15 Above the Aönian mount, while it pursues 20 That to the height of this great argument 25 And justify the ways of God to men. Say first, for Heaven hides nothing from thy view, Nor the deep tract of Hell; say first, what cause Moved our grand Parents, in that happy state, Favour'd of Heaven so highly, to fall off From their Creator, and transgress his will For one restraint, lords of the world besides? Who first seduced them to that foul revolt? The infernal Serpent; he it was, whose guile, Stirr'd up with envy and revenge, deceived The mother of mankind, what time his pride 30 35 Had cast him out from Heaven, with all his host Of rebel Angels; by whose aid, aspiring To set himself in glory above his peers, He trusted to have equal'd the Most High, 40 If he opposed; and, with ambitious aim 45 To bottomless perdition; there to dwell Nine times the space that measures day and night 50 Confounded, though immortal: But his doom Torments him: round he throws his baleful eyes, Mix'd with obdurate pride and steadfast hate A dungeon horrible on all sides round 55 60 As one great furnace flamed; yet from those flames Regions of sorrow, doleful shades, where peace 65 And rest can never dwell; hope never comes That comes to all; but torture without end With ever burning sulphur unconsumed For those rebellious; here their prison ordain'd And thence in Heaven call'd Satan, with bold words If thou be he; but O, how fallen! how changed From him, who, in the happy realms of light, Clothed with transcendent brightness, didst outshine Myriads though bright! If he whom mutual league, United thoughts and counsels, equal hope And hazard in the glorious enterprise, Join'd with me once, now misery hath join'd 70 113 75 80 85 In equal ruin! Into what pit thou seest, From what height fallen; so much the stronger proved He with his thunder and till then who knew. The force of those dire arms? Yet not for those, Nor what the potent victor in his rage Can else inflict, do I repent or change, Though changed in outward lustre, that fix'd mind, That durst dislike his reign, and, me preferring, 95 100 His utmost power with adverse power opposed In dubious battle on the plains of Heaven, And shook his throne. What though the field be lost? And study of revenge, immortal hate, 106 110 Doubted his empire; that were low indeed, That were an ignominy, and shame beneath 115 This downfal: since, by fate, the strength of Gods And this empyreal substance cannot fail; Since through experience of this great event In arms not worse, in foresight much advanced, 120 We may with more successful hope resolve So spake the apostate Angel, though in pain, O Prince, O Chief of many throned Powers, 125 That led the embattled Seraphim to war 130 Whether upheld by strength, or chance, or fate; That with sad overthrow, and foul defeat, 135 Hath lost us Heaven, and all this mighty host In horrible destruction laid thus low, Can perish for the mind and spirit remains 140 Though all our glory extinct, and happy state But what if he our Conqueror (whom I now Of force believe Almighty, since no less Than such could have o'erpower'd such force as ours) Have left us this our spirit and strength entire 146 Strongly to suffer and support our pains, That we may so suffice his vengeful ire, Or do him mightier service as his thralls 150 Strength undiminish'd, or eternal being, To undergo eternal punishment? 155 Whereto with speedy words the Archfiend replied. Fallen cherub! to be weak is miserable, Doing or suffering: but of this be sure, But ever to do ill our sole delight, 160 As being the contrary to his high will 165 Shall grieve him, if I fail not, and disturb His inmost counsels from their destined aim. But see! the angry victor hath recall'd His ministers of vengeance and pursuit Back to the gates of Heaven: the sulphurous hail, The fiery surge, that from the precipice 170 Of Heaven received us falling; and the thunder, Seest thou yon dreary plain, forlorn and wild, 180 Save what the glimmering of these livid flames There rest, if any rest can harbour there; 185 And, reassembling our afflicted Powers, Consult how we may henceforth most offend Our Enemy; our own loss how repair What reinforcement we may gain from hope; 190 If not, what resolution from despair. Thus Satan talking to his nearest mate Created hugest that swim the ocean stream: 195 201 |