Chapter 5 4

Whom the grand foe with scornful eye askance Thus answer. Ill for thee, but in wisht hour [ 150 ] Of my revenge, first sought for thou returnst From flight, seditious Angel, to receive Thy merited reward, the first assay Of this right hand provokt, since first that tongue Inspird with contradiction durst oppose [ 155 ] A third part of the Gods, in Synod met Thir Deities to assert, who while they feel Vigour Divine within them, can allow Omnipotence to none. But well thou comst Before thy fellows, ambitious to win [ 160 ] From me som Plume, that thy success may show Destruction to the rest: this pause between

(Unanswered least thou boast) to let thee know; At first I thought that Libertie and Heavn To heavily Soules had bin all one; but now [ 165 ] I saw that most through sloth had rather serve, Ministring Spirits, train up in Feast and Song; Such hast thou armd, the Minstrelsie of Heavn, Servilities with freedom to contend, As both thir deeds compard this day shall prove. [ 170 ] To whom in brief thus Abdiel stern replied. Apostat, still thou errst, nor end wilt find Of erring, from the path of truth remote: Unjustly thou depravst it with the name Of Servitude to serve whom God ordains, [ 175 ]

Or Nature; God and Nature bid the same, When he who rules is worthiest, and excells Them whom he governs. This is servitude, To serve th unwise, or him who hath rebelled Against his worthier, as thine now serve thee, [ 180 ] Thy self not free, but to thy self enthralled; Yet leudly darst our ministring upbraid. Reign thou in Hell thy Kingdom, let me serve In Heavn God ever blest, and his Divine Behests obey, worthiest to be obeyed, [ 185 ] Yet Chains in Hell, not Realms expect: mean while From mee return, as erst thou said, from flight, This greeting on thy impious Crest receive.