6
Thou fablest, here however to dwell free,
If not to reign: mean while thy utmost force,
Or turn this Heavn it self into the Hell
And faithful, now provd false. But think not here
Of airie threats to aw whom yet with deeds
Though heaviest by just measure on thy self [ 265 ]
The strife which thou callst evil, but we99lib.nete style
Human imagination to such highth [ 300 ]
The Adversarie. Nor think thou with wind
Thou canst not. Hast thou turnd the least of these
Heavns blessed peace, and into Nature brought
That thou shouldst hope, imperious, and with threats
To trouble Holy Rest; Heavn casts thee out
So spake the Prince of Angels; to whom thus
The strife of Glorie: which we mean to win, [ 290 ]
Thy malice into thousands, once upright [ 270 ]
Hence then, and evil go with thee along [ 275 ]
And thy adherents: how hast thou disturbd
Of Angels, can relate, or to what things
Of thy Rebellion? how hast thou instilld
Brooks not 九九藏书网the works of violence and Warr.
Miserie, uncreated till the crime
Unvanquisht, easier to transact with mee
Thy ofspring, to the place of evil, Hell,
I flie not, but have sought thee farr and nigh. [ 295 ]
Ere this avenging Sword begin thy doome,
Unnamd in Heavn, now plenteous, as thou seest
From all her Confines. Hea九*九*藏*书*网vn the seat of bliss
Or som more sudden vengeance wingd from God
To flight, or if to fall, but that they rise [ 285 ]
Thou and thy wicked crew; there mingle broiles,
They ended parle, and both addresst for fight
Fit to decide the Empire of great Heavn.
Liken on Earth conspicuous, that may lift
Stood they or movd, in sta九*九*藏*书*网ture, motion, arms
These Acts of hateful strife, hateful to all,
And join him namd Almighty to thy aid,
Unspeakable; for who, though with the tongue
To chase me hence? erre not that so shall end
Author of evil, unknown till thy revolt,
Precipitate thee with augmented paine. [ 280 ]
Of Godlike Power: for likest Gods they seemd,