...raignes" (1.20), rings changes on the proverbial Caesarian sentiment that Milton's Satan will echo: "To reign is worth ambition, though in hell: / Better to reign in Hell, than serve in heaven" (1.262-63).21 Fletcher's Book 1 ends with a simile that belittles his devils by comparing...

...should be, all but less than he Whom Thunder hath made greater? Here at last We shall be free; th' Almighty hath not built Here for his envy, will not...Hell: Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heav'n! With truly Puritan zeal, the demons set to work on the side of a volcano to build a splendiferous palace,...

...be, all but less then he Whom Thunder hath made greater? Here at least We shall be free; th'Almighty hath not built Here for his envy, will not drive us hence: Here we may reign secure, and in my choyce To reign is worth ambition though in Hell: Better to reign in Hell, then serve in Heav'n. (249-63)...

...should be, all but less than he Whom thunder hath made greater? Here at least We shall be free; the Almighty hath not built Here for his envy, will not...though in hell: Better to reign in hell than serve in heaven. When Eve yields to Satan's temptations and bites the forbidden fruit, the effect is of loss,...

...the famous cry of Satan in the Hell of Milton's Paradise Lost: Here at least We shall be free; th' Almighty hath not built Here for his envy, will not...Hell: Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heav'n. 391 While Job, like Milton's Satan, has no particular love for the netherworld per se, he is more than...

...mind is its own place, and in itself Can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven. 7558 Paradise Lost m has justice enough to accuse. 4149 The Deserted Village Sweet Aubum, lovelie in heaven. 7559 Paradise Lost First Moloch, horrid king besmeared with blood Of human sacrifice, and...

...the "fixt mind" can at least mock the creator of the situation: Here at least We shall be free; th' Almighty hath not built Here for his envy, will not drive us hence. (I, 258ff) When his fellows are involved Satan is likely to use a broader and more direct mockery that...

...should be, all but less than hee Whom Thunder hath made greater? Here at least We shall be free; th' Almighty hath not built Here for his envy, will not...Hell: Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heav'n. But wherefore let we then our faithful friends, Th' associates and copartners of our loss Lie thus...

...should 1 be, all but less than he Whom thunder hath made greater? Here at least We shall be free; the almighty hath not built Here for his envy, will not...though in hell: Better to reign in hell, than serve in heaven. (LM 1.242-63) The noble temper of this speech is deceptive, if only because the stoicism...

...wrath or might Extort from me. (Paradise Lost II, 1 05-1 1 1 ) Here at least We shall be free, the almighty hath not built Here for his envy, will not...though in hell; Better to reign in hell, than serve in heaven. (Paradise Lost II, 258-264) uNosilimela's earlier attitude, emotions and plight mostly echo...