(Liv. VIII.)
Nothing lovelier can be found,
In woman, as to study household good,
And good works in her husband to promote.
(Liv. IX.)
His forbidding
Commends thee more, while it infers the good
By thee communicated and our want;
For good unknown is sure not had; or, had,
And yet unknown, is as not had at all....
Such prohibitions bind not.
(Liv. IX.)
I made him just and right,
Sufficient to have stood, though free to fall.
Such I created all the etherial powers
And spirits, both them who stood and them who fail'd....
Not free, what proof would had they given sincere
Of true allegiance, constant faith, or love,
Where only what they needs must do appeared,
Not what they would? What praise could they receive?
What pleasure I from such obedience paid,
When will and reason (reason also is choice)
Useless and vain, of freedom both despoil'd,
Made passive both, had served necessity,
Not me? They therefore, as to right belong'd,
So were created, nor can justly accuse
Their Maker, or their making, or their fate,
As if predestination over-ruled
Their will disposed by absolute decree
Or high foreknowledge. They themselves decreed
Their own revolt, not I. If I foreknew,
Foreknowledge had no influence on their fault,
Who had no less proved certain unforeknown.
So without least impulse or shadow of fate,
Or aught by me immutably foreseen,
They trespass, authors to themselves in all
Both what they judge and choose.
(Liv. III.)