BOOK II. PARADISE LOST. Ages of hopelefs end ? this would be worfe. War therefore, open or conceal'd, alike My voice diffuades ; for what can force or guile With him, or who deceive his mind, whole eye Views all things at one view ! He from heav'n's height All thefe our motions vain fees and derides ; 191 Not more Almighty to refift our might, Than wife to fruflrate all our plots and wiles. Shall we then live thus vile, the Race ofheav'n Thus trampl'd, thus expell'd, to fuffer here 195 Chains and thefe torments ? better thefe than worfe, By my advice; fence fate inevitable Subdues us, and omnipotent decree, The victor's will. To fuffer, as to do, Our firength is equal, nor the law unjuft 200 That fo ordains : This was at firft refolv'd If we were wife, againil fo great a foe Contending, and fo doubtful what might fall. I laugh, when thole who at the fpear are bold And vent'rous, if that fail them, (brink and fear 205 What yet they know mutt follow, to endure Exile, or ignominy, or bonds, or pain, The fentence of their conqu'ror : this is now Our doom; which if we can futlain and bear, Our fupreme foe, in time may much remit 210 His anger, and perhaps thus far rernov'd Not mind us not offending, fatisfy'd With what is punith'd : whence thefe raging fires Will flacken, if his breath itir not their flames, Our purer effence then will overcome 21/ Their noxious vapour ; or entir'd, not feel ; Or chang'd at length, and to the place conform'd In temper and in nature, will receive Familiar the fierce heat, and void of pain ; This horror will grow mild, this darkneis, light : 220 Befides 35
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=