The Poetical Works of John Milton


google search for The Poetical Works of John Milton

Return to Master Book Index.

Page
245 246 247 248 249

Quick Jump
1 198 395 593 790

May hope, when everlasting Fate shall yeild  
To fickle Chance, and Chaos judge the strife:  
The former vain to hope argues as vain  
The latter: for what place can be for us  
Within Heav'ns bound, unless Heav'ns Lord supream  
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  
Strict Laws impos'd, to celebrate his Throne  
With warbl'd Hymns, and to his Godhead sing  
Forc't Halleluiah's; while he Lordly sits  
Our envied Sovran, and his Altar breathes  
Ambrosial Odours and Ambrosial Flowers,  
Our servile offerings. This must be our task  
In Heav'n, this our delight; how wearisom  
Eternity so spent in worship paid  
240  
To whom we hate. Let us not then pursue  
By force impossible, by leave obtain'd  
250  
Unacceptable, though in Heav'n, 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  
Hard liberty before the easie yoke  
Of servile Pomp. Our greatness will appear  
247  


Page
245 246 247 248 249

Quick Jump
1 198 395 593 790