Page:Paradise lost by Milton, John.djvu/62

56 Rend up both rocks and hills, and ride the air In whirlwind; Hell scarce holds the wild uproar. As when Alcides, from Œchalia crowned With conquest, felt the envenomed robe, and tore Through pain up by the roots Thessalian pines, And Lichas from the top of Œta threw Into the Euboïc sea. Others more mild, Retreated in a silent valley, sing With notes angelical to many a harp Their own heroic deeds, and hapless fall By doom of battle; and complain that Fate Free Virtue should enthral to Force or Chance. Their song was partial, but the harmony —What could it less when Spirits immortal sing?— Suspended Hell, and took with ravishment The thronging audience. In discourse more sweet.sweet [sic] —For eloquence the soul, song charms the sense— Others apart sat on a hill retired, In thoughts more elevate, and reasoned high Of providence, foreknowledge, will, and fate; Fixed faith, free will, foreknowledge absolute, And found no end, in wandering mazes lost.