do nothing but boast incessantly of the peace and repose they enjoy in their chains.... But when I see the others sacrifice pleasures, repose, wealth, power, and life itself for the preservation of this sole good which is so disdained by those who have lost it; when I see animals born free and despising captivity break their heads against the bars of their prison; when I see multitudes of entirely naked savages scorn European voluptuousness and endure hunger, fire, the sword, and death to preserve only their independence, I feel that it does not behoove slaves to reason about freedom.
The Lost Books Of Eden Pdf Free 126
O Visions ill foreseen! better had ILiv'd ignorant of future, so had borneMy part of evil onely, each dayes lot [ 765 ]Anough to bear; those now, that were dispenstThe burd'n of many Ages, on me lightAt once, by my foreknowledge gaining BirthAbortive, to torment me ere thir being,With thought that they must be. Let no man seek [ 770 ]Henceforth to be foretold what shall befallHim or his Childern, evil he may be sure,Which neither his foreknowing can prevent,And hee the future evil shall no lessIn apprehension then in substance feel [ 775 ]Grievous to bear: but that care now is past,Man is not whom to warne: those few escaptFamin and anguish will at last consumeWandring that watrie Desert: I had hopeWhen violence was ceas't, and Warr on Earth, [ 780 ]All would have then gon well, peace would have crowndWith length of happy dayes the race of man;But I was farr deceav'd; for now I seePeace to corrupt no less then Warr to waste.How comes it thus? unfould, Celestial Guide, [ 785 ]And whether here the Race of man will end.To whom thus Michael. Those whom last thou sawstIn triumph and luxurious wealth, are theyFirst seen in acts of prowess eminentAnd great exploits, but of true vertu void; [ 790 ]Who having spilt much blood, and don much wasteSubduing Nations, and achievd therebyFame in the World, high titles, and rich prey,Shall change thir course to pleasure, ease, and sloth,Surfet, and lust, till wantonness and pride [ 795 ]Raise out of friendship hostil deeds in Peace.The conquerd also, and enslav'd by WarrShall with thir freedom lost all vertu looseAnd fear of God, from whom thir pietie feign'dIn sharp contest of Battel found no aide [ 800 ]Against invaders; therefore coold in zealeThenceforth shall practice how to live secure,Worldlie or dissolute, on what thir LordsShall leave them to enjoy; for th' Earth shall bearMore then anough, that temperance may be tri'd: [ 805 ]So all shall turn degenerate, all deprav'd,Justice and Temperance, Truth and Faith forgot;One Man except, the onely Son of lightIn a dark Age, against example good,Against allurement, custom, and a World [ 810 ]Offended; fearless of reproach and scorn,Or violence, hee of wicked wayesShall them admonish, and before them setThe paths of righteousness, how much more safe,And full of peace, denouncing wrauth to come [ 815 ]On thir impenitence; and shall returneOf them derided, but of God observdThe one just Man alive; by his commandShall build a wondrous Ark, as thou beheldst,To save himself and houshold from amidst [ 820 ]A World devote to universal rack.No sooner hee with them of Man and BeastSelect for life shall in the Ark be lodg'd,And shelterd round, but all the CataractsOf Heav'n set open on the Earth shall powre [ 825 ]Raine day and night, all fountains of the DeepBroke up, shall heave the Ocean to usurpBeyond all bounds, till inundation riseAbove the highest Hills: then shall this MountOf Paradise by might of Waves be moovd [ 830 ]Out of his place, pushd by the horned floud,With all his verdure spoil'd, and Trees adriftDown the great River to the op'ning Gulf,And there take root an Iland salt and bare,The haunt of Seales and Orcs, and Sea-mews clang. [ 835 ]To teach thee that God attributes to placeNo sanctitie, if none be thither broughtBy Men who there frequent, or therein dwell.And now what further shall ensue, behold. 2ff7e9595c
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