The Poetical Works of John Milton


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They all had need, I as thou seest have none.  
How hast thou hunger then? Satan reply'd,  
Tell me if Food were now before thee set,  
Would'st thou not eat? Thereafter as I like  
The giver, answer'd Jesus. Why should that  
Cause thy refusal, said the subtle Fiend,  
Hast thou not right to all Created things,  
Owe not all Creatures by just right to thee  
Duty and Service, nor to stay till bid,  
320  
But tender all their power? nor mention I  
Meats by the Law unclean, or offer'd first  
To Idols, those young Daniel could refuse;  
Nor proffer'd by an Enemy, though who  
Would scruple that, with want opprest? behold  
Nature asham'd, or better to express,  
330  
Troubl'd that thou should'st hunger, hath purvey'd  
From all the Elements her choicest store  
To treat thee as beseems, and as her Lord  
With honour, only deign to sit and eat.  
He spake no dream, for as his words had end,  
Our Saviour lifting up his eyes beheld  
In ample space under the broadest shade  
A Table richly spred, in regal mode,  
340  
With dishes pil'd, and meats of noblest sort  
And savour, Beasts of chase, or Fowl of game,  
In pastry built, or from the spit, or boyl'd,  
660  


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