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Book 3. Paradiſe Loſt.
Tranſports our adverſarie, whom no bounds Preſcrib’d, no barrs of Hell, nor all the chains Heapt on him there, nor yet the main Abyſs Wide interrupt can hold; ſo bent he ſeems On deſperat revenge, that ſhall redound Upon his own rebellious head. And now Through all reſtraint broke looſe he wings his way Not farr off Heav’n, in the Precincts of light, Directly towards the new created World, And Man there plac’t, with purpoſe to aſſay 90If him by force he can deſtroy, or worſe, By ſom falſe guile pervert; and ſhall pervert; For man will heark'n to his glozing lyes, And eaſily tranſgreſs the ſole Command, Sole pledge of his obedience: So will fall Hee and his faithleſs Progenie: whoſe fault? Whoſe but his own? ingrate, he had of mee All he could have; I made him juſt and right, Sufficient to have ſtood, though free to fall. Such I created all th' Ethereal Powers 100And Spirits, both them who ſtood & them who faild; Freely they ſtood who ſtood, and fell who fell. Not free, what proof could they have givn ſincere Of true allegiance, conſtant Faith or Love, Where onely what they needs muſt do, appeard, Not what they would? what praiſe could they receive? What pleasure I from such obedience paid, When Will and Reason (Reason alſo is choice) Uſeleſs and vain, of freedom both deſpoild, Made paſſive both, had ſervd neceſſitie, 110Not mee. They therefore as to right belongd, So were created, nor can juſtly accuſe
Thir
