Yet pleasing; such as once, so poets tell,

The devils held within the dales of hell,

Concerning God, freewill, and destiny.

Of all that earth has been, or yet may be;

All that vain men imagine or believe,

Or hope can paint, or suffering can achieve,

We descanted; and I (for ever still

Is it not wise to make the best of ill?)

Argued against despondency; but pride

Made my companion take the darker side.