we overpower？ suppose he should relent and publish grace to all； on promise made of new subjection； with what eyes could we stand in his presence humble； and receive ＇ 240 ＇ strict laws imposd； to celebrate his throne with warbld hymns； and to his godhead sing forct halleluiahs； while he lordly sits our envied sovran； and his altar breathes ambrosial odours and ambrosial flowers； ＇ 245 ＇ our servile offerings。 this must be our task in heavn； this our delight； how wearisom eternity so spent in worship paid to whom we hate。 let us not then pursue by force impossible； by leave obtaind ＇ 250 ＇ unacceptable； though in heavn； our state of splendid vassalage； but rather seek our own good from our selves； and from our own live to our selves； though in this vast recess； free； and to none accountable； preferring ＇ 255 ＇ hard liberty before the easie yoke of servile pomp。 our greatness will appeer then most conspicuous； when great things of small； useful of hurtful； prosperous of adverse we can create； and in what place so ere ＇ 260 ＇ thrive under evil； and work ease out of pain through labour and indurance。 this deep world of darkness do we dread？ how oft amidst thick clouds and dark doth heavns all…ruling sire choose to reside； his glory unobscurd； ＇ 265 ＇ and with the majesty of darkness round covers his throne； from whence deep thunders roar mustring thir rage； and heavn resembles hell？ 。。 Paradise Lost Ⅱ7 生？ as he our darkness； cannot we his light imitate when we please？ this desart soile ＇ 270 ＇ wants not her hidden lustre； gemms and gold； nor want we skill or art； from whence to raise magnificence； and what can heavn shew more？ our torments also may in length of time bee our elements； these piercing fires ＇ 275 ＇ as soft as now severe； our temper changd into their temper； which must needs remove the sensible of pain。 all things invite to peaceful counsels； and the settld state of order； how in safety best we may ＇ 280 ＇ pose our present evils； with regard of what we are and were； dismissing quite all thoughts of warr： ye have what i advise。 he scarce had finisht； when such murmur filld th assembly； as when hollow rocks retain ＇ 285 ＇ the sound of blustring winds； which all night long had rousd the sea； now with hoarse cadence lull sea…faring men orewatcht； whose bark by chance or pinnace anchors in a craggy bay after the tempest： such applause was heard ＇ 290 ＇ as mammon ended； and his sentence pleasd； advising peace： for such another field they dreaded worse then hell： so much the fear of thunder and the sword of michael wrought still within them； and no less desire ＇ 295 ＇ to found this nether empire； which might rise by pollicy； and long process of time； in emulation opposite to heavn。 which when beelzebub perceivd； then whom； satan except； none higher sat； with grave ＇ 300 ＇ aspect he rose； and in his rising seemd a pillar of state； deep on his front engraven deliberation sat and public care； and princely counsel in his face yet shon； majestic though in ruin： sage he stood ＇ 305 ＇ with atlantean shoulders fit to bear the weight of mightiest monarchies； his look drew audience and attention still as night or summers noon…tide air； while thus he spake。 。。。！ Paradise Lost Ⅱ8 thrones and imperial powers； off…spring of heavn ＇ 310 ＇ ethereal vertues； or these titles now must we renounce； and changing stile be calld princes of hell？ for so the popular vote inclines； here to continue； and build up here a growing empire； doubtless； while we dream； ＇ 315 ＇ and know not that the king of heavn hath doomd this place our dungeon； not our safe retreat beyond his potent arm； to live exempt from heavns high jurisdiction； in new league banded against his throne； but to remaine ＇ 320 ＇ in strictest bondage； though thus far removd； under th inevitable curb； reservd his captive multitude： for he； be sure in heighth or depth； still first and last will reign sole king； and of his kingdom loose no part ＇ 325 ＇ by our revolt； but over hell extend his empire； and with iron scepter rule us here； as with his golden those in heavn。 what sit we then projecting peace and warr？ warr hath determind us； and foild with loss ＇ 330 ＇ irreparable； tearms of peace yet none voutsaft or sought； for what peace will be givn to us enslavd； but custody severe； and stripes； and arbitrary punishment inflicted？ and what peace can we return； ＇ 335 ＇ but to our power hostility and hate； untamd reluctance； and revenge though slow； yet ever plotting how the conqueror least may reap his conquest； and may least rejoyce in doing what we most in suffering feel？ ＇ 340 ＇ nor will occasion want； nor shall we need with dangerous expedition to invade heavn； whose high walls fear no assault or siege； or ambush from the deep。 what if we find some easier enterprize？ there is a place ＇ 345 ＇ （if ancient and prophetic fame in heavn err not） another world； the happy seat of some new race calld man； about this time to be created like to us； though less in power and excellence； but favourd more ＇ 350 ＇ of him who rules above； so was his will pronouncd among the gods； and by an oath； that shook heavns whol circumference； confirmd。 。。。！ Paradise Lost Ⅱ9 @小‘说〃网 thither let us bend all our thoughts； to learn what creatures there inhabit； of what mould； ＇ 355 ＇ or substance； how endud； and what thir power； and where thir weakness； how attempted best； by force or suttlety： though heavn be shut； and heavns high arbitrator sit secure in his own strength； this place may lye exposd ＇ 360 ＇ the utmost border of his kingdom； left to their defence who hold it： here perhaps som advantagious act may be achievd by sudden onset； either with hell fire to waste his whole creation； or possess ＇ 365 ＇ all as our own； and drive as we were driven； the punie habitants； or if not drive；