Wherefore doth He hunt me out From this small world, this little one, that I Have been content to take unto myself, I here being loved and worshipped?
He knoweth How much I have foregone; and must He stoop To whelm the world, and heave the floors o' the deep, Of purpose to pursue me from my place?
And since I gave men knowledge, must He take Their length of days whereby they perfect it?
So shall He scatter all that I have stored, And get them by degrading them.

I know That in the end it is appointed me To fade.

I will not fade before the time." A spirit rose, the third, a spirit ashamed And subtle, and his face he turned aside: "Whereas," said he, "we strive against both power And love, behoves us that we strive aright.
Now some of old my comrades, yesterday I met, as they did journey to appear In the Presence; and I said, 'My master lieth Sick yonder, otherwise (for no decree There stands against it) he would also come And make obeisance with the sons of God.' They answered, naught denying.

Therefore, lord, 'Tis certain that ye have admittance yet; And what doth hinder?
Nothing but this breath.
Were it not well to make an end, and die, And gain admittance to the King of kings?
What if thy slaves by thy consent should take And bear thee on their wings above the earth, And suddenly let fall,--how soon 't were o'er! We should have fear and sinking at the heart; But in a little moment we should see, Rising majestic from a ruined heap, The stately spirit that we served of yore." The serpent turned his subtle deadly eyes Upon the spirit, and hissed; and sick with shame, It bowed itself together, and went back With hidden face.

"This counsel is not good," The other twain made answer; "look, my lord, Whereas 'tis evil in thine eyes, in ours 'Tis evil also; speak, for we perceive That on thy tongue the words of counsel sit, Ready to fly to our right greedy ears, That long for them." And Satan, flattered thus (Forever may the serpent kind be charmed, With soft sweet words, and music deftly played), Replied, "Whereas I surely rule the world, Behoves that ye prepare for me a path, And that I, putting of my pains aside, Go stir rebellion in the mighty hearts O' the giants; for He loveth them, and looks Full oft complacent on their glorious strength.
He willeth that they yield, that He may spare; But, by the blackness of my loathed den, I say they shall not, no, they shall not yield; Go, therefore, take to you some harmless guise, And spread a rumor that I come.