Paradise Lost Book II:
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.
John Martin
Satan speaks:
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.
(Satan sets up the argument that they must debate whether or not to war with Heaven again and reclaim status or deceive God's plans in"covert guile.")
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.
Moloc speaks:
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,
(Moloc argues for War with Heaven because Hell cannot get any worse. Since they are immortal and still have power, they should try to improve their conditions. He argues (untenably) that they fled from God's ire to Hell and therefore they can ascend to Heaven and wage another war. This is the "devil may care attitude.")
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:
(Belial argues that Heaven is impregnable and God would only become enraged by our agitation of false war.)
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.
(Belial claims that agitating God with War they are sure to lose will make God exacerbate Hell. the forces could grow and they could be chained to rocks again. Belial seems to argue that their state has improved in Hell and should be preserved. )
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;
(Belial recognizes God's omniscience and fears it. Belial is humble and almost repentant. He seems to be the most logical Devil.)
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.
Mammon speaks:
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.
(Mammon argues that the fallen angels can only return to Heaven if they eradicate God. Even the devils think the eradication of God is a bit far-fetched. So, Mammon argues that Heaven would be a place in which they would have to falsely obey and praise God. This cannot be better than Hell, so Mammon argues to make the best of Hell through "hard liberty" and "thrive under evil.")
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.
Beezlebub speaks:
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?
(Beezlebub argues that there can be no War against Heaven because it is impregnable and there can be no peace in Hell because they are arbitrarily punished by God.)
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,
(Beezlebub argues that they should pervert Man into evil ways. This "covert guile" seems to be a safe alternative since man isfar less powerful and intelligent than the fallen angels.)
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.
(Beezlebub was told of Man and Eden by Satan. So Satan asks Beezlebub to set up the argument and win the favor of the fallen angels and then Satan will swoop in heroically and volunteer for the deed of perverting Man. So Satan has insured that he is viewed as all powerful and heroic by his peers. Satan still craves power.)
Beezlebub speaks (again):
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.
(Beezlebub describes the journey to the new world as unfathomably arduous and the volunteer as the one who will bear all of the hope for a better life. Dis Satan write this script to seem all the more gloriously heroic and powerful to the others?)
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.
Satan speaks:
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.
(Satan claims that he will accept the responsibility of flying across the abyss to Eden and corrupt Man. He will seek "Deliverance" for the fallen angels into the new world by ruining man and taking over the new world. Is this false volunteering manipulative or is this Satan accepting his reponsibilities as a hero and a leader?)
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.
GO TO LINE 615.
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.
(This is a famous description of Hell.)
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.
(This is the famous description of Sin and Death-the character created by Satan who now guard the Gates of Hell. Sin sprung from Satan's head as half female half snake. Satan rapes Sin and Sin geives "birth" through her entrail to Death-a shadowy substance.)
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.
Satan speaks to Death:
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,
Death responds:
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?
(Sin prevents Death frm harming Satan)
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:
Sin speaks to Satan:
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.
(Sin describes how she was raped by her Son -Death and gave birth to the hell hounds that incessdantly gnaw at her entrails from inside her womb.)
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.
Satan pleads with Sin:
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.
(Satan persuades Sin to let him through the Gates of Hell by promising to create a bridge between Heaven and Hell which will allow Sin and Death to devour mankind forever.)
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.
Conceding to Satan's wishes , Sin states:
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.
END OF REQUIRED READING FOR BOOK II.
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.