Chapter 20 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 ways of danger by himself untried, 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 practiced distances to cringe, not fight. [ 945 ] To whom the warrior Angel, soon replied. 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 faithfully 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 acknowledgment of 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 arrived thee now, avant; Flie thither whence thou fledst: if from this houre Within these hallowed limits thou appeer, Back to th inner 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.