Book 8, Paradise Lost
The Archangel Raphael asks Adam what it was like when he awoke, and met Eve. Then Adam, after stating that she's his inferior, goes a little off on Eve like a lovestruck boy (lines 546-559):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, virtuousest, discreetest, best:
All higher knowledge in her presence falls
Degraded; Wisdom in discourse with her
Loses discountenanced, and like Folly shows;
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 angelick placed.
Raphael reminds Adam that love of God is all important, and to not get too into the sex with the chick.
After which, Adam asks Raphael if angels, well, do it. And, um... I think he says yes (lines 620-629):Let it suffice thee that thou knowest
Us happy, and without love no happiness.
Whatever pure thou in the body enjoyest,
... (And pure thou wert created) we enjoy
In eminence; and obstacle find none
Of membrane, joint, or limb, exclusive bars;
Easier than air with air, if Spirits embrace,
Total they mix, union of pure with pure
Desiring, nor restrained conveyance need,
As flesh to mix with flesh, or soul with soul.
Huh... kind of like Changelings (shape shifters) on ST: Deep Space 9. And in my reading, it's been pointed out that all of the angels are male, so, looking at the time this was written, the embrace that Milton was describing was not sexual, but darned it does seem that way.
Of course, I'm lingering in these areas, because book 9 comes next. That's when the fall happens (well, and books 10 & 11 - maybe part of 12, too, aren't as interesting). I've no idea why that bugs me at the moment. It's not like the myth of the fall isn't the entire reason why this epic poem was written.
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, virtuousest, discreetest, best:
All higher knowledge in her presence falls
Degraded; Wisdom in discourse with her
Loses discountenanced, and like Folly shows;
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 angelick placed.
Raphael reminds Adam that love of God is all important, and to not get too into the sex with the chick.
After which, Adam asks Raphael if angels, well, do it. And, um... I think he says yes (lines 620-629):Let it suffice thee that thou knowest
Us happy, and without love no happiness.
Whatever pure thou in the body enjoyest,
... (And pure thou wert created) we enjoy
In eminence; and obstacle find none
Of membrane, joint, or limb, exclusive bars;
Easier than air with air, if Spirits embrace,
Total they mix, union of pure with pure
Desiring, nor restrained conveyance need,
As flesh to mix with flesh, or soul with soul.
Huh... kind of like Changelings (shape shifters) on ST: Deep Space 9. And in my reading, it's been pointed out that all of the angels are male, so, looking at the time this was written, the embrace that Milton was describing was not sexual, but darned it does seem that way.
Of course, I'm lingering in these areas, because book 9 comes next. That's when the fall happens (well, and books 10 & 11 - maybe part of 12, too, aren't as interesting). I've no idea why that bugs me at the moment. It's not like the myth of the fall isn't the entire reason why this epic poem was written.