know whether i be dextrous to subdue thy rebels； or be found the worst in heavn。 so spake the son； but satan with his powers far was advanct on winged speed； an host innumerable as the starrs of night； ＇ 745 ＇ or starrs of morning； dew…drops； which the sun impearls on every leaf and every flouer。 regions they passd； the mightie regencies of seraphim and potentates and thrones in thir triple degrees； regions to which ＇ 750 ＇ all thy dominion； adam； is no more then what this garden is to all the earth； and all the sea； from one entire globose stretcht into longitude； which having passd at length into the limits of the north ＇ 755 ＇ they came； and satan to his royal seat high on a hill； far blazing； as a mount raisd on a mount； with pyramids and towrs from diamond quarries hewn； and rocks of gold； the palace of great lucifer； （so call ＇ 760 ＇ that structure in the dialect of men interpreted） which not long after； he affecting all equality with god； in imitation of that mount whereon messiah was declard in sight of heavn； ＇ 765 ＇ the mountain of the congregation calld； for thither he assembld all his train； pretending so manded to consult about the great reception of thir king； thither to e； and with calumnious art ＇ 770 ＇ of counterfeted truth thus held thir ears。 d Paradise Lost Ⅴ17 ［。小＾说）网） thrones； dominations； princedoms； vertues； powers； if these magnific titles yet remain not meerly titular； since by decree another now hath to himself ingrosst ＇ 775 ＇ all power； and us eclipst under the name of king anointed； for whom all this haste of midnight march； and hurried meeting here； this onely to consult how we may best with what may be devisd of honours new ＇ 780 ＇ receive him ing to receive from us knee…tribute yet unpaid； prostration vile； too much to one； but double how endurd； to one and to his image now proclaimd？ but what if better counsels might erect ＇ 785 ＇ our minds and teach us to cast off this yoke？ will ye submit your necks； and chuse to bend the supple knee？ ye will not； if i trust to know ye right； or if ye know your selves natives and sons of heavn possest before ＇ 790 ＇ by none； and if not equal all； yet free； equally free； for orders and degrees jarr not with liberty； but well consist。 who can in reason then or right assume monarchie over such as live by right ＇ 795 ＇ his equals； if in power and splendor less； in freedome equal？ or can introduce law and edict on us； who without law erre not； much less for this to be our lord； and look for adoration to th abuse ＇ 800 ＇ of those imperial titles which assert our being ordaind to govern； not to serve？ thus farr his bold discourse without controule had audience； when among the seraphim abdiel； then whom none with more zeale adord ＇ 805 ＇ the deitie； and divine mands obeid； stood up； and in a flame of zeale severe the current of his fury thus opposd。 xs Paradise Lost Ⅴ18 ； o argument blasphemous； false and proud！ words which no eare ever to hear in heavn ＇ 810 ＇ expected； least of all from thee； ingrate in place thy self so high above thy peeres。 canst thou with impious obloquie condemne the just decree of god； pronounct and sworn； that to his only son by right endud ＇ 815 ＇ with regal scepter； every soule in heavn shall bend the knee； and in that honour due confess him rightful king？ unjust thou saist flatly unjust； to binde with laws the free； and equal over equals to let reigne； ＇ 820 ＇ one over all with unsucceeded power。 shalt thou give law to god； shalt thou dispute with him the points of libertie； who made thee what thou art； and formd the powrs of heavn such as he pleasd； and circumscribd thir being？ ＇ 825 ＇ yet by experience taught we know how good； and of our good； and of our dignitie how provident he is； how farr from thought to make us less； bent rather to exalt our happie state under one head more neer ＇ 830 ＇ united。 but to grant it thee unjust； that equal over equals monarch reigne： thy self though great and glorious dost thou count； or all angelic nature joind in one； equal to him begotten son； by whom ＇ 835 ＇ as by his word the mighty father made all things； evn thee； and all the spirits of heavn by him created in thir bright degrees； crownd them with glory； and to thir glory namd thrones； dominations； princedoms； vertues； powers； ＇ 840 ＇ essential powers； nor by his reign obscurd； but more illustrious made； since he the head one of our number thus reduct bees； his laws our laws； all honour to him done returns our own。 cease then this impious rage； ＇ 845 ＇ and tempt not these； but hastn to appease th incensed father； and th incensed son； while pardon may be found in time besought。 。。！ Paradise Lost Ⅴ19 ＜小＞说？网 so spake the fervent angel； but his zeale none seconded； as out of season judgd； ＇ 850 ＇ or singular and rash； whereat rejoicd th apostat； and more haughty thus replid。 that we were formd then saist thou？ and the work of secondarie hands； by task transferd from father to his son？ strange point and new！ ＇ 855 ＇ doctrin which we would know whence learnt： who saw when this creation was？ rememberst thou thy making； while the maker gave thee being？ we know no time when we were not as now； know none before us； self…begot； self…raisd ＇ 860 ＇ by our own quickning power； when fatal course had circld his full orbe； the birth mature of this our native heavn； ethereal sons。 our puissance is our own； our own right hand shall teach us highest deeds； by proof to try ＇ 865 ＇ who is our equal： then thou shalt behold whether by supplication we intend address； and to begirt th almighty throne beseeching or besieging。 this report； these tidings carrie to th anointed king； ＇ 870 ＇ and fly； ere evil intercept thy flight。 he said； and as the sound of waters deep hoarce murmur echod to his words applause through the infini