Page:Paradise Lost (1667).djvu/61

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With Atlantean ſhoulders fit to bear
The weight of mightieſt Monarchies; his look
Drew audience and attention ſtill as Night
Or Summers Noon-tide air, while thus he ſpake.
310 Thrones and imperial Powers, off-ſpring of heav’n,
Ethereal Vertues; or theſe Titles now
Muſt we renounce, and changing ſtile be call’d
Princes of Hell? for ſo the popular vote
Inclines, here to continue, and build up here
A growing Empire; doubtleſs; while we dream,
And know not that the King of Heav’n hath doom’d
This place our dungeon, not our ſafe retreat
Beyond his Potent arm, to live exempt
From Heav’ns high jurisdiction, in new League
320Banded againſt his Throne, but to remaine
In ſtrictest bondage, though thus far remov’d
Under th’ inevitable curb, reſerv’d
His captive multitude: For he, be ſure,
In highth or depth, ſtill firſt and laſt will Reign
Sole King, and of his Kingdom looſe no part
By our revolt, but over Hell extend
His Empire, and with Iron Scepter rule
Us here, as with his Golden thoſe in Heav’n.
What ſit we then projecting Peace and Warr?
330Warr hath determin’d us, and foild with loſs
Irreparable; tearms of peace yet none
Vouchſaf’t or ſought; for what peace will be giv’n
To us enſlav’d, but cuſtody ſevere,
And ſtripes, and arbitrary puniſhment
Inflicted? and what peace can we return,
But to our power hoſtility and hate,
Untam’d reluctance, and revenge though ſlow,