Book i. Paradiſe loſt.
But what if he our Conquerour, (whom I now
Of force believe Almighty, ſince no leſs
Then ſuch could hav orepow'rd ſuch force as ours)
Have left us this our ſpirit and ſtrength intire
Strongly to ſuffer and ſupport our pains,
That we may ſo ſuffice his vengeful ire.
Or do him mightier ſervice as his thralls
150By right of Warr, what e’re his buſineſs be
Here in the heart of Hell to work in Fire,
Or do his Errands in the gloomy Deep;
What can it then avail though yet we feel,
Strength undiminiſht, or eternal being
To undergo eternal puniſhment?
Whereto with ſpeedy words th’Arch-fiend reply'd.
Fall’n Cherube, to be weak is miſerable
Doing or Suffering: but of this be ſure,
To do ought good never will be our task,
160But ever to do ill our foie delight.
As being the contrary to his high will
Whom we reſiſt. If then his Providence,
Out of our evil ſeek to bring forth good.
Our labour muſt be to pervert that end.
And out of good ſtill to find means of evil;
Which oft times may ſucceed, ſo as perhaps
Shall grieve him,; if faiil not, and diſturb
His inmoſt counſels from their deſtind aim.
But ſee the angry Victor hath recall’d
170 His Miniſtees of vengeance and purſuit
Back to the Gates of Heav’n : The Sulphurous Hail
Shot after us in ſtorm, oreblown hath laid
The fiery Surge, that from the Precipice
Of Heav’n receiv'd us falling, and the Thunder,
Of force believe Almighty, ſince no leſs
Then ſuch could hav orepow'rd ſuch force as ours)
Have left us this our ſpirit and ſtrength intire
Strongly to ſuffer and ſupport our pains,
That we may ſo ſuffice his vengeful ire.
Or do him mightier ſervice as his thralls
150By right of Warr, what e’re his buſineſs be
Here in the heart of Hell to work in Fire,
Or do his Errands in the gloomy Deep;
What can it then avail though yet we feel,
Strength undiminiſht, or eternal being
To undergo eternal puniſhment?
Whereto with ſpeedy words th’Arch-fiend reply'd.
Fall’n Cherube, to be weak is miſerable
Doing or Suffering: but of this be ſure,
To do ought good never will be our task,
160But ever to do ill our foie delight.
As being the contrary to his high will
Whom we reſiſt. If then his Providence,
Out of our evil ſeek to bring forth good.
Our labour muſt be to pervert that end.
And out of good ſtill to find means of evil;
Which oft times may ſucceed, ſo as perhaps
Shall grieve him,; if faiil not, and diſturb
His inmoſt counſels from their deſtind aim.
But ſee the angry Victor hath recall’d
170 His Miniſtees of vengeance and purſuit
Back to the Gates of Heav’n : The Sulphurous Hail
Shot after us in ſtorm, oreblown hath laid
The fiery Surge, that from the Precipice
Of Heav’n receiv'd us falling, and the Thunder,
Wing’d
