Book I, 69: On Abram pleading for Sodome

How loth was righteous Abraham to cease,
To beat the price of lustfull Sdoms peace!
Marke how his holy boldnesse intercepts
Gods Iustice; Brings his Mercy downe, by steps:
He dare not bid so few as Ten, at first;
Nor yet from Fifty righteous persons, durst
His Zeale, on sudden, make too great a fall,
Although he wisht salvation to them all.
Great God: Thy dying Son has pow'r to cleare
A world of sinnes, that one shall no appeare
Before thine angry eyes: What wonder then,
To see thee fall, from Fifty downe to Ten!