19

But still thy words at random, as before, [ 930 ]

Argue thy inexperience what behooves

From hard assaies and ill successes past

A faithful Leader, not to hazard all

Through wayes of danger by himself untrid,

I therefore, I alone first undertook [ 935 ]

To wing the desolate Abyss, and spie

This new created World, whereof in Hell

Fame is not silent, here in hope to find

Better abode, and my afflicted Powers

To settle here on Earth, or in mid Aire; [ 940 ]

Though for possession put to try once more

What thou and thy gay Legions dare against;

Whose easier business were to serve thir Lord

High up in Heavn, with songs to hymne his Throne,

And practisd distances to cringe, not fight. [ 945 ]

To whom the warriour Angel, soon replid.

To say and strait unsay, pretending first

Wise to flie pain, professing next the Spie,

Argues no Leader, but a lyar tract,

Satan, and couldst thou faithful add? O name, [ 950 ]

O sacred name of faithfulness profand!

Faithful to whom? to thy rebellious crew?

Armie of Fiends, fit body to fit head;

Was this your discipline and faith ingagd,

Your military obedience, to dissolve [ 955 ]

Allegeance to th acknowledgd Power supream?

And thou sly hypocrite, who now wouldst seem

Patron of liberty, who more then thou

Once fawnd, and cringd, and servilly adord

Heavns awful Monarch? wherefore but in hope [ 960 ]

To dispossess him, and thy self to reigne?

But mark what I arreede thee now, avant;

Flie thither whence thou fledst: if from this houre

Within these hallowd limits thou appeer,

Back to th infernal pit I drag thee chaind, [ 965 ]

And Seale thee so, as henceforth not to scorne

The facil gates of hell too slightly barrd.

So threatnd hee, but Satan to no threats

Gave heed, but waxing more in rage replid.