Thus Belial with words cloathd in reasons garb
selld ignoble ease, and peaceful sloath,
Not peace: and after him thus Mammon spake.
Either to disinthrohe King of Heavn
We warr, if Warr be best, or tain [ 230 ]
Our ht lost: him to unthrohen
May hope when everlasting Fate shall yeild
To fickle ce, and Chaos judge the strife:
The former vain to hope argues as vain
The latter: for lace 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 Subje; 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 s. 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 ]
Uable, 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 atable, preferring [ 255 ]
Hard liberty before the easie yoke
Of servile Pomp. reatness will appeer
Then most spicuous, whehings of small,
Useful of hurtful, prosperous of adverse
We create, and in lace so ere [ 260 ]
Thrive under evil, and work ease out of pain
Through labour and indurahis 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?