To whom thus Satan, with contemptuous brow: “Gabriel, thou hadst in Heaven the esteem of wise, And such I held thee; but this question asked Puts me in doubt. Lives there who loves his pain? Who would not, finding way, break loose from Hell, Though thither doomed? Thou wouldst thyself, no doubt, And boldly venture to whatever place Farthest from pain, where thou mightst hope to change Torment with ease, and soonest recompense Dole with delight; which in this place I sought: To thee no reason, who know’st only good, But evil hast not tried. And wilt object His will who bound us? let him surer bar His iron gates, if he intends our stay In that dark durance. Thus much what was asked: The rest is true, they found me where they say; But that implies not violence or harm.”