Page:Paradise Lost (1667).djvu/55

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Paradiſe loſt.
Book 2.
The better reaſon, to perplex and daſh Matureſt Counſels: for his thoughts were low; To vice induſtrious, but to Nobler deeds Timorous and ſlothful: yet he pleas’d the eare, And with perſwaſive accent thus began.  I ſhould be much for open Warr, O Peers, As not behind in hate; if what was urg’d 120Main reaſon to perſwade immediate Warr, Did not diſſwade me moſt, and ſeem to caſt Ominous conjecture on the whole ſucceſs: When he who moſt excels in fact of Arms, In what he counſels and in what excels Miſtruſtful, grounds his courage on deſpair And utter diſſolution, as the ſcope Of all his aim, after ſome dire revenge. First, what Revenge? the Towrs of Heav’n are fill’d With Armed watch, that render all acceſs 130Impregnable; oft on the bodering Deep Encamp their Legions, or with obſcure wing Scout farr and wide into the Realm of night, Scorning ſurprize. Or could we break our way By force, and at our heels all Hell ſhould riſe With blackeſt Inſurrection, to confound Heav’ns pureſt Light, yet our great Enemie All incorruptible would on his Throne Sit unpolluted, and th’ Ethereal mould Incapable of ſtain would ſoon expel 140Her miſchief, and purge off the baſer fire, Victorious. Thus repuls’d, our final hope Is flat deſpair: we muſt exaſperate Th’ Almighty Victor to ſpend all his rage, And that muſt end us, that muſt be our cure,

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