Either to difinthrone the King of Heav'n We war, if war be beft, or to regain

Our own right loft. Him to unthrone we then
May hope, when everlasting Fate fhall yield

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To fickle Chance, and CHAO s judge the ftrife:
The former vain to hope argues as vain
The latter for what place can be for us
Within Heav'n's bound, unlefs Heav'n's Lord fupreme
We over-power? fuppofe he should relent
And publish grace to all, on promise made
Of new fubjection: with what eyes could we
Stand in his prefence humble, and receive
Strict laws impos'd, to celebrate his throne
With warbled hymns, and to his Godhead fing
Forc'd hallelujahs; while he lordly fits
Our envy'd Sov'reign, and his altar breathes
Ambrofial odors, and ambrofial flowers,
Our fervile offerings. This must be our task
In Heav'n, this our delight: how wearisome
Eternity fo spend in worthip paid

To whom we hate! let us not then perfue
By force impoffible, by leave obtain'd

245

Our own good from ourselves, and from our own

250

Unacceptable, though in Heav'n, our state

Of fplendid vaffalage; but rather feek.

Live to our felves, though in this vaft recefs,

Free, and to none accountable, preferring
Hard liberty before the eafie yoke

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Of fervile pomp. Our greatness will appear

Then moft confpicuous, when great things of fmall, Ufeful of hurtful, profperous of adverfe

260

We can create; and in what place fo e'er

Thrive under evil, and work eafe out of pain,

Through labor and indurance. This deep world
Of darkhefs do we dread? how oft amidst

Thick clouds and dark doth Heav'n's all-ruling Sire Chufe to refide, his glory unobscur'd,

And with the majefty of darkness round

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Covers his throne; from whence deep thunders roar
Muft'ring their rage, and Heav'n refembles. Hell?
As he our darkness, cannot we his light
Imitate when we please? this defart foil
Wants not her hidden luftre, gems and gold:
Nor want we skill or art, from whence to raise
Magnificence; and what can Heav'n fhew more?
Our torments alfo may in length of time
Become our elements; thefe piercing fires
As foft as now fevere, our temper chang'd
Into their temper; which muft needs remove
The fenfible of pain. All things invite
To peaceful counfels, and the settled ftate
Of order, how in fafety beft we may
Compofe our prefent evils, with regard
Of what we are and where, difmiffing quite
All thoughts of war. Ye have what I advife.

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280

He scarce had finifht, when fuch murmur fill'd
Th' affembly, as when hollow rocks retain 285
The found of bluftring winds, which all night long
Had rouz'd the fea, now with hoarfe cadence lull
Sea-faring men o'erwatch'd, whofe bark by chance,
Or Pinnace, anchors in a craggy bay
After the tempeft: fuch applause was heard
As MAMMON ended, and his fentence pleas'd,
Advifing peace: for fuch another field

They dreaded worse than Hell: fo much the fear
Of thunder, and the fword of MICHAEL,
Wrought ftill within them; and no less defire
To found this nether Empire, which might rife,
By policy, and long process of time,
In emulation oppofite to Heav'n.

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Which when BEELZEBUB perceiv'd (than whom,
SATAN except, none higher fat) with grave

- Afpect he rofe, and in his rifing feem'd
A pillar of ftate; deep on his front engraven
Deliberation fat, and public care;

300

And