t of scorn,

    tears suc fort last [ 620 ]

    ords inter thir way.

    O Myriads of immortal Spirits, O Powers

    Matc y, and t strife

    as not inglorious, t was dire,

    As testifies, and this dire change [ 625 ]

    eful to utter: but w power of mind

    Foreseeing or presaging, from th

    Of kno or present, could have feard,

    ed force of Gods, how such

    As stood like these, could ever know repulse? [ 630 ]

    For er loss,

    t all t Legions, whose exile

    ied o re-ascend

    Self-raisd, and repossess tive seat?

    For mee be ness all t of heavn, [ 635 ]

    If counsels different, or danger shund

    By me,  our  he who reigns

    Monarcill then as one secure

    Sat on e,

    Consent or custome, and ate [ 640 ]

    Put fort full, but still rength conceald,

    empted our attempt, and  our fall.

    we know, and know our own

    So as not eito provoke, or dread

    Ne; our better part remains [ 645 ]

    to work in close design, by fraud or guile

    force effected not: t he no less

    At length from us may find, who overcomes

    By force,  half his foe.

    Space may produce new orlds; whereof so rife [ 650 ]

    t a fame in  he ere long

    Intended to create, and t

    A generation, whom his choice regard

    So the Sons of heaven:

    t to pry, shall be perhaps

    Our first eruption, ther or elsewhere: [ 655 ]

    For t shall never hold

    C?lestial Spirits in Bondage, nor th Abyss

    Long under darkness cover. But ts

    Full Counsel must mature: Peace is despaird, [ 660 ]

    For when, arr

    Open or understood must be resolvd.