Page:Paradise lost by Milton, John.djvu/176

To him, or possibly his love desert?
Who formed us from the dust, and placed us here,
Full to the utmost measure of what bliss
Human desires can seek or apprehend."
To whom the Angel:—"Son of Heaven and Earth,
Attend! That thou art happy, owe to God;520
That thou continuest such, owe to thyself,
That is, to thy obedience; therein stand.
This was that caution given thee; be advised.
God may thee perfect, not immutable;
And good he made thee, but to persevere
He left it in thy power; ordained thy will
By nature free, not overruled by fate
Inextricable, or strict necessity.
Our voluntary service he requires,
Not our necessitated; such with him530
Finds no acceptance, nor can find; for how
Can hearts not free be tried, whether they serve
Willing or no? who will but what they must
By destiny, and can no other choose?
Myself and all the angelic host, that stand
In sight of God enthroned, our happy state
Hold, as you yours, while our obedience holds;
On other surety none; freely we serve,
Because we freely love, as in our will
To love or not; in this we stand or fall.540