Page:Paradise lost by Milton, John.djvu/150

Torment with ease, and soonest recompense
Dole with delight, which in this place I sought;
To thee no reason, who knowest only good,
But evil hast not tried; and wilt object
His will who bound us. Let him surer bar
His iron gates, if he intends our stay
In that dark durance. Thus much what was asked:
The rest is true, they found me where they say:900
But that implies not violence or harm."
Thus he in scorn. The warlike Angel moved,
Disdainfully half-smiling, thus replied:
"Oh, loss of one in Heaven to judge of wise,
Since Satan fell! whom folly overthrew,
And now returns him from his prison, scaped,
Bravely in doubt whether to hold them wise
Or not, who ask what boldness brought him hither,
Unlicensed from his bounds in Hell prescribed;
So wise he judges it to fly from pain910
However, and to scape his punishment!
So judge thou still, presumptuous! till the wrath,
Which thou incurrest by flying, meet thy flight
Sevenfold, and scourge that wisdom back to Hell,
Which taught thee yet no better, that no pain
Can equal anger infinite provoked.
But wherefore thou alone? wherefore with thee