belial； in act more graceful and humane； a fairer person lost not heavn； he seemd ＇ 110 ＇ for dignity posd and high exploit： but all was false and hollow； though his tongue dropt manna； and could make the worse appear the better reason； to perplex and dash maturest counsels： for his thoughts were low； ＇ 115 ＇ to vice industrious； but to nobler deeds timorous and slothful： yet he pleasd the ear； and with perswasive accent thus began。 i should be much for open warr； o peers； as not behind in hate； if what was urgd ＇ 120 ＇ main reason to persuade immediate warr； did not disswade me most； and seem to cast ominous conjecture on the whole success： when he who most excels in fact of arms； in what he counsels and in what excels ＇ 125 ＇ mistrustful； grounds his courage on despair and utter dissolution； as the scope of all his aim； after some dire revenge。 first； what revenge？ the towrs of heavn are filld with armed watch； that render all access ＇ 130 ＇ impregnable； oft on the bordering deep encamp thir legions； or with obscure wing scout farr and wide into the realm of night； ．． Paradise Lost Ⅱ4 。 scorning surprize。 or could we break our way by force； and at our heels all hell should rise ＇ 135 ＇ with blackest insurrection； to confound heavns purest light； yet our great enemy all incorruptible would on his throne sit unpolluted； and th ethereal mould incapable of stain would soon expel ＇ 140 ＇ her mischief； and purge off the baser fire victorious。 thus repulsd； our final hope is flat despair； we must exasperate th almighty victor to spend all his rage； and that must end us； that must be our cure； ＇ 145 ＇ to be no more； sad cure； for who would loose； though full of pain； this intellectual being； those thoughts that wander through eternity； to perish rather； swallowd up and lost in the wide womb of uncreated night； ＇ 150 ＇ devoid of sense and motion？ and who knows； let this be good； whether our angry foe can give it； or will ever？ how he can is doubtful； that he never will is sure。 will he； so wise； let loose at once his ire； ＇ 155 ＇ belike through impotence； or unaware； to give his enemies thir wish； and end them in his anger； whom his anger saves to punish endless？ wherefore cease we then？ say they who counsel warr； we are decreed； ＇ 160 ＇ reservd and destind to eternal woe； whatever doing； what can we suffer more； what can we suffer worse？ is this then worst； thus sitting； thus consulting； thus in arms？ what when we fled amain； pursud and strook ＇ 165 ＇ with heavns afflicting thunder； and besought the deep to shelter us？ this hell then seemd a refuge from those wounds： or when we lay chaind on the burning lake？ that sure was worse。 what if the breath that kindld those grim fires ＇ 170 ＇ awakd should blow them into sevenfold rage and plunge us in the flames？ or from above should intermitted vengeance arm again his red right hand to plague us？ what if all her stores were opend； and this firmament ＇ 175 ＇ of hell should spout her cataracts of fire； impendent horrors； threatning hideous fall one day upon our heads； while we perhaps designing or exhorting glorious warr； caught in a fierie tempest shall be hurld ＇ 180 ＇ each on his rock transfixt； the sport and prey of racking whirlwinds； or for ever sunk under yon boyling ocean； wrapt in chains； there to converse with everlasting groans； unrespited； unpitied； unrepreevd； ＇ 185 ＇ ages of hopeless end； this would be worse。 。。 Paradise Lost Ⅱ5 大＿ warr therefore； open or conceald； alike my voice disswades； for what can force or guile with him； or who deceive his mind； whose eye views all things at one view？ he from heavns highth ＇ 190 ＇ all these our motions vain； sees and derides； not more almighty to resist our might then wise to frustrate all our plots and wiles。 shall we then live thus vile； the race of heavn thus trampld； thus expelld to suffer here ＇ 195 ＇ chains and these torments？ better these then worse by my advice； since fate inevitable subdues us； and omnipotent decree the victors will。 to suffer； as to doe； our strength is equal； nor the law unjust ＇ 200 ＇ that so ordains： this was at first resolvd； if we were wise； against so great a foe contending； and so doubtful what might fall。 i laugh； when those who at the spear are bold and ventrous； if that fail them； shrink and fear ＇ 205 ＇ what yet they know must follow； to endure exile； or ignominy； or bonds； or pain； the sentence of thir conquerour： this is now our doom； which if we can sustain and bear； our supream foe in time may much remit ＇ 210 ＇ his anger； and perhaps thus farr removd not mind us not offending； satisfid with what is punisht； whence these raging fires will slackn； if his breath stir not thir flames。 our purer essence then will overe ＇ 215 ＇ thir noxious vapour； or enurd not feel； or changd at length； and to the place conformd in temper and in nature； will receive familiar the fierce heat； and void of pain； this horror will grow milde； this darkness light； ＇ 220 ＇ besides what hope the never…ending flight of future dayes may bring； what chance； what change worth waiting； since our present lot appeers for happy though but ill； for ill not worst； if we procure not to our selves more woe。 ＇ 225 ＇ 。。！ Paradise Lost Ⅱ6 thus belial with words cloathd in reasons garb counselld ignoble ease； and peaceful sloath； not peace： and after him thus mammon spake。 either to disinthrone the king of heavn we warr； if warr be best； or to regain ＇ 230 ＇ our own right lost： him to unthrone we then 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 ＇ 235 ＇ within heavns bound； unless heavns lord supream we overpower？ suppose he should relent and publish grace to all； on promise made of new s