For books are as meats and viands are; some of good, some of evil sub-stance.
Sufficient to have stood, though free to fall.
Who overcomes by force, hath overcome but half his foe.
Let us descend now therefore from this top Of speculation.
O sun, to tell thee how I hate thy beams That bring to my remembrance from what state I fell, how glorious once above thy sphere.
Come, pensive nun, devout and pure, sober steadfast, and demure, all in a robe of darkest grain, flowing with majestic train.