t), another world, the happy seat

e new race called Man, about this time created like to us, though less

wer and excellence, but favored more who rules above; so was his will

350

355

unced among the gods, and by an oath, hook Heaven's whole circumference, confirmed. er let us bend all our thoughts, to learn creatures there inhabit, of what mould ostance, how endued, and what their power, where their weakness, how attempted best, ce or subtilty. Though Heaven be shut, Heaven's high arbitrator sit secure own strength, this place may lie exposed, tmost border of his kingdom, left eir defence who hold it: here perhaps advantageous act may be achieved dden onset, either with hell-fire aste his whole creation, or possess

s our own, and drive, as we were driven, puny habitants; or, if not drive,

ce them to our party, that their God prove their foe, and with repenting hand ish his own works. This would surpass mon revenge, and interrupt his joy

ur confusion, and our joy upraise

360

365

370

By Satan, and in part proposed; for whence,
But from the author of all ill, could spring
So deep a malice, to confound the race

Of mankind in one root, and Earth with Hell
To mingle and involve, done all to spite

The great Creator? But their spite still serves
His glory to augment.
The bold design

Pleased highly those infernal states, and joy
Sparkled in all their eyes: with full assent
They vote; whereat his speech he thus renews :

"Well have ye judged, well ended long debate Synod of gods! and, like to what ye are, Great things resolved; which from the lowest de Will once more lift us up, in spite of fate, Nearer our ancient seat; perhaps in view Of those bright confines, whence with neighbor

arms

And opportune excursion we may chance
Reënter Heaven; or else, in some mild zone
Dwell, not unvisited of Heaven's fair light,
Secure, and at the brightening orient beam
Purge off this gloom; the soft delicious air,
To heal the scar of these corrosive fires,

Shall breathe her balm. But first, whom shall

send

In search of this new world? whom shall we find
Sufficient? who shall tempt with wandering feet
The dark unbottomed infinite abyss,

And through the palpable obscure find out
His uncouth way, or spread his aery flight,

387. states, assembled coun

sellors.

392. resolved, determined on. 396. excursion, sallying forth. -chance, chance to, or by chance. 398. of, by.

399. Secure, without care;

free from anxiety.-orient, wh rises and gives lustre.

406. obscure is used as a no like abrupt in line 409.

407. uncouth, unknown.-a See I. 430 and note.

e with indefatigable wings,

he vast abrupt, ere he arrive

ppy isle? what strength, what art, can then - or what evasion bear him safe

gh the strict senteries and stations thick els watching round? here he had need cumspection, and we now no less

in our suffrage; for on whom we send, eight of all and our last hope relies."

s said, he sat; and expectation held Ok suspense, awaiting who appeared cond, or oppose, or undertake

erilous attempt; but all sat mute,

411

415

420

ring the danger with deep thoughts, and each er's countenance read his own dismay, ished. None among the choice and prime ose heaven-warring champions could be found rdy as to proffer or accept

the dreadful voyage; till at last

whom now transcendent glory raised e his fellows, with monarchal pride, ious of highest worth, unmoved thus spake :

O progeny of Heaven, empyreal Thrones!
reason hath deep silence and demur

d us, though undismayed. Long is the way
hard, that out of Hell leads up to light;
prison strong; this huge convex of fire,
ageous to devour, immures us round
Fold, and gates of burning adamant
ed over us prohibit all egress.

425

430

435

These passed, if any pass, the void profound
Of unessential night receives him next,
Wide gaping, and with utter loss of being
Threatens him, plunged in that abortive gulf.
If thence he scape into whatever world
Or unknown region, what remains him less
Than unknown dangers and as hard escape ?
But I should ill become this throne, O Peers!
And this imperial sovranty, adorned
With splendor, armed with power, if aught proj
And judged of public moment, in the shape
Of difficulty or danger, could deter

Me from attempting. Wherefore do I assume
These royalties, and not refuse to reign,
Refusing to accept as great a share

Of hazard as of honor, due alike

To him who reigns, and so much to him due
Of hazard more, as he above the rest

High honored sits? Go, therefore, mighty Pow
Terror of Heaven, though fallen! intend at hon
While here shall be our home, what best may e
The present misery, and render Hell
More tolerable; if there be cure or charm
To respite, or deceive, or slack the pain
Of this ill mansion. Intermit no watch
Against a wakeful foe, while I abroad
Through all the coasts of dark destruction seek
Deliverance for us all this enterprise
None shall partake with me." Thus saying rose
The monarch and prevented all reply,
Prudent, lest from his resolution raised

439. unessential, having no essence or being.

442. scape, escape.

443. remains, is left.

448. moment, importance;

weight.

451. royalties, attributes of

royalty.

453. due alike, both due is, both hazard and honor. 455. Of hazard more, so more of hazard or danger. 157. intend, consider; your attention to.

468. from his resolution roused by his resolve.

3 among the chiefs might offer now
in to be refused) what erst they feared;
so refused, might in opinion stand
vals, winning cheap the high repute

470

But they

1 he through hazard huge must earn.
led not more the adventure than his voice
lding; and at once with him they rose:
rising all at once was as the sound

475

under heard remote. Towards him they bend awful reverence prone; and as a god him equal to the Highest in Heaven; ailed they to express how much they praised for the general safety he despised

wn; for neither do the Spirits damned all their virtue, lest bad men should boast specious deeds on earth, which glory excites, ose ambition varnished o'er with zeal.

481

485

490

us they their doubtful consultations dark d, rejoicing in their matchless chief: hẹn from mountain-tops the dusky clouds nding, while the north wind sleeps, o'erspread en's cheerful face, the lowering element -ls o'er the darkened landscape snow or shower, ance the radiant sun with farewell sweet nd his evening beam, the fields revive, birds their notes renew, and bleating herds st their joy, that hill and valley rings. ame to men! devil with devil damned concord holds, men only disagree reatures rational, though under hope eavenly grace; and, God proclaiming peace,

495

fore these words, supply and..
element, sky or air.

491. Scowls, scowling sheds.
492. chance, by chance.
495. that, so that.
499. grace. See line 238.