Sole King, and of his kingdom lose no part
By our revolt, but over hell extend

His empire, and with iron scepter rule

325

330

Us here, as with his golden those in heav'n.
What sit we then projecting peace and war?
War hath determin'd us, and foil'd with loss
Irreparable; terms of peace yet none
Vouchsaf'd or sought; for what peace will be giv'n
To us enslav'd, but custody severe,

335

340

And stripes, and arbitrary punishment
Inflicted? and what peace can we return,
But to our power hostility and hate,
Untam'd reluctance, and revenge, though slow,
Yet ever plotting how the conqueror least
May reap his conquest, and may least rejoice
In doing what we most in suffering feel?
Nor will occasion want, nor shall we need
With dangerous expedition to invade
Heav'n, whose high walls fear no assault, or siege,
Or ambush from the deep. What if we find
Some easier enterprize? There is a place,
If antient and prophetic fame in heav'n
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

345

In power 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, conThither let us bend all our thoughts, to learn [firm'd.

What creatures there inhabit, of what mould, 355 Or substance, how endu'd, and what their power, And where their weakness, how attempted best, By force or subtilty. Though heav'n be shut, And heav'n's high Arbitrator sit secure

In his own strength, this place may lie expos'd, 360 The utmost border of his kingdom, left

365

370

To their defence who hold it: 'here perhaps
Some advantageous act may be achiev'd
By sudden onset, either with hell fire
To waste his whole creation, or possess
All as our own, and drive as we were driven
The puny habitants; or if not drive,
Seduce them to our party, that their God
May prove their foe, and with repenting hand
Abolish his own works. This would surpass
Common revenge, and interrupt his joy
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,
Faded so soon. Advise if this be worth
Attempting, or to sit in darkness here
Hatching vain empires.-Thus Beelzebub
Pleaded his devilish counsel, first devis'd
By Satan, and in part propos'd; for whence, 380
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

375

360 expos'd] Compare ver. 410, and consult Newton's note.

391

To mingle and involve, done all to spite
The great Creator? but their spite still serves 385
His glory to augment. The bold design
Pleas'd highly those infernal states, and joy
Sparkl'd in all their eyes; with full assent
They vote whereat his speech he thus renews.
Well have ye judg'd, well ended long debate,
Synod of Gods, and, like to what ye are,
Great things resolv'd; 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
And opportune excursion we may chance
Re-enter heav'n: or else in some mild zone
Dwell, not unvisited of heav'n's fair light,
Secure, and at the brightning 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 we
In search of this new world? whom shall we find
Sufficient? who shall tempt with wand'ring feet
The dark unbottom'd infinite abyss,

And through the palpable obscure find out
His uncouth way, or spread his airy flight,
Upborne with indefatigable wings,

Over the vast abrupt, ere he arrive

396

400

[send

405

406 palpable] The adjective obscure' used for a substantive, as 409, the vast abrupt.' Newton.

6

409 arrive] Shakesp. Hen. VI. Part iii. act v.

those powers that the queen

Hath rais'd in Gallia, have arriv'd our coast.'

411

The happy isle? what strength, what art can then
Suffice, or what evasion bear him safe
Through the strict senteries and stations thick
Of angels watching round? here he had need
All circumspection, and we now no less
Choice in our suffrage; for on whom we send 415
The weight of all, and our last hope, relies.
This said, he sat; and expectation held
His look suspense, awaiting who appear'd
To second, or oppose, or undertake
The perilous attempt: but all sat mute,
Pondering the danger with deep thoughts; and each
In others count'nance read his own dismay
Astonish'd; none among the choice and prime
Of those heav'n-warring champions could be found
So hardy, as to proffer or accept

Alone the dreadful voyage; till at last

420

425

Satan, whom now transcendent glory rais'd
Above his fellows, with monarchal pride,
Conscious of highest worth, unmov'd thus spake.
O Progeny of heav'n, empyreal Thrones,
With reason hath deep silence and demur
Seiz'd us, though undismay'd: long is the way
And hard, that out of hell leads up to light;

430

410 isle] The earth hanging in the sea of air. Cic. de Nat. Deor. ii. 66.

Magnam quandam insulam, quam nos orbem terræ vocamus.' Newton.

432 long] Dante Inf. c. xxxiv. 95, describes the ascent from hell.

· La via e lunga, e 'l cammino è malvagio.' .

Our prison strong; this huge convex of fire
Outrageous to devour, immures us round
Ninefold, and gates of burning adamant
Barr'd over us prohibit all egress.

435

440

These pass'd, if any pass, the void profound
Of unessential night receives him next
Wide gaping, and with utter loss of being
Threatens him, plung'd 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, 445
And this imperial sov'reignty, adorn'd
With splendour, arm'd with power, if aught propos'd
And judg'd of public moment, in the shape
Of difficulty or danger, could deter

Me from attempting. Wherefore do I assume 450
These royalties, and not refuse to reign,
Refusing to accept as great a share

Of hazard as of honour, due alike

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

455

High honour'd sits? Go, therefore, mighty Powers,
Terror of heav'n, though fall'n, intend at home,
While here shall be our home, what best
The present misery, and render hell

436 Ninefold]

may ease

'Et novies Styx interfusa coercet.'

Bentl. MS.

457 intend] Intende animum.' See Steevens' note on Shakesp. Timon of Athens, act ii. scene ii.