at is low, raise and support; eight of this great argument eternal Providence, he ways of God to men. for Heaven hides nothing from thy view, elf in glory above his peers, Fine chains and penal fire, defy the Omnipotent to arms. t, subject. maintain by proof. Show to be just. Ithe world besides. -28, and Gen. ii. 16, ne, when. uals. See line 34. Lay vanquished, rolling in the fiery gulf, Confounded though immortal. But his doom Torments him. Round he throws his baleful eyes, A dungeon horrible on all sides round As one great furnace flamed; yet from those flames Regions of sorrow, doleful shades, where peace 57. witnessed perhaps means 64. discover, lay open; show. 68. urges, besets; oppresses. 72. utter, outer. "Cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness." Matt. xxv. 30. 75 80 74. the centre, the centre of the World, as described in Book VII., lines 224-231. 80. Palestine. Baälzebub or Beelzebub was the god of Ekron, a city of the Philistines, in Palestine. beest he but O how fallen! how ged ho in the happy realms of light, 85 transcendent brightness, didst outshine ugh bright!—if he, whom mutual league, ghts and counsels, equal hope in the glorious enterprise, me once, now misery hath joined n- into what pit thou seest 90 height fallen, so much the stronger proved thunder and till then who knew those dire arms? Yet not for those, e potent victor in his rage lict, do I repent or change 95 anged in outward lustre) that fixed mind isdain from sense of injured merit, he Mightiest raised me to contend, fierce contention brought along e force of spirits armed, dislike his reign, and, me preferring, power with adverse power opposed, battle on the plains of Heaven, 100 his throne. What though the field be lost? Ost; the unconquerable will, of revenge, immortal hate, ge never to submit or yield, 106 110 102. me preferring, making me first or leader, or choosing me rather. 110. That glory, the glory of my submission. Extort from me. To bow and sue for grace Who now triumphs, and in the excess of joy So spake the apostate angel, though in pain, Vaunting aloud, but racked with deep despair; And him thus answered soon his bold compeer: "O prince, O chief of many thronèd Powers, 117. empyreal substance, angelic nature. 124. tyranny. The original meaning of this word is absolute rule. The poet here seems to join with it the idea which it commonly conveys to us. - of, Dver. 115 120 125 130 135 129. embattled, ranged in order of battle. 130. conduct, leadership. 138. heavenly essences. See empyreal substance, above. for the mind and spirit remains nd vigor soon returns, our glory extinct, and happy state ved up in endless misery. be our conqueror (whom I now eve almighty, since no less 140 ould have o'erpowered such force as ours) this our spirit and strength entire, Suffer and support our pains; y so suffice his vengeful ire, mightier service, as his thralls war, whate'er his business be, heart of Hell to work in fire, rands in the gloomy deep. t then avail, though yet we feel diminished, or eternal being eternal punishment?" 146 150 155 |