8 PARADISE LOST. Book T. Strength undinainifh'd, or eternal being To undergo eternal punifhtmnt ? 155 Whereto with fpeedy words th' Arch-fiend reply'd. Fall'n Cherub, to be weak is miferable Doing or fuffering : but of this be Pure, To do ought good never will be our talk, But ever to do ill our fole delight. 16o As being the contrary to his high will Whom we refill. If then his Providence Out of our evil Peek to bring forth good, Our labour mull be to pervert that end, And out of good fill to find means of evil ; 165 Which oft-times may fucceed, fo as perhaps Shall grieve him, if I fail not, and difturb His inmoft counfels from their deflin'd aim. But fee ! the angry vilor bath recall'd His minifters of vengeance and purfuit, 170 Back to the gates of heav'n : the fulph'rous hail Shot after us in form, o'er- blown, hath laid The fiery furge, that from the precipice Of heav'n receiv'd us falling ; and the thunder, Wing'd with red lightning and impetuous rage, 17; Perhaps hath (pent his fhafts, and ceafes now To bellow through the vett and boundlefs Deep. Let us not flip th' occafion, whether fcorn, Or fatiate fury, yield it from our foe. Seeft thou you dreary plain, forlorn and wild, ISO The feat of defolation, void of light, Save what the glimmering of thefe livid flames Calls pale and dreadful ? thither let us tend From off the toiling of thefe fiery waves ; There ref}, if any ref can harbour there : 185 And re-affembling our afflided pow'rs, Confult howwe may henceforth molt offend Our
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