The Poetical Works of John Milton


google search for The Poetical Works of John Milton

Return to Master Book Index.

Page
754 755 756 757 758

Quick Jump
1 198 395 593 790

Seeming at first all heavenly under virgin veil,  
Soft, modest, meek, demure,  
Once join'd, the contrary she proves, a thorn  
Intestin, far within defensive arms  
A cleaving mischief, in his way to vertue  
Adverse and turbulent, or by her charms  
Draws him awry enslav'd  
1040  
With dotage, and his sense deprav'd  
To folly and shameful deeds which ruin ends.  
What Pilot so expert but needs must wreck  
Embarqu'd with such a Stears-mate at the Helm?  
Favour'd of Heav'n who finds  
One vertuous rarely found,  
That in domestic good combines:  
Happy that house! his way to peace is smooth:  
But vertue which breaks through all opposition,  
And all temptation can remove,  
1050  
Most shines and most is acceptable above.  
Therefore Gods universal Law  
Gave to the man despotic power  
Over his female in due awe,  
Nor from that right to part an hour,  
Smile she or lowre:  
So shall he least confusion draw  
On his whole life, not sway'd  
By female usurpation, nor dismay'd.  
1060  
756  


Page
754 755 756 757 758

Quick Jump
1 198 395 593 790