Page:Paradise lost by Milton, John.djvu/62

Rend up both rocks and hills, and ride the air540
In whirlwind; Hell scarce holds the wild uproar.
As when Alcides, from Œchalia crowned
With conquest, felt the envenomed robe, and tore
Through pain up by the roots Thessalian pines,
And Lichas from the top of Œta threw
Into the Euboïc sea. Others more mild,
Retreated in a silent valley, sing
With notes angelical to many a harp
Their own heroic deeds, and hapless fall
By doom of battle; and complain that Fate550
Free Virtue should enthral to Force or Chance.
Their song was partial, but the harmony
—What could it less when Spirits immortal sing?—
Suspended Hell, and took with ravishment
The thronging audience. In discourse more sweet.
—For eloquence the soul, song charms the sense—
Others apart sat on a hill retired,
In thoughts more elevate, and reasoned high
Of providence, foreknowledge, will, and fate;
Fixed faith, free will, foreknowledge absolute,560
And found no end, in wandering mazes lost.