John Milton

A mind not to be changed by place or time.

The mind is its own place, and in itself

Can make a Heaven of Hell, a Hell of Heaven.

What reinforcement we may gain from hope,

If not, what resolution from despair.

Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven.

One next himself in power, and next in crime,

Long after known in Palestine, and named

Beelzebub. To whom th' Arch-Enemy,

All is not lost—the unconquerable will,

And study of revenge, immortal hate,

And courage never to submit or yield:

And what is else not to be overcome?

That glory never shall his wrath or might

Extort from me. To bow and sue for grace

With suppliant knee, and deify his power

Who, from the terror of this arm, so late

Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven

Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven.

How wearisome

Eternity so spent in worship paid

To whom we hate!

preferring

Hard liberty before the easy yoke

Of servile pomp.

or, if not drive,

Seduce them to our party, that their God

May prove their foe, and with repenting hand

Abolish his own works.