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BOOK HI. PARADISE REGAINED. 55
Samaritan or Jew; how could'ft thou hope
Long to enjoy it quiet and fecure,
Between two fuch inclofing enemies
Roman and Parthian ? therefore one of thefe
Thou muft make fure thy own, the Parthian firft
By my advice, as nearer, and of late
Found able by invasion to annoy
Thy country', and captive lead away her kings
Antigonus, and old Hyrcanus bound,
Maugre the Roman : it ihall be my taik
To render thee the Parthian at difpofe;
Choofe which thou wilt by conquer!: or by league.
By him thou lhalt regain, without him not,
That which alone can truly reinftall thee
In David's royal feat, his true fucceflbr,
Deliverance of thy brethren, thofe ten tribes
Whofe offspring in his territory yet ferve.
In Habor, and among the Medes difpers'd ;
Ten fons of Jacob, two of Jofeph loft
Thus long from Ifrael, ferving as of old
Their fathers in the land of Egypt ferv'd,,
This offer fets before thee to deliver.
Thefe if from fervitude thou lhalt reftore
To their inheritance, then, nor till then,
Thou on the throne of David in full glory,
From Egypt to Euphrates and beyond
Shalt reign, and Rome or Caefar not need fear.'' /
To whom our Saviour anfwer'd thus unmov'd.
w Much oftentation vain of fleflily arm,
And fragil arms, much inftrument of war
Long in preparing, foon to nothing brought,
l