Milton, John, 1608-1674. Paradise Lost (1667)
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Book 2
1: High on a Throne of Royal State, which far
2: Outshon the wealth of ORMUS and of IND,
3: Or where the gorgeous East with richest hand
4: Showrs on her Kings BARBARIC Pearl & Gold,
5: Satan exalted sat, by merit rais'd
6: To that bad eminence; and from despair
7: Thus high uplifted beyond hope, aspires
8: Beyond thus high, insatiate to pursue
9: Vain Warr with Heav'n, and by success untaught
10: His proud imaginations thus displaid.
11: Powers and Dominions, Deities of Heav'n,
12: For since no deep within her gulf can hold
13: Immortal vigor, though opprest and fall'n,
14: I give not Heav'n for lost. From this descent
15: Celestial vertues rising, will appear
16: More glorious and more dread then from no fall,
17: And trust themselves to fear no second fate:
18: Mee though just right, and the fixt Laws of Heav'n
19: Did first create your Leader, next, free choice,
20: With what besides, in Counsel or in Fight,
21: Hath bin achievd of merit, yet this loss
22: Thus farr at least recover'd, hath much more
23: Establisht in a safe unenvied Throne
24: Yeilded with full consent. The happier state
25: In Heav'n, which follows dignity, might draw
26: Envy from each inferior; but who here
27: Will envy whom the highest place exposes
28: Formost to stand against the Thunderers aime
29: Your bulwark, and condemns to greatest share
30: Of endless pain? where there is then no good
31: For which to strive, no strife can grow up there
32: From Faction; for none sure will claim in hell
33: Precedence, none, whose portion is so small
34: Of present pain, that with ambitious mind
35: Will covet more. With this advantage then
36: To union, and firm Faith, and firm accord,
37: More then can be in Heav'n, we now return
38: To claim our just inheritance of old,
39: Surer to prosper then prosperity
40: Could have assur'd us; and by what best way,
41: Whether of open Warr or covert guile,
42: We now debate; who can advise, may speak.
43: He ceas'd, and next him MOLOC, Scepter'd King
44: Stood up, the strongest and the fiercest Spirit
45: That fought in Heav'n; now fiercer by despair:
46: His trust was with th' Eternal to be deem'd
47: Equal in strength, and rather then be less
48: Car'd not to be at all; with that care lost
49: Went all his fear: of God, or Hell, or worse
50: He reckd not, and these words thereafter spake.
51: My sentence is for open Warr: Of Wiles,
52: More unexpert, I boast not: them let those
53: Contrive who need, or when they need, not now.
54: For while they sit contriving, shall the rest,
55: Millions that stand in Arms, and longing wait
56: The Signal to ascend, sit lingring here
57: Heav'ns fugitives, and for thir dwelling place
58: Accept this dark opprobrious Den of shame,
59: The Prison of his Tyranny who Reigns
60: By our delay? no, let us rather choose
61: Arm'd with Hell flames and fury all at once
62: O're Heav'ns high Towrs to force resistless way,
63: Turning our Tortures into horrid Arms
64: Against the Torturer; when to meet the noise
65: Of his Almighty Engin he shall hear
66: Infernal Thunder, and for Lightning see
67: Black fire and horror shot with equal rage
68: Among his Angels; and his Throne it self
69: Mixt with TARTAREAN Sulphur, and strange fire,
70: His own invented Torments. But perhaps
71: The way seems difficult and steep to scale
72: With upright wing against a higher foe.
73: Let such bethink them, if the sleepy drench
74: Of that forgetful Lake benumme not still,
75: That in our proper motion we ascend
76: Up to our native seat: descent and fall
77: To us is adverse. Who but felt of late
78: When the fierce Foe hung on our brok'n Rear
79: Insulting, and pursu'd us through the Deep,
80: With what compulsion and laborious flight
81: We sunk thus low? Th' ascent is easie then;
82: Th' event is fear'd; should we again provoke
83: Our stronger, some worse way his wrath may find
84: To our destruction: if there be in Hell
85: Fear to be worse destroy'd: what can be worse
86: Then to dwell here, driv'n out from bliss, condemn'd
87: In this abhorred deep to utter woe;
88: Where pain of unextinguishable fire
89: Must exercise us without hope of end
90: The Vassals of his anger, when the Scourge
91: Inexorably, and the torturing houre
92: Calls us to Penance? More destroy'd then thus
93: We should be quite abolisht and expire.
94: What fear we then? what doubt we to incense
95: His utmost ire? which to the highth enrag'd,
96: Will either quite consume us, and reduce
97: To nothing this essential, happier farr
98: Then miserable to have eternal being:
99: Or if our substance be indeed Divine,
100: And cannot cease to be, we are at worst
101: On this side nothing; and by proof we feel
102: Our power sufficient to disturb his Heav'n,
103: And with perpetual inrodes to Allarme,
104: Though inaccessible, his fatal Throne:
105: Which if not Victory is yet Revenge.
106: He ended frowning, and his look denounc'd
107: Desperate revenge, and Battel dangerous
108: To less then Gods. On th' other side up rose
109: BELIAL, in act more graceful and humane;
110: A fairer person lost not Heav'n; he seemd
111: For dignity compos'd and high exploit:
112: But all was false and hollow; though his Tongue
113: Dropt Manna, and could make the worse appear
114: The better reason, to perplex and dash
115: Maturest Counsels: for his thoughts were low;
116: To vice industrious, but to Nobler deeds
117: Timorous and slothful: yet he pleas'd the eare,
118: And with perswasive accent thus began.
119: I should be much for open Warr, O Peers,
120: As not behind in hate; if what was urg'd
121: Main reason to perswade immediate Warr,
122: Did not disswade me most, and seem to cast
123: Ominous conjecture on the whole success:
124: When he who most excels in fact of Arms,
125: In what he counsels and in what excels
126: Mistrustful, grounds his courage on despair
127: And utter dissolution, as the scope
128: Of all his aim, after some dire revenge.
129: First, what Revenge? the Towrs of Heav'n are fill'd
130: With Armed watch, that render all access
131: Impregnable; oft on the bordering Deep
132: Encamp thir Legions, or with obscure wing
133: Scout farr and wide into the Realm of night,
134: Scorning surprize. Or could we break our way
135: By force, and at our heels all Hell should rise
136: With blackest Insurrection, to confound
137: Heav'ns purest Light, yet our great Enemie
138: All incorruptible would on his Throne
139: Sit unpolluted, and th' Ethereal mould
140: Incapable of stain would soon expel
141: Her mischief, and purge off the baser fire
142: Victorious. Thus repuls'd, our final hope
143: Is flat despair: we must exasperate
144: Th' Almighty Victor to spend all his rage,
145: And that must end us, that must be our cure,
146: To be no more; sad cure; for who would loose,
147: Though full of pain, this intellectual being,
148: Those thoughts that wander through Eternity,
149: To perish rather, swallowd up and lost
150: In the wide womb of uncreated night,
151: Devoid of sense and motion? and who knows,
152: Let this be good, whether our angry Foe
153: Can give it, or will ever? how he can
154: Is doubtful; that he never will is sure.
155: Will he, so wise, let loose at once his ire,
156: Belike through impotence, or unaware,
157: To give his Enemies thir wish, and end
158: Them in his anger, whom his anger saves
159: To punish endless? wherefore cease we then?
160: Say they who counsel Warr, we are decreed,
161: Reserv'd and destin'd to Eternal woe;
162: Whatever doing, what can we suffer more,
163: What can we suffer worse? is this then worst,
164: Thus sitting, thus consulting, thus in Arms?
165: What when we fled amain, pursu'd and strook
166: With Heav'ns afflicting Thunder, and besought
167: The Deep to shelter us? this Hell then seem'd
168: A refuge from those wounds: or when we lay
169: Chain'd on the burning Lake? that sure was worse.
170: What if the breath that kindl'd those grim fires
171: Awak'd should blow them into sevenfold rage
172: And plunge us in the Flames? or from above
173: Should intermitted vengeance Arme again
174: His red right hand to plague us? what if all
175: Her stores were op'n'd, and this Firmament
176: Of Hell should spout her Cataracts of Fire,
177: Impendent horrors, threatning hideous fall
178: One day upon our heads; while we perhaps
179: Designing or exhorting glorious Warr,
180: Caught in a fierie Tempest shall be hurl'd
181: Each on his rock transfixt, the sport and prey
182: Of racking whirlwinds, or for ever sunk
183: Under yon boyling Ocean, wrapt in Chains;
184: There to converse with everlasting groans,
185: Unrespited, unpitied, unrepreevd,
186: Ages of hopeless end; this would be worse.
187: Warr therefore, open or conceal'd, alike
188: My voice disswades; for what can force or guile
189: With him, or who deceive his mind, whose eye
190: Views all things at one view? he from heav'ns highth
191: All these our motions vain, sees and derides;
192: Not more Almighty to resist our might
193: Then wise to frustrate all our plots and wiles.
194: Shall we then live thus vile, the race of Heav'n
195: Thus trampl'd, thus expell'd to suffer here
196: Chains & these Torments? better these then worse
197: By my advice; since fate inevitable
198: Subdues us, and Omnipotent Decree,
199: The Victors will. To suffer, as to doe,
200: Our strength is equal, nor the Law unjust
201: That so ordains: this was at first resolv'd,
202: If we were wise, against so great a foe
203: Contending, and so doubtful what might fall.
204: I laugh, when those who at the Spear are bold
205: And vent'rous, if that fail them, shrink and fear
206: What yet they know must follow, to endure
207: Exile, or ignominy, or bonds, or pain,
208: The sentence of thir Conquerour: This is now
209: Our doom; which if we can sustain and bear,
210: Our Supream Foe in time may much remit
211: His anger, and perhaps thus farr remov'd
212: Not mind us not offending, satisfi'd
213: With what is punish't; whence these raging fires
214: Will slack'n, if his breath stir not thir flames.
215: Our purer essence then will overcome
216: Thir noxious vapour, or enur'd not feel,
217: Or chang'd at length, and to the place conformd
218: In temper and in nature, will receive
219: Familiar the fierce heat, and void of pain;
220: This horror will grow milde, this darkness light,
221: Besides what hope the never-ending flight
222: Of future days may bring, what chance, what change
223: Worth waiting, since our present lot appeers
224: For happy though but ill, for ill not worst,
225: If we procure not to our selves more woe.
226: Thus BELIAL with words cloath'd in reasons garb
227: Counsel'd ignoble ease, and peaceful sloath,
228: Not peace: and after him thus MAMMON spake.
229: Either to disinthrone the King of Heav'n
230: We warr, if warr be best, or to regain
231: Our own right lost: him to unthrone we then
232: May hope, when everlasting Fate shall yeild
233: To fickle Chance, and CHAOS judge the strife:
234: The former vain to hope argues as vain
235: The latter: for what place can be for us
236: Within Heav'ns bound, unless Heav'ns Lord supream
237: We overpower? Suppose he should relent
238: And publish Grace to all, on promise made
239: Of new Subjection; with what eyes could we
240: Stand in his presence humble, and receive
241: Strict Laws impos'd, to celebrate his Throne
242: With warbl'd Hymns, and to his Godhead sing
243: Forc't Halleluiah's; while he Lordly sits
244: Our envied Sovran, and his Altar breathes
245: Ambrosial Odours and Ambrosial Flowers,
246: Our servile offerings. This must be our task
247: In Heav'n, this our delight; how wearisom
248: Eternity so spent in worship paid
249: To whom we hate. Let us not then pursue
250: By force impossible, by leave obtain'd
251: Unacceptable, though in Heav'n, our state
252: Of splendid vassalage, but rather seek
253: Our own good from our selves, and from our own
254: Live to our selves, though in this vast recess,
255: Free, and to none accountable, preferring
256: Hard liberty before the easie yoke
257: Of servile Pomp. Our greatness will appear
258: Then most conspicuous, when great things of small,
259: Useful of hurtful, prosperous of adverse
260: We can create, and in what place so e're
261: Thrive under evil, and work ease out of pain
262: Through labour and endurance. This deep world
263: Of darkness do we dread? How oft amidst
264: Thick clouds and dark doth Heav'ns all-ruling Sire
265: Choose to reside, his Glory unobscur'd,
266: And with the Majesty of darkness round
267: Covers his Throne; from whence deep thunders roar
268: Must'ring thir rage, and Heav'n resembles Hell?
269: As he our Darkness, cannot we his Light
270: Imitate when we please? This Desart soile
271: Wants not her hidden lustre, Gemms and Gold;
272: Nor want we skill or art, from whence to raise
273: Magnificence; and what can Heav'n shew more?
274: Our torments also may in length of time
275: Become our Elements, these piercing Fires
276: As soft as now severe, our temper chang'd
277: Into their temper; which must needs remove
278: The sensible of pain. All things invite
279: To peaceful Counsels, and the settl'd State
280: Of order, how in safety best we may
281: Compose our present evils, with regard
282: Of what we are and where, dismissing quite
283: All thoughts of Warr: ye have what I advise.
284: He scarce had finisht, when such murmur filld
285: Th' Assembly, as when hollow Rocks retain
286: The sound of blustring winds, which all night long
287: Had rous'd the Sea, now with hoarse cadence lull
288: Sea-faring men orewatcht, whose Bark by chance
289: Or Pinnace anchors in a craggy Bay
290: After the Tempest: Such applause was heard
291: As MAMMON ended, and his Sentence pleas'd,
292: Advising peace: for such another Field
293: They dreaded worse then Hell: so much the fear
294: Of Thunder and the Sword of MICHAEL
295: Wrought still within them; and no less desire
296: To found this nether Empire, which might rise
297: By pollicy, and long process of time,
298: In emulation opposite to Heav'n.
299: Which when BEELZEBUB perceiv'd, then whom,
300: SATAN except, none higher sat, with grave
301: Aspect he rose, and in his rising seem'd
302: A Pillar of State; deep on his Front engraven
303: Deliberation sat and publick care;
304: And Princely counsel in his face yet shon,
305: Majestick though in ruin: sage he stood
306: With ATLANTEAN shoulders fit to bear
307: The weight of mightiest Monarchies; his look
308: Drew audience and attention still as Night
309: Or Summers Noon-tide air, while thus he spake.
310: Thrones and imperial Powers, off-spring of heav'n,
311: Ethereal Vertues; or these Titles now
312: Must we renounce, and changing stile be call'd
313: Princes of Hell? for so the popular vote
314: Inclines, here to continue, and build up here
315: A growing Empire; doubtless; while we dream,
316: And know not that the King of Heav'n hath doom'd
317: This place our dungeon, not our safe retreat
318: Beyond his Potent arm, to live exempt
319: From Heav'ns high jurisdiction, in new League
320: Banded against his Throne, but to remaine
321: In strictest bondage, though thus far remov'd,
322: Under th' inevitable curb, reserv'd
323: His captive multitude: For he, be sure,
324: In highth or depth, still first and last will Reign
325: Sole King, and of his Kingdom loose no part
326: By our revolt, but over Hell extend
327: His Empire, and with Iron Scepter rule
328: Us here, as with his Golden those in Heav'n.
329: What sit we then projecting Peace and Warr?
330: Warr hath determin'd us, and foild with loss
331: Irreparable; tearms of peace yet none
332: Voutsaf't or sought; for what peace will be giv'n
333: To us enslav'd, but custody severe,
334: And stripes, and arbitrary punishment
335: Inflicted? and what peace can we return,
336: But to our power hostility and hate,
337: Untam'd reluctance, and revenge though slow,
338: Yet ever plotting how the Conquerour least
339: May reap his conquest, and may least rejoyce
340: In doing what we most in suffering feel?
341: Nor will occasion want, nor shall we need
342: With dangerous expedition to invade
343: Heav'n, whose high walls fear no assault or Siege,
344: Or ambush from the Deep. What if we find
345: Some easier enterprize? There is a place
346: (If ancient and prophetic fame in Heav'n
347: Err not) another World, the happy seat
348: Of som new Race call'd MAN, about this time
349: To be created like to us, though less
350: In power and excellence, but favour'd more
351: Of him who rules above; so was his will
352: Pronounc'd among the Gods, and by an Oath,
353: That shook Heav'ns whol circumference, confirm'd.
354: Thither let us bend all our thoughts, to learn
355: What creatures there inhabit, of what mould,
356: Or substance, how endu'd, and what thir Power,
357: And where thir weakness, how attempted best,
358: By force or suttlety: Though Heav'n be shut,
359: And Heav'ns high Arbitrator sit secure
360: In his own strength, this place may lye expos'd
361: The utmost border of his Kingdom, left
362: To their defence who hold it: here perhaps
363: Som advantagious act may be achiev'd
364: By sudden onset, either with Hell fire
365: To waste his whole Creation, or possess
366: All as our own, and drive as we were driven,
367: The punie habitants, or if not drive,
368: Seduce them to our Party, that thir God
369: May prove thir foe, and with repenting hand
370: Abolish his own works. This would surpass
371: Common revenge, and interrupt his joy
372: In our Confusion, and our Joy upraise
373: In his disturbance; when his darling Sons
374: Hurl'd headlong to partake with us, shall curse
375: Thir frail Originals, and faded bliss,
376: Faded so soon. Advise if this be worth
377: Attempting, or to sit in darkness here
378: Hatching vain Empires. Thus BEELZEBUB
379: Pleaded his devilish Counsel, first devis'd
380: By SATAN, and in part propos'd: for whence,
381: But from the Author of all ill could Spring
382: So deep a malice, to confound the race
383: Of mankind in one root, and Earth with Hell
384: To mingle and involve, done all to spite
385: The great Creatour? But thir spite still serves
386: His glory to augment. The bold design
387: Pleas'd highly those infernal States, and joy
388: Sparkl'd in all thir eyes; with full assent
389: They vote: whereat his speech he thus renews.
390: Well have ye judg'd, well ended long debate,
391: Synod of Gods, and like to what ye are,
392: Great things resolv'd; which from the lowest deep
393: Will once more lift us up, in spight of Fate,
394: Neerer our ancient Seat; perhaps in view
395: Of those bright confines, whence with neighbouring Arms
396: And opportune excursion we may chance
397: Re-enter Heav'n; or else in some milde Zone
398: Dwell not unvisited of Heav'ns fair Light
399: Secure, and at the brightning Orient beam
400: Purge off this gloom; the soft delicious Air,
401: To heal the scarr of these corrosive Fires
402: Shall breath her balme. But first whom shall we send
403: In search of this new world, whom shall we find
404: Sufficient? who shall tempt with wandring feet
405: The dark unbottom'd infinite Abyss
406: And through the palpable obscure find out
407: His uncouth way, or spread his aerie flight
408: Upborn with indefatigable wings
409: Over the vast abrupt, ere he arrive
410: The happy Ile; what strength, what art can then
411: Suffice, or what evasion bear him safe
412: Through the strict Senteries and Stations thick
413: Of Angels watching round? Here he had need
414: All circumspection, and we now no less
415: Choice in our suffrage; for on whom we send,
416: The weight of all and our last hope relies.
417: This said, he sat; and expectation held
418: His look suspence, awaiting who appeer'd
419: To second, or oppose, or undertake
420: The perilous attempt: but all sat mute,
421: Pondering the danger with deep thoughts; & each
422: In others count'nance red his own dismay
423: Astonisht: none among the choice and prime
424: Of those Heav'n-warring Champions could be found
425: So hardie as to proffer or accept
426: Alone the dreadful voyage; till at last
427: SATAN, whom now transcendent glory rais'd
428: Above his fellows, with Monarchal pride
429: Conscious of highest worth, unmov'd thus spake.
430: O Progeny of Heav'n, Empyreal Thrones,
431: With reason hath deep silence and demurr
432: Seis'd us, though undismaid: long is the way
433: And hard, that out of Hell leads up to Light;
434: Our prison strong, this huge convex of Fire,
435: Outrageous to devour, immures us round
436: Ninefold, and gates of burning Adamant
437: Barr'd over us prohibit all egress.
438: These past, if any pass, the void profound
439: Of unessential Night receives him next
440: Wide gaping, and with utter loss of being
441: Threatens him, plung'd in that abortive gulf.
442: If thence he scape into what ever world,
443: Or unknown Region, what remains him less
444: Then unknown dangers and as hard escape.
445: But I should ill become this Throne, O Peers,
446: And this Imperial Sov'ranty, adorn'd
447: With splendor, arm'd with power, if aught propos'd
448: And judg'd of public moment, in the shape
449: Of difficulty or danger could deterre
450: Me from attempting. Wherefore do I assume
451: These Royalties, and not refuse to Reign,
452: Refusing to accept as great a share
453: Of hazard as of honour, due alike
454: To him who Reigns, and so much to him due
455: Of hazard more, as he above the rest
456: High honourd sits? Go therfore mighty powers,
457: Terror of Heav'n, though fall'n; intend at home,
458: While here shall be our home, what best may ease
459: The present misery, and render Hell
460: More tollerable; if there be cure or charm
461: To respite or deceive, or slack the pain
462: Of this ill Mansion: intermit no watch
463: Against a wakeful Foe, while I abroad
464: Through all the coasts of dark destruction seek
465: Deliverance for us all: this enterprize
466: None shall partake with me. Thus saying rose
467: The Monarch, and prevented all reply,
468: Prudent, least from his resolution rais'd
469: Others among the chief might offer now
470: (Certain to be refus'd) what erst they feard;
471: And so refus'd might in opinion stand
472: His rivals, winning cheap the high repute
473: Which he through hazard huge must earn. But they
474: Dreaded not more th' adventure then his voice
475: Forbidding; and at once with him they rose;
476: Thir rising all at once was as the sound
477: Of Thunder heard remote. Towards him they bend
478: With awful reverence prone; and as a God
479: Extoll him equal to the highest in Heav'n:
480: Nor fail'd they to express how much they prais'd,
481: That for the general safety he despis'd
482: His own: for neither do the Spirits damn'd
483: Loose all thir vertue; least bad men should boast
484: Thir specious deeds on earth, which glory excites,
485: Or close ambition varnisht o're with zeal.
486: Thus they thir doubtful consultations dark
487: Ended rejoycing in thir matchless Chief:
488: As when from mountain tops the dusky clouds
489: Ascending, while the North wind sleeps, o'respread
490: Heav'ns chearful face, the lowring Element
491: Scowls ore the dark'nd lantskip Snow, or showre;
492: If chance the radiant Sun with farewell sweet
493: Extend his ev'ning beam, the fields revive,
494: The birds thir notes renew, and bleating herds
495: Attest thir joy, that hill and valley rings.
496: O shame to men! Devil with Devil damn'd
497: Firm concord holds, men onely disagree
498: Of Creatures rational, though under hope
499: Of heavenly Grace: and God proclaiming peace,
500: Yet live in hatred, enmitie, and strife
501: Among themselves, and levie cruel warres,
502: Wasting the Earth, each other to destroy:
503: As if (which might induce us to accord)
504: Man had not hellish foes anow besides,
505: That day and night for his destruction waite.
506: The STYGIAN Councel thus dissolv'd; and forth
507: In order came the grand infernal Peers,
508: Midst came thir mighty Paramount, and seemd
509: Alone th' Antagonist of Heav'n, nor less
510: Then Hells dread Emperour with pomp Supream,
511: And God-like imitated State; him round
512: A Globe of fierie Seraphim inclos'd
513: With bright imblazonrie, and horrent Arms.
514: Then of thir Session ended they bid cry
515: With Trumpets regal sound the great result:
516: Toward the four winds four speedy Cherubim
517: Put to thir mouths the sounding Alchymie
518: By Haralds voice explain'd: the hollow Abyss
519: Heard farr and wide, and all the host of Hell
520: With deafning shout, return'd them loud acclaim.
521: Thence more at ease thir minds and somwhat rais'd
522: By false presumptuous hope, the ranged powers
523: Disband, and wandring, each his several way
524: Pursues, as inclination or sad choice
525: Leads him perplext, where he may likeliest find
526: Truce to his restless thoughts, and entertain
527: The irksome hours, till his great Chief return.
528: Part on the Plain, or in the Air sublime
529: Upon the wing, or in swift race contend,
530: As at th' Olympian Games or PYTHIAN fields;
531: Part curb thir fierie Steeds, or shun the Goal
532: With rapid wheels, or fronted Brigads form.
533: As when to warn proud Cities warr appears
534: Wag'd in the troubl'd Skie, and Armies rush
535: To Battel in the Clouds, before each Van
536: Pric forth the Aerie Knights, and couch thir spears
537: Till thickest Legions close; with feats of Arms
538: From either end of Heav'n the welkin burns.
539: Others with vast TYPHOEAN rage more fell
540: Rend up both Rocks and Hills, and ride the Air
541: In whirlwind; Hell scarce holds the wilde uproar.
542: As when ALCIDES from OEALIA Crown'd
543: With conquest, felt th' envenom'd robe, and tore
544: Through pain up by the roots THESSALIAN Pines,
545: And LICHAS from the top of OETA threw
546: Into th' EUBOIC Sea. Others more milde,
547: Retreated in a silent valley, sing
548: With notes Angelical to many a Harp
549: Thir own Heroic deeds and hapless fall
550: By doom of Battel; and complain that Fate
551: Free Vertue should enthrall to Force or Chance.
552: Thir song was partial, but the harmony
553: (What could it less when Spirits immortal sing?)
554: Suspended Hell, and took with ravishment
555: The thronging audience. In discourse more sweet
556: (For Eloquence the Soul, Song charms the Sense,)
557: Others apart sat on a Hill retir'd,
558: In thoughts more elevate, and reason'd high
559: Of Providence, Foreknowledge, Will, and Fate,
560: Fixt Fate, free will, foreknowledge absolute,
561: And found no end, in wandring mazes lost.
562: Of good and evil much they argu'd then,
563: Of happiness and final misery,
564: Passion and Apathie, and glory and shame,
565: Vain wisdom all, and false Philosophie:
566: Yet with a pleasing sorcerie could charm
567: Pain for a while or anguish, and excite
568: Fallacious hope, or arm th' obdured brest
569: With stubborn patience as with triple steel.
570: Another part in Squadrons and gross Bands,
571: On bold adventure to discover wide
572: That dismal world, if any Clime perhaps
573: Might yeild them easier habitation, bend
574: Four ways thir flying March, along the Banks
575: Of four infernal Rivers that disgorge
576: Into the burning Lake thir baleful streams;
577: Abhorred STYX the flood of deadly hate,
578: Sad ACHERON of sorrow, black and deep;
579: COCYTUS, nam'd of lamentation loud
580: Heard on the ruful stream; fierce PHLEGETON
581: Whose waves of torrent fire inflame with rage.
582: Farr off from these a slow and silent stream,
583: LETHE the River of Oblivion roules
584: Her watrie Labyrinth, whereof who drinks,
585: Forthwith his former state and being forgets,
586: Forgets both joy and grief, pleasure and pain.
587: Beyond this flood a frozen Continent
588: Lies dark and wilde, beat with perpetual storms
589: Of Whirlwind and dire Hail, which on firm land
590: Thaws not, but gathers heap, and ruin seems
591: Of ancient pile; all else deep snow and ice,
592: A gulf profound as that SERBONIAN Bog
593: Betwixt DAMIATA and mount CASIUS old,
594: Where Armies whole have sunk: the parching Air
595: Burns frore, and cold performs th' effect of Fire.
596: Thither by harpy-footed Furies hail'd,
597: At certain revolutions all the damn'd
598: Are brought: and feel by turns the bitter change
599: Of fierce extreams, extreams by change more fierce,
600: From Beds of raging Fire to starve in Ice
601: Thir soft Ethereal warmth, and there to pine
602: Immovable, infixt, and frozen round,
603: Periods of time, thence hurried back to fire.
604: They ferry over this LETHEAN Sound
605: Both to and fro, thir sorrow to augment,
606: And wish and struggle, as they pass, to reach
607: The tempting stream, with one small drop to loose
608: In sweet forgetfulness all pain and woe,
609: All in one moment, and so neer the brink;
610: But fate withstands, and to oppose th' attempt
611: MEDUSA with GORGONIAN terror guards
612: The Ford, and of it self the water flies
613: All taste of living wight, as once it fled
614: The lip of TANTALUS. Thus roving on
615: In confus'd march forlorn, th' adventrous Bands
616: With shuddring horror pale, and eyes agast
617: View'd first thir lamentable lot, and found
618: No rest: through many a dark and drearie Vaile
619: They pass'd, and many a Region dolorous,
620: O're many a Frozen, many a Fierie Alpe,
621: Rocks, Caves, Lakes, Fens, Bogs, Dens, and shades of death,
622: A Universe of death, which God by curse
623: Created evil, for evil only good,
624: Where all life dies, death lives, and nature breeds,
625: Perverse, all monstrous, all prodigious things,
626: Abominable, inutterable, and worse
627: Then Fables yet have feign'd, or fear conceiv'd,
628: GORGONS and HYDRA'S, and CHIMERA'S dire.
629: Mean while the Adversary of God and Man,
630: SATAN with thoughts inflam'd of highest design,
631: Puts on swift wings, and toward the Gates of Hell
632: Explores his solitary flight; som times
633: He scours the right hand coast, som times the left,
634: Now shaves with level wing the Deep, then soares
635: Up to the fiery concave touring high.
636: As when farr off at Sea a Fleet descri'd
637: Hangs in the Clouds, by AEQUINOCTIAL Winds
638: Close sailing from BENGALA, or the Iles
639: Of TERNATE and TIDORE, whence Merchants bring
640: Thir spicie Drugs: they on the trading Flood
641: Through the wide ETHIOPIAN to the Cape
642: Ply stemming nightly toward the Pole. So seem'd
643: Farr off the flying Fiend: at last appeer
644: Hell bounds high reaching to the horrid Roof,
645: And thrice threefold the Gates; three folds were Brass
646: Three Iron, three of Adamantine Rock,
647: Impenitrable, impal'd with circling fire,
648: Yet unconsum'd. Before the Gates there sat
649: On either side a formidable shape;
650: The one seem'd Woman to the waste, and fair,
651: But ended foul in many a scaly fould
652: Voluminous and vast, a Serpent arm'd
653: With mortal sting: about her middle round
654: A cry of Hell Hounds never ceasing bark'd
655: With wide CERBEREAN mouths full loud, and rung
656: A hideous Peal: yet, when they list, would creep,
657: If aught disturb'd thir noyse, into her woomb,
658: And kennel there, yet there still bark'd and howl'd
659: Within unseen. Farr less abhorrd then these
660: Vex'd SCYLLA bathing in the Sea that parts
661: CALABRIA from the hoarce TRINACRIAN shore:
662: Nor uglier follow the Night-Hag, when call'd
663: In secret, riding through the Air she comes
664: Lur'd with the smell of infant blood, to dance
665: With LAPLAND Witches, while the labouring Moon
666: Eclipses at thir charms. The other shape,
667: If shape it might be call'd that shape had none
668: Distinguishable in member, joynt, or limb,
669: Or substance might be call'd that shadow seem'd,
670: For each seem'd either; black it stood as Night,
671: Fierce as ten Furies, terrible as Hell,
672: And shook a dreadful Dart; what seem'd his head
673: The likeness of a Kingly Crown had on.
674: SATAN was now at hand, and from his seat
675: The Monster moving onward came as fast,
676: With horrid strides, Hell trembled as he strode.
677: Th' undaunted Fiend what this might be admir'd,
678: Admir'd, not fear'd; God and his Son except,
679: Created thing naught vallu'd he nor shun'd;
680: And with disdainful look thus first began.
681: Whence and what art thou, execrable shape,
682: That dar'st, though grim and terrible, advance
683: Thy miscreated Front athwart my way
684: To yonder Gates? through them I mean to pass,
685: That be assur'd, without leave askt of thee:
686: Retire, or taste thy folly, and learn by proof,
687: Hell-born, not to contend with Spirits of Heav'n.
688: To whom the Goblin full of wrauth reply'd,
689: Art thou that Traitor Angel, art thou hee,
690: Who first broke peace in Heav'n and Faith, till then
691: Unbrok'n, and in proud rebellious Arms
692: Drew after him the third part of Heav'ns Sons
693: Conjur'd against the highest, for which both Thou
694: And they outcast from God, are here condemn'd
695: To waste Eternal daies in woe and pain?
696: And reck'n'st thou thy self with Spirits of Heav'n,
697: Hell-doomd, and breath'st defiance here and scorn,
698: Where I reign King, and to enrage thee more,
699: Thy King and Lord? Back to thy punishment,
700: False fugitive, and to thy speed add wings,
701: Least with a whip of Scorpions I pursue
702: Thy lingring, or with one stroke of this Dart
703: Strange horror seise thee, and pangs unfelt before.
704: So spake the grieslie terrour, and in shape,
705: So speaking and so threatning, grew ten fold
706: More dreadful and deform: on th' other side
707: Incenc't with indignation SATAN stood
708: Unterrifi'd, and like a Comet burn'd,
709: That fires the length of OPHIUCUS huge
710: In th' Artick Sky, and from his horrid hair
711: Shakes Pestilence and Warr. Each at the Head
712: Level'd his deadly aime; thir fatall hands
713: No second stroke intend, and such a frown
714: Each cast at th' other, as when two black Clouds
715: With Heav'ns Artillery fraught, come rattling on
716: Over the CASPIAN, then stand front to front
717: Hov'ring a space, till Winds the signal blow
718: To joyn thir dark Encounter in mid air:
719: So frownd the mighty Combatants, that Hell
720: Grew darker at thir frown, so matcht they stood;
721: For never but once more was either like
722: To meet so great a foe: and now great deeds
723: Had been achiev'd, whereof all Hell had rung,
724: Had not the Snakie Sorceress that sat
725: Fast by Hell Gate, and kept the fatal Key,
726: Ris'n, and with hideous outcry rush'd between.
727: O Father, what intends thy hand, she cry'd,
728: Against thy only Son? What fury O Son,
729: Possesses thee to bend that mortal Dart
730: Against thy Fathers head? and know'st for whom;
731: For him who sits above and laughs the while
732: At thee ordain'd his drudge, to execute
733: What e're his wrath, which he calls Justice, bids,
734: His wrath which one day will destroy ye both.
735: She spake, and at her words the hellish Pest
736: Forbore, then these to her SATAN return'd:
737: So strange thy outcry, and thy words so strange
738: Thou interposest, that my sudden hand
739: Prevented spares to tell thee yet by deeds
740: What it intends; till first I know of thee,
741: What thing thou art, thus double-form'd, and why
742: In this infernal Vaile first met thou call'st
743: Me Father, and that Fantasm call'st my Son?
744: I know thee not, nor ever saw till now
745: Sight more detestable then him and thee.
746: T' whom thus the Portress of Hell Gate reply'd;
747: Hast thou forgot me then, and do I seem
748: Now in thine eye so foul, once deemd so fair
749: In Heav'n, when at th' Assembly, and in sight
750: Of all the Seraphim with thee combin'd
751: In bold conspiracy against Heav'ns King,
752: All on a sudden miserable pain
753: Surpris'd thee, dim thine eyes, and dizzie swumm
754: In darkness, while thy head flames thick and fast
755: Threw forth, till on the left side op'ning wide,
756: Likest to thee in shape and count'nance bright,
757: Then shining heav'nly fair, a Goddess arm'd
758: Out of thy head I sprung: amazement seis'd
759: All th' Host of Heav'n; back they recoild affraid
760: At first, and call'd me SIN, and for a Sign
761: Portentous held me; but familiar grown,
762: I pleas'd, and with attractive graces won
763: The most averse, thee chiefly, who full oft
764: Thy self in me thy perfect image viewing
765: Becam'st enamour'd, and such joy thou took'st
766: With me in secret, that my womb conceiv'd
767: A growing burden. Mean while Warr arose,
768: And fields were fought in Heav'n; wherein remaind
769: (For what could else) to our Almighty Foe
770: Cleer Victory, to our part loss and rout
771: Through all the Empyrean: down they fell
772: Driv'n headlong from the Pitch of Heaven, down
773: Into this Deep, and in the general fall
774: I also; at which time this powerful Key
775: Into my hand was giv'n, with charge to keep
776: These Gates for ever shut, which none can pass
777: Without my op'ning. Pensive here I sat
778: Alone, but long I sat not, till my womb
779: Pregnant by thee, and now excessive grown
780: Prodigious motion felt and rueful throes.
781: At last this odious offspring whom thou seest
782: Thine own begotten, breaking violent way
783: Tore through my entrails, that with fear and pain
784: Distorted, all my nether shape thus grew
785: Transform'd: but he my inbred enemie
786: Forth issu'd, brandishing his fatal Dart
787: Made to destroy: I fled, and cry'd out DEATH;
788: Hell trembl'd at the hideous Name, and sigh'd
789: From all her Caves, and back resounded DEATH.
790: I fled, but he pursu'd (though more, it seems,
791: Inflam'd with lust then rage) and swifter far,
792: Me overtook his mother all dismaid,
793: And in embraces forcible and foule
794: Ingendring with me, of that rape begot
795: These yelling Monsters that with ceasless cry
796: Surround me, as thou sawst, hourly conceiv'd
797: And hourly born, with sorrow infinite
798: To me, for when they list into the womb
799: That bred them they return, and howle and gnaw
800: My Bowels, their repast; then bursting forth
801: Afresh with conscious terrours vex me round,
802: That rest or intermission none I find.
803: Before mine eyes in opposition sits
804: Grim DEATH my Son and foe, who sets them on,
805: And me his Parent would full soon devour
806: For want of other prey, but that he knows
807: His end with mine involvd; and knows that I
808: Should prove a bitter Morsel, and his bane,
809: When ever that shall be; so Fate pronounc'd.
810: But thou O Father, I forewarn thee, shun
811: His deadly arrow; neither vainly hope
812: To be invulnerable in those bright Arms,
813: Though temper'd heav'nly, for that mortal dint,
814: Save he who reigns above, none can resist.
815: She finish'd, and the suttle Fiend his lore
816: Soon learnd, now milder, and thus answerd smooth.
817: Dear Daughter, since thou claim'st me for thy Sire,
818: And my fair Son here showst me, the dear pledge
819: Of dalliance had with thee in Heav'n, and joys
820: Then sweet, now sad to mention, through dire change
821: Befalln us unforeseen, unthought of, know
822: I come no enemie, but to set free
823: From out this dark and dismal house of pain,
824: Both him and thee, and all the heav'nly Host
825: Of Spirits that in our just pretenses arm'd
826: Fell with us from on high: from them I go
827: This uncouth errand sole, and one for all
828: My self expose, with lonely steps to tread
829: Th' unfounded deep, & through the void immense
830: To search with wandring quest a place foretold
831: Should be, and, by concurring signs, ere now
832: Created vast and round, a place of bliss
833: In the Pourlieues of Heav'n, and therein plac't
834: A race of upstart Creatures, to supply
835: Perhaps our vacant room, though more remov'd,
836: Least Heav'n surcharg'd with potent multitude
837: Might hap to move new broiles: Be this or aught
838: Then this more secret now design'd, I haste
839: To know, and this once known, shall soon return,
840: And bring ye to the place where Thou and Death
841: Shall dwell at ease, and up and down unseen
842: Wing silently the buxom Air, imbalm'd
843: With odours; there ye shall be fed and fill'd
844: Immeasurably, all things shall be your prey.
845: He ceas'd, for both seemd highly pleasd, and Death
846: Grinnd horrible a gastly smile, to hear
847: His famine should be fill'd, and blest his mawe
848: Destin'd to that good hour: no less rejoyc'd
849: His mother bad, and thus bespake her Sire.
850: The key of this infernal Pit by due,
851: And by command of Heav'ns all-powerful King
852: I keep, by him forbidden to unlock
853: These Adamantine Gates; against all force
854: Death ready stands to interpose his dart,
855: Fearless to be o'rematcht by living might.
856: But what ow I to his commands above
857: Who hates me, and hath hither thrust me down
858: Into this gloom of TARTARUS profound,
859: To sit in hateful Office here confin'd,
860: Inhabitant of Heav'n, and heav'nlie-born,
861: Here in perpetual agonie and pain,
862: With terrors and with clamors compasst round
863: Of mine own brood, that on my bowels feed:
864: Thou art my Father, thou my Author, thou
865: My being gav'st me; whom should I obey
866: But thee, whom follow? thou wilt bring me soon
867: To that new world of light and bliss, among
868: The Gods who live at ease, where I shall Reign
869: At thy right hand voluptuous, as beseems
870: Thy daughter and thy darling, without end.
871: Thus saying, from her side the fatal Key,
872: Sad instrument of all our woe, she took;
873: And towards the Gate rouling her bestial train,
874: Forthwith the huge Porcullis high up drew,
875: Which but her self not all the STYGIAN powers
876: Could once have mov'd; then in the key-hole turns
877: Th' intricate wards, and every Bolt and Bar
878: Of massie Iron or sollid Rock with ease
879: Unfast'ns: on a sudden op'n flie
880: With impetuous recoile and jarring sound
881: Th' infernal dores, and on thir hinges great
882: Harsh Thunder, that the lowest bottom shook
883: Of EREBUS. She op'nd, but to shut
884: Excel'd her power; the Gates wide op'n stood,
885: That with extended wings a Bannerd Host
886: Under spread Ensigns marching might pass through
887: With Horse and Chariots rankt in loose array;
888: So wide they stood, and like a Furnace mouth
889: Cast forth redounding smoak and ruddy flame.
890: Before thir eyes in sudden view appear
891: The secrets of the hoarie deep, a dark
892: Illimitable Ocean without bound,
893: Without dimension, where length, breadth, and highth,
894: And time and place are lost; where eldest Night
895: And CHAOS, Ancestors of Nature, hold
896: Eternal ANARCHIE, amidst the noise
897: Of endless warrs and by confusion stand.
898: For hot, cold, moist, and dry, four Champions fierce
899: Strive here for Maistrie, and to Battel bring
900: Thir embryon Atoms; they around the flag
901: Of each his faction, in thir several Clanns,
902: Light-arm'd or heavy, sharp, smooth, swift or slow,
903: Swarm populous, unnumber'd as the Sands
904: Of BARCA or CYRENE'S torrid soil,
905: Levied to side with warring Winds, and poise
906: Thir lighter wings. To whom these most adhere,
907: Hee rules a moment; CHAOS Umpire sits,
908: And by decision more imbroiles the fray
909: By which he Reigns: next him high Arbiter
910: CHANCE governs all. Into this wilde Abyss,
911: The Womb of nature and perhaps her Grave,
912: Of neither Sea, nor Shore, nor Air, nor Fire,
913: But all these in thir pregnant causes mixt
914: Confus'dly, and which thus must ever fight,
915: Unless th' Almighty Maker them ordain
916: His dark materials to create more Worlds,
917: Into this wilde Abyss the warie fiend
918: Stood on the brink of Hell and look'd a while,
919: Pondering his Voyage; for no narrow frith
920: He had to cross. Nor was his eare less peal'd
921: With noises loud and ruinous (to compare
922: Great things with small) then when BELLONA storms,
923: With all her battering Engines bent to rase
924: Som Capital City, or less then if this frame
925: Of Heav'n were falling, and these Elements
926: In mutinie had from her Axle torn
927: The stedfast Earth. At last his Sail-broad Vannes
928: He spreads for flight, and in the surging smoak
929: Uplifted spurns the ground, thence many a League
930: As in a cloudy Chair ascending rides
931: Audacious, but that seat soon failing, meets
932: A vast vacuitie: all unawares
933: Fluttring his pennons vain plumb down he drops
934: Ten thousand fadom deep, and to this hour
935: Down had been falling, had not by ill chance
936: The strong rebuff of som tumultuous cloud
937: Instinct with Fire and Nitre hurried him
938: As many miles aloft: that furie stay'd,
939: Quencht in a Boggie SYRTIS, neither Sea,
940: Nor good dry Land: nigh founderd on he fares,
941: Treading the crude consistence, half on foot,
942: Half flying; behoves him now both Oare and Saile.
943: As when a Gryfon through the Wilderness
944: With winged course ore Hill or moarie Dale,
945: Pursues the ARIMASPIAN, who by stelth
946: Had from his wakeful custody purloind
947: The guarded Gold: So eagerly the fiend
948: Ore bog or steep, through strait, rough, dense, or rare,
949: With head, hands, wings, or feet pursues his way,
950: And swims or sinks, or wades, or creeps, or flyes:
951: At length a universal hubbub wilde
952: Of stunning sounds and voices all confus'd
953: Born through the hollow dark assaults his eare
954: With loudest vehemence: thither he plyes,
955: Undaunted to meet there what ever power
956: Or Spirit of the nethermost Abyss
957: Might in that noise reside, of whom to ask
958: Which way the neerest coast of darkness lyes
959: Bordering on light; when strait behold the Throne
960: Of CHAOS, and his dark Pavilion spread
961: Wide on the wasteful Deep; with him Enthron'd
962: Sat Sable-vested Night, eldest of things,
963: The consort of his Reign; and by them stood
964: ORCUS and ADES, and the dreaded name
965: Of DEMOGORGON; Rumor next and Chance,
966: And Tumult and Confusion all imbroild,
967: And Discord with a thousand various mouths.
968: T' whom SATAN turning boldly, thus. Ye Powers
969: And Spirits of this nethermost Abyss,
970: CHAOS and ANCIENT NIGHT, I come no Spie,
971: With purpose to explore or to disturb
972: The secrets of your Realm, but by constraint
973: Wandring this darksome desart, as my way
974: Lies through your spacious Empire up to light,
975: Alone, and without guide, half lost, I seek
976: What readiest path leads where your gloomie bounds
977: Confine with Heav'n; or if som other place
978: From your Dominion won, th' Ethereal King
979: Possesses lately, thither to arrive
980: I travel this profound, direct my course;
981: Directed, no mean recompence it brings
982: To your behoof, if I that Region lost,
983: All usurpation thence expell'd, reduce
984: To her original darkness and your sway
985: (Which is my present journey) and once more
986: Erect the Standerd there of ANCIENT NIGHT;
987: Yours be th' advantage all, mine the revenge.
988: Thus SATAN; and him thus the Anarch old
989: With faultring speech and visage incompos'd
990: Answer'd. I know thee, stranger, who thou art,
991: That mighty leading Angel, who of late
992: Made head against Heav'ns King, though overthrown.
993: I saw and heard, for such a numerous host
994: Fled not in silence through the frighted deep
995: With ruin upon ruin, rout on rout,
996: Confusion worse confounded; and Heav'n Gates
997: Pourd out by millions her victorious Bands
998: Pursuing. I upon my Frontieres here
999: Keep residence; if all I can will serve,
1000: That little which is left so to defend
1001: Encroacht on still through our intestine broiles
1002: Weakning the Scepter of old Night: first Hell
1003: Your dungeon stretching far and wide beneath;
1004: Now lately Heaven and Earth, another World
1005: Hung ore my Realm, link'd in a golden Chain
1006: To that side Heav'n from whence your Legions fell:
1007: If that way be your walk, you have not farr;
1008: So much the neerer danger; goe and speed;
1009: Havock and spoil and ruin are my gain.
1010: He ceas'd; and SATAN staid not to reply,
1011: But glad that now his Sea should find a shore,
1012: With fresh alacritie and force renew'd
1013: Springs upward like a Pyramid of fire
1014: Into the wilde expanse, and through the shock
1015: Of fighting Elements, on all sides round
1016: Environ'd wins his way; harder beset
1017: And more endanger'd, then when ARGO pass'd
1018: Through BOSPORUS betwixt the justling Rocks:
1019: Or when ULYSSES on the Larbord shunnd
1020: CHARYBDIS, and by th' other whirlpool steard.
1021: So he with difficulty and labour hard
1022: Mov'd on, with difficulty and labour hee;
1023: But hee once past, soon after when man fell,
1024: Strange alteration! Sin and Death amain
1025: Following his track, such was the will of Heav'n,
1026: Pav'd after him a broad and beat'n way
1027: Over the dark Abyss, whose boiling Gulf
1028: Tamely endur'd a Bridge of wondrous length
1029: From Hell continu'd reaching th' utmost Orbe
1030: Of this frail World; by which the Spirits perverse
1031: With easie intercourse pass to and fro
1032: To tempt or punish mortals, except whom
1033: God and good Angels guard by special grace.
1034: But now at last the sacred influence
1035: Of light appears, and from the walls of Heav'n
1036: Shoots farr into the bosom of dim Night
1037: A glimmering dawn; here Nature first begins
1038: Her fardest verge, and CHAOS to retire
1039: As from her outmost works a brok'n foe
1040: With tumult less and with less hostile din,
1041: That SATAN with less toil, and now with ease
1042: Wafts on the calmer wave by dubious light
1043: And like a weather-beaten Vessel holds
1044: Gladly the Port, though Shrouds and Tackle torn;
1045: Or in the emptier waste, resembling Air,
1046: Weighs his spread wings, at leasure to behold
1047: Farr off th' Empyreal Heav'n, extended wide
1048: In circuit, undetermind square or round,
1049: With Opal Towrs and Battlements adorn'd
1050: Of living Saphire, once his native Seat;
1051: And fast by hanging in a golden Chain
1052: This pendant world, in bigness as a Starr
1053: Of smallest Magnitude close by the Moon.
1054: Thither full fraught with mischievous revenge,
1055: Accurst, and in a cursed hour he hies.