Download Il Penseroso Study Guide
"Sober, Steadfast, And Demure"
(Magill's Quotations in Context)
Context: Milton invokes thoughtfulness to come to him; his calling her "nun" indicates his high regard for her purity and serenity. She is sober, that is, not given to prankishness; steadfast, or firm in her pursuit of her thoughtful course; and demure, or not given to coyness and flirtation. She wears a long and flowing robe of a dark, color, probably purple, a hue associated with solemnity. Over her shoulders is a stole of fine black cloth worn in a decent and comely manner. He tells her to come, but to maintain her accustomed fashion of keeping a moderate pace such as that used by one who is engrossed in thought. His summons is:
Come, pensive Nun, devout and pure,Sober, steadfast, and demure,All in a robe of darkest grain,Flowing with majestic train,And sable stole of cypress lawn,Over thy decent shoulders drawn.Come, but keep thy wonted state,With even step and musing gait . . .