230 PARADISE LOST, BooxIX! The ferpent fubtleft beaft of all the field, Him after long debate (irrefolute Of thoughts revolv'd) his final fentence chofe Fit velTel, fitteft imp of fraud, in whom To enter, and his dark fuggeftions hide From (harpeft fight: for in the wily fnake Whatever flights, none would fufpicious mark, As from his wit and native fubtilty Proceeding ; which in other beaus obferv'd Doubt might beget of diabolic pow'r, Aaive within, beyond the fenfe of brute., Thus he refolv'd, but &it from inward grief His burfting paflion into plaints thus pour'd 0 earth, how like to heav'n ! if not prefer'd More juftly, feat worthier of gods, as built 103 With fecond thoughts, reforming what was old For what God after better, worfe would build ? Terreavial heav'n, danc'd round by other heav'as Tiaat thine, yet bear their bright officious lamps, Light above light, for thee alone, as teems, In thee concentring all their precious beams Of facred influence ! As God in heav'n Is centre, yet extends to all ; In thou Centring, receiv'ft from all thofe orbs : in thee, Not in themfelves, all their known virtue appears lie Productive in herb, plant, and nobler birth Of creatures animate with gradual life, Of growth, fenfe, reafen, all furrim'd up in Man I With what delight could I have walk'd the round, It I could joy in ought : fweet interchange 115 Of bill, and valley, rivers, woods, and plains ! Now land, now fee, and fhores with foreft crown'd, Rocks, dens, and caves ! But I in none of thefe Find place or refuge : and the more I fee Pleafures 95 105
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