Page:Paradise lost by Milton, John.djvu/398

With thought that they must be. Let no man seek
Henceforth to be foretold what shall befall771
Him or his children; evil he may be sure,
Which neither his foreknowing can prevent,
And he the future evil shall, no less
In apprehension than in substance, feel
Grievous to bear. But that care now is past,
Man is not whom to warn; those few escaped
Famine and anguish will at last consume,
Wandering that watery desert. I had hope,
When violence was ceased and war on earth,780
All would have then gone well, peace would have crowned
With length of happy days the race of Man.
But I was far deceived; for now I see
Peace to corrupt, no less than war to waste.
How comes it thus? unfold, celestial Guide,
And whether here the race of Man will end."
To whom thus Michael:—"Those, whom last thow sawest
In triumph and luxurious wealth, are they
First seen in acts of prowess eminent
And great exploits, but of true virtue void;790
Who having spilt much blood, and done much waste,
Subduing nations, and achieved thereby
Fame in the world, high titles, and rich prey,