第6章 5

Warr therefore, open or conceald, alike My voice disswades; for what can force or guile With him, or who deceive his mind, whose eye Views all things at one view? he from heavns highth [ 190 ] All these our motions vain, sees and derides; Not more Almighty to resist our might Then wise to frustrate all our plots and wiles.

Shall we then live thus vile, the race of Heavn Thus trampld, thus expelld to suffer here [ 195 ] Chains and these Torments? better these then worse By my advice; since fate inevitable Subdues us, and Omnipotent Decree The Victors will. To suffer, as to doe, Our strength is equal, nor the Law unjust [ 200 ]

That so ordains: this was at first resolvd, If we were wise, against so great a foe Contending, and so doubtful what might fall. I laugh, when those who at the Spear are bold And ventrous, if that fail them, shrink and fear [ 205 ] What yet they know must follow, to endure Exile, or ignominy, or bonds, or pain,

The sentence of thir Conquerour: This is now Our doom; which if we can sustain and bear, Our Supream Foe in time may much remit [ 210 ] His anger, and perhaps thus farr removd Not mind us not offending, satisfid With what is punisht; whence these raging fires Will slackn, if his breath stir not thir flames.

Our purer essence then will overcome [ 215 ] Thir noxious vapour, or enurd not feel, Or changd at length, and to the place conformd In temper and in nature, will receive Familiar the fierce heat, and void of pain; This horror will grow milde, this darkness light, [ 220 ] Besides what hope the never-ending flight

Of future dayes may bring, what chance, what change Worth waiting, since our present lot appeers For happy though but ill, for ill not worst, If we procure not to our selves more woe. [ 225 ]