In thoughts more elevate, and reasoned high Of Providence, Foreknowledge, Will and Fate, 560 Fixed Fate, Free Will, Foreknowledge absolute, And found no end, in wand’ring mazes lost.175 Of good and evil much they argued then, Of happiness and final misery, Passion and apathy, and glory and shame,176 565 Vain wisdom all, and false philosophy: Yet with a pleasing sorcery could charm Pain for a while or anguish, and excite Fallacious hope, or arm th’ obdurèd breast177 With stubborn patience as with triple steel. 570
