REDEMPTION. 237
Freezing the sunniest fountains of the heart, And Charity's most sacred bonds disrupt. But some, ye say, will wealth despise, affect Despise, and shun? Be 't so; 'twill be but few, And I forbid not other wiles to warp From good; bring all the enginery of hell, And new invent, to sap this growing pow'r, Nor deem me less with hate inflamed t' oppose, Than fiercest of hell's forces here deploy'd. Wiser from frequent contests grown, I do But urge our abstinence from actual fight, In conflicts so oft worsted by our foes; Whether superior grown since our descent, Or we impaired in prowess by the fall. Besides, what have ye gain'd, with all your hosts, Since this adventure summon'd us from hell? Naught but contempt, defeat and shame; whilst I Have so well wrought, and with such wily brigue, That of his chiefs I hold, who bears the bag; And doubt not, but through him, to scatter all The rest; perhaps, obtain the grand result Ye strive, and reap with others' hands his death. At least, whate'er the end, still I advise To use such arms, and shun too close a war."
He ended midst a storm of hoarse applause, Highly approved by Satan, and the peers. Though not so all approved; for now arose, Scowling with horrid front, Beelzebub, The brightest spirit that from heaven fell; Next to Satan, head; some say, his other self; Like him, at least, a murderer from the first. Blacker than night he stood, and thus with voice,
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