Page:Paradise lost by Milton, John.djvu/283

Rh With narrow search, and, with inspection deep, Considered every creature, which of all Most opportune might serve his wiles, and found The serpent subtlest beast of all the field. Him, after long debate, irresolute Of thoughts revolved, his final sentence chose, Fit vessel, fittest imp of fraud, in whom To enter, and his dark suggestions hide From sharpest sight; for in the wily snake Whatever sleights none would suspicious mark, As from his wit and native subtlety Proceeding, which, in other beasts observed, Doubt might beget of diabolic power, Active within beyond the sense of brute. Thus he resolved, but first from inward grief His bursting passion into plaints thus poured:
 * "O Earth, how like to Heaven, if not preferred

More justly, seat worthier of Gods, as built With second thoughts, reforming what was old! For what God, after better, worse would build? Terrestrial Heaven, danced round by other heavens, That shine, yet bear their bright officious lamps, Light above light, for thee alone, as seems, In thee concentring all their precious beams Of sacred influence! As God in Heaven Is centre, yet extends to all, so thou Centring receivest from all those orbs; in thee,