He doth transgress the holy Right 340 Once to the Angels given.
The lawful Rights Of subjects to transgress can them inflame, And fires enkindle that the very air Would soon consume. How poor a recompense For stainless faith! How shall we best conduct Ourselves amid this mournful hopelessness?
'Twill comfort us one bold attempt to make.
This violence needs, compulsion, and revenge.
We might, mayhap, a safer method choose. 350
Delay would bring us here not gain, but loss.
One should his wrong with reason understand.
Reason doth publish here: we are oppressed.
With prayers ye first and best might gain your end.
This plot to bare would foil its execution.
Scarce can such plot be hidden from the light.
We're gaining fast, and stand in equipoise.
Their chance is best who with God's Marshal fight.
This can be righted ne'er by fright nor moan.
Both are with us, and strengthen our array.
How gained ye them? 'Tis far, indeed, progressed.
The Heavens flow toward us now with teeming floods.
Trust not in armies formed of wavering throngs.
Even now advantage towers, and danger flees.
Who rashly dares should not advantage claim.
All on the issue hangs. Before the event All judgment errs. The gathered hosts demand Thee as their leader and their sovran chief In this our expedition.
But who could 370 Be so bereft of wit as to defend Your righteous cause, and by such course provoke The battled hosts of Heaven? Aye, to yourselves Be ye more merciful. Exempt me from This charge. I choose to hold a neutral place. Deliberation will yet make things right.
O! brothers, hear. Through mediators take Unto God's Throne your supplications sad. More ground is won by mediation than Rebellion's steep ascent. With coolness act: 380 With reason and deliberation weigh. We will on high your Rights defend. Be calm Ye offend the crown of God, the Lord of Lords.
And ye, our vested Right: be ye less bold. Lord Belzebub, advance our lawful claim. Place all the legions now in battle line. We'll follow thee together.
Stay, O think, Ye flaming zealots, think, I pray you, farther. I will precede you to the palace grand, Unto the Throne, and there our Rights obtain 390 Through peaceful means and mutual covenants, Made voluntarily and uncompelled.