O now in darid, now known in Armes
Not to be overpowerd, panions deare,
Found worthy not of Libertie alone, [ 420 ]
Too meaense, but what we more affect,
Honour, Dominion, Glorie, and renowne,
Who have sustaind one day in doubtful fight
(And if one day, why ernal dayes?)
What Heavens Lord had powerfullest to send [ 425 ]
Against us from about his Throne, and judgd
Suffit to subdue us to his will,
But proves not so: then fallible, it seems,
Of future we may deem him, though till now
Omnist thought. True is, less firmly armd, [ 430 ]
Some disadvantage we endurd and paine,
Till now not known, but known as soon nd,
Sinow we find this our Empyreal form
Incapable of mortal injurie
Imperishable, and though piercd with wound, [ 435 ]
Soon closing, and by native vigour heald.
Of evil then so small as easie think
The remedie; perhaps more valid Armes,
ons more violent, whe we meet,
May serve to better us, and worse our foes, [ 440 ]
Or equal what between us made the odds,
In Nature none: if other hidden cause
Left them Superiour, while reserve
Unhurt our mindes, and uanding sound,
Due seard sultation will disclose. [ 445 ]
He sat; and in th assembly upstood
Nisroc, of Principalities the prime;
As oood escapt from cruel fight,
Sore toild, his rivn Armes to havoc hewn,
And cloudie in aspect thus answering spake. [ 450 ]
Deliverer from new Lords, leader to free
Enjoyment of ht as Gods; yet hard
Fods, and too unequal work we find
Against unequal arms to fight in paine,
Against unpaind, impassive; from which evil [ 455 ]
Ruin must needs ensue; for what availes
Valour or strength, though matchless, quelld with pain
Which all subdues, and makes remiss the hands
Of Mightiest. Sense of pleasure we may well
Spare out of life perhaps, and not repine, [ 460 ]
But live tent, which is the calmest life:
But pain is perfet miserie, the worst
Of evils, and excessive, overturnes
All patience. He who therefore i
With what more forcible we may offend [ 465 ]
Our yet unwounded Enemies, or arme
Our selves with like defeo me deserves
hen for deliverance what we owe.