With sudden blaze diffused, inflames the air: Yet thus, unmoved with fear, accost him soon: Here watching at the head of these that sleep?" Your message, like to end as much in vain ?" scorn; "Think not, revolted Spirit! thy shape the same, Best with the best, the sender, not the sent, Single against thee wicked, and thence weak." The Fiend replied not, overcome with rage; But, like a proud steed rein'd, went haughty on, Champing his iron curb: to strive or fly He held it vain: awe from above had quell'd His heart, not else dismay'd. Now drew they nigh The western point, where those half-rounding guards Just met, and closing stood in squadron join'd, "O Friends! I hear the tread of nimble feet He scarce had ended, when those two approach'd, And brief related whom they brought, where found, How busied, in what form and posture couch'd. To whom with stern regard thus Gabriel spake: "Why hast thou, Satan! broke the bounds prescribed To thy transgressions; and disturb'd the charge Of others, who approve not to transgress By thy example; but have power and right To question thy bold entrance on this place; Employ'd, it seems, to violate sleep, and those Whose dwelling God hath planted here in bliss?" To whom thus Satan, with contemptuous brow: "Gabriel! thou hadst in heaven the' esteem of wise, And such I held thee; but this question ask'd Puts me in doubt. Lives there who loves his pain? Who would not, finding way, break loose from hell, Though thither doom'd? Thou wouldst thyself, no And boldly venture to whatever place [doubt; Furthest from pain, where thou mightst hope to change Torment with ease; and soonest recompense His iron gates, if he intends our stay In that dark durance: thus much what was ask'd. The rest is true, they found me where they say; But that implies not violence or harm." Thus he in scorn. The warlike angel moved, Disdainfully half smiling, thus replied: "O loss of one in heaven to judge of wise Since Satan fell, whom folly overthrew ; And now returns him from his prison 'scaped, Gravely in doubt whether to hold them wise Or not, who ask what boldness brought him hither Unlicensed from his bounds in hell prescribed: So wise he judges it to fly from pain However, and to 'scape his punishment! So judge thou still, presumptuous! till the wrath, Which thou incurr'st by flying, meet thy flight Sevenfold, and scourge that wisdom back to hell; Which taught thee yet no better, that no pain Can equal anger infinite provoked. But wherefore thou alone? wherefore with thee |