The woman, opportune to all attempts, Her husband, for I view far round, not nigh, Whose higher intellectual more I shun, And strength, of courage haughty° and of limb [485] Heroic built though of terrestrial mold: Foe not informidable, exempt from wound, I not, so much hath hell debased and pain Enfeebled me to° what I was in Heaven. She fair, divinely fair, fit love for gods, Not terrible, though terror° be in love And beauty, not° approached by stronger hate, Hate stronger, under show of love well feigned, The way which to her ruin now I tend.”
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Milton paints the contrast of male and female.
