What Great Men Have Said About Women Part 2

_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 G.o.d'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 G.o.d ...

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 chast.i.ty, 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 chast.i.ty ... chast.i.ty....

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 pa.s.s 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 G.o.d 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 pa.s.sion 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 n.o.bleness 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.