Page:Paradise lost by Milton, John.djvu/41

Rh Satan exalted sat, by merit raised To that bad eminence; and, from despair Thus high uplifted beyond hope, aspires Beyond thus high, insatiate to pursue Vain war with Heaven, and, by success untaught, He proud imaginations thus displayed.
 * "Powers and Dominions, deities of Heaven—

For since no Deep within her gulf can hold Immortal vigour, though oppressed and fallen, I give not Heaven for lost; from this descent Celestial virtues rising will appear More glorious and more dread than from no fall, And trust themselves to fear no second fate— Me though just right, and the fixed laws of Heaven, Did first create your leader, next free choice, With what besides, in counsel or in fight, Hath been achieved of merit, yet this loss Thus far at least recovered hath much more Established in a safe unenvied throne, Yielded with full consent. The happier state In Heaven, which follows dignity, might draw Envy from each inferior; but who here Will envy whom the highest place exposes Foremost to stand against the Thunderer's aim Your bulwark, and condemns to greatest share Of endless pain? Where there is then no good For which to strive, no strife can grow up there