By our revolt; but over Hell extend His empire, and with iron sceptre rule Us here, as with his golden those in Heaven. War hath determined us, and foil'd with loss 334 Vouchsafed or sought; for what peace will be given To us enslaved, but custody severe, And stripes, and arbitrary punishment Inflicted? and what peace can we return, 335 Untamed reluctance, and revenge though slow May reap his conquest, and may least rejoice fa doing what we most in suffering feel? 340 Nor will occasion want, nor shall we need With dangerous expedition to invade Heaven, whose high walls fear no assault nor siege, Or ambush from the deep. What if we find Some easier enterprise? There is a place (If ancient and prophetic fame in Heaven 345 Err not,) another world, the happy seat Of some new race call'd Man, about this time In power and excellence, but favour'd more 350 Of Him who rules above; so was his will 355 That shook Heaven's whole circumference, confirm'd, In his own strength, this place may lie exposed, 360 l'he utmost border of his kingdom, left To their defence who hold it: Here perhaps PARADISE LOST. By sudden onset; either with Hell fire All as our own, and drive, as we were driven In our confusion, and our joy upraise in his disturbance; when his darling sons, Hurl'd headlong to partake with us, shall curse Their frail original, and faded bliss, 375 Faded so soon. Advise, if this be worth Attempting, or to sit in darkness here 38 Of mankind in one root, and Earth with Heil To mingle and involve, done all to spite The great Creator? But their spite still serves 385 His glory to augment. The bold design They vote whereat his speech he thus renews. 390 Synod of Gods! and, like to what ve are, Great things resolved, which, from the lowest deep, Will once more lift us up, in spite of fate, Nearer our ancient seat; perhaps in view [arms Of those bright confines, whence, with neighbouring 398 400 Shall breathe her balm. But first whoin shall we send And through the palpable obscure find out Over the vast abrupt, ere he arrive 405 The happy isle? What strength, what art can then Suffice, or what evasion bear him safe 411 Through the strict senterics and stations thick Of Angels watching round? Here he had need 415 420 Pondering the danger with deep thought; and each In other's countenance read his own dismay, Astonish'd: None among the choice and prime Of those heaven-warring champions could be found So hardy as to proffer or accept, 425 With reason hath deep silence and demur 435 Wide gaping, and with utter loss of being 440 445 With splendour, arm'd with power, if aught proposed To him who reigns, and so much to him due 455 High honour'd sits? Go, therefore, mighty Powers, Terror of Heaven, though fallen! intend at home, While here shall be our home, what best may case The present misery, and render Hell More tolerable; if there be cure or charm 460 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 465 None shall partake with me. Thus saying rose Prudent, lest, from his resolution raised, 470 But they 475 Af thunder heard remote. Towards him they bend With awful reverence prone; and as a God Extol him equal to the Highest in Heaven Nor fail'd they to express how much they praised 180 That for the general safety he despised His own: For neither do the Spirits damn'd 485 Lose all their virtue; lest bad men should beast 490 495 Firm concord holds; men only disagree Of creatures rational, though under hope Of heavenly grace: and, God proclaiming peace, Yet live in hatred, enmity, and strife 500 Among themselves, and levy cruel wars, Wasting the earth, each other to destroy: 505 The Stygian council thus dissolved; and forth In order came the grand infernal Peers: Midst came their mighty Paramount, and seem'd Than Hell's dread Emperor, with pomp supreme 510 And Godlike imitated state him round A globe of fiery Seraphim enclosed With bright emblazonry and horrent arins. |