And plunge us in the flames? or from above 175 180 185 Ages of hopeless end? this would be worse. All these our motions vain sees and derides; 190 174 His] Consult Bentley, and Newton's Notes on the application of the Relative. 'Red right hand' is the 'rubente dextera' of Hor. Od. I. ii. 2. 181 Each on his rock] "Illum exspirantem,' &c. Bentl. MS. 185 Unrespited] Consult the notes of Mr. Thyer, and Mr. Todd on this line. 195 200 Thus trampled, thus expell'd, to suffer here 210 With what is punish'd: whence these raging fires Will slacken, if his breath stir not their flames. Our purer essence then will overcome Their noxious vapor, or enur'd not feel; 215 Or chang'd at length, and to the place conform'd In temper and in nature, will receive Familiar the fierce heat, and void of pain; This horror will grow mild, this darkness light: 220 220 The commentators have not observed that this and the following line rhyme together: 'This horror will grow mild, this darkness light: Besides what hope the never-ending flight Of future days may bring, what chance, what change 225 230 235 Thus Belial with words cloth'd in reason's garb Counsel'd ignoble ease, and peaceful sloth, Not peace and after him thus Mammon spake. Either to disinthrone the King of heaven We war, if war be best, or to regain Our own right lost: him to unthrone we then May hope, when everlasting Fate shall yield To fickle Chance, and Chaos judge the strife: The former vain to hope argues as vain The latter for what place can be for us Within heaven's bound, unless heaven's Lord suWe overpower? suppose he should relent [preme And publish grace to all, on promise made Of new subjection; with what eyes could we Stand in his presence humble, and receive Strict laws impos'd, to celebrate his throne With warbled hymns, and to his Godhead sing Forc'd halleluiahs; while he lordly sits Our envy'd Sov'reign, and his altar breathes Ambrosial odours and ambrosial flowers, Our servile offerings? This must be our task In heaven, this our delight; how wearisome 224 For happy] Compare Theognis, ver. 509. Ἢνδέ τις εἰρωτᾷ τὸν ἐμὸν βιν, ᾠδε οἱ εἰπεῖν 240 245 Eternity so spent in worship paid To whom we hate! Let us not then pursue 250 Our own good from ourselves, and from our own 255 Of servile pomp. Our greatness will appear Then most conspicuous, when great things of small, Useful of hurtful, prosperous of adverse, 260 265 We can create; and in what place so e'er 254 Live] See Hor. Ep. i. xviii. 107. 'Ut mihi vivam Quod superest ævi.' Newton. 270 255 Hard liberty] See Eschyli Prom. Vinct. ver. 974. Todd. 275 Magnificence; and what can heaven shew more? Ye have what I advise. 280 He scarce had finish'd, when such murmur fill'd Th' assembly, as when hollow rocks retain 285 The sound of blust'ring winds, which all night long After the tempest: such applause was heard 290 They dreaded worse than hell: so much the fear Of thunder and the sword of Michael Wrought still within them; and no less desire 295 To found this nether empire, which might rise, By policy and long process of time, 287 cadence lull] See Claudiani Rufin. i. 70. 'Ceu murmurat alti Impacata quies pelagi, cum flamine fracto Durat adhuc sævitque tumor, dubiumque per æstum |