A third sat down Among them, covering with his wasted hand Somewhat that pained his breast.
And when the fit Of thunder, and the sobbings of the wind, Were lulled, the dragon spoke with wrath and rage, And told them of his matters: "Look to this, If ye be loyal"; adding, "Give your thoughts, And let me have your counsel in this need." One spirit rose and spake, and all the cave Was full of sighs, "The words of Make the Prince, Of him once delegate in Betelgeux: Whereas of late the manner is to change, We know not where 't will end; and now my words Go thus: give way, be peaceable, lie still And strive not, else the world that we have won He may, to drive us out, reduce to naught.
"For while I stood in mine obedience yet, Steering of Betelgeux my sun, behold, A moon, that evil ones did fill, rolled up Astray, and suddenly the Master came, And while, a million strong, like rooks they rose, He took and broke it, flung it here and there, And called a blast to drive the powder forth; And it was fine as dust, and blurred the skies Farther than 'tis from hence to this young sun.
Spirits that passed upon their work that day, Cried out, 'How dusty 'tis.' Behoves us, then, That we depart, as leaving unto Him This goodly world and goodly race of man.
Not all are doomed; hereafter it may be That we find place on it again.

But if, Too zealous to preserve it, and the men Our servants, we oppose Him, He may come And choosing rather to undo His work Than strive with it for aye, make so an end." He sighing paused.

Lo, then the serpent hissed In impotent rage, "Depart! and how depart! Can flesh be carried down where spirits wonn?
Or I, most miserable, hold my life Over the airless, bottomless gulf, and bide The buffetings of yonder shoreless sea?
O death, thou terrible doom: O death, thou dread Of all that breathe." A spirit rose and spake; "Whereas in Heaven is power, is much to fear; For this admired country we have marred.
Whereas in Heaven is love (and there are days When yet I can recall what love was like), Is naught to fear.

A threatening makes the whole, And clogged with strong conditions: 'O, repent, Man, and I turn,' He, therefore, powerful now, And more so, master, that ye bide in clay, Threateneth that He may save.

They shall not die." The dragon said, "I tremble, I am sick." He said with pain of heart, "How am I fallen! For I keep silence; yea, I have withdrawn From haunting of His gates, and shouting up Defiance.