to kindle in Jesus' heart a passion for worldly glory, Satan artfully
relates that Caesar wept because he had lived so long without
distinguishing himself; but our Lord quietly demonstrates the futility
of earthly fame, compared to real glory, which is won only through
religious patience and virtuous striving, such as was practiced by Job
and Socrates. When Christ repeats he is not seeking his own glory but
that of the Father who sent him, Satan reminds him God is surrounded
with splendor and that it behooves his Son to strive to be like him.
But Jesus rejoins that, while glory is the essential attribute of the
Creator, no one else has a right to aspire to anything of the sort.

Undeterred by these checks, Satan changes his theme, and reminds
Christ that, as a member of the royal family, he is not only entitled
to the throne, but expected to free Judea from Roman oppression. He
states that the holy temple has been defiled, that injustice has been
committed, and urges that even the Maccabees resorted to arms to free
their country. Although Christ insists no such mission has been
appointed for him, he adds that, although his reign will never end, it
will be only those who can suffer best who will be able to enjoy it.

"Who best
Can suffer, best can do; best reign, who first
Well hath obeyed; just trial ere I merit
My exaltation without change or end."

Then, turning upon his interlocutor, Christ inquires why he is so
anxious to promote the one whose rise will entail his fall? To which
Satan replies that, having no hope, it little behooves him to obstruct
the plans of Christ, from whose benevolence alone he expects some
mitigation of his punishment, for he fancies that by speaking thus he