Page:Paradise lost by Milton, John.djvu/357

Rh Not to the extent of their own sphere. But say That death be not one stroke, as I supposed, Bereaving sense, but endless misery From this day onward, which I feel begun Both in me, and without me, and so last To perpetuity. . . Ay me! that fear Comes thundering back with dreadful revolution On my defenceless head. Both Death and I Am found eternal, and incorporate both; Nor I on my part single; in me all Posterity stands cursed. Fair patrimony That I must leave ye, sons! Oh, were I able To waste it all myself, and leave ye none! So disinherited, how would ye bless Me, now you curse! Ah, why should all mankind For one man's fault, thus guiltless be condemned?— If guiltless; but from me what can proceed But all corrupt, both mind and will depraved Not to do only, but to will the same With me? How can they then acquitted stand In sight of God? Him, after all disputes, Forced I absolve; all my evasions vain, And reasonings, though through mazes, lead me still But to my own conviction: first and last On me, me only, as the source and spring Of all corruption, all the blame lights due;