6

Thus Belial with words cloathd in reasons garb

Counselld ignoble ease, and peaceful sloath,

Not peace: and after him thus Mammon spake.

Either to disinthrone the King of Heavn

We warr, if Warr be best, or to regain [ 230 ]

Our own right lost: him to unthrone we then

May hope when everlasting Fate shall yeild

To fickle Chance, and Chaos judge the strife:

The former vain to hope argues as vain

The latter: for what place can be for us [ 235 ]

Within Heavns bound, unless Heavns Lord supream

We overpower? Suppose he should relent

And publish Grace to all, on promise made

Of new Subjection; with what eyes could we

Stand in his presence humble, and receive [ 240 ]

Strict Laws imposd, to celebrate his Throne

With warbld Hymns, and to his Godhead sing

Forct Halleluiahs; while he Lordly sits

Our envied Sovran, and his Altar breathes

Ambrosial Odours and Ambrosial Flowers, [ 245 ]

Our servile offerings. This must be our task

In Heavn, this our delight; how wearisom

Eternity so spent in worship paid

To whom we hate. Let us not then pursue

By force impossible, by leave obtaind [ 250 ]

Unacceptable, though in Heavn, our state

Of splendid vassalage, but rather seek

Our own good from our selves, and from our own

Live to our selves, though in this vast recess,

Free, and to none accountable, preferring [ 255 ]

Hard liberty before the easie yoke

Of servile Pomp. Our greatness will appeer

Then most conspicuous, when great things of small,

Useful of hurtful, prosperous of adverse

We can create, and in what place so ere [ 260 ]

Thrive under evil, and work ease out of pain

Through labour and indurance. This deep world

Of darkness do we dread? How oft amidst

Thick clouds and dark doth Heavns all-ruling Sire

Choose to reside, his Glory unobscurd, [ 265 ]

And with the Majesty of darkness round

Covers his Throne; from whence deep thunders roar

Mustring thir rage, and Heavn resembles Hell?