Page:Paradise lost by Milton, John.djvu/293

The danger lies, yet lies within his power:
Against his will he can receive no harm. 350
But God left free the will, for what obeys
Reason is free; and reason he made right,
But bid her well beware, and still erect,
Lest, by some fair-appearing good surprised,
She dictate false, and misinform the will
To do what God expressly hath forbid.
Not then mistrust, but tender love, enjoins
That I should mind thee oft, and mind thou me.
Firm we subsist, yet possible to swerve,
Since reason not impossibly may meet 360
Some specious object by the foe suborned,
And fall into deception unaware,
Not keeping strictest watch, as she was warned.
Seek not temptation then, which to avoid
Were better, and most likely it from me
Thou sever not; trial will come unsought.
Wouldst thou approve thy constancy, approve
First thy obedience; the other who can know,
Not seeing thee attempted? who attest?
But if thou think trial unsought may find 370
Us both securer than thus warned thou seemest,
Go; for thy stay, not free, absents thee more.
Go in thy native innocence, rely
On what thou hast of virtue, summon all;
For God toward thee hath done his part; do thine."