Page:Paradise Regained and Samson Agonistes (1671).djvu/55

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Paradise Regain'd
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Forty and more deserted here indeed.
To whom thus Jesus; What conclud'st thou hence?
They all had need, I as thou seest, have none.
How hast thou hunger then? Satan reply'd,
Tell me, if Food were now before thee set,320
Would'st thou not eat? Thereafter as I like
The giver, answer'd Jesus. Why should that
Cause thy refusal, said the subtle Fiend,
Hast thou not right to all Created things,
Owe not all Creatures by just right to thee
Duty and Service, nor to stay till bid,
But tender all thir power? nor mention I
Meats by the Law unclean, or offer'd first
To Idols, those young Daniel could refuse;
Nor proffer'd by an Enemy, though who 330
Would scruple that, with want opprest? behold
Nature asham'd, or better to express,
Troubl'd that thou shouldst hunger, hath purvey'd
From all the Elements her choicest store

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