Page:Paradise lost by Milton, John.djvu/275

Rh O'er other creatures; yet when I approach Her loveliness, so abolute she seems And in herself complete, so well to know Her own, that what she wills to do or say, Seems wisest, virtuousest, discreetest, best. All higher Knowledge in her presence falls, Degraded; Wisdom in discourse with her Loses discountenanced, and like Folly shews; Authority and Reason on her wait, As one intended first, not after made Occasionally; and, to consummate all, Greatness of mind and Nobleness their seat Build in her loveliest, and create an awe About her, as a guard angelic placed."
 * To whom the Angel with contracted brow:

"Accuse not Nature, she hath done her part; Do thou but thine, and be not diffident Of Wisdom; she deserts thee not, if thou Dismiss not her, when most thou needest her nigh, By attributing overmuch to things Less excellent, as thou thyself perceivest. For what admirest thou? what transports thee so? An outside; fair, no doubt, and worthy well Thy cherishing, thy honoring, and thy love, Not thy subjection. Weigh with her thyself; Then value. Oft-times nothing profits more Than self-esteem, grounded on just and right, Well managed; of that skill the more thou knowest,