Page:Paradise lost by Milton, John.djvu/14

That we may so suffice his vengeful ire,
Or do him mightier service, as his thralls
By right of war, whate'er his business be;150
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 undiminished, or eternal being
To undergo eternal punishment?"
Whereto with speedy words the Arch-Fiend replied:
"Fallen Cherub, to be weak is miserable
Doing or suffering. But of this be sure,
To do aught good never will be our task;
But ever to do ill our sole delight,160
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 labor 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 I fail not, and disturb
His inmost counsels from their destined aim.—
But see! the angry victor hath recalled
His ministers of vengeance and pursuit170
Back to the gates of Heaven; the sulphurous hail,
Shot after us in storm, o'erblown hath laid
The fiery surge, that from the precipice