To his deftruction, as I had in charge, I loft not what I loft, rather by them 390 I gain'd what I have gain'd, and with them dwell Copartner in thefe regions of the world, If not difpofer; lend them oft my aid, And anfwers, oracles, portents and dreams, 395 At first it may be; but long fince with woe Nearer acquainted, now I feel by proof, 400 That fellowship in pain divides not fmfart, Nor lightens ought each man's peculiar load. Small confolation then, were man adjoin'd: This wounds me moft (what can it lefs?) that man, Man fall'n fhall be restor'd, I never more. 405 To whom our Saviour fternly thus reply'd. Defervedly thou griev'ft, compos'd of lies From the beginning, and in lies wilt end; Who boaft'st release from Hell, and leave to come Into the Heav'n of Heav'ns: thou com'st in deed, As a poor milerable captive thrall 410 Comes to the place, where he before had fat To all the hoft of Heav'n: the happy place But thou art serviceable to Heav'n's King. What but thy malice mov'd thee to misdeem Of righteous Job, then cruelly to afflict him With all inflictions? but his patience won. 425 To be a liar in four hundred mouths; For lying is thy fuftenance, thy food. Tet thou pretend'st to truth; all oracles 430 By thee are giv'n, and what confefs'd more true Among the nations? that hath been thy craft, By mixing fomewhat true to vent more lies. But what have been thy answers, what but And not well understood as good not known? thy truth, But from him or his Angels prefident In every province? 445 who themfelves difdai ning T' approach thy temples, give thee in com mand What to the smallest tittle thou shalt fay 450 455 Then to thyself ascrib'st the truth foretold. At least in vain, for they fhall find thee mute. God hath now fent his living oracle Into the world, to teach his final will, 460 And fends his Spirit of truth henceforth to dwell In pious hearts, an inward oracle To all truth requisite for men to know. So fpake our Saviour; but the subtle Fiend, 465 Though inly stung with anger and disdain, Diffembled, and this answer finooth return'd. Sharply thou haft insisted on rebuke, And urg'd me hard with doings, which not will But mifery hath wrefted from me: where 470 Eafily canft thou find one miserable, And not enforc'd oft-times to part from truth; If it may ftand him more in stead to lie, Say and unfay, feign, flatter, or abjure? Lord; From thee I can and muft fubmifs indure 475 Check or reproof, and glad to 'scape so quit. Hard are the ways of truth, and rough to walk, Smooth on the tongue difcours'd, pleafing to th' ear, 480 And tuneable as fylvan pipe or fong; mire Virtue, who follow not her lore: permit me To hear thee when I come (fince no man comes) And talk at least, though I defpair to' at tain. 485 Thy Father, who is holy, wife and pure, Suffers the hypocrite or atheous priest To tread his facred courts, and minifter About his altar, handling holy things, Praying or vowing, and vouchfaf'd his voice To Balaam reprobate, a prophet yet Infpir'd; difdain not fuch access to me. 490 To whom our Saviour with unalter'd brow. Thy coming hither, though I know thy scope, I bid not or forbid; do as thou find'st 495 |