Page:Paradise lost by Milton, John.djvu/175

Rh Reason receives, and reason is her being, Discursive, or intuitive; discourse Is oftest yours, the latter most is ours, Differing but in degree, of kind the same. Wonder not then what God for you saw good If I refuse not, but convert, as you, To proper substance. Time may come when men With Angels may participate, and find No inconvenient diet, nor too light fare; And from these corporal nutriments perhaps Your bodies may at last turn all to spirit, Improved by tract of time, and winged ascend Ethereäl, as we, or may at choice Here or in heavenly Paradise dwell; If ye be found obedient, and retain Unalterably firm his love entire, Whose progeny you are. Meanwhile enjoy Your fill what happiness this happy state Can comprehend, incapable of more."
 * To whom the patriarch of mankind replied:

"O favorable Spirit, propitious guest, Well hast thou taught the way that might direct Our knowledge, and the scale of nature set From centre to circumference; whereon, In contemplation of created things, By steps we may ascend to God. But say, What meant that caution joined, If ye be found Obedient? can we want obedience then