Of Hell should spout her cataracts of fire, Ages of hopeless end! This would be worse. My voice dissuades, for what can force or guile 180 185 Views all things at one view? He from Heav'n's height 190 All these our motions vain sees and derides; Not more almighty to resist our might Than wise to frustrate all our plots and wiles. Shall we then live thus vile, the race of Heaven, Thus trampled, thus expell'd to suffer here 195 Chains and these torments? better these than worse, By my advice, since fate inevitable Subdues us, and omnipotent decree, The victor's will. To suffer, as to do, His anger, and perhaps, thus far remov'd, 200 205 $210 With what is punish'd; whence these raging fires Our purer essence then will overcome Their noxious vapour; or inur'd, not feel; Or, chang'd at length, and to the place conform'd Familiar the fierce heat; and void of pain, This horror will grow mild, this darkness light; Besides what hope the never-ending flight Of future days may bring, what chance, what change, For happy though but ill, for ill not worst, If we procure not to ourselves more woe." Thus Belial, with words cloth'd in reason's garb, if war be best, or to regain 215 220 225 250 The latter for what place can be for us 235 Within Heav'n's bound, unless Heav'n's Lord supreme And publish grace to all, on promise made Of new subjection; with what eyes could we Stand in his presence humble, and receive 240 245 250 By force impossible, by leave obtain❜d Unacceptable, though in Heav'n, our state Of splendid vassalage; but rather seek Our own good from ourselves, and from our own 255 Hard liberty before the easy yoke Of servile pomp. Our greatness will appear Then most conspicuous, when great things of small, We can create, and in what place soe'er 2600 265 And with the majesty of darkness round Covers his throne; from whence deep thunders roar Must'ring their rage, and Heav'n resembles Hell? As he our darkness, cannot we his light Imitate when we please? This desert soil 270 275 280 He scarce had finish'd, when such murmur fill'd Th' assembly, as when hollow rocks retain 285 The sound of blust'ring winds, which all night long Had rous'd the sea, now with hoarse cadence lull Seafaring men o'erwatch'd, whose bark by chance, After the tempest: such applause was heard 290 As Mammon ended; and his sentence pleas'd They dreaded worse than Hell: so much the fear Wrought still within them; and no less desire 295 To found this nether empire, which might rise By policy, and long process of time, In emulation opposite to Heaven. Which when Beelzebub perceiv'd, than whom, 500 And princely counsel in his face yet shone 305 The weight of mightiest monarchies; his look Drew audience and attention, still as night Or summer's noontide air, while thus he spake. "Thrones and Imperial Pow'rs, Offspring of Heaven, 310 Ethereal Virtues! or these titles now Must we renounce, and, changing stile, be call'd Princes of Hell? for so the popular vote Inclines, here to continue', and build up here A growing empire; doubtless; while we dream 315 And know not that the King of Heav'n hath doom'd This place our dungeon, not our safe retreat Beyond his potent arm, to live exempt From Heav'n's high jurisdiction, in new league Banded against his throne, but to remain 320 In strictest bondage, though thus far remov'd, His captive multitude: for he, be sure, In height or depth, still first and last will reign Irreparable; terms of peace yet none 325 Vouchsaf'd or sought; for what peace will be given And stripes, and arbitrary punishment, 335 Untam'd reluctance, and revenge, though slow, May reap his conquest, and may least rejoice 340 With dang'rous expedition to invade Heav'n, whose high walls fear no assault or siege, Or ambush from the deep. What if we find Some easier enterprise? There is a place, 345 (If ancient and prophetic fame in Heaven Err not) another world, the happy seat Of some new race call'd Man, about this time To be created like to us, though less In pow'r and excellence, but favour'd more 350 Of him who rules above; so was his will Pronounc'd among the Gods, and by an oath, That shook Heav'n's whole circumference, confirm'd. 355 350 |