17

Thrones, Dominations, Princedoms, Vertues, Powers,

If these magnific Titles yet remain

Not meerly titular, since by Decree

Another now hath to himself ingrosst [ 775 ]

All Power, and us eclipst under the name

Of King anointed, for whom all this haste

Of midnight march, and hurried meeting here,

This onely to consult how we may best

With what may be devisd of honours new [ 780 ]

Receive him coming to receive from us

Knee-tribute yet unpaid, prostration vile,

Too much to one, but double how endurd,

To one and to his image now proclaimd?

But what if better counsels might erect [ 785 ]

Our minds and teach us to cast off this Yoke?

Will ye submit your necks, and chuse to bend

The supple knee? ye will not, if I trust

To know ye right, or if ye know your selves

Natives and Sons of Heavn possest before [ 790 ]

By none, and if not equal all, yet free,

Equally free; for Orders and Degrees

Jarr not with liberty, but well consist.

Who can in reason then or right assume

Monarchie over such as live by right [ 795 ]

His equals, if in power and splendor less,

In freedome equal? or can introduce

Law and Edict on us, who without law

Erre not, much less for this to be our Lord,

And look for adoration to th abuse [ 800 ]

Of those Imperial Titles which assert

Our being ordaind to govern, not to serve?

Thus farr his bold discourse without controule

Had audience, when among the Seraphim

Abdiel, then whom none with more zeale adord [ 805 ]

The Deitie, and divine commands obeid,

Stood up, and in a flame of zeale severe

The current of his fury thus opposd.