Page:Paradise lost by Milton, John.djvu/117

The easiest recompense, and pay him thanks?
How due! Yet all his good proved ill in me,
And wrought but malice. Lifted up so high
I 'sdeined subjection, and thought one step higher50
Would set me highest, and in a moment quit
The debt immense of endless gratitude,
So burdensome still paying still to owe;
Forgetful what from him I still received,
And understood not that a grateful mind
By owing owes not, but still pays, at once
Indebted and discharged; what burden then?
Oh, had his powerful destiny ordained
Me some inferior Angel! I had stood
Then happy; no unbounded hope had raised60
Ambition. Yet why not? some other Power
As great might have aspired, and me though mean
Drawn to his part. But other Powers as great
Fell not, but stand unshaken, from within
Or from without to all temptations armed.
Hadst thou the same free will and power to stand?
Thou hadst. Whom hast thou then or what to accuse,
But Heaven's free love dealt equally to all?
Be then his love accursed, since, love or hate,
To me alike it deals eternal woe.70
Nay, cursed be thou; since against his thy will