I'm not sure how relevant this is to your observation about Tom and Goldberry,
lmp, but here is something from a character in a nineteenth century novel. Two young women are outside church, deciding to watch the sunset rather than attend evening service. They begin to discuss the first woman and Milton's
Paradise Lost.
Quote:
'Milton tried to see the first woman; but, Cary, he saw her not.'
'You are bold to say so, Shirley.'
'Not more bold than faithful. It was his cook that he saw; or it was Mrs Gill [the housekeeper], as I have seen her, making custards, in the heat of the summer, in the cool dairy, with rose-trees and nasturtiums about the latticed window ...
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I always think of this conversation whenever I read of Goldberry. (And to be fair, I have truncated it.)
Bethberry