Page:Paradise lost by Milton, John.djvu/130

124 Not like these narrow limits, to receive Your numerous offspring; if no better place, Thank him who puts me loath to this revenge On you who wrong me not, for him who wronged. And should I at your harmless innocence Melt, as I do, yet public reason just, Honor and empire, with revenge enlarged By conquering this new World, compels me now To do what else, though damned, I should abhor."
 * So spake the Fiend, and with necessity,

The tyrant's plea, excused his devilish deeds. Then, from his lofty stand on that high tree, Down he alights among the sportful herd Of those four-footed kinds, himself now one, Now other, as their shape served best his end Nearer to view his prey, and, unespied, To mark what of their state he more might learn By word or action marked. About them round A lion now he stalks with fiery glare; Then as a tiger, who by chance hath spied In some purlieu two gentle fawns at play, Straight couches close, then rising changes oft His couchant watch, as one who chose his ground Whence rushing he might surest seize them both Griped in each paw: when Adam first of men To first of woman Eve thus moving speech