat sea sunk. And Wisdom's self
Oft seeks to sweet retired solitude:
Where, with her best nurse, Contemplation,
She plumes her feathers, and lets grow her wings.
That in the various bustle of resort
Were all too ruffled, and sometimes impair'd.
_Comus._