JOHN MILTON.

Grace was in all her steps, Heaven in her eye, In every gesture dignity and love.

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.

Nothing lovelier can be found In woman than to study household good, And good works in her husband to promote.

For contemplation he and valour form'd; For softness she and sweet attractive grace; He for God only, she for God in him.

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.

Ladies, whose bright eyes Rain influence.

Love, sweetness, goodness, in her person shined.

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!

Curiosity, inquisitive, importune Of secrets, then with like infirmity To publish them, both common female faults.

In argument with men, a woman ever Goes by the worse, whatever be her cause.

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.

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?

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.

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.

A smile that glow'd Celestial rosy red, love's proper hue.

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.

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.

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.

The wife, where danger or dishonour lurks, Safest and seemliest by her husband stays, Who guards her, or with her the worst endures.

Greatness of mind and nobleness their seat Build in her loveliest, and create an awe About her, as a guard angelic placed.

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.

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.

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.

Lady, thy care is fix'd, and zealously attends To fill thy odorous lamp with deeds of light. And hope that reaps not shame.

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.

All things from her air inspired The spirit of love and amorous delight.

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.

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.

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.