BOOK IV. PARADISE LOST. 117 A faithful leader, not to hazard all Through ways of danger by himfelf untry'd I therefore, I alone &ft undertook To wing the defolate Abyfs, and fpy This new created world, whereof in hell Fame is not fluent ; here in hope to find Better abode, and my afflicted Pow'rs To fettle here on earth, or in mid air ; 940 Though, for poffeflion, put to try once more What thou and thy gay legions dare againft ; Whole eafier bufinefs were to ferve their Lord High up in heav'n, with tongs to hymn his throne: And praais'd diflances to cringe, not fight. 945 To whom the warrior Angel loon reply'd To fay, and ftrait un-fay, pretending firft Wife to fly pain, profeffing next the fpy, Argues no leader but a liar trac'd, Satan and coulcift thou faithful add ? 0 name, 950 0 facred name of faithfulnefs profan'd I Faithful to whom ? to thy rebellious crew ? Army of fiends ! fit body to fit head. Was this your difcipline and faith engag'd, Your military obedience, to diffolve 955 Allegiance to th' acknowledg'd Pow'r fupreme ? And thou, fly hypocrite ! who now would feern Patron of liberty, who more than thou Once fawn'd and cring'd, and fervily ador'd Heav'n's awful Monarch ? wherefore, but in hope 960 To difpoffels him, and thy felf to reign ? But mark what I arreed thee now : avant ! Fly thither whence thou fledft if from this hour Within thefe hallow'd limits thou appear, Back to th' infernal pit I drag thee chain'd, 963 And Peal thee fo, as henceforth not to boom The facil gates of hell too (lightly bared. 935
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