Page:Paradise Lost (1667).djvu/58

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Book 2.
Paradiſe loſt.
Our Supream Foe in time may much remit 210His anger, and perhaps thus farr remov’d Not mind us not offending, ſatiſfi’d With what is puniſh’t; whence theſe raging fires Will ſlack’n, if his breath ſtir not thir flames. Our purer eſſence then will overcome Thir noxious vapour, or enur’d not feel, Or chang’d at length, and to the place conformd In temper and in nature, will receive Familiar the fierce heat, and void of pain; This horror will grow milde, this darkneſs light, 220Beſides what hope the never-ending flight Of future days may bring, what chance, what change Worth waiting, ſince our preſent lot appeers For happy though but ill, for ill not worſt, If we procure not to our ſelves more woe.  Thus Belial with words cloath’d in reaſons garb Counſel’d ignoble eaſe, and peaceful ſloath, Not peace: and after him thus Mammon ſpake.  Either to diſinthrone the King of Heav’n We warr, if warr be beſt, or to regain 230Our own right loſt: him to unthrone we then May hope, when everlaſting Fate ſhall yeild To fickle Chance, and Chaos judge the ſtrife: The former vain to hope argues as vain The latter: for what place can be for us Within Heav’ns bound, unleſs Heav’ns Lord ſupream We overpower? Suppoſe he ſhould relent And publiſh Grace to all, on promiſe made Of new Subjection; with what eyes could we Stand in his preſence humble, and receive 240Strict Laws impos’d, to celebrate his Throne

With

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