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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 120
Main 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 130
Impregnable; 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 140
Her 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,
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 120
Main 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 130
Impregnable; 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 140
Her 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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