第3章 2

O had his powerful Destiny ordaind Me some inferiour Angel, I had stood Then happie; no unbounded hope had raisd [ 60 ] Ambition. Yet why not? som other Power As great might have aspird, and me though mean Drawn to his part; but other Powers as great Fell not, but stand unshakn, from within

Or from without, to all temptations armd. [ 65 ] Hadst thou the same free Will and Power to stand? Thou hadst: whom hast thou then or what to accuse, But Heavns free Love dealt equally to all? Be then his Love accurst, since love or hate, To me alike, it deals eternal woe. [ 70 ] Nay cursd be thou; since against his thy will

Chose freely what it now so justly rues. Me miserable! which way shall I flie Infinite wrauth, and infinite despaire? Which way I flie is Hell; my self am Hell; [ 75 ] And in the lowest deep a lower deep Still threatning to devour me opens wide, To which the Hell I suffer seems a Heavn.

O then at last relent: is there no place Left for Repentance, none for Pardon left? [ 80 ] None left but by submission; and that word Disdain forbids me, and my dread of shame Among the Spirits beneath, whom I seducd With other promises and other vaunts Then to submit, boasting I could subdue [ 85 ]

Th Omnipotent. Ay me, they little know How dearly I abide that boast so vaine, Under what torments inwardly I groane: While they adore me on the Throne of Hell, With Diadem and Sceptre high advancd [ 90 ] The lower still I fall, onely Supream In miserie; such joy Ambition findes. But say I could repent and could obtaine

By Act of Grace my former state; how soon Would higth recall high thoughts, how soon unsay [ 95 ] What feignd submission swore: ease would recant Vows made in pain, as violent and void. For never can true reconcilement grow Where wounds of deadly hate have peircd so deep: Which would but lead me to a worse relapse [ 100 ]

And heavier fall: so should I purchase deare Short intermission bought with double smart.