Page:Paradise lost by Milton, John.djvu/345

Rh To rule, as over all he should have ruled. True is, me also he hath judged, or rather Me not, but the brute serpent, in whose shape Man I deceived. That which to me belongs, Is enmity, which he will put between Me and mankind: I am to bruise his heel; His seed—when is not set—shall bruise my head. A world who would not purchase with a bruise, Or much more grievous pain? Ye have the account Of my performance. What remains, ye Gods, But up, and enter now into full bliss?"
 * So having said, awhile he stood, expecting

Their universal shout and high applause To fill his ear; when, contrary, he hears On all sides, from innumerable tongues, A dismal universal hiss, the sound Of public scorn. He wondered, but not long Had leisure, wondering at himself now more. His visage drawn he felt to sharp and spare, His arms clung to his ribs, his legs entwining Each other, till supplanted down he fell, A monstrous serpent, on his belly prone, Reluctant, but in vain; a greater power Now ruled him, punished in the shape he sinned, According to his doom. He would have spoke, But hiss for hiss returned with forked tongue To forked tongue; for now were all transformed