Page:Redemption, a Poem.djvu/48

 42 REDEMPTION.

Or woman, then still more their shrieks and cries

My ear delight, harmonious to the sense.

Let those who wiles boast, wiles pursue : but give

Me open war. I chafe and burn to lead

My legions forth, and slow restraint brook not.

Defeat is fear'd ? Who argues fear, impugns

His nature, and his origin defames.

What is defeat? Short respite for repose

To arm anew, and with fresh force assail

Our foes; respite, to concentrate our wrath.

Wounds ? Ye powers ! can heavenly born fear wounds?

Or yet not know, ethereal substance thus

Disclosed, innoxious heals, and leaves no sting

Behind ? Or if the sting of death enure,

Will it be more obnoxious to our sense

Than now? Hell flames have all their fury tried,

And yet we live; live, and in strength renew'd,

Fill heav'n and earth perpetual with alarms.

No; let us rather with hell's furies arm,

Anew assault the earth, and thence perchance,

HeavVs barriers left exposed, sudden arise,

Val'rous regain our pristine seats, o'erthrow

Heav'n's Lord, and him with all his hosts consign

To these dark dens of infamy and shame.

Or failing this, at least excite his ire,

Turn his fierce wrath on whom we have seduced,

(Since us he cannot more afflict,) and thus

Indite another flood, perhaps a flood

Of fire, sweep from the earth his petted race,

The promise interdict, and man exclude

From heav'n; thus twofold end secure, divert

His aim, and quick replenish hell, but slow

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