John Milton
1608-1674
Paradise Lost
(The 10-book first edition, published in 1667)
Paradise Lost (1667). Milton, John
Scolar Press.
Note 1: this text is a copy of the first
edition of Milton's Paradise Lost (1667), and will differ in significant ways from the revised version (1674);
most obviously, the 1667 version is divided into ten and not twelve books, and lacks certain revisions made in 1674.
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Note 2:
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Published: 1667 English fiction poetry.
Book 1 1: Of Mans First Disobedience, and the Fruit 2: Of that Forbidden Tree, whose mortal tast 3: Brought Death into the World, and all our woe, 4: With loss of EDEN, till one greater Man 5: Restore us, and regain the blissful Seat, 6: Sing Heav'nly Muse, that on the secret top 7: Of OREB, or of SINAI, didst inspire 8: That Shepherd, who first taught the chosen Seed, 9: In the Beginning how the Heav'ns and Earth 10: Rose out of CHAOS: Or if SION Hill 11: Delight thee more, and SILOA'S Brook that flow'd 12: Fast by the Oracle of God; I thence 13: Invoke thy aid to my adventrous Song, 14: That with no middle flight intends to soar 15: Above th' AONIAN Mount, while it pursues 16: Things unattempted yet in Prose or Rhime. 17: And chiefly Thou O Spirit, that dost prefer 18: Before all Temples th' upright heart and pure, 19: Instruct me, for Thou know'st; Thou from the first 20: Wast present, and with mighty wings outspread 21: Dove-like satst brooding on the vast Abyss 22: And mad'st it pregnant: What in me is dark 23: Illumine, what is low raise and support; 24: That to the highth of this great Argument 25: I may assert th' Eternal Providence, 26: And justifie the wayes of God to men. 27: Say first, for Heav'n hides nothing from thy view 28: Nor the deep Tract of Hell, say first what cause 29: Mov'd our Grand Parents in that happy State, 30: Favour'd of Heav'n so highly, to fall off 31: From their Creator, and transgress his Will 32: For one restraint, Lords of the World besides? 33: Who first seduc'd them to that fowl revolt? 34: Th' infernal Serpent; he it was, whose guile 35: Stird up with Envy and Revenge, deceiv'd 36: The Mother of Mankinde, what time his Pride 37: Had cast him out from Heav'n, with all his Host 38: Of Rebel Angels, by whose aid aspiring 39: To set himself in Glory above his Peers, 40: He trusted to have equal'd the most High, 41: If he oppos'd; and with ambitious aim 42: Against the Throne and Monarchy of God 43: Rais'd impious War in Heav'n and Battel proud 44: With vain attempt. Him the Almighty Power 45: Hurld headlong flaming from th' Ethereal Skie 46: With hideous ruine and combustion down 47: To bottomless perdition, there to dwell 48: In Adamantine Chains and penal Fire, 49: Who durst defie th' Omnipotent to Arms. 50: Nine times the Space that measures Day and Night 51: To mortal men, he with his horrid crew 52: Lay vanquisht, rowling in the fiery Gulfe 53: Confounded though immortal: But his doom 54: Reserv'd him to more wrath; for now the thought 55: Both of lost happiness and lasting pain 56: Torments him; round he throws his baleful eyes 57: That witness'd huge affliction and dismay 58: Mixt with obdurate pride and stedfast hate: 59: At once as far as Angels kenn he views 60: The dismal Situation waste and wilde, 61: A Dungeon horrible, on all sides round 62: As one great Furnace flam'd, yet from those flames 63: No light, but rather darkness visible 64: Serv'd only to discover sights of woe, 65: Regions of sorrow, doleful shades, where peace 66: And rest can never dwell, hope never comes 67: That comes to all; but torture without end 68: Still urges, and a fiery Deluge, fed 69: With ever-burning Sulphur unconsum'd: 70: Such place Eternal Justice had prepar'd 71: For those rebellious, here their Prison ordain'd 72: In utter darkness, and their portion set 73: As far remov'd from God and light of Heav'n 74: As from the Center thrice to th' utmost Pole. 75: O how unlike the place from whence they fell! 76: There the companions of his fall, o'rewhelm'd 77: With Floods and Whirlwinds of tempestuous fire, 78: He soon discerns, and weltring by his side 79: One next himself in power, and next in crime, 80: Long after known in PALESTINE, and nam'd 81: BEELZEBUB. To whom th' Arch-Enemy, 82: And thence in Heav'n call'd Satan, with bold words 83: Breaking the horrid silence thus began.
84: If thou beest he; But O how fall'n! how chang'd 85: From him, who in the happy Realms of Light 86: Cloth'd with transcendent brightnes didst outshine 87: Myriads though bright: If he whom mutual league, 88: United thoughts and counsels, equal hope, 89: And hazard in the Glorious Enterprize, 90: Joynd with me once, now misery hath joynd 91: In equal ruin: into what Pit thou seest 92: From what highth fal'n, so much the stronger provd 93: He with his Thunder: and till then who knew 94: The force of those dire Arms? yet not for those 95: Nor what the Potent Victor in his rage 96: Can else inflict do I repent or change, 97: Though chang'd in outward lustre; that fixt mind 98: And high disdain, from sence of injur'd merit, 99: That with the mightiest rais'd me to contend, 100: And to the fierce contention brought along 101: Innumerable force of Spirits arm'd 102: That durst dislike his reign, and me preferring, 103: His utmost power with adverse power oppos'd 104: In dubious Battel on the Plains of Heav'n, 105: And shook his throne. What though the field be lost? 106: All is not lost; the unconquerable Will, 107: And study of revenge, immortal hate, 108: And courage never to submit or yield: 109: And what is else not to be overcome? 110: That Glory never shall his wrath or might 111: Extort from me. To bow and sue for grace 112: With suppliant knee, and deifie his power 113: Who from the terrour of this Arm so late 114: Doubted his Empire, that were low indeed, 115: That were an ignominy and shame beneath 116: This downfall; since by Fate the strength of Gods 117: And this Empyreal substance cannot fail, 118: Since through experience of this great event 119: In Arms not worse, in foresight much advanc't, 120: We may with more successful hope resolve 121: To wage by force or guile eternal Warr 122: Irreconcileable, to our grand Foe, 123: Who now triumphs, and in th' excess of joy 124: Sole reigning holds the Tyranny of Heav'n.
125: So spake th' Apostate Angel, though in pain, 126: Vaunting aloud, but rackt with deep despare: 127: And him thus answer'd soon his bold Compeer.
128: O Prince, O Chief of many Throned Powers, 129: That led th' imbattelld Seraphim to Warr 130: Under thy conduct, and in dreadful deeds 131: Fearless, endanger'd Heav'ns perpetual King; 132: And put to proof his high Supremacy, 133: Whether upheld by strength, or Chance, or Fate, 134: Too well I see and rue the dire event, 135: That with sad overthrow and foul defeat 136: Hath lost us Heav'n, and all this mighty Host 137: In horrible destruction laid thus low, 138: As far as Gods and Heav'nly Essences 139: Can Perish: for the mind and spirit remains 140: Invincible, and vigour soon returns, 141: Though all our Glory extinct, and happy state 142: Here swallow'd up in endless misery. 143: But what if he our Conquerour, (whom I now 144: Of force believe Almighty, since no less 145: Then such could hav orepow'rd such force as ours) 146: Have left us this our spirit and strength intire 147: Strongly to suffer and support our pains, 148: That we may so suffice his vengeful ire, 149: Or do him mightier service as his thralls 150: By right of Warr, what e're his business be 151: Here in the heart of Hell to work in Fire, 152: Or do his Errands in the gloomy Deep; 153: What can it then avail though yet we feel 154: Strength undiminisht, or eternal being 155: To undergo eternal punishment? 156: Whereto with speedy words th' Arch-fiend reply'd.
157: Fall'n Cherube, to be weak is miserable 158: Doing or Suffering: but of this be sure, 159: To do ought good never will be our task, 160: But ever to do ill our sole delight, 161: As being the contrary to his high will 162: Whom we resist. If then his Providence 163: Out of our evil seek to bring forth good, 164: Our labour must be to pervert that end, 165: And out of good still to find means of evil; 166: Which oft times may succeed, so as perhaps 167: Shall grieve him, if I fail not, and disturb 168: His inmost counsels from their destind aim. 169: But see the angry Victor hath recall'd 170: His Ministers of vengeance and pursuit 171: Back to the Gates of Heav'n: The Sulphurous Hail 172: Shot after us in storm, oreblown hath laid 173: The fiery Surge, that from the Precipice 174: Of Heav'n receiv'd us falling, and the Thunder, 175: Wing'd with red Lightning and impetuous rage, 176: Perhaps hath spent his shafts, and ceases now 177: To bellow through the vast and boundless Deep. 178: Let us not slip th' occasion, whether scorn, 179: Or satiate fury yield it from our Foe. 180: Seest thou yon dreary Plain, forlorn and wilde, 181: The seat of desolation, voyd of light, 182: Save what the glimmering of these livid flames 183: Casts pale and dreadful? Thither let us tend 184: From off the tossing of these fiery waves, 185: There rest, if any rest can harbour there, 186: And reassembling our afflicted Powers, 187: Consult how we may henceforth most offend 188: Our Enemy, our own loss how repair, 189: How overcome this dire Calamity, 190: What reinforcement we may gain from Hope, 191: If not what resolution from despare.
192: Thus Satan talking to his neerest Mate 193: With Head up-lift above the wave, and Eyes 194: That sparkling blaz'd, his other Parts besides 195: Prone on the Flood, extended long and large 196: Lay floating many a rood, in bulk as huge 197: As whom the Fables name of monstrous size, 198: TITANIAN, or EARTH-BORN, that warr'd on JOVE, 199: BRIARIOS or TYPHON, whom the Den 200: By ancient TARSUS held, or that Sea-beast 201: LEVIATHAN, which God of all his works 202: Created hugest that swim th' Ocean stream: 203: Him haply slumbring on the NORWAY foam 204: The Pilot of some small night-founder'd Skiff, 205: Deeming some Island, oft, as Sea-men tell, 206: With fixed Anchor in his skaly rind 207: Moors by his side under the Lee, while Night 208: Invests the Sea, and wished Morn delayes: 209: So stretcht out huge in length the Arch-fiend lay 210: Chain'd on the burning Lake, nor ever thence 211: Had ris'n or heav'd his head, but that the will 212: And high permission of all-ruling Heaven 213: Left him at large to his own dark designs, 214: That with reiterated crimes he might 215: Heap on himself damnation, while he sought 216: Evil to others, and enrag'd might see 217: How all his malice serv'd but to bring forth 218: Infinite goodness, grace and mercy shewn 219: On Man by him seduc't, but on himself 220: Treble confusion, wrath and vengeance pour'd. 221: Forthwith upright he rears from off the Pool 222: His mighty Stature; on each hand the flames 223: Drivn backward slope their pointing spires, & rowld 224: In billows, leave i'th' midst a horrid Vale. 225: Then with expanded wings he stears his flight 226: Aloft, incumbent on the dusky Air 227: That felt unusual weight, till on dry Land 228: He lights, if it were Land that ever burn'd 229: With solid, as the Lake with liquid fire; 230: And such appear'd in hue, as when the force 231: Of subterranean wind transports a Hill 232: Torn from PELORUS, or the shatter'd side 233: Of thundring AETNA, whose combustible 234: And fewel'd entrals thence conceiving Fire, 235: Sublim'd with Mineral fury, aid the Winds, 236: And leave a singed bottom all involv'd 237: With stench and smoak: Such resting found the sole 238: Of unblest feet. Him followed his next Mate, 239: Both glorying to have scap't the STYGIAN flood 240: As Gods, and by their own recover'd strength, 241: Not by the sufferance of supernal Power.
242: Is this the Region, this the Soil, the Clime, 243: Said then the lost Arch Angel, this the seat 244: That we must change for Heav'n, this mournful gloom 245: For that celestial light? Be it so, since hee 246: Who now is Sovran can dispose and bid 247: What shall be right: fardest from him is best 248: Whom reason hath equald, force hath made supream 249: Above his equals. Farewel happy Fields 250: Where Joy for ever dwells: Hail horrours, hail 251: Infernal world, and thou profoundest Hell 252: Receive thy new Possessor: One who brings 253: A mind not to be chang'd by Place or Time. 254: The mind is its own place, and in it self 255: Can make a Heav'n of Hell, a Hell of Heav'n. 256: What matter where, if I be still the same, 257: And what I should be, all but less then hee 258: Whom Thunder hath made greater? Here at least 259: We shall be free; th' Almighty hath not built 260: Here for his envy, will not drive us hence: 261: Here we may reign secure, and in my choyce 262: To reign is worth ambition though in Hell: 263: Better to reign in Hell, then serve in Heav'n. 264: But wherefore let we then our faithful friends, 265: Th' associates and copartners of our loss 266: Lye thus astonisht on th' oblivious Pool, 267: And call them not to share with us their part 268: In this unhappy Mansion, or once more 269: With rallied Arms to try what may be yet 270: Regaind in Heav'n, or what more lost in Hell?
271: So SATAN spake, and him BEELZEBUB 272: Thus answer'd. Leader of those Armies bright, 273: Which but th' Omnipotent none could have foyld, 274: If once they hear that voyce, their liveliest pledge 275: Of hope in fears and dangers, heard so oft 276: In worst extreams, and on the perilous edge 277: Of battel when it rag'd, in all assaults 278: Their surest signal, they will soon resume 279: New courage and revive, though now they lye 280: Groveling and prostrate on yon Lake of Fire, 281: As we erewhile, astounded and amaz'd, 282: No wonder, fall'n such a pernicious highth.
283: He scarce had ceas't when the superiour Fiend 284: Was moving toward the shore; his ponderous shield 285: Ethereal temper, massy, large and round, 286: Behind him cast; the broad circumference 287: Hung on his shoulders like the Moon, whose Orb 288: Through Optic Glass the TUSCAN Artist views 289: At Ev'ning from the top of FESOLE, 290: Or in VALDARNO, to descry new Lands, 291: Rivers or Mountains in her spotty Globe. 292: His Spear, to equal which the tallest Pine 293: Hewn on NORWEGIAN hills, to be the Mast 294: Of some great Ammiral, were but a wand, 295: He walkt with to support uneasie steps 296: Over the burning Marle, not like those steps 297: On Heavens Azure, and the torrid Clime 298: Smote on him sore besides, vaulted with Fire; 299: Nathless he so endur'd, till on the Beach 300: Of that inflamed Sea, he stood and call'd 301: His Legions, Angel Forms, who lay intrans't 302: Thick as Autumnal Leaves that strow the Brooks 303: In VALLOMBROSA, where th' ETRURIAN shades 304: High overarch't imbowr; or scatterd sedge 305: Afloat, when with fierce Winds ORION arm'd 306: Hath vext the Red-Sea Coast, whose waves orethrew 307: BUSIRIS and his MEMPHIAN Chivalrie, 308: VVhile with perfidious hatred they pursu'd 309: The Sojourners of GOSHEN, who beheld 310: From the safe shore their floating Carkases 311: And broken Chariot Wheels, so thick bestrown 312: Abject and lost lay these, covering the Flood, 313: Under amazement of their hideous change. 314: He call'd so loud, that all the hollow Deep 315: Of Hell resounded. Princes, Potentates, 316: Warriers, the Flowr of Heav'n, once yours, now lost, 317: If such astonishment as this can sieze 318: Eternal spirits; or have ye chos'n this place 319: After the toyl of Battel to repose 320: Your wearied vertue, for the ease you find 321: To slumber here, as in the Vales of Heav'n? 322: Or in this abject posture have ye sworn 323: To adore the Conquerour? who now beholds 324: Cherube and Seraph rowling in the Flood 325: With scatter'd Arms and Ensigns, till anon 326: His swift pursuers from Heav'n Gates discern 327: Th' advantage, and descending tread us down 328: Thus drooping, or with linked Thunderbolts 329: Transfix us to the bottom of this Gulfe. 330: Awake, arise, or be for ever fall'n.
331: They heard, and were abasht, and up they sprung 332: Upon the wing, as when men wont to watch 333: On duty, sleeping found by whom they dread, 334: Rouse and bestir themselves ere well awake. 335: Nor did they not perceave the evil plight 336: In which they were, or the fierce pains not feel; 337: Yet to their Generals Voyce they soon obeyd 338: Innumerable. As when the potent Rod 339: Of AMRAMS Son in EGYPTS evill day 340: Wav'd round the Coast, up call'd a pitchy cloud 341: Of LOCUSTS, warping on the Eastern Wind, 342: That ore the Realm of impious PHAROAH hung 343: Like Night, and darken'd all the Land of NILE: 344: So numberless were those bad Angels seen 345: Hovering on wing under the Cope of Hell 346: 'Twixt upper, nether, and surrounding Fires; 347: Till, as a signal giv'n, th' uplifted Spear 348: Of their great Sultan waving to direct 349: Thir course, in even ballance down they light 350: On the firm brimstone, and fill all the Plain; 351: A multitude, like which the populous North 352: Pour'd never from her frozen loyns, to pass 353: RHENE or the DANAW, when her barbarous Sons 354: Came like a Deluge on the South, and spread 355: Beneath GIBRALTAR to the LYBIAN sands. 356: Forthwith from every Squadron and each Band 357: The Heads and Leaders thither hast where stood 358: Their great Commander; Godlike shapes and forms 359: Excelling human, Princely Dignities, 360: And Powers that earst in Heaven sat on Thrones; 361: Though of their Names in heav'nly Records now 362: Be no memorial, blotted out and ras'd 363: By thir Rebellion, from the Books of Life. 364: Nor had they yet among the Sons of EVE 365: Got them new Names, till wandring ore the Earth, 366: Through Gods high sufferance for the tryal of man, 367: By falsities and lyes the greatest part 368: Of Mankind they corrupted to forsake 369: God their Creator, and th' invisible 370: Glory of him, that made them, to transform 371: Oft to the Image of a Brute, adorn'd 372: With gay Religions full of Pomp and Gold, 373: And Devils to adore for Deities: 374: Then were they known to men by various Names, 375: And various Idols through the Heathen World. 376: Say, Muse, their Names then known, who first, who last, 377: Rous'd from the slumber, on that fiery Couch, 378: At thir great Emperors call, as next in worth 379: Came singly where he stood on the bare strand, 380: While the promiscuous croud stood yet aloof? 381: The chief were those who from the Pit of Hell 382: Roaming to seek their prey on earth, durst fix 383: Their Seats long after next the Seat of God, 384: Their Altars by his Altar, Gods ador'd 385: Among the Nations round, and durst abide 386: JEHOVAH thundring out of SION, thron'd 387: Between the Cherubim; yea, often plac'd 388: Within his Sanctuary it self their Shrines, 389: Abominations; and with cursed things 390: His holy Rites, and solemn Feasts profan'd, 391: And with their darkness durst affront his light. 392: First MOLOCH, horrid King besmear'd with blood 393: Of human sacrifice, and parents tears, 394: Though for the noyse of Drums and Timbrels loud 395: Their childrens cries unheard, that past through fire 396: To his grim Idol. Him the AMMONITE 397: Worshipt in RABBA and her watry Plain, 398: In ARGOB and in BASAN, to the stream 399: Of utmost ARNON. Nor content with such 400: Audacious neighbourhood, the wisest heart 401: Of SOLOMON he led by fraud to build 402: His Temple right against the Temple of God 403: On that opprobrious Hill, and made his Grove 404: The pleasant Vally of HINNOM, TOPHET thence 405: And black GEHENNA call'd, the Type of Hell. 406: Next CHEMOS, th' obscene dread of MOABS Sons, 407: From AROER to NEBO, and the wild 408: Of Southmost ABARIM; in HESEBON 409: And HERONAIM, SEONS Realm, beyond 410: The flowry Dale of SIBMA clad with Vines, 411: And ELEALE to th' ASPHALTICK Pool. 412: PEOR his other Name, when he entic'd 413: ISRAEL in SITTIM on their march from NILE 414: To do him wanton rites, which cost them woe. 415: Yet thence his lustful Orgies he enlarg'd 416: Even to that Hill of scandal, by the Grove 417: Of MOLOCH homicide, lust hard by hate; 418: Till good JOSIAH drove them thence to Hell. 419: With these came they, who from the bordring flood 420: Of old EUPHRATES to the Brook that parts 421: EGYPT from SYRIAN ground, had general Names 422: Of BAALIM and ASHTAROTH, those male, 423: These Feminine. For Spirits when they please 424: Can either Sex assume, or both; so soft 425: And uncompounded is their Essence pure, 426: Not ti'd or manacl'd with joynt or limb, 427: Nor founded on the brittle strength of bones, 428: Like cumbrous flesh; but in what shape they choose 429: Dilated or condens't, bright or obscure, 430: Can execute their aerie purposes, 431: And works of love or enmity fulfill. 432: For those the Race of ISRAEL oft forsook 433: Their living strength, and unfrequented left 434: His righteous Altar, bowing lowly down 435: To bestial Gods; for which their heads as low 436: Bow'd down in Battel, sunk before the Spear 437: Of despicable foes. With these in troop 438: Came ASTORETH, whom the PHOENICIANS call'd 439: ASTARTE, Queen of Heav'n, with crescent Horns; 440: To whose bright Image nightly by the Moon 441: SIDONIAN Virgins paid their Vows and Songs, 442: In SION also not unsung, where stood 443: Her Temple on th' offensive Mountain, built 444: By that uxorious King, whose heart though large, 445: Beguil'd by fair Idolatresses, fell 446: To Idols foul. THAMMUZ came next behind, 447: Whose annual wound in LEBANON allur'd 448: The SYRIAN Damsels to lament his fate 449: In amorous dittyes all a Summers day, 450: While smooth ADONIS from his native Rock 451: Ran purple to the Sea, suppos'd with blood 452: Of THAMMUZ yearly wounded: the Love-tale 453: Infected SIONS daughters with like heat, 454: Whose wanton passions in the sacred Porch 455: EZEKIEL saw, when by the Vision led 456: His eye survay'd the dark Idolatries 457: Of alienated JUDAH. Next came one 458: Who mourn'd in earnest, when the Captive Ark 459: Maim'd his brute Image, head and hands lopt off 460: In his own Temple, on the grunsel edge, 461: Where he fell flat, and sham'd his Worshipers: 462: DAGON his Name, Sea Monster, upward Man 463: And downward Fish: yet had his Temple high 464: Rear'd in AZOTUS, dreaded through the Coast 465: Of PALESTINE, in GATH and ASCALON, 466: And ACCARON and GAZA's frontier bounds. 467: Him follow'd RIMMON, whose delightful Seat 468: Was fair DAMASCUS, on the fertil Banks 469: Of ABBANA and PHARPHAR, lucid streams. 470: He also against the house of God was bold: 471: A Leper once he lost and gain'd a King, 472: AHAZ his sottish Conquerour, whom he drew 473: Gods Altar to disparage and displace 474: For one of SYRIAN mode, whereon to burn 475: His odious offrings, and adore the Gods 476: Whom he had vanquisht. After these appear'd 477: A crew who under Names of old Renown, 478: OSIRIS, ISIS, ORUS and their Train 479: With monstrous shapes and sorceries abus'd 480: Fanatic EGYPT and her Priests, to seek 481: Thir wandring Gods disguis'd in brutish forms 482: Rather then human. Nor did ISRAEL scape 483: Th' infection when their borrow'd Gold compos'd 484: The Calf in OREB: and the Rebel King 485: Doubl'd that sin in BETHEL and in DAN, 486: Lik'ning his Maker to the Grazed Ox, 487: JEHOVAH, who in one Night when he pass'd 488: From EGYPT marching, equal'd with one stroke 489: Both her first born and all her bleating Gods. 490: BELIAL came last, then whom a Spirit more lewd 491: Fell not from Heaven, or more gross to love 492: Vice for it self: To him no Temple stood 493: Or Altar smoak'd; yet who more oft then hee 494: In Temples and at Altars, when the Priest 495: Turns Atheist, as did ELY'S Sons, who fill'd 496: With lust and violence the house of God. 497: In Courts and Palaces he also Reigns 498: And in luxurious Cities, where the noyse 499: Of riot ascends above thir loftiest Towrs, 500: And injury and outrage: And when Night 501: Darkens the Streets, then wander forth the Sons 502: Of BELIAL, flown with insolence and wine. 503: Witness the Streets of SODOM, and that night 504: In GIBEAH, when hospitable Dores 505: Yielded thir Matrons to prevent worse rape. 506: These were the prime in order and in might; 507: The rest were long to tell, though far renown'd, 508: Th' IONIAN Gods, of JAVANS Issue held 509: Gods, yet confest later then Heav'n and Earth 510: Thir boasted Parents; TITAN Heav'ns first born 511: With his enormous brood, and birthright seis'd 512: By younger SATURN, he from mightier JOVE 513: His own and RHEA'S Son like measure found; 514: So JOVE usurping reign'd: these first in CREET 515: And IDA known, thence on the Snowy top 516: Of cold OLYMPUS rul'd the middle Air 517: Thir highest Heav'n; or on the DELPHIAN Cliff, 518: Or in DODONA, and through all the bounds 519: Of DORIC Land; or who with SATURN old 520: Fled over ADRIA to th' HESPERIAN Fields, 521: And ore the CELTIC roam'd the utmost Isles. 522: All these and more came flocking; but with looks 523: Down cast and damp, yet such wherein appear'd 524: Obscure som glimps of joy, to have found thir chief 525: Not in despair, to have found themselves not lost 526: In loss it self; which on his count'nance cast 527: Like doubtful hue: but he his wonted pride 528: Soon recollecting, with high words, that bore 529: Semblance of worth not substance, gently rais'd 530: Their fainted courage, and dispel'd their fears. 531: Then strait commands that at the warlike sound 532: Of Trumpets loud and Clarions be upreard 533: His mighty Standard; that proud honour claim'd 534: AZAZEL as his right, a Cherube tall: 535: Who forthwith from the glittering Staff unfurld 536: Th' Imperial Ensign, which full high advanc't 537: Shon like a Meteor streaming to the Wind 538: With Gemms and Golden lustre rich imblaz'd, 539: Seraphic arms and Trophies: all the while 540: Sonorous mettal blowing Martial sounds: 541: At which the universal Host upsent 542: A shout that tore Hells Concave, and beyond 543: Frighted the Reign of CHAOS and old Night. 544: All in a moment through the gloom were seen 545: Ten thousand Banners rise into the Air 546: With Orient Colours waving: with them rose 547: A Forrest huge of Spears: and thronging Helms 548: Appear'd, and serried Shields in thick array 549: Of depth immeasurable: Anon they move 550: In perfect PHALANX to the Dorian mood 551: Of Flutes and soft Recorders; such as rais'd 552: To highth of noblest temper Hero's old 553: Arming to Battel, and in stead of rage 554: Deliberate valour breath'd, firm and unmov'd 555: With dread of death to flight or foul retreat, 556: Nor wanting power to mitigate and swage 557: With solemn touches, troubl'd thoughts, and chase 558: Anguish and doubt and fear and sorrow and pain 559: From mortal or immortal minds. Thus they 560: Breathing united force with fixed thought 561: Mov'd on in silence to soft Pipes that charm'd 562: Thir painful steps o're the burnt soyle; and now 563: Advanc't in view they stand, a horrid Front 564: Of dreadful length and dazling Arms, in guise 565: Of Warriers old with order'd Spear and Shield, 566: Awaiting what command thir mighty Chief 567: Had to impose: He through the armed Files 568: Darts his experienc't eye, and soon traverse 569: The whole Battalion views, thir order due, 570: Thir visages and stature as of Gods, 571: Thir number last he summs. And now his heart 572: Distends with pride, and hardning in his strength 573: Glories: For never since created man, 574: Met such imbodied force, as nam'd with these 575: Could merit more then that small infantry 576: Warr'd on by Cranes: though all the Giant brood 577: Of PHLEGRA with th' Heroic Race were joyn'd 578: That fought at THEB'S and ILIUM, on each side 579: Mixt with auxiliar Gods; and what resounds 580: In Fable or ROMANCE of UTHERS Son 581: Begirt with BRITISH and ARMORIC Knights; 582: And all who since, Baptiz'd or Infidel 583: Jousted in ASPRAMONT or MONTALBAN, 584: DAMASCO, or MAROCCO, or TREBISOND, 585: Or whom BISERTA sent from AFRIC shore 586: When CHARLEMAIN with all his Peerage fell 587: By FONTARABBIA. Thus far these beyond 588: Compare of mortal prowess, yet observ'd 589: Thir dread Commander: he above the rest 590: In shape and gesture proudly eminent 591: Stood like a Towr; his form had yet not lost 592: All her Original brightness, nor appear'd 593: Less then Arch Angel ruind, and th' excess 594: Of Glory obscur'd: As when the Sun new ris'n 595: Looks through the Horizontal misty Air 596: Shorn of his Beams, or from behind the Moon 597: In dim Eclips disastrous twilight sheds 598: On half the Nations, and with fear of change 599: Perplexes Monarchs. Dark'n'd so, yet shon 600: Above them all th' Arch Angel: but his face 601: Deep scars of Thunder had intrencht, and care 602: Sat on his faded cheek, but under Browes 603: Of dauntless courage, and considerate Pride 604: Waiting revenge: cruel his eye, but cast 605: Signs of remorse and passion to behold 606: The fellows of his crime, the followers rather 607: (Far other once beheld in bliss) condemn'd 608: For ever now to have their lot in pain, 609: Millions of Spirits for his fault amerc't 610: Of Heav'n, and from Eternal Splendors flung 611: For his revolt, yet faithfull how they stood, 612: Thir Glory witherd. As when Heavens Fire 613: Hath scath'd the Forrest Oaks, or Mountain Pines, 614: With singed top their stately growth though bare 615: Stands on the blasted Heath. He now prepar'd 616: To speak; whereat their doubl'd Ranks they bend 617: From Wing to Wing, and half enclose him round 618: With all his Peers: attention held them mute. 619: Thrice he assayd, and thrice in spite of scorn, 620: Tears such as Angels weep, burst forth: at last 621: Words interwove with sighs found out their way.
622: O Myriads of immortal Spirits, O Powers 623: Matchless, but with th' Almighty, and that strife 624: Was not inglorious, though th' event was dire, 625: As this place testifies, and this dire change 626: Hateful to utter: but what power of mind 627: Foreseeing or presaging, from the Depth 628: Of knowledge past or present, could have fear'd, 629: How such united force of Gods, how such 630: As stood like these, could ever know repulse? 631: For who can yet beleeve, though after loss, 632: That all these puissant Legions, whose exile 633: Hath emptied Heav'n, shall faile to re-ascend 634: Self-rais'd, and repossess their native seat. 635: For me, be witness all the Host of Heav'n, 636: If counsels different, or danger shun'd 637: By me, have lost our hopes. But he who reigns 638: Monarch in Heav'n, till then as one secure 639: Sat on his Throne, upheld by old repute, 640: Consent or custome, and his Regal State 641: Put forth at full, but still his strength conceal'd, 642: Which tempted our attempt, and wrought our fall. 643: Henceforth his might we know, and know our own 644: So as not either to provoke, or dread 645: New warr, provok't; our better part remains 646: To work in close design, by fraud or guile 647: What force effected not: that he no less 648: At length from us may find, who overcomes 649: By force, hath overcome but half his foe. 650: Space may produce new Worlds; whereof so rife 651: There went a fame in Heav'n that he ere long 652: Intended to create, and therein plant 653: A generation, whom his choice regard 654: Should favour equal to the Sons of Heaven: 655: Thither, if but to prie, shall be perhaps 656: Our first eruption, thither or elsewhere: 657: For this Infernal Pit shall never hold 658: Caelestial Spirits in Bondage, nor th' Abysse 659: Long under darkness cover. But these thoughts 660: Full Counsel must mature: Peace is despaird, 661: For who can think Submission? Warr then, Warr 662: Open or understood must be resolv'd.
663: He spake: and to confirm his words, out-flew 664: Millions of flaming swords, drawn from the thighs 665: Of mighty Cherubim; the sudden blaze 666: Far round illumin'd hell: highly they rag'd 667: Against the Highest, and fierce with grasped arm's 668: Clash'd on their sounding shields the din of war, 669: Hurling defiance toward the vault of Heav'n.
670: There stood a Hill not far whose griesly top 671: Belch'd fire and rowling smoak; the rest entire 672: Shon with a glossie scurff, undoubted sign 673: That in his womb was hid metallic Ore, 674: The work of Sulphur. Thither wing'd with speed 675: A numerous Brigad hasten'd. As when bands 676: Of Pioners with Spade and Pickaxe arm'd 677: Forerun the Royal Camp, to trench a Field, 678: Or cast a Rampart. MAMMON led them on, 679: MAMMON, the least erected Spirit that fell 680: From heav'n, for ev'n in heav'n his looks & thoughts 681: Were always downward bent, admiring more 682: The riches of Heav'ns pavement, trod'n Gold, 683: Then aught divine or holy else enjoy'd 684: In vision beatific: by him first 685: Men also, and by his suggestion taught, 686: Ransack'd the Center, and with impious hands 687: Rifl'd the bowels of thir mother Earth 688: For Treasures better hid. Soon had his crew 689: Op'nd into the Hill a spacious wound 690: And dig'd out ribs of Gold. Let none admire 691: That riches grow in Hell; that soyle may best 692: Deserve the pretious bane. And here let those 693: Who boast in mortal things, and wondring tell 694: Of BABEL, and the works of MEMPHIAN Kings, 695: Learn how thir greatest Monuments of Fame, 696: And Strength and Art are easily outdone 697: By Spirits reprobate, and in an hour 698: What in an age they with incessant toyle 699: And hands innumerable scarce perform 700: Nigh on the Plain in many cells prepar'd, 701: That underneath had veins of liquid fire 702: Sluc'd from the Lake, a second multitude 703: With wondrous Art founded the massie Ore, 704: Severing each kinde, and scum'd the Bullion dross: 705: A third as soon had form'd within the ground 706: A various mould, and from the boyling cells 707: By strange conveyance fill'd each hollow nook, 708: As in an Organ from one blast of wind 709: To many a row of Pipes the sound-board breaths. 710: Anon out of the earth a Fabrick huge 711: Rose like an Exhalation, with the sound 712: Of Dulcet Symphonies and voices sweet, 713: Built like a Temple, where PILASTERS round 714: Were set, and Doric pillars overlaid 715: With Golden Architrave; nor did there want 716: Cornice or Freeze, with bossy Sculptures grav'n, 717: The Roof was fretted Gold. Not BABILON, 718: Nor great ALCAIRO such magnificence 719: Equal'd in all thir glories, to inshrine 720: BELUS or SERAPIS thir Gods, or seat 721: Thir Kings, when AEGYPT with ASSYRIA strove 722: In wealth and luxurie. Th' ascending pile 723: Stood fixt her stately highth, and strait the dores 724: Op'ning thir brazen foulds discover wide 725: Within, her ample spaces, o're the smooth 726: And level pavement: from the arched roof 727: Pendant by suttle Magic many a row 728: Of Starry Lamps and blazing Cressets fed 729: With Naphtha and ASPHALTUS yeilded light 730: As from a sky. The hasty multitude 731: Admiring enter'd, and the work some praise 732: And some the Architect: his hand was known 733: In Heav'n by many a Towred structure high, 734: Where Scepter'd Angels held thir residence, 735: And sat as Princes, whom the supreme King 736: Exalted to such power, and gave to rule, 737: Each in his Herarchie, the Orders bright. 738: Nor was his name unheard or unador'd 739: In ancient Greece; and in AUSONIAN land 740: Men call'd him MULCIBER; and how he fell 741: From Heav'n, they fabl'd, thrown by angry JOVE 742: Sheer o're the Chrystal Battlements: from Morn 743: To Noon he fell, from Noon to dewy Eve, 744: A Summers day; and with the setting Sun 745: Dropt from the Zenith like a falling Star, 746: On LEMNOS th' AEGAEAN Ile: thus they relate, 747: Erring; for he with this rebellious rout 748: Fell long before; nor aught avail'd him now 749: To have built in Heav'n high Towrs; nor did he scape 750: By all his Engins, but was headlong sent 751: With his industrious crew to build in hell. 752: Mean while the winged Haralds by command 753: Of Sovran power, with awful Ceremony 754: And Trumpets sound throughout the Host proclaim 755: A solemn Councel forthwith to be held 756: At PANDAEMONIUM, the high Capital 757: Of Satan and his Peers: thir summons call'd 758: From every and Band squared Regiment 759: By place or choice the worthiest; they anon 760: With hundreds and with thousands trooping came 761: Attended: all access was throng'd, the Gates 762: And Porches wide, but chief the spacious Hall 763: (Though like a cover'd field, where Champions bold 764: Wont ride in arm'd, and at the Soldans chair 765: Defi'd the best of Panim chivalry 766: To mortal combat or carreer with Lance) 767: Thick swarm'd, both on the ground and in the air, 768: Brusht with the hiss of russling wings. As Bees 769: In spring time, when the Sun with Taurus rides, 770: Poure forth thir populous youth about the Hive 771: In clusters; they among fresh dews and flowers 772: Flie to and fro, or on the smoothed Plank, 773: The suburb of thir Straw-built Cittadel, 774: New rub'd with Baume, expatiate and confer 775: Thir State affairs. So thick the aerie crowd 776: Swarm'd and were straitn'd; till the Signal giv'n, 777: Behold a wonder! they but now who seemd 778: In bigness to surpass Earths Giant Sons 779: Now less then smallest Dwarfs, in narrow room 780: Throng numberless, like that Pigmean Race 781: Beyond the INDIAN Mount, or Faerie Elves, 782: Whose midnight Revels, by a Forrest side 783: Or Fountain fome belated Peasant sees, 784: Or dreams he sees, while over head the Moon 785: Sits Arbitress, and neerer to the Earth 786: Wheels her pale course, they on thir mirth & dance 787: Intent, with jocond Music charm his ear; 788: At once with joy and fear his heart rebounds. 789: Thus incorporeal Spirits to smallest forms 790: Reduc'd thir shapes immense, and were at large, 791: Though without number still amidst the Hall 792: Of that infernal Court. But far within 793: And in thir own dimensions like themselves 794: The great Seraphic Lords and Cherubim 795: In close recess and secret conclave sat 796: A thousand Demy-Gods on golden seat's, 797: Frequent and full. After short silence then 798: And summons read, the great consult began.
Book 2
1: High on a Throne of Royal State, which far 2: Outshon the wealth of ORMUS and of IND, 3: Or where the gorgeous East with richest hand 4: Showrs on her Kings BARBARIC Pearl & Gold, 5: Satan exalted sat, by merit rais'd 6: To that bad eminence; and from despair 7: Thus high uplifted beyond hope, aspires 8: Beyond thus high, insatiate to pursue 9: Vain Warr with Heav'n, and by success untaught 10: His proud imaginations thus displaid.
11: Powers and Dominions, Deities of Heav'n, 12: For since no deep within her gulf can hold 13: Immortal vigor, though opprest and fall'n, 14: I give not Heav'n for lost. From this descent 15: Celestial vertues rising, will appear 16: More glorious and more dread then from no fall, 17: And trust themselves to fear no second fate: 18: Mee though just right, and the fixt Laws of Heav'n 19: Did first create your Leader, next, free choice, 20: With what besides, in Counsel or in Fight, 21: Hath bin achievd of merit, yet this loss 22: Thus farr at least recover'd, hath much more 23: Establisht in a safe unenvied Throne 24: Yeilded with full consent. The happier state 25: In Heav'n, which follows dignity, might draw 26: Envy from each inferior; but who here 27: Will envy whom the highest place exposes 28: Formost to stand against the Thunderers aime 29: Your bulwark, and condemns to greatest share 30: Of endless pain? where there is then no good 31: For which to strive, no strife can grow up there 32: From Faction; for none sure will claim in hell 33: Precedence, none, whose portion is so small 34: Of present pain, that with ambitious mind 35: Will covet more. With this advantage then 36: To union, and firm Faith, and firm accord, 37: More then can be in Heav'n, we now return 38: To claim our just inheritance of old, 39: Surer to prosper then prosperity 40: Could have assur'd us; and by what best way, 41: Whether of open Warr or covert guile, 42: We now debate; who can advise, may speak.
43: He ceas'd, and next him MOLOC, Scepter'd King 44: Stood up, the strongest and the fiercest Spirit 45: That fought in Heav'n; now fiercer by despair: 46: His trust was with th' Eternal to be deem'd 47: Equal in strength, and rather then be less 48: Car'd not to be at all; with that care lost 49: Went all his fear: of God, or Hell, or worse 50: He reckd not, and these words thereafter spake.
51: My sentence is for open Warr: Of Wiles, 52: More unexpert, I boast not: them let those 53: Contrive who need, or when they need, not now. 54: For while they sit contriving, shall the rest, 55: Millions that stand in Arms, and longing wait 56: The Signal to ascend, sit lingring here 57: Heav'ns fugitives, and for thir dwelling place 58: Accept this dark opprobrious Den of shame, 59: The Prison of his Tyranny who Reigns 60: By our delay? no, let us rather choose 61: Arm'd with Hell flames and fury all at once 62: O're Heav'ns high Towrs to force resistless way, 63: Turning our Tortures into horrid Arms 64: Against the Torturer; when to meet the noise 65: Of his Almighty Engin he shall hear 66: Infernal Thunder, and for Lightning see 67: Black fire and horror shot with equal rage 68: Among his Angels; and his Throne it self 69: Mixt with TARTAREAN Sulphur, and strange fire, 70: His own invented Torments. But perhaps 71: The way seems difficult and steep to scale 72: With upright wing against a higher foe. 73: Let such bethink them, if the sleepy drench 74: Of that forgetful Lake benumme not still, 75: That in our proper motion we ascend 76: Up to our native seat: descent and fall 77: To us is adverse. Who but felt of late 78: When the fierce Foe hung on our brok'n Rear 79: Insulting, and pursu'd us through the Deep, 80: With what compulsion and laborious flight 81: We sunk thus low? Th' ascent is easie then; 82: Th' event is fear'd; should we again provoke 83: Our stronger, some worse way his wrath may find 84: To our destruction: if there be in Hell 85: Fear to be worse destroy'd: what can be worse 86: Then to dwell here, driv'n out from bliss, condemn'd 87: In this abhorred deep to utter woe; 88: Where pain of unextinguishable fire 89: Must exercise us without hope of end 90: The Vassals of his anger, when the Scourge 91: Inexorably, and the torturing houre 92: Calls us to Penance? More destroy'd then thus 93: We should be quite abolisht and expire. 94: What fear we then? what doubt we to incense 95: His utmost ire? which to the highth enrag'd, 96: Will either quite consume us, and reduce 97: To nothing this essential, happier farr 98: Then miserable to have eternal being: 99: Or if our substance be indeed Divine, 100: And cannot cease to be, we are at worst 101: On this side nothing; and by proof we feel 102: Our power sufficient to disturb his Heav'n, 103: And with perpetual inrodes to Allarme, 104: Though inaccessible, his fatal Throne: 105: Which if not Victory is yet Revenge.
106: He ended frowning, and his look denounc'd 107: Desperate revenge, and Battel dangerous 108: To less then Gods. On th' other side up rose 109: BELIAL, in act more graceful and humane; 110: A fairer person lost not Heav'n; he seemd 111: For dignity compos'd and high exploit: 112: But all was false and hollow; though his Tongue 113: Dropt Manna, and could make the worse appear 114: The better reason, to perplex and dash 115: Maturest Counsels: for his thoughts were low; 116: To vice industrious, but to Nobler deeds 117: Timorous and slothful: yet he pleas'd the eare, 118: And with perswasive accent thus began.
119: I should be much for open Warr, O Peers, 120: As not behind in hate; if what was urg'd 121: Main reason to perswade immediate Warr, 122: Did not disswade me most, and seem to cast 123: Ominous conjecture on the whole success: 124: When he who most excels in fact of Arms, 125: In what he counsels and in what excels 126: Mistrustful, grounds his courage on despair 127: And utter dissolution, as the scope 128: Of all his aim, after some dire revenge. 129: First, what Revenge? the Towrs of Heav'n are fill'd 130: With Armed watch, that render all access 131: Impregnable; oft on the bordering Deep 132: Encamp thir Legions, or with obscure wing 133: Scout farr and wide into the Realm of night, 134: Scorning surprize. Or could we break our way 135: By force, and at our heels all Hell should rise 136: With blackest Insurrection, to confound 137: Heav'ns purest Light, yet our great Enemie 138: All incorruptible would on his Throne 139: Sit unpolluted, and th' Ethereal mould 140: Incapable of stain would soon expel 141: Her mischief, and purge off the baser fire 142: Victorious. Thus repuls'd, our final hope 143: Is flat despair: we must exasperate 144: Th' Almighty Victor to spend all his rage, 145: And that must end us, that must be our cure, 146: To be no more; sad cure; for who would loose, 147: Though full of pain, this intellectual being, 148: Those thoughts that wander through Eternity, 149: To perish rather, swallowd up and lost 150: In the wide womb of uncreated night, 151: Devoid of sense and motion? and who knows, 152: Let this be good, whether our angry Foe 153: Can give it, or will ever? how he can 154: Is doubtful; that he never will is sure. 155: Will he, so wise, let loose at once his ire, 156: Belike through impotence, or unaware, 157: To give his Enemies thir wish, and end 158: Them in his anger, whom his anger saves 159: To punish endless? wherefore cease we then? 160: Say they who counsel Warr, we are decreed, 161: Reserv'd and destin'd to Eternal woe; 162: Whatever doing, what can we suffer more, 163: What can we suffer worse? is this then worst, 164: Thus sitting, thus consulting, thus in Arms? 165: What when we fled amain, pursu'd and strook 166: With Heav'ns afflicting Thunder, and besought 167: The Deep to shelter us? this Hell then seem'd 168: A refuge from those wounds: or when we lay 169: Chain'd on the burning Lake? that sure was worse. 170: What if the breath that kindl'd those grim fires 171: Awak'd should blow them into sevenfold rage 172: And plunge us in the Flames? or from above 173: Should intermitted vengeance Arme again 174: His red right hand to plague us? what if all 175: Her stores were op'n'd, and this Firmament 176: Of Hell should spout her Cataracts of Fire, 177: Impendent horrors, threatning hideous fall 178: One day upon our heads; while we perhaps 179: Designing or exhorting glorious Warr, 180: Caught in a fierie Tempest shall be hurl'd 181: Each on his rock transfixt, the sport and prey 182: Of racking whirlwinds, or for ever sunk 183: Under yon boyling Ocean, wrapt in Chains; 184: There to converse with everlasting groans, 185: Unrespited, unpitied, unrepreevd, 186: Ages of hopeless end; this would be worse. 187: Warr therefore, open or conceal'd, alike 188: My voice disswades; for what can force or guile 189: With him, or who deceive his mind, whose eye 190: Views all things at one view? he from heav'ns highth 191: All these our motions vain, sees and derides; 192: Not more Almighty to resist our might 193: Then wise to frustrate all our plots and wiles. 194: Shall we then live thus vile, the race of Heav'n 195: Thus trampl'd, thus expell'd to suffer here 196: Chains & these Torments? better these then worse 197: By my advice; since fate inevitable 198: Subdues us, and Omnipotent Decree, 199: The Victors will. To suffer, as to doe, 200: Our strength is equal, nor the Law unjust 201: That so ordains: this was at first resolv'd, 202: If we were wise, against so great a foe 203: Contending, and so doubtful what might fall. 204: I laugh, when those who at the Spear are bold 205: And vent'rous, if that fail them, shrink and fear 206: What yet they know must follow, to endure 207: Exile, or ignominy, or bonds, or pain, 208: The sentence of thir Conquerour: This is now 209: Our doom; which if we can sustain and bear, 210: Our Supream Foe in time may much remit 211: His anger, and perhaps thus farr remov'd 212: Not mind us not offending, satisfi'd 213: With what is punish't; whence these raging fires 214: Will slack'n, if his breath stir not thir flames. 215: Our purer essence then will overcome 216: Thir noxious vapour, or enur'd not feel, 217: Or chang'd at length, and to the place conformd 218: In temper and in nature, will receive 219: Familiar the fierce heat, and void of pain; 220: This horror will grow milde, this darkness light, 221: Besides what hope the never-ending flight 222: Of future days may bring, what chance, what change 223: Worth waiting, since our present lot appeers 224: For happy though but ill, for ill not worst, 225: If we procure not to our selves more woe.
226: Thus BELIAL with words cloath'd in reasons garb 227: Counsel'd ignoble ease, and peaceful sloath, 228: Not peace: and after him thus MAMMON spake.
229: Either to disinthrone the King of Heav'n 230: We warr, if warr be best, or to regain 231: Our own right lost: him to unthrone we then 232: May hope, when everlasting Fate shall yeild 233: To fickle Chance, and CHAOS judge the strife: 234: The former vain to hope argues as vain 235: The latter: for what place can be for us 236: Within Heav'ns bound, unless Heav'ns Lord supream 237: We overpower? Suppose he should relent 238: And publish Grace to all, on promise made 239: Of new Subjection; with what eyes could we 240: Stand in his presence humble, and receive 241: Strict Laws impos'd, to celebrate his Throne 242: With warbl'd Hymns, and to his Godhead sing 243: Forc't Halleluiah's; while he Lordly sits 244: Our envied Sovran, and his Altar breathes 245: Ambrosial Odours and Ambrosial Flowers, 246: Our servile offerings. This must be our task 247: In Heav'n, this our delight; how wearisom 248: Eternity so spent in worship paid 249: To whom we hate. Let us not then pursue 250: By force impossible, by leave obtain'd 251: Unacceptable, though in Heav'n, our state 252: Of splendid vassalage, but rather seek 253: Our own good from our selves, and from our own 254: Live to our selves, though in this vast recess, 255: Free, and to none accountable, preferring 256: Hard liberty before the easie yoke 257: Of servile Pomp. Our greatness will appear 258: Then most conspicuous, when great things of small, 259: Useful of hurtful, prosperous of adverse 260: We can create, and in what place so e're 261: Thrive under evil, and work ease out of pain 262: Through labour and endurance. This deep world 263: Of darkness do we dread? How oft amidst 264: Thick clouds and dark doth Heav'ns all-ruling Sire 265: Choose to reside, his Glory unobscur'd, 266: And with the Majesty of darkness round 267: Covers his Throne; from whence deep thunders roar 268: Must'ring thir rage, and Heav'n resembles Hell? 269: As he our Darkness, cannot we his Light 270: Imitate when we please? This Desart soile 271: Wants not her hidden lustre, Gemms and Gold; 272: Nor want we skill or art, from whence to raise 273: Magnificence; and what can Heav'n shew more? 274: Our torments also may in length of time 275: Become our Elements, these piercing Fires 276: As soft as now severe, our temper chang'd 277: Into their temper; which must needs remove 278: The sensible of pain. All things invite 279: To peaceful Counsels, and the settl'd State 280: Of order, how in safety best we may 281: Compose our present evils, with regard 282: Of what we are and where, dismissing quite 283: All thoughts of Warr: ye have what I advise.
284: He scarce had finisht, when such murmur filld 285: Th' Assembly, as when hollow Rocks retain 286: The sound of blustring winds, which all night long 287: Had rous'd the Sea, now with hoarse cadence lull 288: Sea-faring men orewatcht, whose Bark by chance 289: Or Pinnace anchors in a craggy Bay 290: After the Tempest: Such applause was heard 291: As MAMMON ended, and his Sentence pleas'd, 292: Advising peace: for such another Field 293: They dreaded worse then Hell: so much the fear 294: Of Thunder and the Sword of MICHAEL 295: Wrought still within them; and no less desire 296: To found this nether Empire, which might rise 297: By pollicy, and long process of time, 298: In emulation opposite to Heav'n. 299: Which when BEELZEBUB perceiv'd, then whom, 300: SATAN except, none higher sat, with grave 301: Aspect he rose, and in his rising seem'd 302: A Pillar of State; deep on his Front engraven 303: Deliberation sat and publick care; 304: And Princely counsel in his face yet shon, 305: Majestick though in ruin: sage he stood 306: With ATLANTEAN shoulders fit to bear 307: The weight of mightiest Monarchies; his look 308: Drew audience and attention still as Night 309: Or Summers Noon-tide air, while thus he spake.
310: Thrones and imperial Powers, off-spring of heav'n, 311: Ethereal Vertues; or these Titles now 312: Must we renounce, and changing stile be call'd 313: Princes of Hell? for so the popular vote 314: Inclines, here to continue, and build up here 315: A growing Empire; doubtless; while we dream, 316: And know not that the King of Heav'n hath doom'd 317: This place our dungeon, not our safe retreat 318: Beyond his Potent arm, to live exempt 319: From Heav'ns high jurisdiction, in new League 320: Banded against his Throne, but to remaine 321: In strictest bondage, though thus far remov'd, 322: Under th' inevitable curb, reserv'd 323: His captive multitude: For he, be sure, 324: In highth or depth, still first and last will Reign 325: Sole King, and of his Kingdom loose no part 326: By our revolt, but over Hell extend 327: His Empire, and with Iron Scepter rule 328: Us here, as with his Golden those in Heav'n. 329: What sit we then projecting Peace and Warr? 330: Warr hath determin'd us, and foild with loss 331: Irreparable; tearms of peace yet none 332: Voutsaf't or sought; for what peace will be giv'n 333: To us enslav'd, but custody severe, 334: And stripes, and arbitrary punishment 335: Inflicted? and what peace can we return, 336: But to our power hostility and hate, 337: Untam'd reluctance, and revenge though slow, 338: Yet ever plotting how the Conquerour least 339: May reap his conquest, and may least rejoyce 340: In doing what we most in suffering feel? 341: Nor will occasion want, nor shall we need 342: With dangerous expedition to invade 343: Heav'n, whose high walls fear no assault or Siege, 344: Or ambush from the Deep. What if we find 345: Some easier enterprize? There is a place 346: (If ancient and prophetic fame in Heav'n 347: Err not) another World, the happy seat 348: Of som new Race call'd MAN, about this time 349: To be created like to us, though less 350: In power and excellence, but favour'd more 351: Of him who rules above; so was his will 352: Pronounc'd among the Gods, and by an Oath, 353: That shook Heav'ns whol circumference, confirm'd. 354: Thither let us bend all our thoughts, to learn 355: What creatures there inhabit, of what mould, 356: Or substance, how endu'd, and what thir Power, 357: And where thir weakness, how attempted best, 358: By force or suttlety: Though Heav'n be shut, 359: And Heav'ns high Arbitrator sit secure 360: In his own strength, this place may lye expos'd 361: The utmost border of his Kingdom, left 362: To their defence who hold it: here perhaps 363: Som advantagious act may be achiev'd 364: By sudden onset, either with Hell fire 365: To waste his whole Creation, or possess 366: All as our own, and drive as we were driven, 367: The punie habitants, or if not drive, 368: Seduce them to our Party, that thir God 369: May prove thir foe, and with repenting hand 370: Abolish his own works. This would surpass 371: Common revenge, and interrupt his joy 372: In our Confusion, and our Joy upraise 373: In his disturbance; when his darling Sons 374: Hurl'd headlong to partake with us, shall curse 375: Thir frail Originals, and faded bliss, 376: Faded so soon. Advise if this be worth 377: Attempting, or to sit in darkness here 378: Hatching vain Empires. Thus BEELZEBUB 379: Pleaded his devilish Counsel, first devis'd 380: By SATAN, and in part propos'd: for whence, 381: But from the Author of all ill could Spring 382: So deep a malice, to confound the race 383: Of mankind in one root, and Earth with Hell 384: To mingle and involve, done all to spite 385: The great Creatour? But thir spite still serves 386: His glory to augment. The bold design 387: Pleas'd highly those infernal States, and joy 388: Sparkl'd in all thir eyes; with full assent 389: They vote: whereat his speech he thus renews.
390: Well have ye judg'd, well ended long debate, 391: Synod of Gods, and like to what ye are, 392: Great things resolv'd; which from the lowest deep 393: Will once more lift us up, in spight of Fate, 394: Neerer our ancient Seat; perhaps in view 395: Of those bright confines, whence with neighbouring Arms 396: And opportune excursion we may chance 397: Re-enter Heav'n; or else in some milde Zone 398: Dwell not unvisited of Heav'ns fair Light 399: Secure, and at the brightning Orient beam 400: Purge off this gloom; the soft delicious Air, 401: To heal the scarr of these corrosive Fires 402: Shall breath her balme. But first whom shall we send 403: In search of this new world, whom shall we find 404: Sufficient? who shall tempt with wandring feet 405: The dark unbottom'd infinite Abyss 406: And through the palpable obscure find out 407: His uncouth way, or spread his aerie flight 408: Upborn with indefatigable wings 409: Over the vast abrupt, ere he arrive 410: The happy Ile; what strength, what art can then 411: Suffice, or what evasion bear him safe 412: Through the strict Senteries and Stations thick 413: Of Angels watching round? Here he had need 414: All circumspection, and we now no less 415: Choice in our suffrage; for on whom we send, 416: The weight of all and our last hope relies.
417: This said, he sat; and expectation held 418: His look suspence, awaiting who appeer'd 419: To second, or oppose, or undertake 420: The perilous attempt: but all sat mute, 421: Pondering the danger with deep thoughts; & each 422: In others count'nance red his own dismay 423: Astonisht: none among the choice and prime 424: Of those Heav'n-warring Champions could be found 425: So hardie as to proffer or accept 426: Alone the dreadful voyage; till at last 427: SATAN, whom now transcendent glory rais'd 428: Above his fellows, with Monarchal pride 429: Conscious of highest worth, unmov'd thus spake.
430: O Progeny of Heav'n, Empyreal Thrones, 431: With reason hath deep silence and demurr 432: Seis'd us, though undismaid: long is the way 433: And hard, that out of Hell leads up to Light; 434: Our prison strong, this huge convex of Fire, 435: Outrageous to devour, immures us round 436: Ninefold, and gates of burning Adamant 437: Barr'd over us prohibit all egress. 438: These past, if any pass, the void profound 439: Of unessential Night receives him next 440: Wide gaping, and with utter loss of being 441: Threatens him, plung'd in that abortive gulf. 442: If thence he scape into what ever world, 443: Or unknown Region, what remains him less 444: Then unknown dangers and as hard escape. 445: But I should ill become this Throne, O Peers, 446: And this Imperial Sov'ranty, adorn'd 447: With splendor, arm'd with power, if aught propos'd 448: And judg'd of public moment, in the shape 449: Of difficulty or danger could deterre 450: Me from attempting. Wherefore do I assume 451: These Royalties, and not refuse to Reign, 452: Refusing to accept as great a share 453: Of hazard as of honour, due alike 454: To him who Reigns, and so much to him due 455: Of hazard more, as he above the rest 456: High honourd sits? Go therfore mighty powers, 457: Terror of Heav'n, though fall'n; intend at home, 458: While here shall be our home, what best may ease 459: The present misery, and render Hell 460: More tollerable; if there be cure or charm 461: To respite or deceive, or slack the pain 462: Of this ill Mansion: intermit no watch 463: Against a wakeful Foe, while I abroad 464: Through all the coasts of dark destruction seek 465: Deliverance for us all: this enterprize 466: None shall partake with me. Thus saying rose 467: The Monarch, and prevented all reply, 468: Prudent, least from his resolution rais'd 469: Others among the chief might offer now 470: (Certain to be refus'd) what erst they feard; 471: And so refus'd might in opinion stand 472: His rivals, winning cheap the high repute 473: Which he through hazard huge must earn. But they 474: Dreaded not more th' adventure then his voice 475: Forbidding; and at once with him they rose; 476: Thir rising all at once was as the sound 477: Of Thunder heard remote. Towards him they bend 478: With awful reverence prone; and as a God 479: Extoll him equal to the highest in Heav'n: 480: Nor fail'd they to express how much they prais'd, 481: That for the general safety he despis'd 482: His own: for neither do the Spirits damn'd 483: Loose all thir vertue; least bad men should boast 484: Thir specious deeds on earth, which glory excites, 485: Or close ambition varnisht o're with zeal. 486: Thus they thir doubtful consultations dark 487: Ended rejoycing in thir matchless Chief: 488: As when from mountain tops the dusky clouds 489: Ascending, while the North wind sleeps, o'respread 490: Heav'ns chearful face, the lowring Element 491: Scowls ore the dark'nd lantskip Snow, or showre; 492: If chance the radiant Sun with farewell sweet 493: Extend his ev'ning beam, the fields revive, 494: The birds thir notes renew, and bleating herds 495: Attest thir joy, that hill and valley rings. 496: O shame to men! Devil with Devil damn'd 497: Firm concord holds, men onely disagree 498: Of Creatures rational, though under hope 499: Of heavenly Grace: and God proclaiming peace, 500: Yet live in hatred, enmitie, and strife 501: Among themselves, and levie cruel warres, 502: Wasting the Earth, each other to destroy: 503: As if (which might induce us to accord) 504: Man had not hellish foes anow besides, 505: That day and night for his destruction waite.
506: The STYGIAN Councel thus dissolv'd; and forth 507: In order came the grand infernal Peers, 508: Midst came thir mighty Paramount, and seemd 509: Alone th' Antagonist of Heav'n, nor less 510: Then Hells dread Emperour with pomp Supream, 511: And God-like imitated State; him round 512: A Globe of fierie Seraphim inclos'd 513: With bright imblazonrie, and horrent Arms. 514: Then of thir Session ended they bid cry 515: With Trumpets regal sound the great result: 516: Toward the four winds four speedy Cherubim 517: Put to thir mouths the sounding Alchymie 518: By Haralds voice explain'd: the hollow Abyss 519: Heard farr and wide, and all the host of Hell 520: With deafning shout, return'd them loud acclaim. 521: Thence more at ease thir minds and somwhat rais'd 522: By false presumptuous hope, the ranged powers 523: Disband, and wandring, each his several way 524: Pursues, as inclination or sad choice 525: Leads him perplext, where he may likeliest find 526: Truce to his restless thoughts, and entertain 527: The irksome hours, till his great Chief return. 528: Part on the Plain, or in the Air sublime 529: Upon the wing, or in swift race contend, 530: As at th' Olympian Games or PYTHIAN fields; 531: Part curb thir fierie Steeds, or shun the Goal 532: With rapid wheels, or fronted Brigads form. 533: As when to warn proud Cities warr appears 534: Wag'd in the troubl'd Skie, and Armies rush 535: To Battel in the Clouds, before each Van 536: Pric forth the Aerie Knights, and couch thir spears 537: Till thickest Legions close; with feats of Arms 538: From either end of Heav'n the welkin burns. 539: Others with vast TYPHOEAN rage more fell 540: Rend up both Rocks and Hills, and ride the Air 541: In whirlwind; Hell scarce holds the wilde uproar. 542: As when ALCIDES from OEALIA Crown'd 543: With conquest, felt th' envenom'd robe, and tore 544: Through pain up by the roots THESSALIAN Pines, 545: And LICHAS from the top of OETA threw 546: Into th' EUBOIC Sea. Others more milde, 547: Retreated in a silent valley, sing 548: With notes Angelical to many a Harp 549: Thir own Heroic deeds and hapless fall 550: By doom of Battel; and complain that Fate 551: Free Vertue should enthrall to Force or Chance. 552: Thir song was partial, but the harmony 553: (What could it less when Spirits immortal sing?) 554: Suspended Hell, and took with ravishment 555: The thronging audience. In discourse more sweet 556: (For Eloquence the Soul, Song charms the Sense,) 557: Others apart sat on a Hill retir'd, 558: In thoughts more elevate, and reason'd high 559: Of Providence, Foreknowledge, Will, and Fate, 560: Fixt Fate, free will, foreknowledge absolute, 561: And found no end, in wandring mazes lost. 562: Of good and evil much they argu'd then, 563: Of happiness and final misery, 564: Passion and Apathie, and glory and shame, 565: Vain wisdom all, and false Philosophie: 566: Yet with a pleasing sorcerie could charm 567: Pain for a while or anguish, and excite 568: Fallacious hope, or arm th' obdured brest 569: With stubborn patience as with triple steel. 570: Another part in Squadrons and gross Bands, 571: On bold adventure to discover wide 572: That dismal world, if any Clime perhaps 573: Might yeild them easier habitation, bend 574: Four ways thir flying March, along the Banks 575: Of four infernal Rivers that disgorge 576: Into the burning Lake thir baleful streams; 577: Abhorred STYX the flood of deadly hate, 578: Sad ACHERON of sorrow, black and deep; 579: COCYTUS, nam'd of lamentation loud 580: Heard on the ruful stream; fierce PHLEGETON 581: Whose waves of torrent fire inflame with rage. 582: Farr off from these a slow and silent stream, 583: LETHE the River of Oblivion roules 584: Her watrie Labyrinth, whereof who drinks, 585: Forthwith his former state and being forgets, 586: Forgets both joy and grief, pleasure and pain. 587: Beyond this flood a frozen Continent 588: Lies dark and wilde, beat with perpetual storms 589: Of Whirlwind and dire Hail, which on firm land 590: Thaws not, but gathers heap, and ruin seems 591: Of ancient pile; all else deep snow and ice, 592: A gulf profound as that SERBONIAN Bog 593: Betwixt DAMIATA and mount CASIUS old, 594: Where Armies whole have sunk: the parching Air 595: Burns frore, and cold performs th' effect of Fire. 596: Thither by harpy-footed Furies hail'd, 597: At certain revolutions all the damn'd 598: Are brought: and feel by turns the bitter change 599: Of fierce extreams, extreams by change more fierce, 600: From Beds of raging Fire to starve in Ice 601: Thir soft Ethereal warmth, and there to pine 602: Immovable, infixt, and frozen round, 603: Periods of time, thence hurried back to fire. 604: They ferry over this LETHEAN Sound 605: Both to and fro, thir sorrow to augment, 606: And wish and struggle, as they pass, to reach 607: The tempting stream, with one small drop to loose 608: In sweet forgetfulness all pain and woe, 609: All in one moment, and so neer the brink; 610: But fate withstands, and to oppose th' attempt 611: MEDUSA with GORGONIAN terror guards 612: The Ford, and of it self the water flies 613: All taste of living wight, as once it fled 614: The lip of TANTALUS. Thus roving on 615: In confus'd march forlorn, th' adventrous Bands 616: With shuddring horror pale, and eyes agast 617: View'd first thir lamentable lot, and found 618: No rest: through many a dark and drearie Vaile 619: They pass'd, and many a Region dolorous, 620: O're many a Frozen, many a Fierie Alpe, 621: Rocks, Caves, Lakes, Fens, Bogs, Dens, and shades of death, 622: A Universe of death, which God by curse 623: Created evil, for evil only good, 624: Where all life dies, death lives, and nature breeds, 625: Perverse, all monstrous, all prodigious things, 626: Abominable, inutterable, and worse 627: Then Fables yet have feign'd, or fear conceiv'd, 628: GORGONS and HYDRA'S, and CHIMERA'S dire.
629: Mean while the Adversary of God and Man, 630: SATAN with thoughts inflam'd of highest design, 631: Puts on swift wings, and toward the Gates of Hell 632: Explores his solitary flight; som times 633: He scours the right hand coast, som times the left, 634: Now shaves with level wing the Deep, then soares 635: Up to the fiery concave touring high. 636: As when farr off at Sea a Fleet descri'd 637: Hangs in the Clouds, by AEQUINOCTIAL Winds 638: Close sailing from BENGALA, or the Iles 639: Of TERNATE and TIDORE, whence Merchants bring 640: Thir spicie Drugs: they on the trading Flood 641: Through the wide ETHIOPIAN to the Cape 642: Ply stemming nightly toward the Pole. So seem'd 643: Farr off the flying Fiend: at last appeer 644: Hell bounds high reaching to the horrid Roof, 645: And thrice threefold the Gates; three folds were Brass 646: Three Iron, three of Adamantine Rock, 647: Impenitrable, impal'd with circling fire, 648: Yet unconsum'd. Before the Gates there sat 649: On either side a formidable shape; 650: The one seem'd Woman to the waste, and fair, 651: But ended foul in many a scaly fould 652: Voluminous and vast, a Serpent arm'd 653: With mortal sting: about her middle round 654: A cry of Hell Hounds never ceasing bark'd 655: With wide CERBEREAN mouths full loud, and rung 656: A hideous Peal: yet, when they list, would creep, 657: If aught disturb'd thir noyse, into her woomb, 658: And kennel there, yet there still bark'd and howl'd 659: Within unseen. Farr less abhorrd then these 660: Vex'd SCYLLA bathing in the Sea that parts 661: CALABRIA from the hoarce TRINACRIAN shore: 662: Nor uglier follow the Night-Hag, when call'd 663: In secret, riding through the Air she comes 664: Lur'd with the smell of infant blood, to dance 665: With LAPLAND Witches, while the labouring Moon 666: Eclipses at thir charms. The other shape, 667: If shape it might be call'd that shape had none 668: Distinguishable in member, joynt, or limb, 669: Or substance might be call'd that shadow seem'd, 670: For each seem'd either; black it stood as Night, 671: Fierce as ten Furies, terrible as Hell, 672: And shook a dreadful Dart; what seem'd his head 673: The likeness of a Kingly Crown had on. 674: SATAN was now at hand, and from his seat 675: The Monster moving onward came as fast, 676: With horrid strides, Hell trembled as he strode. 677: Th' undaunted Fiend what this might be admir'd, 678: Admir'd, not fear'd; God and his Son except, 679: Created thing naught vallu'd he nor shun'd; 680: And with disdainful look thus first began.
681: Whence and what art thou, execrable shape, 682: That dar'st, though grim and terrible, advance 683: Thy miscreated Front athwart my way 684: To yonder Gates? through them I mean to pass, 685: That be assur'd, without leave askt of thee: 686: Retire, or taste thy folly, and learn by proof, 687: Hell-born, not to contend with Spirits of Heav'n.
688: To whom the Goblin full of wrauth reply'd, 689: Art thou that Traitor Angel, art thou hee, 690: Who first broke peace in Heav'n and Faith, till then 691: Unbrok'n, and in proud rebellious Arms 692: Drew after him the third part of Heav'ns Sons 693: Conjur'd against the highest, for which both Thou 694: And they outcast from God, are here condemn'd 695: To waste Eternal daies in woe and pain? 696: And reck'n'st thou thy self with Spirits of Heav'n, 697: Hell-doomd, and breath'st defiance here and scorn, 698: Where I reign King, and to enrage thee more, 699: Thy King and Lord? Back to thy punishment, 700: False fugitive, and to thy speed add wings, 701: Least with a whip of Scorpions I pursue 702: Thy lingring, or with one stroke of this Dart 703: Strange horror seise thee, and pangs unfelt before.
704: So spake the grieslie terrour, and in shape, 705: So speaking and so threatning, grew ten fold 706: More dreadful and deform: on th' other side 707: Incenc't with indignation SATAN stood 708: Unterrifi'd, and like a Comet burn'd, 709: That fires the length of OPHIUCUS huge 710: In th' Artick Sky, and from his horrid hair 711: Shakes Pestilence and Warr. Each at the Head 712: Level'd his deadly aime; thir fatall hands 713: No second stroke intend, and such a frown 714: Each cast at th' other, as when two black Clouds 715: With Heav'ns Artillery fraught, come rattling on 716: Over the CASPIAN, then stand front to front 717: Hov'ring a space, till Winds the signal blow 718: To joyn thir dark Encounter in mid air: 719: So frownd the mighty Combatants, that Hell 720: Grew darker at thir frown, so matcht they stood; 721: For never but once more was either like 722: To meet so great a foe: and now great deeds 723: Had been achiev'd, whereof all Hell had rung, 724: Had not the Snakie Sorceress that sat 725: Fast by Hell Gate, and kept the fatal Key, 726: Ris'n, and with hideous outcry rush'd between.
727: O Father, what intends thy hand, she cry'd, 728: Against thy only Son? What fury O Son, 729: Possesses thee to bend that mortal Dart 730: Against thy Fathers head? and know'st for whom; 731: For him who sits above and laughs the while 732: At thee ordain'd his drudge, to execute 733: What e're his wrath, which he calls Justice, bids, 734: His wrath which one day will destroy ye both.
735: She spake, and at her words the hellish Pest 736: Forbore, then these to her SATAN return'd:
737: So strange thy outcry, and thy words so strange 738: Thou interposest, that my sudden hand 739: Prevented spares to tell thee yet by deeds 740: What it intends; till first I know of thee, 741: What thing thou art, thus double-form'd, and why 742: In this infernal Vaile first met thou call'st 743: Me Father, and that Fantasm call'st my Son? 744: I know thee not, nor ever saw till now 745: Sight more detestable then him and thee.
746: T' whom thus the Portress of Hell Gate reply'd; 747: Hast thou forgot me then, and do I seem 748: Now in thine eye so foul, once deemd so fair 749: In Heav'n, when at th' Assembly, and in sight 750: Of all the Seraphim with thee combin'd 751: In bold conspiracy against Heav'ns King, 752: All on a sudden miserable pain 753: Surpris'd thee, dim thine eyes, and dizzie swumm 754: In darkness, while thy head flames thick and fast 755: Threw forth, till on the left side op'ning wide, 756: Likest to thee in shape and count'nance bright, 757: Then shining heav'nly fair, a Goddess arm'd 758: Out of thy head I sprung: amazement seis'd 759: All th' Host of Heav'n; back they recoild affraid 760: At first, and call'd me SIN, and for a Sign 761: Portentous held me; but familiar grown, 762: I pleas'd, and with attractive graces won 763: The most averse, thee chiefly, who full oft 764: Thy self in me thy perfect image viewing 765: Becam'st enamour'd, and such joy thou took'st 766: With me in secret, that my womb conceiv'd 767: A growing burden. Mean while Warr arose, 768: And fields were fought in Heav'n; wherein remaind 769: (For what could else) to our Almighty Foe 770: Cleer Victory, to our part loss and rout 771: Through all the Empyrean: down they fell 772: Driv'n headlong from the Pitch of Heaven, down 773: Into this Deep, and in the general fall 774: I also; at which time this powerful Key 775: Into my hand was giv'n, with charge to keep 776: These Gates for ever shut, which none can pass 777: Without my op'ning. Pensive here I sat 778: Alone, but long I sat not, till my womb 779: Pregnant by thee, and now excessive grown 780: Prodigious motion felt and rueful throes. 781: At last this odious offspring whom thou seest 782: Thine own begotten, breaking violent way 783: Tore through my entrails, that with fear and pain 784: Distorted, all my nether shape thus grew 785: Transform'd: but he my inbred enemie 786: Forth issu'd, brandishing his fatal Dart 787: Made to destroy: I fled, and cry'd out DEATH; 788: Hell trembl'd at the hideous Name, and sigh'd 789: From all her Caves, and back resounded DEATH. 790: I fled, but he pursu'd (though more, it seems, 791: Inflam'd with lust then rage) and swifter far, 792: Me overtook his mother all dismaid, 793: And in embraces forcible and foule 794: Ingendring with me, of that rape begot 795: These yelling Monsters that with ceasless cry 796: Surround me, as thou sawst, hourly conceiv'd 797: And hourly born, with sorrow infinite 798: To me, for when they list into the womb 799: That bred them they return, and howle and gnaw 800: My Bowels, their repast; then bursting forth 801: Afresh with conscious terrours vex me round, 802: That rest or intermission none I find. 803: Before mine eyes in opposition sits 804: Grim DEATH my Son and foe, who sets them on, 805: And me his Parent would full soon devour 806: For want of other prey, but that he knows 807: His end with mine involvd; and knows that I 808: Should prove a bitter Morsel, and his bane, 809: When ever that shall be; so Fate pronounc'd. 810: But thou O Father, I forewarn thee, shun 811: His deadly arrow; neither vainly hope 812: To be invulnerable in those bright Arms, 813: Though temper'd heav'nly, for that mortal dint, 814: Save he who reigns above, none can resist.
815: She finish'd, and the suttle Fiend his lore 816: Soon learnd, now milder, and thus answerd smooth. 817: Dear Daughter, since thou claim'st me for thy Sire, 818: And my fair Son here showst me, the dear pledge 819: Of dalliance had with thee in Heav'n, and joys 820: Then sweet, now sad to mention, through dire change 821: Befalln us unforeseen, unthought of, know 822: I come no enemie, but to set free 823: From out this dark and dismal house of pain, 824: Both him and thee, and all the heav'nly Host 825: Of Spirits that in our just pretenses arm'd 826: Fell with us from on high: from them I go 827: This uncouth errand sole, and one for all 828: My self expose, with lonely steps to tread 829: Th' unfounded deep, & through the void immense 830: To search with wandring quest a place foretold 831: Should be, and, by concurring signs, ere now 832: Created vast and round, a place of bliss 833: In the Pourlieues of Heav'n, and therein plac't 834: A race of upstart Creatures, to supply 835: Perhaps our vacant room, though more remov'd, 836: Least Heav'n surcharg'd with potent multitude 837: Might hap to move new broiles: Be this or aught 838: Then this more secret now design'd, I haste 839: To know, and this once known, shall soon return, 840: And bring ye to the place where Thou and Death 841: Shall dwell at ease, and up and down unseen 842: Wing silently the buxom Air, imbalm'd 843: With odours; there ye shall be fed and fill'd 844: Immeasurably, all things shall be your prey. 845: He ceas'd, for both seemd highly pleasd, and Death 846: Grinnd horrible a gastly smile, to hear 847: His famine should be fill'd, and blest his mawe 848: Destin'd to that good hour: no less rejoyc'd 849: His mother bad, and thus bespake her Sire.
850: The key of this infernal Pit by due, 851: And by command of Heav'ns all-powerful King 852: I keep, by him forbidden to unlock 853: These Adamantine Gates; against all force 854: Death ready stands to interpose his dart, 855: Fearless to be o'rematcht by living might. 856: But what ow I to his commands above 857: Who hates me, and hath hither thrust me down 858: Into this gloom of TARTARUS profound, 859: To sit in hateful Office here confin'd, 860: Inhabitant of Heav'n, and heav'nlie-born, 861: Here in perpetual agonie and pain, 862: With terrors and with clamors compasst round 863: Of mine own brood, that on my bowels feed: 864: Thou art my Father, thou my Author, thou 865: My being gav'st me; whom should I obey 866: But thee, whom follow? thou wilt bring me soon 867: To that new world of light and bliss, among 868: The Gods who live at ease, where I shall Reign 869: At thy right hand voluptuous, as beseems 870: Thy daughter and thy darling, without end.
871: Thus saying, from her side the fatal Key, 872: Sad instrument of all our woe, she took; 873: And towards the Gate rouling her bestial train, 874: Forthwith the huge Porcullis high up drew, 875: Which but her self not all the STYGIAN powers 876: Could once have mov'd; then in the key-hole turns 877: Th' intricate wards, and every Bolt and Bar 878: Of massie Iron or sollid Rock with ease 879: Unfast'ns: on a sudden op'n flie 880: With impetuous recoile and jarring sound 881: Th' infernal dores, and on thir hinges great 882: Harsh Thunder, that the lowest bottom shook 883: Of EREBUS. She op'nd, but to shut 884: Excel'd her power; the Gates wide op'n stood, 885: That with extended wings a Bannerd Host 886: Under spread Ensigns marching might pass through 887: With Horse and Chariots rankt in loose array; 888: So wide they stood, and like a Furnace mouth 889: Cast forth redounding smoak and ruddy flame. 890: Before thir eyes in sudden view appear 891: The secrets of the hoarie deep, a dark 892: Illimitable Ocean without bound, 893: Without dimension, where length, breadth, and highth, 894: And time and place are lost; where eldest Night 895: And CHAOS, Ancestors of Nature, hold 896: Eternal ANARCHIE, amidst the noise 897: Of endless warrs and by confusion stand. 898: For hot, cold, moist, and dry, four Champions fierce 899: Strive here for Maistrie, and to Battel bring 900: Thir embryon Atoms; they around the flag 901: Of each his faction, in thir several Clanns, 902: Light-arm'd or heavy, sharp, smooth, swift or slow, 903: Swarm populous, unnumber'd as the Sands 904: Of BARCA or CYRENE'S torrid soil, 905: Levied to side with warring Winds, and poise 906: Thir lighter wings. To whom these most adhere, 907: Hee rules a moment; CHAOS Umpire sits, 908: And by decision more imbroiles the fray 909: By which he Reigns: next him high Arbiter 910: CHANCE governs all. Into this wilde Abyss, 911: The Womb of nature and perhaps her Grave, 912: Of neither Sea, nor Shore, nor Air, nor Fire, 913: But all these in thir pregnant causes mixt 914: Confus'dly, and which thus must ever fight, 915: Unless th' Almighty Maker them ordain 916: His dark materials to create more Worlds, 917: Into this wilde Abyss the warie fiend 918: Stood on the brink of Hell and look'd a while, 919: Pondering his Voyage; for no narrow frith 920: He had to cross. Nor was his eare less peal'd 921: With noises loud and ruinous (to compare 922: Great things with small) then when BELLONA storms, 923: With all her battering Engines bent to rase 924: Som Capital City, or less then if this frame 925: Of Heav'n were falling, and these Elements 926: In mutinie had from her Axle torn 927: The stedfast Earth. At last his Sail-broad Vannes 928: He spreads for flight, and in the surging smoak 929: Uplifted spurns the ground, thence many a League 930: As in a cloudy Chair ascending rides 931: Audacious, but that seat soon failing, meets 932: A vast vacuitie: all unawares 933: Fluttring his pennons vain plumb down he drops 934: Ten thousand fadom deep, and to this hour 935: Down had been falling, had not by ill chance 936: The strong rebuff of som tumultuous cloud 937: Instinct with Fire and Nitre hurried him 938: As many miles aloft: that furie stay'd, 939: Quencht in a Boggie SYRTIS, neither Sea, 940: Nor good dry Land: nigh founderd on he fares, 941: Treading the crude consistence, half on foot, 942: Half flying; behoves him now both Oare and Saile. 943: As when a Gryfon through the Wilderness 944: With winged course ore Hill or moarie Dale, 945: Pursues the ARIMASPIAN, who by stelth 946: Had from his wakeful custody purloind 947: The guarded Gold: So eagerly the fiend 948: Ore bog or steep, through strait, rough, dense, or rare, 949: With head, hands, wings, or feet pursues his way, 950: And swims or sinks, or wades, or creeps, or flyes: 951: At length a universal hubbub wilde 952: Of stunning sounds and voices all confus'd 953: Born through the hollow dark assaults his eare 954: With loudest vehemence: thither he plyes, 955: Undaunted to meet there what ever power 956: Or Spirit of the nethermost Abyss 957: Might in that noise reside, of whom to ask 958: Which way the neerest coast of darkness lyes 959: Bordering on light; when strait behold the Throne 960: Of CHAOS, and his dark Pavilion spread 961: Wide on the wasteful Deep; with him Enthron'd 962: Sat Sable-vested Night, eldest of things, 963: The consort of his Reign; and by them stood 964: ORCUS and ADES, and the dreaded name 965: Of DEMOGORGON; Rumor next and Chance, 966: And Tumult and Confusion all imbroild, 967: And Discord with a thousand various mouths.
968: T' whom SATAN turning boldly, thus. Ye Powers 969: And Spirits of this nethermost Abyss, 970: CHAOS and ANCIENT NIGHT, I come no Spie, 971: With purpose to explore or to disturb 972: The secrets of your Realm, but by constraint 973: Wandring this darksome desart, as my way 974: Lies through your spacious Empire up to light, 975: Alone, and without guide, half lost, I seek 976: What readiest path leads where your gloomie bounds 977: Confine with Heav'n; or if som other place 978: From your Dominion won, th' Ethereal King 979: Possesses lately, thither to arrive 980: I travel this profound, direct my course; 981: Directed, no mean recompence it brings 982: To your behoof, if I that Region lost, 983: All usurpation thence expell'd, reduce 984: To her original darkness and your sway 985: (Which is my present journey) and once more 986: Erect the Standerd there of ANCIENT NIGHT; 987: Yours be th' advantage all, mine the revenge.
988: Thus SATAN; and him thus the Anarch old 989: With faultring speech and visage incompos'd 990: Answer'd. I know thee, stranger, who thou art, 991: That mighty leading Angel, who of late 992: Made head against Heav'ns King, though overthrown. 993: I saw and heard, for such a numerous host 994: Fled not in silence through the frighted deep 995: With ruin upon ruin, rout on rout, 996: Confusion worse confounded; and Heav'n Gates 997: Pourd out by millions her victorious Bands 998: Pursuing. I upon my Frontieres here 999: Keep residence; if all I can will serve, 1000: That little which is left so to defend 1001: Encroacht on still through our intestine broiles 1002: Weakning the Scepter of old Night: first Hell 1003: Your dungeon stretching far and wide beneath; 1004: Now lately Heaven and Earth, another World 1005: Hung ore my Realm, link'd in a golden Chain 1006: To that side Heav'n from whence your Legions fell: 1007: If that way be your walk, you have not farr; 1008: So much the neerer danger; goe and speed; 1009: Havock and spoil and ruin are my gain.
1010: He ceas'd; and SATAN staid not to reply, 1011: But glad that now his Sea should find a shore, 1012: With fresh alacritie and force renew'd 1013: Springs upward like a Pyramid of fire 1014: Into the wilde expanse, and through the shock 1015: Of fighting Elements, on all sides round 1016: Environ'd wins his way; harder beset 1017: And more endanger'd, then when ARGO pass'd 1018: Through BOSPORUS betwixt the justling Rocks: 1019: Or when ULYSSES on the Larbord shunnd 1020: CHARYBDIS, and by th' other whirlpool steard. 1021: So he with difficulty and labour hard 1022: Mov'd on, with difficulty and labour hee; 1023: But hee once past, soon after when man fell, 1024: Strange alteration! Sin and Death amain 1025: Following his track, such was the will of Heav'n, 1026: Pav'd after him a broad and beat'n way 1027: Over the dark Abyss, whose boiling Gulf 1028: Tamely endur'd a Bridge of wondrous length 1029: From Hell continu'd reaching th' utmost Orbe 1030: Of this frail World; by which the Spirits perverse 1031: With easie intercourse pass to and fro 1032: To tempt or punish mortals, except whom 1033: God and good Angels guard by special grace. 1034: But now at last the sacred influence 1035: Of light appears, and from the walls of Heav'n 1036: Shoots farr into the bosom of dim Night 1037: A glimmering dawn; here Nature first begins 1038: Her fardest verge, and CHAOS to retire 1039: As from her outmost works a brok'n foe 1040: With tumult less and with less hostile din, 1041: That SATAN with less toil, and now with ease 1042: Wafts on the calmer wave by dubious light 1043: And like a weather-beaten Vessel holds 1044: Gladly the Port, though Shrouds and Tackle torn; 1045: Or in the emptier waste, resembling Air, 1046: Weighs his spread wings, at leasure to behold 1047: Farr off th' Empyreal Heav'n, extended wide 1048: In circuit, undetermind square or round, 1049: With Opal Towrs and Battlements adorn'd 1050: Of living Saphire, once his native Seat; 1051: And fast by hanging in a golden Chain 1052: This pendant world, in bigness as a Starr 1053: Of smallest Magnitude close by the Moon. 1054: Thither full fraught with mischievous revenge, 1055: Accurst, and in a cursed hour he hies.
Book 3
1: Hail holy light, ofspring of Heav'n first-born, 2: Or of th' Eternal Coeternal beam 3: May I express thee unblam'd? since God is light, 4: And never but in unapproached light 5: Dwelt from Eternitie, dwelt then in thee, 6: Bright effluence of bright essence increate. 7: Or hear'st thou rather pure Ethereal stream, 8: Whose Fountain who shall tell? before the Sun, 9: Before the Heavens thou wert, and at the voice 10: Of God, as with a Mantle didst invest 11: The rising world of waters dark and deep, 12: Won from the void and formless infinite. 13: Thee I re-visit now with bolder wing, 14: Escap't the STYGIAN Pool, though long detain'd 15: In that obscure sojourn, while in my flight 16: Through utter and through middle darkness borne 17: With other notes then to th' ORPHEAN Lyre 18: I sung of CHAOS and ETERNAL NIGHT, 19: Taught by the heav'nly Muse to venture down 20: The dark descent, and up to reascend, 21: Though hard and rare: thee I revisit safe, 22: And feel thy sovran vital Lamp; but thou 23: Revisit'st not these eyes, that rowle in vain 24: To find thy piercing ray, and find no dawn; 25: So thick a drop serene hath quencht thir Orbs, 26: Or dim suffusion veild. Yet not the more 27: Cease I to wander where the Muses haunt 28: Cleer Spring, or shadie Grove, or Sunnie Hill, 29: Smit with the love of sacred song; but chief 30: Thee SION and the flowrie Brooks beneath 31: That wash thy hallowd feet, and warbling flow, 32: Nightly I visit: nor somtimes forget 33: Those other two equal'd with me in Fate, 34: So were I equal'd with them in renown, 35: Blind THAMYRIS and blind MAEONIDES, 36: And TIRESIAS and PHINEUS Prophets old. 37: Then feed on thoughts, that voluntarie move 38: Harmonious numbers; as the wakeful Bird 39: Sings darkling, and in shadiest Covert hid 40: Tunes her nocturnal Note. Thus with the Year 41: Seasons return, but not to me returns 42: Day, or the sweet approach of Ev'n or Morn, 43: Or sight of vernal bloom, or Summers Rose, 44: Or flocks, or herds, or human face divine; 45: But cloud in stead, and ever-during dark 46: Surrounds me, from the chearful waies of men 47: Cut off, and for the book of knowledg fair 48: Presented with a Universal blanc 49: Of Natures works to mee expung'd and ras'd, 50: And wisdome at one entrance quite shut out. 51: So much the rather thou Celestial light 52: Shine inward, and the mind through all her powers 53: Irradiate, there plant eyes, all mist from thence 54: Purge and disperse, that I may see and tell 55: Of things invisible to mortal sight.
56: Now had the Almighty Father from above, 57: From the pure Empyrean where he sits 58: High Thron'd above all highth, bent down his eye, 59: His own works and their works at once to view: 60: About him all the Sanctities of Heaven 61: Stood thick as Starrs, and from his sight receiv'd 62: Beatitude past utterance; on his right 63: The radiant image of his Glory sat, 64: His onely Son; On Earth he first beheld 65: Our two first Parents, yet the onely two 66: Of mankind, in the happie Garden plac't, 67: Reaping immortal fruits of joy and love, 68: Uninterrupted joy, unrivald love 69: In blissful solitude; he then survey'd 70: Hell and the Gulf between, and SATAN there 71: Coasting the wall of Heav'n on this side Night 72: In the dun Air sublime, and ready now 73: To stoop with wearied wings, and willing feet 74: On the bare outside of this World, that seem'd 75: Firm land imbosom'd without Firmament, 76: Uncertain which, in Ocean or in Air. 77: Him God beholding from his prospect high, 78: Wherein past, present, future he beholds, 79: Thus to his onely Son foreseeing spake.
80: Onely begotten Son, seest thou what rage 81: Transports our adversarie, whom no bounds 82: Prescrib'd, no barrs of Hell, nor all the chains 83: Heapt on him there, nor yet the main Abyss 84: Wide interrupt can hold; so bent he seems 85: On desperat revenge, that shall redound 86: Upon his own rebellious head. And now 87: Through all restraint broke loose he wings his way 88: Not farr off Heav'n, in the Precincts of light, 89: Directly towards the new created World, 90: And Man there plac't, with purpose to assay 91: If him by force he can destroy, or worse, 92: By som false guile pervert; and shall pervert; 93: For man will heark'n to his glozing lyes, 94: And easily transgress the sole Command, 95: Sole pledge of his obedience: So will fall 96: Hee and his faithless Progenie: whose fault? 97: Whose but his own? ingrate, he had of mee 98: All he could have; I made him just and right, 99: Sufficient to have stood, though free to fall. 100: Such I created all th' Ethereal Powers 101: And Spirits, both them who stood & them who faild; 102: Freely they stood who stood, and fell who fell. 103: Not free, what proof could they have givn sincere 104: Of true allegiance, constant Faith or Love, 105: Where onely what they needs must do, appeard, 106: Not what they would? what praise could they receive? 107: What pleasure I from such obedience paid, 108: When Will and Reason (Reason also is choice) 109: Useless and vain, of freedom both despoild, 110: Made passive both, had servd necessitie, 111: Not mee. They therefore as to right belongd, 112: So were created, nor can justly accuse 113: Thir maker, or thir making, or thir Fate; 114: As if Predestination over-rul'd 115: Thir will, dispos'd by absolute Decree 116: Or high foreknowledge; they themselves decreed 117: Thir own revolt, not I: if I foreknew, 118: Foreknowledge had no influence on their fault, 119: Which had no less prov'd certain unforeknown. 120: So without least impulse or shadow of Fate, 121: Or aught by me immutablie foreseen, 122: They trespass, Authors to themselves in all 123: Both what they judge and what they choose; for so 124: I formd them free, and free they must remain, 125: Till they enthrall themselves: I else must change 126: Thir nature, and revoke the high Decree 127: Unchangeable, Eternal, which ordain'd 128: Thir freedom, they themselves ordain'd thir fall. 129: The first sort by thir own suggestion fell, 130: Self-tempted, self-deprav'd: Man falls deceiv'd 131: By the other first: Man therefore shall find grace, 132: The other none: in Mercy and Justice both, 133: Through Heav'n and Earth, so shall my glorie excel, 134: But Mercy first and last shall brightest shine.
135: Thus while God spake, ambrosial fragrance fill'd 136: All Heav'n, and in the blessed Spirits elect 137: Sense of new joy ineffable diffus'd: 138: Beyond compare the Son of God was seen 139: Most glorious, in him all his Father shon 140: Substantially express'd, and in his face 141: Divine compassion visibly appeerd, 142: Love without end, and without measure Grace, 143: Which uttering thus he to his Father spake.
144: O Father, gracious was that word which clos'd 145: Thy sovran sentence, that Man should find grace; 146: For which both Heav'n and Earth shall high extoll 147: Thy praises, with th' innumerable sound 148: Of Hymns and sacred Songs, wherewith thy Throne 149: Encompass'd shall resound thee ever blest. 150: For should Man finally be lost, should Man 151: Thy creature late so lov'd, thy youngest Son 152: Fall circumvented thus by fraud, though joynd 153: With his own folly? that be from thee farr, 154: That farr be from thee, Father, who art Judge 155: Of all things made, and judgest onely right. 156: Or shall the Adversarie thus obtain 157: His end, and frustrate thine, shall he fulfill 158: His malice, and thy goodness bring to naught, 159: Or proud return though to his heavier doom, 160: Yet with revenge accomplish't and to Hell 161: Draw after him the whole Race of mankind, 162: By him corrupted? or wilt thou thy self 163: Abolish thy Creation, and unmake, 164: For him, what for thy glorie thou hast made? 165: So should thy goodness and thy greatness both 166: Be questiond and blaspheam'd without defence.
167: To whom the great Creatour thus reply'd. 168: O Son, in whom my Soul hath chief delight, 169: Son of my bosom, Son who art alone 170: My word, my wisdom, and effectual might, 171: All hast thou spok'n as my thoughts are, all 172: As my Eternal purpose hath decreed: 173: Man shall not quite be lost, but sav'd who will, 174: Yet not of will in him, but grace in me 175: Freely voutsaft; once more I will renew 176: His lapsed powers, though forfeit and enthrall'd 177: By sin to foul exorbitant desires; 178: Upheld by me, yet once more he shall stand 179: On even ground against his mortal foe, 180: By me upheld, that he may know how frail 181: His fall'n condition is, and to me ow 182: All his deliv'rance, and to none but me. 183: Some I have chosen of peculiar grace 184: Elect above the rest; so is my will: 185: The rest shall hear me call, and oft be warnd 186: Thir sinful state, and to appease betimes 187: Th' incensed Deitie, while offerd grace 188: Invites; for I will cleer thir senses dark, 189: What may suffice, and soft'n stonie hearts 190: To pray, repent, and bring obedience due. 191: To prayer, repentance, and obedience due, 192: Though but endevord with sincere intent, 193: Mine eare shall not be slow, mine eye not shut. 194: And I will place within them as a guide 195: My Umpire CONSCIENCE, whom if they will hear, 196: Light after light well us'd they shall attain, 197: And to the end persisting, safe arrive. 198: This my long sufferance and my day of grace 199: They who neglect and scorn, shall never taste; 200: But hard be hard'nd, blind be blinded more, 201: That they may stumble on, and deeper fall; 202: And none but such from mercy I exclude. 203: But yet all is not don; Man disobeying, 204: Disloyal breaks his fealtie, and sinns 205: Against the high Supremacie of Heav'n, 206: Affecting God-head, and so loosing all, 207: To expiate his Treason hath naught left, 208: But to destruction sacred and devote, 209: He with his whole posteritie must die, 210: Die hee or Justice must; unless for him 211: Som other able, and as willing, pay 212: The rigid satisfaction, death for death. 213: Say Heav'nly Powers, where shall we find such love, 214: Which of ye will be mortal to redeem 215: Mans mortal crime, and just th' unjust to save, 216: Dwels in all Heaven charitie so deare?
217: He ask'd, but all the Heav'nly Quire stood mute, 218: And silence was in Heav'n: on mans behalf 219: Patron or Intercessor none appeerd, 220: Much less that durst upon his own head draw 221: The deadly forfeiture, and ransom set. 222: And now without redemption all mankind 223: Must have bin lost, adjudg'd to Death and Hell 224: By doom severe, had not the Son of God, 225: In whom the fulness dwels of love divine, 226: His dearest mediation thus renewd.
227: Father, thy word is past, man shall find grace; 228: And shall grace not find means, that finds her way, 229: The speediest of thy winged messengers, 230: To visit all thy creatures, and to all 231: Comes unprevented, unimplor'd, unsought, 232: Happie for man, so coming; he her aide 233: Can never seek, once dead in sins and lost; 234: Attonement for himself or offering meet, 235: Indebted and undon, hath none to bring: 236: Behold mee then, mee for him, life for life 237: I offer, on mee let thine anger fall; 238: Account mee man; I for his sake will leave 239: Thy bosom, and this glorie next to thee 240: Freely put off, and for him lastly die 241: Well pleas'd, on me let Death wreck all his rage; 242: Under his gloomie power I shall not long 243: Lie vanquisht; thou hast givn me to possess 244: Life in my self for ever, by thee I live, 245: Though now to Death I yeild, and am his due 246: All that of me can die, yet that debt paid, 247: Thou wilt not leave me in the loathsom grave 248: His prey, nor suffer my unspotted Soule 249: For ever with corruption there to dwell; 250: But I shall rise Victorious, and subdue 251: My Vanquisher, spoild of his vanted spoile; 252: Death his deaths wound shall then receive, & stoop 253: Inglorious, of his mortall sting disarm'd. 254: I through the ample Air in Triumph high 255: Shall lead Hell Captive maugre Hell, and show 256: The powers of darkness bound. Thou at the sight 257: Pleas'd, out of Heaven shalt look down and smile, 258: While by thee rais'd I ruin all my Foes, 259: Death last, and with his Carcass glut the Grave: 260: Then with the multitude of my redeemd 261: Shall enter Heaven long absent, and returne, 262: Father, to see thy face, wherein no cloud 263: Of anger shall remain, but peace assur'd, 264: And reconcilement; wrauth shall be no more 265: Thenceforth, but in thy presence Joy entire.
266: His words here ended, but his meek aspect 267: Silent yet spake, and breath'd immortal love 268: To mortal men, above which only shon 269: Filial obedience: as a sacrifice 270: Glad to be offer'd, he attends the will 271: Of his great Father. Admiration seis'd 272: All Heav'n, what this might mean, & whither tend 273: Wondring; but soon th' Almighty thus reply'd:
274: O thou in Heav'n and Earth the only peace 275: Found out for mankind under wrauth, O thou 276: My sole complacence! well thou know'st how dear, 277: To me are all my works, nor Man the least 278: Though last created, that for him I spare 279: Thee from my bosom and right hand, to save, 280: By loosing thee a while, the whole Race lost. 281: Thou therefore whom thou only canst redeeme, 282: Thir Nature also to thy Nature joyne; 283: And be thy self Man among men on Earth, 284: Made flesh, when time shall be, of Virgin seed, 285: By wondrous birth: Be thou in ADAMS room 286: The Head of all mankind, though ADAMS Son. 287: As in him perish all men, so in thee 288: As from a second root shall be restor'd, 289: As many as are restor'd, without thee none. 290: His crime makes guiltie all his Sons, thy merit 291: Imputed shall absolve them who renounce 292: Thir own both righteous and unrighteous deeds, 293: And live in thee transplanted, and from thee 294: Receive new life. So Man, as is most just, 295: Shall satisfie for Man, be judg'd and die, 296: And dying rise, and rising with him raise 297: His Brethren, ransomd with his own dear life. 298: So Heav'nly love shal outdoo Hellish hate, 299: Giving to death, and dying to redeeme, 300: So dearly to redeem what Hellish hate 301: So easily destroy'd, and still destroyes 302: In those who, when they may, accept not grace. 303: Nor shalt thou by descending to assume 304: Mans Nature, less'n or degrade thine owne. 305: Because thou hast, though Thron'd in highest bliss 306: Equal to God, and equally enjoying 307: God-like fruition, quitted all to save 308: A World from utter loss, and hast been found 309: By Merit more then Birthright Son of God, 310: Found worthiest to be so by being Good, 311: Farr more then Great or High; because in thee 312: Love hath abounded more then Glory abounds, 313: Therefore thy Humiliation shall exalt 314: With thee thy Manhood also to this Throne; 315: Here shalt thou sit incarnate, here shalt Reigne 316: Both God and Man, Son both of God and Man, 317: Anointed universal King; all Power 318: I give thee, reign for ever, and assume 319: Thy Merits; under thee as Head Supream 320: Thrones, Princedoms, Powers, Dominions I reduce: 321: All knees to thee shall bow, of them that bide 322: In Heaven, or Earth, or under Earth in Hell; 323: When thou attended gloriously from Heav'n 324: Shalt in the Skie appeer, and from thee send 325: The summoning Arch-Angels to proclaime 326: Thy dread Tribunal: forthwith from all Windes 327: The living, and forthwith the cited dead 328: Of all past Ages to the general Doom 329: Shall hast'n, such a peal shall rouse thir sleep. 330: Then all thy Saints assembl'd, thou shalt judge 331: Bad men and Angels, they arraignd shall sink 332: Beneath thy Sentence; Hell, her numbers full, 333: Thenceforth shall be for ever shut. Mean while 334: The World shall burn, and from her ashes spring 335: New Heav'n and Earth, wherein the just shall dwell 336: And after all thir tribulations long 337: See golden days, fruitful of golden deeds, 338: With Joy and Love triumphing, and fair Truth. 339: Then thou thy regal Scepter shalt lay by, 340: For regal Scepter then no more shall need, 341: God shall be All in All. But all ye Gods, 342: Adore him, who to compass all this dies, 343: Adore the Son, and honour him as mee.
344: No sooner had th' Almighty ceas't, but all 345: The multitude of Angels with a shout 346: Loud as from numbers without number, sweet 347: As from blest voices, uttering joy, Heav'n rung 348: With Jubilee, and loud Hosanna's fill'd 349: Th' eternal Regions: lowly reverent 350: Towards either Throne they bow, & to the ground 351: With solemn adoration down they cast 352: Thir Crowns inwove with Amarant and Gold, 353: Immortal Amarant, a Flour which once 354: In Paradise, fast by the Tree of Life 355: Began to bloom, but soon for mans offence 356: To Heav'n remov'd where first it grew, there grows, 357: And flours aloft shading the Fount of Life, 358: And where the river of Bliss through midst of Heavn 359: Rowls o're ELISIAN Flours her Amber stream; 360: With these that never fade the Spirits Elect 361: Bind thir resplendent locks inwreath'd with beams, 362: Now in loose Garlands thick thrown off, the bright 363: Pavement that like a Sea of Jasper shon 364: Impurpl'd with Celestial Roses smil'd. 365: Then Crown'd again thir gold'n Harps they took, 366: Harps ever tun'd, that glittering by their side 367: Like Quivers hung, and with Praeamble sweet 368: Of charming symphonie they introduce 369: Thir sacred Song, and waken raptures high; 370: No voice exempt, no voice but well could joine 371: Melodious part, such concord is in Heav'n.
372: Thee Father first they sung Omnipotent, 373: Immutable, Immortal, Infinite, 374: Eternal King; thee Author of all being, 375: Fountain of Light, thy self invisible 376: Amidst the glorious brightness where thou sit'st 377: Thron'd inaccessible, but when thou shad'st 378: The full blaze of thy beams, and through a cloud 379: Drawn round about thee like a radiant Shrine, 380: Dark with excessive bright thy skirts appeer, 381: Yet dazle Heav'n, that brightest Seraphim 382: Approach not, but with both wings veil thir eyes. 383: Thee next they sang of all Creation first, 384: Begotten Son, Divine Similitude, 385: In whose conspicuous count'nance, without cloud 386: Made visible, th' Almighty Father shines, 387: Whom else no Creature can behold; on thee 388: Impresst the effulgence of his Glorie abides, 389: Transfus'd on thee his ample Spirit rests. 390: Hee Heav'n of Heavens and all the Powers therein 391: By thee created, and by thee threw down 392: Th' aspiring Dominations: thou that day 393: Thy Fathers dreadful Thunder didst not spare, 394: Nor stop thy flaming Chariot wheels, that shook 395: Heav'ns everlasting Frame, while o're the necks 396: Thou drov'st of warring Angels disarraid. 397: Back from pursuit thy Powers with loud acclaime 398: Thee only extold, Son of thy Fathers might, 399: To execute fierce vengeance on his foes, 400: Not so on Man; him through their malice fall'n, 401: Father of Mercie and Grace, thou didst not doome 402: So strictly, but much more to pitie encline: 403: No sooner did thy dear and onely Son 404: Perceive thee purpos'd not to doom frail Man 405: So strictly, but much more to pitie enclin'd, 406: He to appease thy wrauth, and end the strife 407: Of Mercy and Justice in thy face discern'd, 408: Regardless of the Bliss wherein hee sat 409: Second to thee, offerd himself to die 410: For mans offence. O unexampl'd love, 411: Love no where to be found less then Divine! 412: Hail Son of God, Saviour of Men, thy Name 413: Shall be the copious matter of my Song 414: Henceforth, and never shall my Harp thy praise 415: Forget, nor from thy Fathers praise disjoine.
416: Thus they in Heav'n, above the starry Sphear, 417: Thir happie hours in joy and hymning spent. 418: Mean while upon the firm opacous Globe 419: Of this round World, whose first convex divides 420: The luminous inferior Orbs, enclos'd 421: From CHAOS and th' inroad of Darkness old, 422: SATAN alighted walks: a Globe farr off 423: It seem'd, now seems a boundless Continent 424: Dark, waste, and wild, under the frown of Night 425: Starless expos'd, and ever-threatning storms 426: Of CHAOS blustring round, inclement skie; 427: Save on that side which from the wall of Heav'n 428: Though distant farr som small reflection gaines 429: Of glimmering air less vext with tempest loud: 430: Here walk'd the Fiend at large in spacious field. 431: As when a Vultur on IMAUS bred, 432: Whose snowie ridge the roving TARTAR bounds, 433: Dislodging from a Region scarce of prey 434: To gorge the flesh of Lambs or yeanling Kids 435: On Hills where Flocks are fed, flies toward the Springs 436: Of GANGES or HYDASPES, INDIAN streams; 437: But in his way lights on the barren plaines 438: Of SERICANA, where CHINESES drive 439: With Sails and Wind thir canie Waggons light: 440: So on this windie Sea of Land, the Fiend 441: Walk'd up and down alone bent on his prey, 442: Alone, for other Creature in this place 443: Living or liveless to be found was none, 444: None yet, but store hereafter from the earth 445: Up hither like Aereal vapours flew 446: Of all things transitorie and vain, when Sin 447: With vanity had filld the works of men: 448: Both all things vain, and all who in vain things 449: Built thir fond hopes of Glorie or lasting fame, 450: Or happiness in this or th' other life; 451: All who have thir reward on Earth, the fruits 452: Of painful Superstition and blind Zeal, 453: Naught seeking but the praise of men, here find 454: Fit retribution, emptie as thir deeds; 455: All th' unaccomplisht works of Natures hand, 456: Abortive, monstrous, or unkindly mixt, 457: Dissolvd on earth, fleet hither, and in vain, 458: Till final dissolution, wander here, 459: Not in the neighbouring Moon, as some have dreamd; 460: Those argent Fields more likely habitants, 461: Translated Saints, or middle Spirits hold 462: Betwixt th' Angelical and Human kinde: 463: Hither of ill-joynd Sons and Daughters born 464: First from the ancient World those Giants came 465: With many a vain exploit, though then renownd: 466: The builders next of BABEL on the Plain 467: Of SENNAAR, and still with vain designe 468: New BABELS, had they wherewithall, would build: 469: Others came single; hee who to be deemd 470: A God, leap'd fondly into AETNA flames, 471: EMPEDOCLES, and hee who to enjoy 472: PLATO'S ELYSIUM, leap'd into the Sea, 473: CLEOMBROTUS, and many more too long, 474: Embryo's and Idiots, Eremits and Friers 475: White, Black and Grey, with all thir trumperie. 476: Here Pilgrims roam, that stray'd so farr to seek 477: In GOLGOTHA him dead, who lives in Heav'n; 478: And they who to be sure of Paradise 479: Dying put on the weeds of DOMINIC, 480: Or in FRANCISCAN think to pass disguis'd; 481: They pass the Planets seven, and pass the fixt, 482: And that Crystalline Sphear whose ballance weighs 483: The Trepidation talkt, and that first mov'd; 484: And now Saint PETER at Heav'ns Wicket seems 485: To wait them with his Keys, and now at foot 486: Of Heav'ns ascent they lift thir Feet, when loe 487: A violent cross wind from either Coast 488: Blows them transverse ten thousand Leagues awry 489: Into the devious Air; then might ye see 490: Cowles, Hoods and Habits with thir wearers tost 491: And flutterd into Raggs, then Reliques, Beads, 492: Indulgences, Dispenses, Pardons, Bulls, 493: The sport of Winds: all these upwhirld aloft 494: Fly o're the backside of the World farr off 495: Into a LIMBO large and broad, since calld 496: The Paradise of Fools, to few unknown 497: Long after, now unpeopl'd, and untrod; 498: All this dark Globe the Fiend found as he pass'd, 499: And long he wanderd, till at last a gleame 500: Of dawning light turnd thither-ward in haste 501: His travell'd steps; farr distant hee descries 502: Ascending by degrees magnificent 503: Up to the wall of Heaven a Structure high, 504: At top whereof, but farr more rich appeerd 505: The work as of a Kingly Palace Gate 506: With Frontispice of Diamond and Gold 507: Imbellisht, thick with sparkling orient Gemmes 508: The Portal shon, inimitable on Earth 509: By Model, or by shading Pencil drawn. 510: The Stairs were such as whereon JACOB saw 511: Angels ascending and descending, bands 512: Of Guardians bright, when he from ESAU fled 513: To PADAN-ARAM in the field of LUZ, 514: Dreaming by night under the open Skie, 515: And waking cri'd, This is the Gate of Heav'n. 516: Each Stair mysteriously was meant, nor stood 517: There alwaies, but drawn up to Heav'n somtimes 518: Viewless, and underneath a bright Sea flow'd 519: Of Jasper, or of liquid Pearle, whereon 520: Who after came from Earth, sayling arriv'd, 521: Wafted by Angels, or flew o're the Lake 522: Rapt in a Chariot drawn by fiery Steeds. 523: The Stairs were then let down, whether to dare 524: The Fiend by easie ascent, or aggravate 525: His sad exclusion from the dores of Bliss. 526: Direct against which op'nd from beneath, 527: Just o're the blissful seat of Paradise, 528: A passage down to th' Earth, a passage wide, 529: Wider by farr then that of after-times 530: Over Mount SION, and, though that were large, 531: Over the PROMIS'D LAND to God so dear, 532: By which, to visit oft those happy Tribes, 533: On high behests his Angels to and fro 534: Pass'd frequent, and his eye with choice regard 535: From PANEAS the fount of JORDANS flood 536: To BEERSABA, where the HOLY LAND 537: Borders on AEGYPT and the ARABIAN shoare; 538: So wide the op'ning seemd, where bounds were set 539: To darkness, such as bound the Ocean wave. 540: SATAN from hence now on the lower stair 541: That scal'd by steps of Gold to Heav'n Gate 542: Looks down with wonder at the sudden view 543: Of all this World at once. As when a Scout 544: Through dark and desart wayes with peril gone 545: All night; at last by break of chearful dawne 546: Obtains the brow of some high-climbing Hill, 547: Which to his eye discovers unaware 548: The goodly prospect of some forein land 549: First-seen, or some renownd Metropolis 550: With glistering Spires and Pinnacles adornd, 551: Which now the Rising Sun guilds with his beams. 552: Such wonder seis'd, though after Heaven seen, 553: The Spirit maligne, but much more envy seis'd 554: At sight of all this World beheld so faire. 555: Round he surveys, and well might, where he stood 556: So high above the circling Canopie 557: Of Nights extended shade; from Eastern Point 558: Of LIBRA to the fleecie Starr that bears 559: ANDROMEDA farr off ATLANTICK Seas 560: Beyond th' HORIZON; then from Pole to Pole 561: He views in bredth, and without longer pause 562: Down right into the Worlds first Region throws 563: His flight precipitant, and windes with ease 564: Through the pure marble Air his oblique way 565: Amongst innumerable Starrs, that shon 566: Stars distant, but nigh hand seemd other Worlds, 567: Or other Worlds they seemd, or happy Iles, 568: Like those HESPERIAN Gardens fam'd of old, 569: Fortunate Fields, and Groves and flourie Vales, 570: Thrice happy Iles, but who dwelt happy there 571: He stayd not to enquire: above them all 572: The golden Sun in splendor likest Heaven 573: Allur'd his eye: Thither his course he bends 574: Through the calm Firmament; but up or downe 575: By center, or eccentric, hard to tell, 576: Or Longitude, where the great Luminarie 577: Alooff the vulgar Constellations thick, 578: That from his Lordly eye keep distance due, 579: Dispenses Light from farr; they as they move 580: Thir Sarry dance in numbers that compute 581: Days, months, and years, towards his all-chearing Lamp 582: Turn swift their various motions, or are turnd 583: By his Magnetic beam, that gently warms 584: The Univers, and to each inward part 585: With gentle penetration, though unseen, 586: Shoots invisible vertue even to the deep: 587: So wondrously was set his Station bright. 588: There lands the Fiend, a spot like which perhaps 589: Astronomer in the Sun's lucent Orbe 590: Through his glaz'd Optic Tube yet never saw. 591: The place he found beyond expression bright, 592: Compar'd with aught on Earth, Medal or Stone; 593: Not all parts like, but all alike informd 594: Which radiant light, as glowing Iron with fire; 595: If mettal, part seemd Gold, part Silver cleer; 596: If stone, Carbuncle most or Chrysolite, 597: Rubie or Topaz, to the Twelve that shon 598: In AARONS Brest-plate, and a stone besides 599: Imagind rather oft then elsewhere seen, 600: That stone, or like to that which here below 601: Philosophers in vain so long have sought, 602: In vain, though by thir powerful Art they binde 603: Volatil HERMES, and call up unbound 604: In various shapes old PROTEUS from the Sea, 605: Draind through a Limbec to his Native forme. 606: What wonder then if fields and regions here 607: Breathe forth ELIXIR pure, and Rivers run 608: Potable Gold, when with one vertuous touch 609: Th' Arch-chimic Sun so farr from us remote 610: Produces with Terrestrial Humor mixt 611: Here in the dark so many precious things 612: Of colour glorious and effect so rare? 613: Here matter new to gaze the Devil met 614: Undazl'd, farr and wide his eye commands, 615: For sight no obstacle found here, nor shade, 616: But all Sun-shine, as when his Beams at Noon 617: Culminate from th' AEQUATOR, as they now 618: Shot upward still direct, whence no way round 619: Shadow from body opaque can fall, and the Aire, 620: No where so cleer, sharp'nd his visual ray 621: To objects distant farr, whereby he soon 622: Saw within kenn a glorious Angel stand, 623: The same whom JOHN saw also in the Sun: 624: His back was turnd, but not his brightness hid; 625: Of beaming sunnie Raies, a golden tiar 626: Circl'd his Head, nor less his Locks behind 627: Illustrious on his Shoulders fledge with wings 628: Lay waving round; on som great charge imploy'd 629: Hee seemd, or fixt in cogitation deep. 630: Glad was the Spirit impure as now in hope 631: To find who might direct his wandring flight 632: To Paradise the happie seat of Man, 633: His journies end and our beginning woe. 634: But first he casts to change his proper shape, 635: Which else might work him danger or delay: 636: And now a stripling Cherube he appeers, 637: Not of the prime, yet such as in his face 638: Youth smil'd Celestial, and to every Limb 639: Sutable grace diffus'd, so well he feignd; 640: Under a Coronet his flowing haire 641: In curles on either cheek plaid, wings he wore 642: Of many a colourd plume sprinkl'd with Gold, 643: His habit fit for speed succinct, and held 644: Before his decent steps a Silver wand. 645: He drew not nigh unheard, the Angel bright, 646: Ere he drew nigh, his radiant visage turnd, 647: Admonisht by his eare, and strait was known 648: Th' Arch-Angel URIEL, one of the seav'n 649: Who in Gods presence, neerest to his Throne 650: Stand ready at command, and are his Eyes 651: That run through all the Heav'ns, or down to th' Earth 652: Bear his swift errands over moist and dry, 653: O're Sea and Land: him SATAN thus accostes;
654: URIEL, for thou of those seav'n Spirits that stand 655: In sight of God's high Throne, gloriously bright, 656: The first art wont his great authentic will 657: Interpreter through highest Heav'n to bring, 658: Where all his Sons thy Embassie attend; 659: And here art likeliest by supream decree 660: Like honour to obtain, and as his Eye 661: To visit oft this new Creation round; 662: Unspeakable desire to see, and know 663: All these his wondrous works, but chiefly Man, 664: His chief delight and favour, him for whom 665: All these his works so wondrous he ordaind, 666: Hath brought me from the Quires of Cherubim 667: Alone thus wandring. Brightest Seraph tell 668: In which of all these shining Orbes hath Man 669: His fixed seat, or fixed seat hath none, 670: But all these shining Orbes his choice to dwell; 671: That I may find him, and with secret gaze, 672: Or open admiration him behold 673: On whom the great Creator hath bestowd 674: Worlds, and on whom hath all these graces powrd; 675: That both in him and all things, as is meet, 676: The Universal Maker we may praise; 677: Who justly hath drivn out his Rebell Foes 678: To deepest Hell, and to repair that loss 679: Created this new happie Race of Men 680: To serve him better: wise are all his wayes.
681: So spake the false dissembler unperceivd; 682: For neither Man nor Angel can discern 683: Hypocrisie, the only evil that walks 684: Invisible, except to God alone, 685: By his permissive will, through Heav'n and Earth: 686: And oft though wisdom wake, suspicion sleeps 687: At wisdoms Gate, and to simplicitie 688: Resigns her charge, while goodness thinks no ill 689: Where no ill seems: Which now for once beguil'd 690: URIEL, though Regent of the Sun, and held 691: The sharpest sighted Spirit of all in Heav'n; 692: Who to the fraudulent Impostor foule 693: In his uprightness answer thus returnd. 694: Faire Angel, thy desire which tends to know 695: The works of God, thereby to glorifie 696: The great Work-Maister, leads to no excess 697: That reaches blame, but rather merits praise 698: The more it seems excess, that led thee hither 699: From thy Empyreal Mansion thus alone, 700: To witness with thine eyes what some perhaps 701: Contented with report heare onely in heav'n: 702: For wonderful indeed are all his works, 703: Pleasant to know, and worthiest to be all 704: Had in remembrance alwayes with delight; 705: But what created mind can comprehend 706: Thir number, or the wisdom infinite 707: That brought them forth, but hid thir causes deep. 708: I saw when at his Word the formless Mass, 709: This worlds material mould, came to a heap: 710: Confusion heard his voice, and wilde uproar 711: Stood rul'd, stood vast infinitude confin'd; 712: Till at his second bidding darkness fled, 713: Light shon, and order from disorder sprung: 714: Swift to thir several Quarters hasted then 715: The cumbrous Elements, Earth, Flood, Aire, Fire, 716: And this Ethereal quintessence of Heav'n 717: Flew upward, spirited with various forms, 718: That rowld orbicular, and turnd to Starrs 719: Numberless, as thou seest, and how they move; 720: Each had his place appointed, each his course, 721: The rest in circuit walles this Universe. 722: Look downward on that Globe whose hither side 723: With light from hence, though but reflected, shines; 724: That place is Earth the seat of Man, that light 725: His day, which else as th' other Hemisphere 726: Night would invade, but there the neighbouring Moon 727: (So call that opposite fair Starr) her aide 728: Timely interposes, and her monthly round 729: Still ending, still renewing, through mid Heav'n; 730: With borrowd light her countenance triform 731: Hence fills and empties to enlighten th' Earth, 732: And in her pale dominion checks the night. 733: That spot to which I point is PARADISE, 734: ADAMS abode, those loftie shades his Bowre. 735: Thy way thou canst not miss, me mine requires.
736: Thus said, he turnd, and SATAN bowing low, 737: As to superior Spirits is wont in Heaven, 738: Where honour due and reverence none neglects, 739: Took leave, and toward the coast of Earth beneath, 740: Down from th' Ecliptic, sped with hop'd success, 741: Throws his steep flight with many an Aerie wheele, 742: Nor staid, till on NIPHATES top he lights.
Book 4
1: O For that warning voice, which he who saw 2: Th' APOCALYPS, heard cry in Heaven aloud, 3: Then when the Dragon, put to second rout, 4: Came furious down to be reveng'd on men, 5: WO TO THE INHABITANTS ON EARTH! that now, 6: While time was, our first Parents had bin warnd 7: The coming of thir secret foe, and scap'd 8: Haply so scap'd his mortal snare; for now 9: SATAN, now first inflam'd with rage, came down, 10: The Tempter ere th' Accuser of man-kind, 11: To wreck on innocent frail man his loss 12: Of that first Battel, and his flight to Hell: 13: Yet not rejoycing in his speed, though bold, 14: Far off and fearless, nor with cause to boast, 15: Begins his dire attempt, which nigh the birth 16: Now rowling, boiles in his tumultuous brest, 17: And like a devillish Engine back recoiles 18: Upon himself; horror and doubt distract 19: His troubl'd thoughts, and from the bottom stirr 20: The Hell within him, for within him Hell 21: He brings, and round about him, nor from Hell 22: One step no more then from himself can fly 23: By change of place: Now conscience wakes despair 24: That slumberd, wakes the bitter memorie 25: Of what he was, what is, and what must be 26: Worse; of worse deeds worse sufferings must ensue. 27: Sometimes towards EDEN which now in his view 28: Lay pleasant, his grievd look he fixes sad, 29: Sometimes towards Heav'n and the full-blazing Sun, 30: Which now sat high in his Meridian Towre: 31: Then much revolving, thus in sighs began.
32: O thou that with surpassing Glory crownd, 33: Look'st from thy sole Dominion like the God 34: Of this new World; at whose sight all the Starrs 35: Hide thir diminisht heads; to thee I call, 36: But with no friendly voice, and add thy name 37: O Sun, to tell thee how I hate thy beams 38: That bring to my remembrance from what state 39: I fell, how glorious once above thy Spheare; 40: Till Pride and worse Ambition threw me down 41: Warring in Heav'n against Heav'ns matchless King: 42: Ah wherefore! he deservd no such return 43: From me, whom he created what I was 44: In that bright eminence, and with his good 45: Upbraided none; nor was his service hard. 46: What could be less then to afford him praise, 47: The easiest recompence, and pay him thanks, 48: How due! yet all his good prov'd ill in me, 49: And wrought but malice; lifted up so high 50: I sdeind subjection, and thought one step higher 51: Would set me highest, and in a moment quit 52: The debt immense of endless gratitude, 53: So burthensome, still paying, still to ow; 54: Forgetful what from him I still receivd, 55: And understood not that a grateful mind 56: By owing owes not, but still pays, at once 57: Indebted and dischargd; what burden then? 58: O had his powerful Destiny ordaind 59: Me some inferiour Angel, I had stood 60: Then happie; no unbounded hope had rais'd 61: Ambition. Yet why not? som other Power 62: As great might have aspir'd, and me though mean 63: Drawn to his part; but other Powers as great 64: Fell not, but stand unshak'n, from within 65: Or from without, to all temptations arm'd. 66: Hadst thou the same free Will and Power to stand? 67: Thou hadst: whom hast thou then or what to accuse, 68: But Heav'ns free Love dealt equally to all? 69: Be then his Love accurst, since love or hate, 70: To me alike, it deals eternal woe. 71: Nay curs'd be thou; since against his thy will 72: Chose freely what it now so justly rues. 73: Me miserable! which way shall I flie 74: Infinite wrauth, and infinite despaire? 75: Which way I flie is Hell; my self am Hell; 76: And in the lowest deep a lower deep 77: Still threatning to devour me opens wide, 78: To which the Hell I suffer seems a Heav'n. 79: O then at last relent: is there no place 80: Left for Repentance, none for Pardon left? 81: None left but by submission; and that word 82: DISDAIN forbids me, and my dread of shame 83: Among the spirits beneath, whom I seduc'd 84: With other promises and other vaunts 85: Then to submit, boasting I could subdue 86: Th' Omnipotent. Ay me, they little know 87: How dearly I abide that boast so vaine, 88: Under what torments inwardly I groane; 89: While they adore me on the Throne of Hell, 90: With Diadem and Scepter high advanc'd 91: The lower still I fall, onely Supream 92: In miserie; such joy Ambition findes. 93: But say I could repent and could obtaine 94: By Act of Grace my former state; how soon 95: Would highth recal high thoughts, how soon unsay 96: What feign'd submission swore: ease would recant 97: Vows made in pain, as violent and void. 98: For never can true reconcilement grow 99: Where wounds of deadly hate have peirc'd so deep: 100: Which would but lead me to a worse relapse 101: And heavier fall: so should I purchase deare 102: Short intermission bought with double smart. 103: This knows my punisher; therefore as farr 104: From granting hee, as I from begging peace: 105: All hope excluded thus, behold in stead 106: Of us out-cast, exil'd, his new delight, 107: Mankind created, and for him this World. 108: So farwel Hope, and with Hope farwel Fear, 109: Farwel Remorse: all Good to me is lost; 110: Evil be thou my Good; by thee at least 111: Divided Empire with Heav'ns King I hold 112: By thee, and more then half perhaps will reigne; 113: As Man ere long, and this new World shall know.
114: Thus while he spake, each passion dimm'd his face 115: Thrice chang'd with pale, ire, envie and despair, 116: Which marrd his borrow'd visage, and betraid 117: Him counterfet, if any eye beheld. 118: For heav'nly mindes from such distempers foule 119: Are ever cleer. Whereof hee soon aware, 120: Each perturbation smooth'd with outward calme, 121: Artificer of fraud; and was the first 122: That practisd falshood under saintly shew, 123: Deep malice to conceale, couch't with revenge: 124: Yet not anough had practisd to deceive 125: URIEL once warnd; whose eye pursu'd him down 126: The way he went, and on th' ASSYRIAN mount 127: Saw him disfigur'd, more then could befall 128: Spirit of happie sort: his gestures fierce 129: He markd and mad demeanour, then alone, 130: As he suppos'd, all unobserv'd, unseen. 131: So on he fares, and to the border comes 132: Of EDEN, where delicious Paradise, 133: Now nearer, Crowns with her enclosure green, 134: As with a rural mound the champain head 135: Of a steep wilderness, whose hairie sides 136: With thicket overgrown, grottesque and wilde, 137: Access deni'd; and over head up grew 138: Insuperable highth of loftiest shade, 139: Cedar, and Pine, and Firr, and branching Palm, 140: A Silvan Scene, and as the ranks ascend 141: Shade above shade, a woodie Theatre 142: Of stateliest view. Yet higher then thir tops 143: The verdurous wall of Paradise up sprung: 144: Which to our general Sire gave prospect large 145: Into his neather Empire neighbouring round. 146: And higher then that Wall a circling row 147: Of goodliest Trees loaden with fairest Fruit, 148: Blossoms and Fruits at once of golden hue 149: Appeerd, with gay enameld colours mixt: 150: On which the Sun more glad impress'd his beams 151: Then in fair Evening Cloud, or humid Bow, 152: When God hath showrd the earth; so lovely seemd 153: That Lantskip: And of pure now purer aire 154: Meets his approach, and to the heart inspires 155: Vernal delight and joy, able to drive 156: All sadness but despair: now gentle gales 157: Fanning thir odoriferous wings dispense 158: Native perfumes, and whisper whence they stole 159: Those balmie spoiles. As when to them who saile 160: Beyond the CAPE OF HOPE, and now are past 161: MOZAMBIC, off at Sea North-East windes blow 162: SABEAN Odours from the spicie shoare 163: Of ARABIE the blest, with such delay 164: Well pleas'd they slack thir course, and many a League 165: Cheard with the grateful smell old Ocean smiles. 166: So entertaind those odorous sweets the Fiend 167: Who came thir bane, though with them better pleas'd 168: Then ASMODEUS with the fishie fume, 169: That drove him, though enamourd, from the Spouse 170: Of TOBITS Son, and with a vengeance sent 171: From MEDIA post to AEGYPT, there fast bound.
172: Now to th' ascent of that steep savage Hill 173: SATAN had journied on, pensive and slow; 174: But further way found none, so thick entwin'd, 175: As one continu'd brake, the undergrowth 176: Of shrubs and tangling bushes had perplext 177: All path of Man or Beast that past that way: 178: One Gate there onely was, and that look'd East 179: On th' other side: which when th' arch-fellon saw 180: Due entrance he disdaind, and in contempt, 181: At one slight bound high overleap'd all bound 182: Of Hill or highest Wall, and sheer within 183: Lights on his feet. As when a prowling Wolfe, 184: Whom hunger drives to seek new haunt for prey, 185: Watching where Shepherds pen thir Flocks at eeve 186: In hurdl'd Cotes amid the field secure, 187: Leaps o're the fence with ease into the Fould: 188: Or as a Thief bent to unhoord the cash 189: Of some rich Burgher, whose substantial dores, 190: Cross-barrd and bolted fast, fear no assault, 191: In at the window climbes, or o're the tiles; 192: So clomb this first grand Thief into Gods Fould: 193: So since into his Church lewd Hirelings climbe. 194: Thence up he flew, and on the Tree of Life, 195: The middle Tree and highest there that grew, 196: Sat like a Cormorant; yet not true Life 197: Thereby regaind, but sat devising Death 198: To them who liv'd; nor on the vertue thought 199: Of that life-giving Plant, but only us'd 200: For prospect, what well us'd had bin the pledge 201: Of immortalitie. So little knows 202: Any, but God alone, to value right 203: The good before him, but perverts best things 204: To worst abuse, or to thir meanest use. 205: Beneath him with new wonder now he views 206: To all delight of human sense expos'd 207: In narrow room Natures whole wealth, yea more, 208: A Heaven on Earth, for blissful Paradise 209: Of God the Garden was, by him in the East 210: Of EDEN planted; EDEN stretchd her Line 211: From AURAN Eastward to the Royal Towrs 212: Of great SELEUCIA, built by GRECIAN Kings, 213: Or where the Sons of EDEN long before 214: Dwelt in TELASSAR: in this pleasant soile 215: His farr more pleasant Garden God ordaind; 216: Out of the fertil ground he caus'd to grow 217: All Trees of noblest kind for sight, smell, taste; 218: And all amid them stood the Tree of Life, 219: High eminent, blooming Ambrosial Fruit 220: Of vegetable Gold; and next to Life 221: Our Death the Tree of Knowledge grew fast by, 222: Knowledge of Good bought dear by knowing ill. 223: Southward through EDEN went a River large, 224: Nor chang'd his course, but through the shaggie hill 225: Pass'd underneath ingulft, for God had thrown 226: That Mountain as his Garden mould high rais'd 227: Upon the rapid current, which through veins 228: Of porous Earth with kindly thirst up drawn, 229: Rose a fresh Fountain, and with many a rill 230: Waterd the Garden; thence united fell 231: Down the steep glade, and met the neather Flood, 232: Which from his darksom passage now appeers, 233: And now divided into four main Streams, 234: Runs divers, wandring many a famous Realme 235: And Country whereof here needs no account, 236: But rather to tell how, if Art could tell, 237: How from that Saphire Fount the crisped Brooks, 238: Rowling on Orient Pearl and sands of Gold, 239: With mazie error under pendant shades 240: Ran Nectar, visiting each plant, and fed 241: Flours worthy of Paradise which not nice Art 242: In Beds and curious Knots, but Nature boon 243: Powrd forth profuse on Hill and Dale and Plaine, 244: Both where the morning Sun first warmly smote 245: The open field, and where the unpierc't shade 246: Imbround the noontide Bowrs: Thus was this place, 247: A happy rural seat of various view; 248: Groves whose rich Trees wept odorous Gumms and Balme, 249: Others whose fruit burnisht with Golden Rinde 250: Hung amiable, HESPERIAN Fables true, 251: If true, here onely, and of delicious taste: 252: Betwixt them Lawns, or level Downs, and Flocks 253: Grasing the tender herb, were interpos'd, 254: Or palmie hilloc, or the flourie lap 255: Of som irriguous Valley spread her store, 256: Flours of all hue, and without Thorn the Rose: 257: Another side, umbrageous Grots and Caves 258: Of coole recess, o're which the mantling Vine 259: Layes forth her purple Grape, and gently creeps 260: Luxuriant; mean while murmuring waters fall 261: Down the slope hills, disperst, or in a Lake, 262: That to the fringed Bank with Myrtle crownd, 263: Her chrystall mirror holds, unite thir streams. 264: The Birds thir quire apply; aires, vernal aires, 265: Breathing the smell of field and grove, attune 266: The trembling leaves, while Universal PAN 267: Knit with the GRACES and the HOURS in dance 268: Led on th' Eternal Spring. Not that faire field 269: Of ENNA, where PROSERPIN gathring flours 270: Her self a fairer Floure by gloomie DIS 271: Was gatherd, which cost CERES all that pain 272: To seek her through the world; nor that sweet Grove 273: Of DAPHNE by ORONTES, and th' inspir'd 274: CASTALIAN Spring might with this Paradise 275: Of EDEN strive; nor that NYSEIAN Ile 276: Girt with the River TRITON, where old CHAM, 277: Whom Gentiles AMMON call and LIBYAN JOVE, 278: Hid AMALTHEA and her Florid Son 279: Young BACCHUS from his Stepdame RHEA'S eye; 280: Nor where ABASSIN Kings thir issue Guard, 281: Mount AMARA, though this by som suppos'd 282: True Paradise under the ETHIOP Line 283: By NILUS head, enclos'd with shining Rock, 284: A whole dayes journey high, but wide remote 285: From this ASSYRIAN Garden, where the Fiend 286: Saw undelighted all delight, all kind 287: Of living Creatures new to sight and strange: 288: Two of far nobler shape erect and tall, 289: Godlike erect, with native Honour clad 290: In naked Majestie seemd Lords of all, 291: And worthie seemd, for in thir looks Divine 292: The image of thir glorious Maker shon, 293: Truth, Wisdome, Sanctitude severe and pure, 294: Severe, but in true filial freedom plac't; 295: Whence true autoritie in men; though both 296: Not equal, as thir sex not equal seemd; 297: For contemplation hee and valour formd, 298: For softness shee and sweet attractive Grace, 299: Hee for God only, shee for God in him: 300: His fair large Front and Eye sublime declar'd 301: Absolute rule; and Hyacinthin Locks 302: Round from his parted forelock manly hung 303: Clustring, but not beneath his shoulders broad: 304: Shee as a vail down to the slender waste 305: Her unadorned golden tresses wore 306: Dissheveld, but in wanton ringlets wav'd 307: As the Vine curles her tendrils, which impli'd 308: Subjection, but requir'd with gentle sway, 309: And by her yeilded, by him best receivd, 310: Yeilded with coy submission, modest pride, 311: And sweet reluctant amorous delay. 312: Nor those mysterious parts were then conceald, 313: Then was not guiltie shame, dishonest shame 314: Of natures works, honor dishonorable, 315: Sin-bred, how have ye troubl'd all mankind 316: With shews instead, meer shews of seeming pure, 317: And banisht from mans life his happiest life, 318: Simplicitie and spotless innocence. 319: So passd they naked on, nor shund the sight 320: Of God or Angel, for they thought no ill: 321: So hand in hand they passd, the lovliest pair 322: That ever since in loves imbraces met, 323: ADAM the goodliest man of men since borne 324: His Sons, the fairest of her Daughters EVE. 325: Under a tuft of shade that on a green 326: Stood whispering soft, by a fresh Fountain side 327: They sat them down, and after no more toil 328: Of thir sweet Gardning labour then suffic'd 329: To recommend coole ZEPHYR, and made ease 330: More easie, wholsom thirst and appetite 331: More grateful, to thir Supper Fruits they fell, 332: Nectarine Fruits which the compliant boughes 333: Yeilded them, side-long as they sat recline 334: On the soft downie Bank damaskt with flours: 335: The savourie pulp they chew, and in the rinde 336: Still as they thirsted scoop the brimming stream; 337: Nor gentle purpose, nor endearing smiles 338: Wanted, nor youthful dalliance as beseems 339: Fair couple, linkt in happie nuptial League, 340: Alone as they. About them frisking playd 341: All Beasts of th' Earth, since wilde, and of all chase 342: In Wood or Wilderness, Forrest or Den; 343: Sporting the Lion rampd, and in his paw 344: Dandl'd the Kid; Bears, Tygers, Ounces, Pards 345: Gambold before them, th' unwieldy Elephant 346: To make them mirth us'd all his might, & wreathd 347: His Lithe Proboscis; close the Serpent sly 348: Insinuating, wove with Gordian twine 349: His breaded train, and of his fatal guile 350: Gave proof unheeded; others on the grass 351: Coucht, and now fild with pasture gazing sat, 352: Or Bedward ruminating: for the Sun 353: Declin'd was hasting now with prone carreer 354: To th' Ocean Iles, and in th' ascending Scale 355: Of Heav'n the Starrs that usher Evening rose: 356: When SATAN still in gaze, as first he stood, 357: Scarce thus at length faild speech recoverd sad.
358: O Hell! what doe mine eyes with grief behold, 359: Into our room of bliss thus high advanc't 360: Creatures of other mould, earth-born perhaps, 361: Not Spirits, yet to heav'nly Spirits bright 362: Little inferior; whom my thoughts pursue 363: With wonder, and could love, so lively shines 364: In them Divine resemblance, and such grace 365: The hand that formd them on thir shape hath pourd. 366: Ah gentle pair, yee little think how nigh 367: Your change approaches, when all these delights 368: Will vanish and deliver ye to woe, 369: More woe, the more your taste is now of joy; 370: Happie, but for so happie ill secur'd 371: Long to continue, and this high seat your Heav'n 372: Ill fenc't for Heav'n to keep out such a foe 373: As now is enterd; yet no purpos'd foe 374: To you whom I could pittie thus forlorne 375: Though I unpittied: League with you I seek, 376: And mutual amitie so streight, so close, 377: That I with you must dwell, or you with me 378: Henceforth; my dwelling haply may not please 379: Like this fair Paradise, your sense, yet such 380: Accept your Makers work; he gave it me, 381: Which I as freely give; Hell shall unfould, 382: To entertain you two, her widest Gates, 383: And send forth all her Kings; there will be room, 384: Not like these narrow limits, to receive 385: Your numerous ofspring; if no better place, 386: Thank him who puts me loath to this revenge 387: On you who wrong me not for him who wrongd. 388: And should I at your harmless innocence 389: Melt, as I doe, yet public reason just, 390: Honour and Empire with revenge enlarg'd, 391: By conquering this new World, compels me now 392: To do what else though damnd I should abhorre.
393: So spake the Fiend, and with necessitie, 394: The Tyrants plea, excus'd his devilish deeds. 395: Then from his loftie stand on that high Tree 396: Down he alights among the sportful Herd 397: Of those fourfooted kindes, himself now one, 398: Now other, as thir shape servd best his end 399: Neerer to view his prey, and unespi'd 400: To mark what of thir state he more might learn 401: By word or action markt: about them round 402: A Lion now he stalkes with fierie glare, 403: Then as a Tiger, who by chance hath spi'd 404: In some Purlieu two gentle Fawnes at play, 405: Strait couches close, then rising changes oft 406: His couchant watch, as one who chose his ground 407: Whence rushing he might surest seise them both 408: Grip't in each paw: when ADAM first of men 409: To first of women EVE thus moving speech, 410: Turnd him all eare to heare new utterance flow.
411: Sole partner and sole part of all these joyes, 412: Dearer thy self then all; needs must the Power 413: That made us, and for us this ample World 414: Be infinitly good, and of his good 415: As liberal and free as infinite, 416: That rais'd us from the dust and plac't us here 417: In all this happiness, who at his hand 418: Have nothing merited, nor can performe 419: Aught whereof hee hath need, hee who requires 420: From us no other service then to keep 421: This one, this easie charge, of all the Trees 422: In Paradise that beare delicious fruit 423: So various, not to taste that onely Tree 424: Of knowledge, planted by the Tree of Life, 425: So neer grows Death to Life, what ere Death is, 426: Som dreadful thing no doubt; for well thou knowst 427: God hath pronounc't it death to taste that Tree, 428: The only sign of our obedience left 429: Among so many signes of power and rule 430: Conferrd upon us, and Dominion giv'n 431: Over all other Creatures that possesse 432: Earth, Aire, and Sea. Then let us not think hard 433: One easie prohibition, who enjoy 434: Free leave so large to all things else, and choice 435: Unlimited of manifold delights: 436: But let us ever praise him, and extoll 437: His bountie, following our delightful task 438: To prune these growing Plants, & tend these Flours, 439: Which were it toilsom, yet with thee were sweet.
440: To whom thus Eve repli'd. O thou for whom 441: And from whom I was formd flesh of thy flesh, 442: And without whom am to no end, my Guide 443: And Head, what thou hast said is just and right. 444: For wee to him indeed all praises owe, 445: And daily thanks, I chiefly who enjoy 446: So farr the happier Lot, enjoying thee 447: Preeminent by so much odds, while thou 448: Like consort to thy self canst no where find. 449: That day I oft remember, when from sleep 450: I first awak't, and found my self repos'd 451: Under a shade on flours, much wondring where 452: And what I was, whence thither brought, and how. 453: Not distant far from thence a murmuring sound 454: Of waters issu'd from a Cave and spread 455: Into a liquid Plain, then stood unmov'd 456: Pure as th' expanse of Heav'n; I thither went 457: With unexperienc't thought, and laid me downe 458: On the green bank, to look into the cleer 459: Smooth Lake, that to me seemd another Skie. 460: As I bent down to look, just opposite, 461: A Shape within the watry gleam appeerd 462: Bending to look on me, I started back, 463: It started back, but pleasd I soon returnd, 464: Pleas'd it returnd as soon with answering looks 465: Of sympathie and love, there I had fixt 466: Mine eyes till now, and pin'd with vain desire, 467: Had not a voice thus warnd me, What thou seest, 468: What there thou seest fair Creature is thy self, 469: With thee it came and goes: but follow me, 470: And I will bring thee where no shadow staies 471: Thy coming, and thy soft imbraces, hee 472: Whose image thou art, him thou shall enjoy 473: Inseparablie thine, to him shalt beare 474: Multitudes like thy self, and thence be call'd 475: Mother of human Race: what could I doe, 476: But follow strait, invisibly thus led? 477: Till I espi'd thee, fair indeed and tall, 478: Under a Platan, yet methought less faire, 479: Less winning soft, less amiablie milde, 480: Then that smooth watry image; back I turnd, 481: Thou following cryd'st aloud, Return fair EVE, 482: Whom fli'st thou? whom thou fli'st, of him thou art, 483: His flesh, his bone; to give thee being I lent 484: Out of my side to thee, neerest my heart 485: Substantial Life, to have thee by my side 486: Henceforth an individual solace dear; 487: Part of my Soul I seek thee, and thee claim 488: My other half: with that thy gentle hand 489: Seisd mine, I yeilded, and from that time see 490: How beauty is excelld by manly grace 491: And wisdom, which alone is truly fair.
492: So spake our general Mother, and with eyes 493: Of conjugal attraction unreprov'd, 494: And meek surrender, half imbracing leand 495: On our first Father, half her swelling Breast 496: Naked met his under the flowing Gold 497: Of her loose tresses hid: he in delight 498: Both of her Beauty and submissive Charms 499: Smil'd with superior Love, as JUPITER 500: On JUNO smiles, when he impregns the Clouds 501: That shed MAY Flowers; and press'd her Matron lip 502: With kisses pure: aside the Devil turnd 503: For envie, yet with jealous leer maligne 504: Ey'd them askance, and to himself thus plaind.
505: Sight hateful, sight tormenting! thus these two 506: Imparadis't in one anothers arms 507: The happier EDEN, shall enjoy thir fill 508: Of bliss on bliss, while I to Hell am thrust, 509: Where neither joy nor love, but fierce desire, 510: Among our other torments not the least, 511: Still unfulfill'd with pain of longing pines; 512: Yet let me not forget what I have gain'd 513: From thir own mouths; all is not theirs it seems: 514: One fatal Tree there stands of Knowledge call'd, 515: Forbidden them to taste: Knowledge forbidd'n? 516: Suspicious, reasonless. Why should thir Lord 517: Envie them that? can it be sin to know, 518: Can it be death? and do they onely stand 519: By Ignorance, is that thir happie state, 520: The proof of thir obedience and thir faith? 521: O fair foundation laid whereon to build 522: Thir ruine! Hence I will excite thir minds 523: With more desire to know, and to reject 524: Envious commands, invented with designe 525: To keep them low whom knowledge might exalt 526: Equal with Gods; aspiring to be such, 527: They taste and die: what likelier can ensue? 528: But first with narrow search I must walk round 529: This Garden, and no corner leave unspi'd; 530: A chance but chance may lead where I may meet 531: Some wandring Spirit of Heav'n, by Fountain side, 532: Or in thick shade retir'd, from him to draw 533: What further would be learnt. Live while ye may, 534: Yet happie pair; enjoy, till I return, 535: Short pleasures, for long woes are to succeed.
536: So saying, his proud step he scornful turn'd, 537: But with sly circumspection, and began 538: Through wood, through waste, o're hil, o're dale his roam. 539: Mean while in utmost Longitude, where Heav'n 540: With Earth and Ocean meets, the setting Sun 541: Slowly descended, and with right aspect 542: Against the eastern Gate of Paradise 543: Leveld his eevning Rayes: it was a Rock 544: Of Alablaster, pil'd up to the Clouds, 545: Conspicuous farr, winding with one ascent 546: Accessible from Earth, one entrance high; 547: The rest was craggie cliff, that overhung 548: Still as it rose, impossible to climbe. 549: Betwixt these rockie Pillars GABRIEL sat 550: Chief of th' Angelic Guards, awaiting night; 551: About him exercis'd Heroic Games 552: Th' unarmed Youth of Heav'n, but nigh at hand 553: Celestial Armourie, Shields, Helmes, and Speares 554: Hung high with Diamond flaming, and with Gold. 555: Thither came URIEL, gliding through the Eeven 556: On a Sun beam, swift as a shooting Starr 557: In AUTUMN thwarts the night, when vapors fir'd 558: Impress the Air, and shews the Mariner 559: From what point of his Compass to beware 560: Impetuous winds: he thus began in haste.
561: GABRIEL, to thee thy cours by Lot hath giv'n 562: Charge and strict watch that to this happie place 563: No evil thing approach or enter in; 564: This day at highth of Noon came to my Spheare 565: A Spirit, zealous, as he seem'd, to know 566: More of th' Almighties works, and chiefly Man 567: Gods latest Image: I describ'd his way 568: Bent all on speed, and markt his Aerie Gate; 569: But in the Mount that lies from EDEN North, 570: Where he first lighted, soon discernd his looks 571: Alien from Heav'n, with passions foul obscur'd: 572: Mine eye pursu'd him still, but under shade 573: Lost sight of him; one of the banisht crew 574: I fear, hath ventur'd from the deep, to raise 575: New troubles; him thy care must be to find.
576: To whom the winged Warriour thus returnd: 577: URIEL, no wonder if thy perfet sight, 578: Amid the Suns bright circle where thou sitst, 579: See farr and wide: in at this Gate none pass 580: The vigilance here plac't, but such as come 581: Well known from Heav'n; and since Meridian hour 582: No Creature thence: if Spirit of other sort, 583: So minded, have oreleapt these earthie bounds 584: On purpose, hard thou knowst it to exclude 585: Spiritual substance with corporeal barr. 586: But if within the circuit of these walks 587: In whatsoever shape he lurk, of whom 588: Thou telst, by morrow dawning I shall know.
589: So promis'd hee, and URIEL to his charge 590: Returnd on that bright beam, whose point now raisd 591: Bore him slope downward to the Sun now fall'n 592: Beneath th' AZORES; whither the prime Orb, 593: Incredible how swift, had thither rowl'd 594: Diurnal, or this less volubil Earth 595: By shorter flight to th' East, had left him there 596: Arraying with reflected Purple and Gold 597: The Clouds that on his Western Throne attend: 598: Now came still Eevning on, and Twilight gray 599: Had in her sober Liverie all things clad; 600: Silence accompanied, for Beast and Bird, 601: They to thir grassie Couch, these to thir Nests 602: Were slunk, all but the wakeful Nightingale; 603: She all night long her amorous descant sung; 604: Silence was pleas'd: now glow'd the Firmament 605: With living Saphirs: HESPERUS that led 606: The starrie Host, rode brightest, till the Moon 607: Rising in clouded Majestie, at length 608: Apparent Queen unvaild her peerless light, 609: And o're the dark her Silver Mantle threw.
610: When ADAM thus to EVE: Fair Consort, th' hour 611: Of night, and all things now retir'd to rest 612: Mind us of like repose, since God hath set 613: Labour and rest, as day and night to men 614: Successive, and the timely dew of sleep 615: Now falling with soft slumbrous weight inclines 616: Our eye-lids; other Creatures all day long 617: Rove idle unimploid, and less need rest; 618: Man hath his daily work of body or mind 619: Appointed, which declares his Dignitie, 620: And the regard of Heav'n on all his waies; 621: While other Animals unactive range, 622: And of thir doings God takes no account. 623: Tomorrow ere fresh Morning streak the East 624: With first approach of light, we must be ris'n, 625: And at our pleasant labour, to reform 626: Yon flourie Arbors, yonder Allies green, 627: Our walks at noon, with branches overgrown, 628: That mock our scant manuring, and require 629: More hands then ours to lop thir wanton growth: 630: Those Blossoms also, and those dropping Gumms, 631: That lie bestrowne unsightly and unsmooth, 632: Ask riddance, if we mean to tread with ease; 633: Mean while, as Nature wills, Night bids us rest.
634: To whom thus EVE with perfet beauty adornd. 635: My Author and Disposer, what thou bidst 636: Unargu'd I obey; so God ordains, 637: God is thy Law, thou mine: to know no more 638: Is womans happiest knowledge and her praise. 639: With thee conversing I forget all time, 640: All seasons and thir change, all please alike. 641: Sweet is the breath of morn, her rising sweet, 642: With charm of earliest Birds; pleasant the Sun 643: When first on this delightful Land he spreads 644: His orient Beams, on herb, tree, fruit, and flour, 645: Glistring with dew; fragrant the fertil earth 646: After soft showers; and sweet the coming on 647: Of grateful Eevning milde, then silent Night 648: With this her solemn Bird and this fair Moon, 649: And these the Gemms of Heav'n, her starrie train: 650: But neither breath of Morn when she ascends 651: With charm of earliest Birds, nor rising Sun 652: On this delightful land, nor herb, fruit, floure, 653: Glistring with dew, nor fragrance after showers, 654: Nor grateful Evening mild, nor silent Night 655: With this her solemn Bird, nor walk by Moon, 656: Or glittering Starr-light without thee is sweet. 657: But wherfore all night long shine these, for whom 658: This glorious sight, when sleep hath shut all eyes?
659: To whom our general Ancestor repli'd. 660: Daughter of God and Man, accomplisht EVE, 661: Those have thir course to finish, round the Earth, 662: By morrow Eevning, and from Land to Land 663: In order, though to Nations yet unborn, 664: Ministring light prepar'd, they set and rise; 665: Least total darkness should by Night regaine 666: Her old possession, and extinguish life 667: In Nature and all things, which these soft fires 668: Not only enlighten, but with kindly heate 669: Of various influence foment and warme, 670: Temper or nourish, or in part shed down 671: Thir stellar vertue on all kinds that grow 672: On Earth, made hereby apter to receive 673: Perfection from the Suns more potent Ray. 674: These then, though unbeheld in deep of night, 675: Shine not in vain, nor think, though men were none, 676: That heav'n would want spectators, God want praise; 677: Millions of spiritual Creatures walk the Earth 678: Unseen, both when we wake, and when we sleep: 679: All these with ceasless praise his works behold 680: Both day and night: how often from the steep 681: Of echoing Hill or Thicket have we heard 682: Celestial voices to the midnight air, 683: Sole, or responsive each to others note 684: Singing thir great Creator: oft in bands 685: While they keep watch, or nightly rounding walk 686: With Heav'nly touch of instrumental sounds 687: In full harmonic number joind, thir songs 688: Divide the night, and lift our thoughts to Heaven.
689: Thus talking hand in hand alone they pass'd 690: On to thir blissful Bower; it was a place 691: Chos'n by the sovran Planter, when he fram'd 692: All things to mans delightful use; the roofe 693: Of thickest covert was inwoven shade 694: Laurel and Mirtle, and what higher grew 695: Of firm and fragrant leaf; on either side 696: ACANTHUS, and each odorous bushie shrub 697: Fenc'd up the verdant wall; each beauteous flour, 698: IRIS all hues, Roses, and Gessamin 699: Rear'd high thir flourisht heads between, and wrought 700: Mosaic; underfoot the Violet, 701: Crocus, and Hyacinth with rich inlay 702: Broiderd the ground, more colour'd then with stone 703: Of costliest Emblem: other Creature here 704: Beast, Bird, Insect, or Worm durst enter none; 705: Such was thir awe of man. In shadier Bower 706: More sacred and sequesterd, though but feignd, 707: PAN or SILVANUS never slept, nor Nymph, 708: Nor FAUNUS haunted. Here in close recess 709: With Flowers, Garlands, and sweet-smelling Herbs 710: Espoused EVE deckt first her Nuptial Bed, 711: And heav'nly Quires the Hymenaean sung, 712: What day the genial Angel to our Sire 713: Brought her in naked beauty more adorn'd, 714: More lovely then PANDORA, whom the Gods 715: Endowd with all thir gifts, and O too like 716: In sad event, when to the unwiser Son 717: Of JAPHET brought by HERMES, she ensnar'd 718: Mankind with her faire looks, to be aveng'd 719: On him who had stole JOVES authentic fire.
720: Thus at thir shadie Lodge arriv'd, both stood, 721: Both turnd, and under op'n Skie ador'd 722: The God that made both Skie, Air, Earth & Heav'n 723: Which they beheld, the Moons resplendent Globe 724: And starrie Pole: Thou also mad'st the Night, 725: Maker Omnipotent, and thou the Day, 726: Which we in our appointed work imployd 727: Have finisht happie in our mutual help 728: And mutual love, the Crown of all our bliss 729: Ordain'd by thee, and this delicious place 730: For us too large, where thy abundance wants 731: Partakers, and uncropt falls to the ground. 732: But thou hast promis'd from us two a Race 733: To fill the Earth, who shall with us extoll 734: Thy goodness infinite, both when we wake, 735: And when we seek, as now, thy gift of sleep.
736: This said unanimous, and other Rites 737: Observing none, but adoration pure 738: Which God likes best, into thir inmost bower 739: Handed they went; and eas'd the putting off 740: These troublesom disguises which wee wear, 741: Strait side by side were laid, nor turnd I weene 742: ADAM from his fair Spouse, nor EVE the Rites 743: Mysterious of connubial Love refus'd: 744: Whatever Hypocrites austerely talk 745: Of puritie and place and innocence, 746: Defaming as impure what God declares 747: Pure, and commands to som, leaves free to all. 748: Our Maker bids increase, who bids abstain 749: But our Destroyer, foe to God and Man? 750: Haile wedded Love, mysterious Law, true source 751: Of human ofspring, sole proprietie, 752: In Paradise of all things common else. 753: By thee adulterous lust was driv'n from men 754: Among the bestial herds to raunge, by thee 755: Founded in Reason, Loyal, Just, and Pure, 756: Relations dear, and all the Charities 757: Of Father, Son, and Brother first were known. 758: Farr be it, that I should write thee sin or blame, 759: Or think thee unbefitting holiest place, 760: Perpetual Fountain of Domestic sweets, 761: Whose Bed is undefil'd and chast pronounc't, 762: Present, or past, as Saints and Patriarchs us'd. 763: Here Love his golden shafts imploies, here lights 764: His constant Lamp, and waves his purple wings, 765: Reigns here and revels; not in the bought smile 766: Of Harlots, loveless, joyless, unindeard, 767: Casual fruition, nor in Court Amours 768: Mixt Dance, or wanton Mask, or Midnight Bal, 769: Or Serenate, which the starv'd Lover sings 770: To his proud fair, best quitted with disdain. 771: These lulld by Nightingales imbraceing slept, 772: And on thir naked limbs the flourie roof 773: Showrd Roses, which the Morn repair'd. Sleep on, 774: Blest pair; and O yet happiest if ye seek 775: No happier state, and know to know no more.
776: Now had night measur'd with her shaddowie Cone 777: Half way up Hill this vast Sublunar Vault, 778: And from thir Ivorie Port the Cherubim 779: Forth issuing at th' accustomd hour stood armd 780: To thir night watches in warlike Parade, 781: When GABRIEL to his next in power thus spake.
782: UZZIEL, half these draw off, and coast the South 783: With strictest watch; these other wheel the North, 784: Our circuit meets full West. As flame they part 785: Half wheeling to the Shield, half to the Spear. 786: From these, two strong and suttle Spirits he calld 787: That neer him stood, and gave them thus in charge.
788: ITHURIEL and ZEPHON, with wingd speed 789: Search through this Garden, leav unsearcht no nook, 790: But chiefly where those two fair Creatures Lodge, 791: Now laid perhaps asleep secure of harme. 792: This Eevning from the Sun's decline arriv'd 793: Who tells of som infernal Spirit seen 794: Hitherward bent (who could have thought?) escap'd 795: The barrs of Hell, on errand bad no doubt: 796: Such where ye find, seise fast, and hither bring.
797: So saying, on he led his radiant Files, 798: Daz'ling the Moon; these to the Bower direct 799: In search of whom they sought: him there they found 800: Squat like a Toad, close at the eare of EVE; 801: Assaying by his Devilish art to reach 802: The Organs of her Fancie, and with them forge 803: Illusions as he list, Phantasms and Dreams, 804: Or if, inspiring venom, he might taint 805: Th' animal Spirits that from pure blood arise 806: Like gentle breaths from Rivers pure, thence raise 807: At least distemperd, discontented thoughts, 808: Vain hopes, vain aimes, inordinate desires 809: Blown up with high conceits ingendring pride. 810: Him thus intent ITHURIEL with his Spear 811: Touch'd lightly; for no falshood can endure 812: Touch of Celestial temper, but returns 813: Of force to its own likeness: up he starts 814: Discoverd and surpriz'd. As when a spark 815: Lights on a heap of nitrous Powder, laid 816: Fit for the Tun som Magazin to store 817: Against a rumord Warr, the Smuttie graine 818: With sudden blaze diffus'd, inflames the Aire: 819: So started up in his own shape the Fiend. 820: Back stept those two fair Angels half amaz'd 821: So sudden to behold the grieslie King; 822: Yet thus, unmovd with fear, accost him soon.
823: Which of those rebell Spirits adjudg'd to Hell 824: Com'st thou, escap'd thy prison, and transform'd, 825: Why satst thou like an enemie in waite 826: Here watching at the head of these that sleep?
827: Know ye not then said SATAN, filld with scorn, 828: Know ye not me? ye knew me once no mate 829: For you, there sitting where ye durst not soare; 830: Not to know mee argues your selves unknown, 831: The lowest of your throng; or if ye know, 832: Why ask ye, and superfluous begin 833: Your message, like to end as much in vain? 834: To whom thus ZEPHON, answering scorn with scorn. 835: Think not, revolted Spirit, thy shape the same, 836: Or undiminisht brightness, to be known 837: As when thou stoodst in Heav'n upright and pure; 838: That Glorie then, when thou no more wast good, 839: Departed from thee, and thou resembl'st now 840: Thy sin and place of doom obscure and foule. 841: But come, for thou, be sure, shalt give account 842: To him who sent us, whose charge is to keep 843: This place inviolable, and these from harm.
844: So spake the Cherube, and his grave rebuke 845: Severe in youthful beautie, added grace 846: Invincible: abasht the Devil stood, 847: And felt how awful goodness is, and saw 848: Vertue in her shape how lovly, saw, and pin'd 849: His loss; but chiefly to find here observd 850: His lustre visibly impar'd; yet seemd 851: Undaunted. If I must contend, said he, 852: Best with the best, the Sender not the sent, 853: Or all at once; more glorie will be wonn, 854: Or less be lost. Thy fear, said ZEPHON bold, 855: Will save us trial what the least can doe 856: Single against thee wicked, and thence weak.
857: The Fiend repli'd not, overcome with rage; 858: But like a proud Steed reind, went hautie on, 859: Chaumping his iron curb: to strive or flie 860: He held it vain; awe from above had quelld 861: His heart, not else dismai'd. Now drew they nigh 862: The western point, where those half-rounding guards 863: Just met, & closing stood in squadron joind 864: Awaiting next command. To whom thir Chief 865: GABRIEL from the Front thus calld aloud.
866: O friends, I hear the tread of nimble feet 867: Hasting this way, and now by glimps discerne 868: ITHURIEL and ZEPHON through the shade, 869: And with them comes a third of Regal port, 870: But faded splendor wan; who by his gate 871: And fierce demeanour seems the Prince of Hell, 872: Not likely to part hence without contest; 873: Stand firm, for in his look defiance lours.
874: He scarce had ended, when those two approachd 875: And brief related whom they brought, wher found, 876: How busied, in what form and posture coucht.
877: To whom with stern regard thus GABRIEL spake. 878: Why hast thou, SATAN, broke the bounds prescrib'd 879: To thy transgressions, and disturbd the charge 880: Of others, who approve not to transgress 881: By thy example, but have power and right 882: To question thy bold entrance on this place; 883: Imploi'd it seems to violate sleep, and those 884: Whose dwelling God hath planted here in bliss?
885: To whom thus SATAN with contemptuous brow. 886: GABRIEL, thou hadst in Heav'n th' esteem of wise, 887: And such I held thee; but this question askt 888: Puts me in doubt. Lives ther who loves his pain? 889: Who would not, finding way, break loose from Hell, 890: Though thither doomd? Thou wouldst thy self, no doubt, 891: And boldly venture to whatever place 892: Farthest from pain, where thou mightst hope to change 893: Torment with ease, & soonest recompence 894: Dole with delight, which in this place I sought; 895: To thee no reason; who knowst only good, 896: But evil hast not tri'd: and wilt object 897: His will who bound us? let him surer barr 898: His Iron Gates, if he intends our stay 899: In that dark durance: thus much what was askt. 900: The rest is true, they found me where they say; 901: But that implies not violence or harme.
902: Thus hee in scorn. The warlike Angel mov'd, 903: Disdainfully half smiling thus repli'd. 904: O loss of one in Heav'n to judge of wise, 905: Since SATAN fell, whom follie overthrew, 906: And now returns him from his prison scap't, 907: Gravely in doubt whether to hold them wise 908: Or not, who ask what boldness brought him hither 909: Unlicenc't from his bounds in Hell prescrib'd; 910: So wise he judges it to fly from pain 911: However, and to scape his punishment. 912: So judge thou still, presumptuous, till the wrauth, 913: Which thou incurr'st by flying, meet thy flight 914: Seavenfold, and scourge that wisdom back to Hell, 915: Which taught thee yet no better, that no pain 916: Can equal anger infinite provok't. 917: But wherefore thou alone? wherefore with thee 918: Came not all Hell broke loose? is pain to them 919: Less pain, less to be fled, or thou then they 920: Less hardie to endure? courageous Chief, 921: The first in flight from pain, had'st thou alleg'd 922: To thy deserted host this cause of flight, 923: Thou surely hadst not come sole fugitive.
924: To which the Fiend thus answerd frowning stern. 925: Not that I less endure, or shrink from pain, 926: Insulting Angel, well thou knowst I stood 927: Thy fiercest, when in Battel to thy aide 928: The blasting volied Thunder made all speed 929: And seconded thy else not dreaded Spear. 930: But still thy words at random, as before, 931: Argue thy inexperience what behooves 932: From hard assaies and ill successes past 933: A faithful Leader, not to hazard all 934: Through wayes of danger by himself untri'd. 935: I therefore, I alone first undertook 936: To wing the desolate Abyss, and spie 937: This new created World, whereof in Hell 938: Fame is not silent, here in hope to find 939: Better abode, and my afflicted Powers 940: To settle here on Earth, or in mid Aire; 941: Though for possession put to try once more 942: What thou and thy gay Legions dare against; 943: Whose easier business were to serve thir Lord 944: High up in Heav'n, with songs to hymne his Throne, 945: And practis'd distances to cringe, not fight.
946: To whom the warriour Angel soon repli'd. 947: To say and strait unsay, pretending first 948: Wise to flie pain, professing next the Spie, 949: Argues no Leader, but a lyar trac't, 950: SATAN, and couldst thou faithful add? O name, 951: O sacred name of faithfulness profan'd! 952: Faithful to whom? to thy rebellious crew? 953: Armie of Fiends, fit body to fit head; 954: Was this your discipline and faith ingag'd, 955: Your military obedience, to dissolve 956: Allegeance to th' acknowledg'd Power supream? 957: And thou sly hypocrite, who now wouldst seem 958: Patron of liberty, who more then thou 959: Once fawn'd, and cring'd, and servilly ador'd 960: Heav'ns awful Monarch? wherefore but in hope 961: To dispossess him, and thy self to reigne? 962: But mark what I arreede thee now, avant; 963: Flie thither whence thou fledst: if from this houre 964: Within these hallowd limits thou appeer, 965: Back to th' infernal pit I drag thee chaind, 966: And Seale thee so, as henceforth not to scorne 967: The facil gates of hell too slightly barrd.
968: So threatn'd hee, but SATAN to no threats 969: Gave heed, but waxing more in rage repli'd.
970: Then when I am thy captive talk of chaines, 971: Proud limitarie Cherube, but ere then 972: Farr heavier load thy self expect to feel 973: From my prevailing arme, though Heavens King 974: Ride on thy wings, and thou with thy Compeers, 975: Us'd to the yoak, draw'st his triumphant wheels 976: In progress through the rode of Heav'n Star-pav'd.
977: While thus he spake, th' Angelic Squadron bright 978: Turnd fierie red, sharpning in mooned hornes 979: Thir Phalanx, and began to hemm him round 980: With ported Spears, as thick as when a field 981: Of CERES ripe for harvest waving bends 982: Her bearded Grove of ears, which way the wind 983: Swayes them; the careful Plowman doubting stands 984: Least on the threshing floore his hopeful sheaves 985: Prove chaff. On th' other side SATAN allarm'd 986: Collecting all his might dilated stood, 987: Like TENERIFF or ATLAS unremov'd: 988: His stature reacht the Skie, and on his Crest 989: Sat horror Plum'd; nor wanted in his graspe 990: What seemd both Spear and Shield: now dreadful deeds 991: Might have ensu'd, nor onely Paradise 992: In this commotion, but the Starrie Cope 993: Of Heav'n perhaps, or all the Elements 994: At least had gon to rack, disturbd and torne 995: With violence of this conflict, had not soon 996: Th' Eternal to prevent such horrid fray 997: Hung forth in Heav'n his golden Scales, yet seen 998: Betwixt ASTREA and the SCORPION signe, 999: Wherein all things created first he weighd, 1000: The pendulous round Earth with ballanc't Aire 1001: In counterpoise, now ponders all events, 1002: Battels and Realms: in these he put two weights 1003: The sequel each of parting and of fight; 1004: The latter quick up flew, and kickt the beam; 1005: Which GABRIEL spying, thus bespake the Fiend.
1006: SATAN, I know thy strength, and thou knowst mine, 1007: Neither our own but giv'n; what follie then 1008: To boast what Arms can doe, since thine no more 1009: Then Heav'n permits, nor mine, though doubld now 1010: To trample thee as mire: for proof look up, 1011: And read thy Lot in yon celestial Sign 1012: Where thou art weigh'd, & shown how light, how weak, 1013: If thou resist. The Fiend lookt up and knew 1014: His mounted scale aloft: nor more; but fled 1015: Murmuring, and with him fled the shades of night.
Book 5
1: Now Morn her rosie steps in th' Eastern Clime 2: Advancing, sow'd the Earth with Orient Pearle, 3: When ADAM wak't, so customd, for his sleep 4: Was Aerie light, from pure digestion bred, 5: And temperat vapors bland, which th' only sound 6: Of leaves and fuming rills, AURORA's fan, 7: Lightly dispers'd, and the shrill Matin Song 8: Of Birds on every bough; so much the more 9: His wonder was to find unwak'nd EVE 10: With Tresses discompos'd, and glowing Cheek, 11: As through unquiet rest: he on his side 12: Leaning half-rais'd, with looks of cordial Love 13: Hung over her enamour'd, and beheld 14: Beautie, which whether waking or asleep, 15: Shot forth peculiar Graces; then with voice 16: Milde, as when ZEPHYRUS on FLORA breathes, 17: Her hand soft touching, whisperd thus. Awake 18: My fairest, my espous'd, my latest found, 19: Heav'ns last best gift, my ever new delight, 20: Awake, the morning shines, and the fresh field 21: Calls us, we lose the prime, to mark how spring 22: Our tended Plants, how blows the Citron Grove, 23: What drops the Myrrhe, & what the balmie Reed, 24: How Nature paints her colours, how the Bee 25: Sits on the Bloom extracting liquid sweet.
26: Such whispering wak'd her, but with startl'd eye 27: On ADAM, whom imbracing, thus she spake.
28: O Sole in whom my thoughts find all repose, 29: My Glorie, my Perfection, glad I see 30: Thy face, and Morn return'd, for I this Night, 31: Such night till this I never pass'd, have dream'd, 32: If dream'd, not as I oft am wont, of thee, 33: Works of day pass't, or morrows next designe, 34: But of offence and trouble, which my mind 35: Knew never till this irksom night; methought 36: Close at mine ear one call'd me forth to walk 37: With gentle voice, I thought it thine; it said, 38: Why sleepst thou EVE? now is the pleasant time, 39: The cool, the silent, save where silence yields 40: To the night-warbling Bird, that now awake 41: Tunes sweetest his love-labor'd song; now reignes 42: Full Orb'd the Moon, and with more pleasing light 43: Shadowie sets off the face of things; in vain, 44: If none regard; Heav'n wakes with all his eyes, 45: Whom to behold but thee, Natures desire, 46: In whose sight all things joy, with ravishment 47: Attracted by thy beauty still to gaze. 48: I rose as at thy call, but found thee not; 49: To find thee I directed then my walk; 50: And on, methought, alone I pass'd through ways 51: That brought me on a sudden to the Tree 52: Of interdicted Knowledge: fair it seem'd, 53: Much fairer to my Fancie then by day: 54: And as I wondring lookt, beside it stood 55: One shap'd & wing'd like one of those from Heav'n 56: By us oft seen; his dewie locks distill'd 57: Ambrosia; on that Tree he also gaz'd; 58: And O fair Plant, said he, with fruit surcharg'd, 59: Deigns none to ease thy load and taste thy sweet, 60: Nor God, nor Man; is Knowledge so despis'd? 61: Or envie, or what reserve forbids to taste? 62: Forbid who will, none shall from me withhold 63: Longer thy offerd good, why else set here? 64: This said he paus'd not, but with ventrous Arme 65: He pluckt, he tasted; mee damp horror chil'd 66: At such bold words voucht with a deed so bold: 67: But he thus overjoy'd, O Fruit Divine, 68: Sweet of thy self, but much more sweet thus cropt, 69: Forbidd'n here, it seems, as onely fit 70: For Gods, yet able to make Gods of Men: 71: And why not Gods of Men, since good, the more 72: Communicated, more abundant growes, 73: The Author not impair'd, but honourd more? 74: Here, happie Creature, fair Angelic EVE, 75: Partake thou also; happie though thou art, 76: Happier thou mayst be, worthier canst not be: 77: Taste this, and be henceforth among the Gods 78: Thy self a Goddess, not to Earth confind, 79: But somtimes in the Air, as wee, somtimes 80: Ascend to Heav'n, by merit thine, and see 81: What life the Gods live there, and such live thou. 82: So saying, he drew nigh, and to me held, 83: Even to my mouth of that same fruit held part 84: Which he had pluckt; the pleasant savourie smell 85: So quick'nd appetite, that I, methought, 86: Could not but taste. Forthwith up to the Clouds 87: With him I flew, and underneath beheld 88: The Earth outstretcht immense, a prospect wide 89: And various: wondring at my flight and change 90: To this high exaltation; suddenly 91: My Guide was gon, and I, me thought, sunk down, 92: And fell asleep; but O how glad I wak'd 93: To find this but a dream! Thus EVE her Night 94: Related, and thus ADAM answerd sad.
95: Best Image of my self and dearer half, 96: The trouble of thy thoughts this night in sleep 97: Affects me equally; nor can I like 98: This uncouth dream, of evil sprung I fear; 99: Yet evil whence? in thee can harbour none, 100: Created pure. But know that in the Soule 101: Are many lesser Faculties that serve 102: Reason as chief; among these Fansie next 103: Her office holds; of all external things, 104: Which the five watchful Senses represent, 105: She forms Imaginations, Aerie shapes, 106: Which Reason joyning or disjoyning, frames 107: All what we affirm or what deny, and call 108: Our knowledge or opinion; then retires 109: Into her private Cell when Nature rests. 110: Oft in her absence mimic Fansie wakes 111: To imitate her; but misjoyning shapes, 112: Wilde work produces oft, and most in dreams, 113: Ill matching words and deeds long past or late. 114: Som such resemblances methinks I find 115: Of our last Eevnings talk, in this thy dream, 116: But with addition strange; yet be not sad. 117: Evil into the mind of God or Man 118: May come and go, so unapprov'd, and leave 119: No spot or blame behind: Which gives me hope 120: That what in sleep thou didst abhorr to dream, 121: Waking thou never wilt consent to do. 122: Be not disheart'nd then, nor cloud those looks 123: That wont to be more chearful and serene 124: Then when fair Morning first smiles on the World, 125: And let us to our fresh imployments rise 126: Among the Groves, the Fountains, and the Flours 127: That open now thir choicest bosom'd smells 128: Reservd from night, and kept for thee in store.
129: So cheard he his fair Spouse, and she was cheard, 130: But silently a gentle tear let fall 131: From either eye, and wip'd them with her haire; 132: Two other precious drops that ready stood, 133: Each in thir chrystal sluce, hee ere they fell 134: Kiss'd as the gracious signs of sweet remorse 135: And pious awe, that feard to have offended.
136: So all was cleard, and to the Field they haste. 137: But first from under shadie arborous roof, 138: Soon as they forth were come to open sight 139: Of day-spring, and the Sun, who scarce up risen 140: With wheels yet hov'ring o're the Ocean brim, 141: Shot paralel to the earth his dewie ray, 142: Discovering in wide Lantskip all the East 143: Of Paradise and EDENS happie Plains, 144: Lowly they bow'd adoring, and began 145: Thir Orisons, each Morning duly paid 146: In various style, for neither various style 147: Nor holy rapture wanted they to praise 148: Thir Maker, in fit strains pronounc't or sung 149: Unmeditated, such prompt eloquence 150: Flowd from thir lips, in Prose or numerous Verse, 151: More tuneable then needed Lute or Harp 152: To add more sweetness, and they thus began.
153: These are thy glorious works, Parent of good, 154: Almightie, thine this universal Frame, 155: Thus wondrous fair; thy self how wondrous then! 156: Unspeakable, who sitst above these Heavens 157: To us invisible or dimly seen 158: In these thy lowest works, yet these declare 159: Thy goodness beyond thought, and Power Divine: 160: Speak yee who best can tell, ye Sons of light, 161: Angels, for yee behold him, and with songs 162: And choral symphonies, Day without Night, 163: Circle his Throne rejoycing, yee in Heav'n, 164: On Earth joyn all yee Creatures to extoll 165: Him first, him last, him midst, and without end. 166: Fairest of Starrs, last in the train of Night, 167: If better thou belong not to the dawn, 168: Sure pledge of day, that crownst the smiling Morn 169: With thy bright Circlet, praise him in thy Spheare 170: While day arises, that sweet hour of Prime. 171: Thou Sun, of this great World both Eye and Soule, 172: Acknowledge him thy Greater, sound his praise 173: In thy eternal course, both when thou climb'st, 174: And when high Noon hast gaind, & when thou fallst. 175: Moon, that now meetst the orient Sun, now fli'st 176: With the fixt Starrs, fixt in thir Orb that flies, 177: And yee five other wandring Fires that move 178: In mystic Dance not without Song, resound 179: His praise, who out of Darkness call'd up Light. 180: Aire, and ye Elements the eldest birth 181: Of Natures Womb, that in quaternion run 182: Perpetual Circle, multiform; and mix 183: And nourish all things, let your ceasless change 184: Varie to our great Maker still new praise. 185: Ye Mists and Exhalations that now rise 186: From Hill or steaming Lake, duskie or grey, 187: Till the Sun paint your fleecie skirts with Gold, 188: In honour to the Worlds great Author rise, 189: Whether to deck with Clouds the uncolourd skie, 190: Or wet the thirstie Earth with falling showers, 191: Rising or falling still advance his praise. 192: His praise ye Winds, that from four Quarters blow, 193: Breath soft or loud; and wave your tops, ye Pines, 194: With every Plant, in sign of Worship wave. 195: Fountains and yee, that warble, as ye flow, 196: Melodious murmurs, warbling tune his praise. 197: Joyn voices all ye living Souls, ye Birds, 198: That singing up to Heaven Gate ascend, 199: Bear on your wings and in your notes his praise; 200: Yee that in Waters glide, and yee that walk 201: The Earth, and stately tread, or lowly creep; 202: Witness if I be silent, Morn or Eeven, 203: To Hill, or Valley, Fountain, or fresh shade 204: Made vocal by my Song, and taught his praise. 205: Hail universal Lord, be bounteous still 206: To give us onely good; and if the night 207: Have gathered aught of evil or conceald, 208: Disperse it, as now light dispels the dark.
209: So pray'd they innocent, and to thir thoughts 210: Firm peace recoverd soon and wonted calm. 211: On to thir mornings rural work they haste 212: Among sweet dewes and flours; where any row 213: Of Fruit-trees overwoodie reachd too farr 214: Thir pamperd boughes, and needed hands to check 215: Fruitless imbraces: or they led the Vine 216: To wed her Elm; she spous'd about him twines 217: Her mariageable arms, and with her brings 218: Her dowr th' adopted Clusters, to adorn 219: His barren leaves. Them thus imploid beheld 220: With pittie Heav'ns high King, and to him call'd 221: RAPHAEL, the sociable Spirit, that deign'd 222: To travel with TOBIAS, and secur'd 223: His marriage with the seaventimes-wedded Maid.
224: RAPHAEL, said hee, thou hear'st what stir on Earth 225: SATAN from Hell scap't through the darksom Gulf 226: Hath raisd in Paradise, and how disturbd 227: This night the human pair, how he designes 228: In them at once to ruin all mankind. 229: Go therefore, half this day as friend with friend 230: Converse with ADAM, in what Bowre or shade 231: Thou find'st him from the heat of Noon retir'd, 232: To respit his day-labour with repast, 233: Or with repose; and such discourse bring on, 234: As may advise him of his happie state, 235: Happiness in his power left free to will, 236: Left to his own free Will, his Will though free, 237: Yet mutable; whence warne him to beware 238: He swerve not too secure: tell him withall 239: His danger, and from whom, what enemie 240: Late falln himself from Heav'n, is plotting now 241: The fall of others from like state of bliss; 242: By violence, no, for that shall be withstood, 243: But by deceit and lies; this let him know, 244: Least wilfully transgressing he pretend 245: Surprisal, unadmonisht, unforewarnd.
246: So spake th' Eternal Father, and fulfilld 247: All Justice: nor delaid the winged Saint 248: After his charge receivd, but from among 249: Thousand Celestial Ardors, where he stood 250: Vaild with his gorgeous wings, up springing light 251: Flew through the midst of Heav'n; th' angelic Quires 252: On each hand parting, to his speed gave way 253: Through all th' Empyreal road; till at the Gate 254: Of Heav'n arriv'd, the gate self-opend wide 255: On golden Hinges turning, as by work 256: Divine the sov'ran Architect had fram'd. 257: From hence, no cloud, or, to obstruct his sight, 258: Starr interpos'd, however small he sees, 259: Not unconform to other shining Globes, 260: Earth and the Gard'n of God, with Cedars crownd 261: Above all Hills. As when by night the Glass 262: Of GALILEO, less assur'd, observes 263: Imagind Lands and Regions in the Moon: 264: Or Pilot from amidst the CYCLADES 265: DELOS or SAMOS first appeering kenns 266: A cloudy spot. Down thither prone in flight 267: He speeds, and through the vast Ethereal Skie 268: Sailes between worlds & worlds, with steddie wing 269: Now on the polar windes, then with quick Fann 270: Winnows the buxom Air; till within soare 271: Of Towring Eagles, to all the Fowles he seems 272: A PHOENIX, gaz'd by all, as that sole Bird 273: When to enshrine his reliques in the Sun's 274: Bright Temple, to AEGYPTIAN THEB'S he flies. 275: At once on th' Eastern cliff of Paradise 276: He lights, and to his proper shape returns 277: A Seraph wingd; six wings he wore, to shade 278: His lineaments Divine; the pair that clad 279: Each shoulder broad, came mantling o're his brest 280: With regal Ornament; the middle pair 281: Girt like a Starrie Zone his waste, and round 282: Skirted his loines and thighes with downie Gold 283: And colours dipt in Heav'n; the third his feet 284: Shaddowd from either heele with featherd maile 285: Skie-tinctur'd grain. Like MAIA'S son he stood, 286: And shook his Plumes, that Heav'nly fragrance filld 287: The circuit wide. Strait knew him all the bands 288: Of Angels under watch; and to his state, 289: And to his message high in honour rise; 290: For on som message high they guessd him bound. 291: Thir glittering Tents he passd, and now is come 292: Into the blissful field, through Groves of Myrrhe, 293: And flouring Odours, Cassia, Nard, and Balme; 294: A Wilderness of sweets; for Nature here 295: Wantond as in her prime, and plaid at will 296: Her Virgin Fancies, pouring forth more sweet, 297: Wilde above rule or art; enormous bliss. 298: Him through the spicie Forrest onward com 299: ADAM discernd, as in the dore he sat 300: Of his coole Bowre, while now the mounted Sun 301: Shot down direct his fervid Raies, to warme 302: Earths inmost womb, more warmth then ADAM need; 303: And EVE within, due at her hour prepar'd 304: For dinner savourie fruits, of taste to please 305: True appetite, and not disrelish thirst 306: Of nectarous draughts between, from milkie stream, 307: Berrie or Grape: to whom thus ADAM call'd.
308: Haste hither EVE, and worth thy sight behold 309: Eastward among those Trees, what glorious shape 310: Comes this way moving; seems another Morn 311: Ris'n on mid-noon; som great behest from Heav'n 312: To us perhaps he brings, and will voutsafe 313: This day to be our Guest. But goe with speed, 314: And what thy stores contain, bring forth and poure 315: Abundance, fit to honour and receive 316: Our Heav'nly stranger; well we may afford 317: Our givers thir own gifts, and large bestow 318: From large bestowd, where Nature multiplies 319: Her fertil growth, and by disburd'ning grows 320: More fruitful, which instructs us not to spare.
321: To whom thus EVE. ADAM, earths hallowd mould, 322: Of God inspir'd, small store will serve, where store, 323: All seasons, ripe for use hangs on the stalk; 324: Save what by frugal storing firmness gains 325: To nourish, and superfluous moist consumes: 326: But I will haste and from each bough and break, 327: Each Plant & juciest Gourd will pluck such choice 328: To entertain our Angel guest, as hee 329: Beholding shall confess that here on Earth 330: God hath dispenst his bounties as in Heav'n.
331: So saying, with dispatchful looks in haste 332: She turns, on hospitable thoughts intent 333: What choice to chuse for delicacie best, 334: What order, so contriv'd as not to mix 335: Tastes, not well joynd, inelegant, but bring 336: Taste after taste upheld with kindliest change, 337: Bestirs her then, and from each tender stalk 338: Whatever Earth all-bearing Mother yeilds 339: In INDIA East or West, or middle shoare 340: In PONTUS or the PUNIC Coast, or where 341: ALCINOUS reign'd, fruit of all kindes, in coate, 342: Rough, or smooth rin'd, or bearded husk, or shell 343: She gathers, Tribute large, and on the board 344: Heaps with unsparing hand; for drink the Grape 345: She crushes, inoffensive moust, and meathes 346: From many a berrie, and from sweet kernels prest 347: She tempers dulcet creams, nor these to hold 348: Wants her fit vessels pure, then strews the ground 349: With Rose and Odours from the shrub unfum'd. 350: Mean while our Primitive great Sire, to meet 351: His god-like Guest, walks forth, without more train 352: Accompani'd then with his own compleat 353: Perfections, in himself was all his state, 354: More solemn then the tedious pomp that waits 355: On Princes, when thir rich Retinue long 356: Of Horses led, and Grooms besmeard with Gold 357: Dazles the croud, and sets them all agape. 358: Neerer his presence ADAM though not awd, 359: Yet with submiss approach and reverence meek, 360: As to a superior Nature, bowing low,
361: Thus said. Native of Heav'n, for other place 362: None can then Heav'n such glorious shape contain; 363: Since by descending from the Thrones above, 364: Those happie places thou hast deignd a while 365: To want, and honour these, voutsafe with us 366: Two onely, who yet by sov'ran gift possess 367: This spacious ground, in yonder shadie Bowre 368: To rest, and what the Garden choicest bears 369: To sit and taste, till this meridian heat 370: Be over, and the Sun more coole decline.
371: Whom thus the Angelic Vertue answerd milde. 372: ADAM, I therefore came, nor art thou such 373: Created, or such place hast here to dwell, 374: As may not oft invite, though Spirits of Heav'n 375: To visit thee; lead on then where thy Bowre 376: Oreshades; for these mid-hours, till Eevning rise 377: I have at will. So to the Silvan Lodge 378: They came, that like POMONA'S Arbour smil'd 379: With flourets deck't and fragrant smells; but EVE 380: Undeckt, save with her self more lovely fair 381: Then Wood-Nymph, or the fairest Goddess feign'd 382: Of three that in Mount IDA naked strove, 383: Stood to entertain her guest from Heav'n; no vaile 384: Shee needed, Vertue-proof, no thought infirme 385: Alterd her cheek. On whom the Angel HAILE 386: Bestowd, the holy salutation us'd 387: Long after to blest MARIE, second EVE.
388: Haile Mother of Mankind, whose fruitful Womb 389: Shall fill the World more numerous with thy Sons 390: Then with these various fruits the Trees of God 391: Have heap'd this Table. Rais'd of grassie terf 392: Thir Table was, and mossie seats had round, 393: And on her ample Square from side to side 394: All AUTUMN pil'd, though SPRING and AUTUMN here 395: Danc'd hand in hand. A while discourse they hold; 396: No fear lest Dinner coole; when thus began 397: Our Authour. Heav'nly stranger, please to taste 398: These bounties which our Nourisher, from whom 399: All perfet good unmeasur'd out, descends, 400: To us for food and for delight hath caus'd 401: The Earth to yeild; unsavourie food perhaps 402: To spiritual Natures; only this I know, 403: That one Celestial Father gives to all.
404: To whom the Angel. Therefore what he gives 405: (Whose praise be ever sung) to man in part 406: Spiritual, may of purest Spirits be found 407: No ingrateful food: and food alike those pure 408: Intelligential substances require 409: As doth your Rational; and both contain 410: Within them every lower facultie 411: Of sense, whereby they hear, see, smell, touch, taste, 412: Tasting concoct, digest, assimilate, 413: And corporeal to incorporeal turn. 414: For know, whatever was created, needs 415: To be sustaind and fed; of Elements 416: The grosser feeds the purer, earth the sea, 417: Earth and the Sea feed Air, the Air those Fires 418: Ethereal, and as lowest first the Moon; 419: Whence in her visage round those spots, unpurg'd 420: Vapours not yet into her substance turnd. 421: Nor doth the Moon no nourishment exhale 422: From her moist Continent to higher Orbes. 423: The Sun that light imparts to all, receives 424: From all his alimental recompence 425: In humid exhalations, and at Even 426: Sups with the Ocean: though in Heav'n the Trees 427: Of life ambrosial frutage bear, and vines 428: Yeild Nectar, though from off the boughs each Morn 429: We brush mellifluous Dewes, and find the ground 430: Cover'd with pearly grain: yet God hath here 431: Varied his bounty so with new delights, 432: As may compare with Heaven; and to taste 433: Think not I shall be nice. So down they sat, 434: And to thir viands fell, nor seemingly 435: The Angel, nor in mist, the common gloss 436: Of Theologians, but with keen dispatch 437: Of real hunger, and concoctive heate 438: To transubstantiate; what redounds, transpires 439: Through Spirits with ease; nor wonder; if by fire 440: Of sooty coal the Empiric Alchimist 441: Can turn, or holds it possible to turn 442: Metals of drossiest Ore to perfet Gold 443: As from the Mine. Mean while at Table EVE 444: Ministerd naked, and thir flowing cups 445: With pleasant liquors crown'd: O innocence 446: Deserving Paradise! if ever, then, 447: Then had the Sons of God excuse to have bin 448: Enamour'd at that sight; but in those hearts 449: Love unlibidinous reign'd, nor jealousie 450: Was understood, the injur'd Lovers Hell.
451: Thus when with meats & drinks they had suffic'd, 452: Not burd'nd Nature, sudden mind arose 453: In ADAM, not to let th' occasion pass 454: Given him by this great Conference to know 455: Of things above his World, and of thir being 456: Who dwell in Heav'n, whose excellence he saw 457: Transcend his own so farr, whose radiant forms 458: Divine effulgence, whose high Power so far 459: Exceeded human, and his wary speech 460: Thus to th' Empyreal Minister he fram'd.
461: Inhabitant with God, now know I well 462: Thy favour, in this honour done to man, 463: Under whose lowly roof thou hast voutsaf't 464: To enter, and these earthly fruits to taste, 465: Food not of Angels, yet accepted so, 466: As that more willingly thou couldst not seem 467: At Heav'ns high feasts to have fed: yet what compare?
468: To whom the winged Hierarch repli'd. 469: O ADAM, one Almightie is, from whom 470: All things proceed, and up to him return, 471: If not deprav'd from good, created all 472: Such to perfection, one first matter all, 473: Indu'd with various forms, various degrees 474: Of substance, and in things that live, of life; 475: But more refin'd, more spiritous, and pure, 476: As neerer to him plac't or neerer tending 477: Each in thir several active Sphears assignd, 478: Till body up to spirit work, in bounds 479: Proportiond to each kind. So from the root 480: Springs lighter the green stalk, from thence the leaves 481: More aerie, last the bright consummate floure 482: Spirits odorous breathes: flours and thir fruit 483: Mans nourishment, by gradual scale sublim'd 484: To vital Spirits aspire, to animal, 485: To intellectual, give both life and sense, 486: Fansie and understanding, whence the soule 487: Reason receives, and reason is her being, 488: Discursive, or Intuitive; discourse 489: Is oftest yours, the latter most is ours, 490: Differing but in degree, of kind the same. 491: Wonder not then, what God for you saw good 492: If I refuse not, but convert, as you, 493: To proper substance; time may come when men 494: With Angels may participate, and find 495: No inconvenient Diet, nor too light Fare: 496: And from these corporal nutriments perhaps 497: Your bodies may at last turn all to Spirit 498: Improv'd by tract of time, and wingd ascend 499: Ethereal, as wee, or may at choice 500: Here or in Heav'nly Paradises dwell; 501: If ye be found obedient, and retain 502: Unalterably firm his love entire 503: Whose progenie you are. Mean while enjoy 504: Your fill what happiness this happie state 505: Can comprehend, incapable of more.
506: To whom the Patriarch of mankind repli'd. 507: O favourable spirit, propitious guest, 508: Well hast thou taught the way that might direct 509: Our knowledge, and the scale of Nature set 510: From center to circumference, whereon 511: In contemplation of created things 512: By steps we may ascend to God. But say, 513: What meant that caution joind, IF YE BE FOUND 514: OBEDIENT? can wee want obedience then 515: To him, or possibly his love desert 516: Who formd us from the dust, and plac'd us here 517: Full to the utmost measure of what bliss 518: Human desires can seek or apprehend?
519: To whom the Angel. Son of Heav'n and Earth, 520: Attend: That thou art happie, owe to God; 521: That thou continu'st such, owe to thy self, 522: That is, to thy obedience; therein stand. 523: This was that caution giv'n thee; be advis'd. 524: God made thee perfet, not immutable; 525: And good he made thee, but to persevere 526: He left it in thy power, ordaind thy will 527: By nature free, not over-rul'd by Fate 528: Inextricable, or strict necessity; 529: Our voluntarie service he requires, 530: Not our necessitated, such with him 531: Findes no acceptance, nor can find, for how 532: Can hearts, not free, be tri'd whether they serve 533: Willing or no, who will but what they must 534: By Destinie, and can no other choose? 535: My self and all th' Angelic Host that stand 536: In sight of God enthron'd, our happie state 537: Hold, as you yours, while our obedience holds; 538: On other surety none; freely we serve. 539: Because wee freely love, as in our will 540: To love or not; in this we stand or fall: 541: And som are fall'n, to disobedience fall'n, 542: And so from Heav'n to deepest Hell; O fall 543: From what high state of bliss into what woe!
544: To whom our great Progenitor. Thy words 545: Attentive, and with more delighted eare 546: Divine instructer, I have heard, then when 547: Cherubic Songs by night from neighbouring Hills 548: Aereal Music send: nor knew I not 549: To be both will and deed created free; 550: Yet that we never shall forget to love 551: Our maker, and obey him whose command 552: Single, is yet so just, my constant thoughts 553: Assur'd me and still assure: though what thou tellst 554: Hath past in Heav'n, som doubt within me move, 555: But more desire to hear, if thou consent, 556: The full relation, which must needs be strange, 557: Worthy of Sacred silence to be heard; 558: And we have yet large day, for scarce the Sun 559: Hath finisht half his journey, and scarce begins 560: His other half in the great Zone of Heav'n.
561: Thus ADAM made request, and RAPHAEL 562: After short pause assenting, thus began.
563: High matter thou injoinst me, O prime of men, 564: Sad task and hard, for how shall I relate 565: To human sense th' invisible exploits 566: Of warring Spirits; how without remorse 567: The ruin of so many glorious once 568: And perfet while they stood; how last unfould 569: The secrets of another world, perhaps 570: Not lawful to reveal? yet for thy good 571: This is dispenc't, and what surmounts the reach 572: Of human sense, I shall delineate so, 573: By lik'ning spiritual to corporal forms, 574: As may express them best, though what if Earth 575: Be but the shaddow of Heav'n, and things therein 576: Each to other like, more then on earth is thought?
577: As yet this world was not, and CHAOS wilde 578: Reignd where these Heav'ns now rowl, where Earth now rests 579: Upon her Center pois'd, when on a day 580: (For Time, though in Eternitie, appli'd 581: To motion, measures all things durable 582: By present, past, and future) on such day 583: As Heav'ns great Year brings forth, th' Empyreal Host 584: Of Angels by Imperial summons call'd, 585: Innumerable before th' Almighties Throne 586: Forthwith from all the ends of Heav'n appeerd 587: Under thir Hierarchs in orders bright 588: Ten thousand thousand Ensignes high advanc'd, 589: Standards, and Gonfalons twixt Van and Reare 590: Streame in the Aire, and for distinction serve 591: Of Hierarchies, of Orders, and Degrees; 592: Or in thir glittering Tissues bear imblaz'd 593: Holy Memorials, acts of Zeale and Love 594: Recorded eminent. Thus when in Orbes 595: Of circuit inexpressible they stood, 596: Orb within Orb, the Father infinite, 597: By whom in bliss imbosom'd sat the Son, 598: Amidst as from a flaming Mount, whoseop 599: Brightness had made invisible, thus spake.
600: Hear all ye Angels, Progenie of Light, 601: Thrones, Dominations, Princedoms, Vertues, Powers, 602: Hear my Decree, which unrevok't shall stand. 603: This day I have begot whom I declare 604: My onely Son, and on this holy Hill 605: Him have anointed, whom ye now behold 606: At my right hand; your Head I him appoint; 607: And by my Self have sworn to him shall bow 608: All knees in Heav'n, and shall confess him Lord: 609: Under his great Vice-gerent Reign abide 610: United as one individual Soule 611: For ever happie: him who disobeyes 612: Mee disobeyes, breaks union, and that day 613: Cast out from God and blessed vision, falls 614: Into utter darkness, deep ingulft, his place 615: Ordaind without redemption, without end.
616: So spake th' Omnipotent, and with his words 617: All seemd well pleas'd, all seem'd, but were not all. 618: That day, as other solem dayes, they spent 619: In song and dance about the sacred Hill, 620: Mystical dance, which yonder starrie Spheare 621: Of Planets and of fixt in all her Wheeles 622: Resembles nearest, mazes intricate, 623: Eccentric, intervolv'd, yet regular 624: Then most, when most irregular they seem: 625: And in thir motions harmonie Divine 626: So smooths her charming tones, that Gods own ear 627: Listens delighted. Eevning approachd 628: (For we have also our Eevning and our Morn, 629: We ours for change delectable, not need) 630: Forthwith from dance to sweet repast they turn 631: Desirous, all in Circles as they stood, 632: Tables are set, and on a sudden pil'd 633: With Angels Food, and rubied Nectar flows: 634: In Pearl, in Diamond, and massie Gold, 635: Fruit of delicious Vines, the growth of Heav'n. 636: They eat, they drink, and with refection sweet 637: Are fill'd, before th' all bounteous King, who showrd 638: With copious hand, rejoycing in thir joy. 639: Now when ambrosial Night with Clouds exhal'd 640: From that high mount of God, whence light & shade 641: Spring both, the face of brightest Heav'n had changd 642: To grateful Twilight (for Night comes not there 643: In darker veile) and roseat Dews dispos'd 644: All but the unsleeping eyes of God to rest, 645: Wide over all the Plain, and wider farr 646: Then all this globous Earth in Plain outspred, 647: (Such are the Courts of God) Th' Angelic throng 648: Disperst in Bands and Files thir Camp extend 649: By living Streams among the Trees of Life, 650: Pavilions numberless, and sudden reard, 651: Celestial Tabernacles, where they slept 652: Fannd with coole Winds, save those who in thir course 653: Melodious Hymns about the sovran Throne 654: Alternate all night long: but not so wak'd 655: SATAN, so call him now, his former name 656: Is heard no more Heav'n; he of the first, 657: If not the first Arch-Angel, great in Power, 658: In favour and praeeminence, yet fraught 659: With envie against the Son of God, that day 660: Honourd by his great Father, and proclaimd 661: MESSIAH King anointed, could not beare 662: Through pride that sight, and thought himself impaird. 663: Deep malice thence conceiving & disdain, 664: Soon as midnight brought on the duskie houre 665: Friendliest to sleep and silence, he resolv'd 666: With all his Legions to dislodge, and leave 667: Unworshipt, unobey'd the Throne supream 668: Contemptuous, and his next subordinate 669: Awak'ning, thus to him in secret spake.
670: Sleepst thou Companion dear, what sleep can close 671: Thy eye-lids? and remembrest what Decree 672: Of yesterday, so late hath past the lips 673: Of Heav'ns Almightie. Thou to me thy thoughts 674: Wast wont, I mine to thee was wont to impart; 675: Both waking we were one; how then can now 676: Thy sleep dissent? new Laws thou seest impos'd; 677: New Laws from him who reigns, new minds may raise 678: In us who serve, new Counsels, to debate 679: What doubtful may ensue, more in this place 680: To utter is not safe. Assemble thou 681: Of all those Myriads which we lead the chief; 682: Tell them that by command, ere yet dim Night 683: Her shadowie Cloud withdraws, I am to haste, 684: And all who under me thir Banners wave, 685: Homeward with flying march where we possess 686: The Quarters of the North, there to prepare 687: Fit entertainment to receive our King 688: The great MESSIAH, and his new commands, 689: Who speedily through all the Hierarchies 690: Intends to pass triumphant, and give Laws.
691: So spake the false Arch-Angel, and infus'd 692: Bad influence into th' unwarie brest 693: Of his Associate; hee together calls, 694: Or several one by one, the Regent Powers, 695: Under him Regent, tells, as he was taught, 696: That the most High commanding, now ere Night, 697: Now ere dim Night had disincumberd Heav'n, 698: The great Hierarchal Standard was to move; 699: Tells the suggested cause, and casts between 700: Ambiguous words and jealousies, to sound 701: Or taint integritie; but all obey'd 702: The wonted signal, and superior voice 703: Of thir great Potentate; for great indeed 704: His name, and high was his degree in Heav'n; 705: His count'nance, as the Morning Starr that guides 706: The starrie flock, allur'd them, and with lyes 707: Drew after him the third part of Heav'ns Host: 708: Mean while th' Eternal eye, whose sight discernes 709: Abstrusest thoughts, from forth his holy Mount 710: And from within the golden Lamps that burne 711: Nightly before him, saw without thir light 712: Rebellion rising, saw in whom, how spred 713: Among the sons of Morn, what multitudes 714: Were banded to oppose his high Decree; 715: And smiling to his onely Son thus said.
716: Son, thou in whom my glory I behold 717: In full resplendence, Heir of all my might, 718: Neerly it now concernes us to be sure 719: Of our Omnipotence, and with what Arms 720: We mean to hold what anciently we claim 721: Of Deitie or Empire, such a foe 722: Is rising, who intends to erect his Throne 723: Equal to ours, throughout the spacious North; 724: Nor so content, hath in his thought to trie 725: In battel, what our Power is, or our right. 726: Let us advise, and to this hazard draw 727: With speed what force is left, and all imploy 728: In our defence, lest unawares we lose 729: This our high place, our Sanctuarie, our Hill.
730: To whom the Son with calm aspect and cleer 731: Light'ning Divine, ineffable, serene, 732: Made answer. Mightie Father, thou thy foes 733: Justly hast in derision, and secure 734: Laugh'st at thir vain designes and tumults vain, 735: Matter to mee of Glory, whom thir hate 736: Illustrates, when they see all Regal Power 737: Giv'n me to quell thir pride, and in event 738: Know whether I be dextrous to subdue 739: Thy Rebels, or be found the worst in Heav'n.
740: So spake the Son, but SATAN with his Powers 741: Farr was advanc't on winged speed, an Host 742: Innumerable as the Starrs of Night, 743: Or Starrs of Morning, Dew-drops, which the Sun 744: Impearls on every leaf and every flouer. 745: Regions they pass'd, the mightie Regencies 746: Of Seraphim and Potentates and Thrones 747: In thir triple Degrees, Regions to which 748: All thy Dominion, ADAM, is no more 749: Then what this Garden is to all the Earth, 750: And all the Sea, from one entire globose 751: Stretcht into Longitude; which having pass'd 752: At length into the limits of the North 753: They came, and SATAN to his Royal seat 754: High on a Hill, far blazing, as a Mount 755: Rais'd on a Mount, with Pyramids and Towrs 756: From Diamond Quarries hew'n, & Rocks of Gold, 757: The Palace of great LUCIFER, (so call 758: That Structure in the Dialect of men 759: Interpreted) which not long after, hee 760: Affecting all equality with God, 761: In imitation of that Mount whereon 762: MESSIAH was declar'd in sight of Heav'n, 763: The Mountain of the Congregation call'd; 764: For thither he assembl'd all his Train, 765: Pretending so commanded to consult 766: About the great reception of thir King, 767: Thither to come, and with calumnious Art 768: Of counterfeted truth thus held thir ears.
769: Thrones, Dominations, Princedomes, Vertues, Powers, 770: If these magnific Titles yet remain 771: Not meerly titular, since by Decree 772: Another now hath to himself ingross't 773: All Power, and us eclipst under the name 774: Of King anointed, for whom all this haste 775: Of midnight march, and hurried meeting here, 776: This onely to consult how we may best 777: With what may be devis'd of honours new 778: Receive him coming to receive from us 779: Knee-tribute yet unpaid, prostration vile, 780: Too much to one, but double how endur'd, 781: To one and to his image now proclaim'd? 782: But what if better counsels might erect 783: Our minds and teach us to cast off this Yoke? 784: Will ye submit your necks, and chuse to bend 785: The supple knee? ye will not, if I trust 786: To know ye right, or if ye know your selves 787: Natives and Sons of Heav'n possest before 788: By none, and if not equal all, yet free, 789: Equally free; for Orders and Degrees 790: Jarr not with liberty, but well consist. 791: Who can in reason then or right assume 792: Monarchie over such as live by right 793: His equals, if in power and splendor less, 794: In freedome equal? or can introduce 795: Law and Edict on us, who without law 796: Erre not, much less for this to be our Lord, 797: And look for adoration to th' abuse 798: Of those Imperial Titles which assert 799: Our being ordain'd to govern, not to serve?
800: Thus farr his bold discourse without controule 801: Had audience, when among the Seraphim 802: ABDIEL, then whom none with more zeale ador'd 803: The Deitie, and divine commands obei'd, 804: Stood up, and in a flame of zeale severe 805: The current of his fury thus oppos'd.
806: O argument blasphemous, false and proud! 807: Words which no eare ever to hear in Heav'n 808: Expected, least of all from thee, ingrate 809: In place thy self so high above thy Peeres. 810: Canst thou with impious obloquie condemne 811: The just Decree of God, pronounc't and sworn, 812: That to his only Son by right endu'd 813: With Regal Scepter, every Soule in Heav'n 814: Shall bend the knee, and in that honour due 815: Confess him rightful King? unjust thou saist 816: Flatly unjust, to binde with Laws the free, 817: And equal over equals to let Reigne, 818: One over all with unsucceeded power. 819: Shalt thou give Law to God, shalt thou dispute 820: With him the points of libertie, who made 821: Thee what thou art, & formd the Pow'rs of Heav'n 822: Such as he pleasd, and circumscrib'd thir being? 823: Yet by experience taught we know how good, 824: And of our good, and of our dignitie 825: How provident he is, how farr from thought 826: To make us less, bent rather to exalt 827: Our happie state under one Head more neer 828: United. But to grant it thee unjust, 829: That equal over equals Monarch Reigne: 830: Thy self though great & glorious dost thou count, 831: Or all Angelic Nature joind in one, 832: Equal to him begotten Son, by whom 833: As by his Word the mighty Father made 834: All things, ev'n thee, and all the Spirits of Heav'n 835: By him created in thir bright degrees, 836: Crownd them with Glory, & to thir Glory nam'd 837: Thrones, Dominations, Princedoms, Vertues, Powers 838: Essential Powers, nor by his Reign obscur'd, 839: But more illustrious made, since he the Head 840: One of our number thus reduc't becomes, 841: His Laws our Laws, all honour to him done 842: Returns our own. Cease then this impious rage, 843: And tempt not these; but hast'n to appease 844: Th' incensed Father, and th' incensed Son, 845: While Pardon may be found in time besought.
846: So spake the fervent Angel, but his zeale 847: None seconded, as out of season judg'd, 848: Or singular and rash, whereat rejoic'd 849: Th' Apostat, and more haughty thus repli'd. 850: That we were formd then saist thou? & the work 851: Of secondarie hands, by task transferd 852: From Father to his Son? strange point and new! 853: Doctrin which we would know whence learnt: who saw 854: When this creation was? rememberst thou 855: Thy making, while the Maker gave thee being? 856: We know no time when we were not as now; 857: Know none before us, self-begot, self-rais'd 858: By our own quick'ning power, when fatal course 859: Had circl'd his full Orbe, the birth mature 860: Of this our native Heav'n, Ethereal Sons. 861: Our puissance is our own, our own right hand 862: Shall teach us highest deeds, by proof to try 863: Who is our equal: then thou shalt behold 864: Whether by supplication we intend 865: Address, and to begirt th' Almighty Throne 866: Beseeching or besieging. This report, 867: These tidings carrie to th' anointed King; 868: And fly, ere evil intercept thy flight.
869: He said, and as the sound of waters deep 870: Hoarce murmur echo'd to his words applause 871: Through the infinite Host, nor less for that 872: The flaming Seraph fearless, though alone 873: Encompass'd round with foes, thus answerd bold.
874: O alienate from God, O spirit accurst, 875: Forsak'n of all good; I see thy fall 876: Determind, and thy hapless crew involv'd 877: In this perfidious fraud, contagion spred 878: Both of thy crime and punishment: henceforth 879: No more be troubl'd how to quit the yoke 880: Of Gods MESSIAH; those indulgent Laws 881: Will not be now voutsaf't, other Decrees 882: Against thee are gon forth without recall; 883: That Golden Scepter which thou didst reject 884: Is now an Iron Rod to bruise and breake 885: Thy disobedience. Well thou didst advise, 886: Yet not for thy advise or threats I fly 887: These wicked Tents devoted, least the wrauth 888: Impendent, raging into sudden flame 889: Distinguish not: for soon expect to feel 890: His Thunder on thy head, devouring fire. 891: Then who created thee lamenting learne, 892: When who can uncreate thee thou shalt know.
893: So spake the Seraph ABDIEL faithful found, 894: Among the faithless, faithful only hee; 895: Among innumerable false, unmov'd, 896: Unshak'n, unseduc'd, unterrifi'd 897: His Loyaltie he kept, his Love, his Zeale; 898: Nor number, nor example with him wrought 899: To swerve from truth, or change his constant mind 900: Though single. From amidst them forth he passd, 901: Long way through hostile scorn, which he susteind 902: Superior, nor of violence fear'd aught; 903: And with retorted scorn his back he turn'd 904: On those proud Towrs to swift destruction doom'd.
Book 6
1: All night the dreadless Angel unpursu'd 2: Through Heav'ns wide Champain held his way, till Morn, 3: Wak't by the circling Hours, with rosie hand 4: Unbarr'd the gates of Light. There is a Cave 5: Within the Mount of God, fast by his Throne, 6: Where light and darkness in perpetual round 7: Lodge and dislodge by turns, which makes through Heav'n 8: Grateful vicissitude, like Day and Night; 9: Light issues forth, and at the other dore 10: Obsequious darkness enters, till her houre 11: To veile the Heav'n, though darkness there might well 12: Seem twilight here; and now went forth the Morn 13: Such as in highest Heav'n, arrayd in Gold 14: Empyreal, from before her vanisht Night, 15: Shot through with orient Beams: when all the Plain 16: Coverd with thick embatteld Squadrons bright, 17: Chariots and flaming Armes, and fierie Steeds 18: Reflecting blaze on blaze, first met his view: 19: Warr he perceav'd, warr in procinct, and found 20: Already known what he for news had thought 21: To have reported: gladly then he mixt 22: Among those friendly Powers who him receav'd 23: With joy and acclamations loud, that one 24: That of so many Myriads fall'n, yet one 25: Returnd not lost: On to the sacred hill 26: They led him high applauded, and present 27: Before the seat supream; from whence a voice 28: From midst a Golden Cloud thus milde was heard.
29: Servant of God, well done, well hast thou fought 30: The better fight, who single hast maintaind 31: Against revolted multitudes the Cause 32: Of Truth, in word mightier then they in Armes; 33: And for the testimonie of Truth hast born 34: Universal reproach, far worse to beare 35: Then violence: for this was all thy care 36: To stand approv'd in sight of God, though Worlds 37: Judg'd thee perverse: the easier conquest now 38: Remains thee, aided by this host of friends, 39: Back on thy foes more glorious to return 40: Then scornd thou didst depart, and to subdue 41: By force, who reason for thir Law refuse, 42: Right reason for thir Law, and for thir King 43: MESSIAH, who by right of merit Reigns. 44: Goe MICHAEL of Celestial Armies Prince, 45: And thou in Military prowess next 46: GABRIEL, lead forth to Battel these my Sons 47: Invincible, lead forth my armed Saints 48: By Thousands and by Millions rang'd for fight; 49: Equal in number to that Godless crew 50: Rebellious, them with Fire and hostile Arms 51: Fearless assault, and to the brow of Heav'n 52: Pursuing drive them out from God and bliss, 53: Into thir place of punishment, the Gulf 54: Of TARTARUS, which ready opens wide 55: His fiery CHAOS to receave thir fall.
56: So spake the Sovran voice, and Clouds began 57: To darken all the Hill, and smoak to rowl 58: In duskie wreathes, reluctant flames, the signe 59: Of wrauth awak't: nor with less dread the loud 60: Ethereal Trumpet from on high gan blow: 61: At which command the Powers Militant, 62: That stood for Heav'n, in mighty Quadrate joyn'd 63: Of Union irresistible, mov'd on 64: In silence thir bright Legions, to the sound 65: Of instrumental Harmonie that breath'd 66: Heroic Ardor to advent'rous deeds 67: Under thir God-like Leaders, in the Cause 68: Of God and his MESSIAH. On they move 69: Indissolubly firm; nor obvious Hill, 70: Nor streit'ning Vale, nor Wood, nor Stream divides 71: Thir perfet ranks; for high above the ground 72: Thir march was, and the passive Air upbore 73: Thir nimble tread; as when the total kind 74: Of Birds in orderly array on wing 75: Came summond over EDEN to receive 76: Thir names of thee; so over many a tract 77: Of Heav'n they march'd, and many a Province wide 78: Tenfold the length of this terrene: at last 79: Farr in th' Horizon to the North appeer'd 80: From skirt to skirt a fierie Region, stretcht 81: In battailous aspect, and neerer view 82: Bristl'd with upright beams innumerable 83: Of rigid Spears, and Helmets throng'd, and Shields 84: Various, with boastful Argument portraid, 85: The banded Powers of SATAN hasting on 86: With furious expedition; for they weend 87: That self same day by fight, or by surprize 88: To win the Mount of God, and on his Throne 89: To set the envier of his State, the proud 90: Aspirer, but thir thoughts prov'd fond and vain 91: In the mid way: though strange to us it seemd 92: At first, that Angel should with Angel warr, 93: And in fierce hosting meet, who wont to meet 94: So oft in Festivals of joy and love 95: Unanimous, as sons of one great Sire 96: Hymning th' Eternal Father: but the shout 97: Of Battel now began, and rushing sound 98: Of onset ended soon each milder thought. 99: High in the midst exalted as a God 100: Th' Apostat in his Sun-bright Chariot sate 101: Idol of Majestie Divine, enclos'd 102: With Flaming Cherubim, and golden Shields; 103: Then lighted from his gorgeous Throne, for now 104: 'Twixt Host and Host but narrow space was left, 105: A dreadful interval, and Front to Front 106: Presented stood in terrible array 107: Of hideous length: before the cloudie Van, 108: On the rough edge of battel ere it joyn'd, 109: SATAN with vast and haughtie strides advanc't, 110: Came towring, armd in Adamant and Gold; 111: ABDIEL that sight endur'd not, where he stood 112: Among the mightiest, bent on highest deeds, 113: And thus his own undaunted heart explores.
114: O Heav'n! that such resemblance of the Highest 115: Should yet remain, where faith and realtie 116: Remain not; wherfore should not strength & might 117: There fail where Vertue fails, or weakest prove 118: Where boldest; though to sight unconquerable? 119: His puissance, trusting in th' Almightie's aide, 120: I mean to try, whose Reason I have tri'd 121: Unsound and false; nor is it aught but just, 122: That he who in debate of Truth hath won, 123: Should win in Arms, in both disputes alike 124: Victor; though brutish that contest and foule, 125: When Reason hath to deal with force, yet so 126: Most reason is that Reason overcome.
127: So pondering, and from his armed Peers 128: Forth stepping opposite, half way he met 129: His daring foe, at this prevention more 130: Incens't, and thus securely him defi'd.
131: Proud, art thou met? thy hope was to have reacht 132: The highth of thy aspiring unoppos'd, 133: The Throne of God unguarded, and his side 134: Abandond at the terror of thy Power 135: Or potent tongue; fool, not to think how vain 136: Against th' Omnipotent to rise in Arms; 137: Who out of smallest things could without end 138: Have rais'd incessant Armies to defeat 139: Thy folly; or with solitarie hand 140: Reaching beyond all limit, at one blow 141: Unaided could have finisht thee, and whelmd 142: Thy Legions under darkness; but thou seest 143: All are not of thy Train; there be who Faith 144: Prefer, and Pietie to God, though then 145: To thee not visible, when I alone 146: Seemd in thy World erroneous to dissent 147: From all: my Sect thou seest, now learn too late 148: How few somtimes may know, when thousands err.
149: Whom the grand foe with scornful eye askance 150: Thus answerd. Ill for thee, but in wisht houre 151: Of my revenge, first sought for thou returnst 152: From flight, seditious Angel, to receave 153: Thy merited reward, the first assay 154: Of this right hand provok't, since first that tongue 155: Inspir'd with contradiction durst oppose 156: A third part of the Gods, in Synod met 157: Thir Deities to assert, who while they feel 158: Vigour Divine within them, can allow 159: Omnipotence to none. But well thou comst 160: Before thy fellows, ambitious to win 161: From me som Plume, that thy success may show 162: Destruction to the rest: this pause between 163: (Unanswerd least thou boast) to let thee know; 164: At first I thought that Libertie and Heav'n 165: To heav'nly Soules had bin all one; but now 166: I see that most through sloth had rather serve, 167: Ministring Spirits, traind up in Feast and Song; 168: Such hast thou arm'd, the Minstrelsie of Heav'n, 169: Servilitie with freedom to contend, 170: As both thir deeds compar'd this day shall prove.
171: To whom in brief thus ABDIEL stern repli'd. 172: Apostat, still thou errst, nor end wilt find 173: Of erring, from the path of truth remote: 174: Unjustly thou deprav'st it with the name 175: Of SERVITUDE to serve whom God ordains, 176: Or Nature; God and Nature bid the same, 177: When he who rules is worthiest, and excells 178: Them whom he governs. This is servitude, 179: To serve th' unwise, or him who hath rebelld 180: Against his worthier, as thine now serve thee, 181: Thy self not free, but to thy self enthrall'd; 182: Yet leudly dar'st our ministring upbraid. 183: Reign thou in Hell thy Kingdom, let mee serve 184: In Heav'n God ever blessed, and his Divine 185: Behests obey, worthiest to be obey'd, 186: Yet Chains in Hell, not Realms expect: mean while 187: From mee returnd, as erst thou saidst, from flight, 188: This greeting on thy impious Crest receive.
189: So saying, a noble stroke he lifted high, 190: Which hung not, but so swift with tempest fell 191: On the proud Crest of SATAN, that no sight, 192: Nor motion of swift thought, less could his Shield 193: Such ruin intercept: ten paces huge 194: He back recoild; the tenth on bended knee 195: His massie Spear upstaid; as if on Earth 196: Winds under ground or waters forcing way 197: Sidelong, had push't a Mountain from his seat 198: Half sunk with all his Pines. Amazement seis'd 199: The Rebel Thrones, but greater rage to see 200: Thus foil'd thir mightiest, ours joy filld, and shout, 201: Presage of Victorie and fierce desire 202: Of Battel: whereat MICHAEL bid sound 203: Th' Arch-Angel trumpet; through the vast of Heav'n 204: It sounded, and the faithful Armies rung 205: HOSANNA to the Highest: nor stood at gaze 206: The adverse Legions, nor less hideous joyn'd 207: The horrid shock: now storming furie rose, 208: And clamour such as heard in Heav'n till now 209: Was never, Arms on Armour clashing bray'd 210: Horrible discord, and the madding Wheeles 211: Of brazen Chariots rag'd; dire was the noise 212: Of conflict; over head the dismal hiss 213: Of fiery Darts in flaming volies flew, 214: And flying vaulted either Host with fire. 215: Sounder fierie Cope together rush'd 216: Both Battels maine, with ruinous assault 217: And inextinguishable rage; all Heav'n 218: Resounded, and had Earth bin then, all Earth 219: Had to her Center shook. What wonder? when 220: Millions of fierce encountring Angels fought 221: On either side, the least of whom could weild 222: These Elements, and arm him with the force 223: Of all thir Regions: how much more of Power 224: Armie against Armie numberless to raise 225: Dreadful combustion warring, and disturb, 226: Though not destroy, thir happie Native seat; 227: Had not th' Eternal King Omnipotent 228: From his strong hold of Heav'n high over-rul'd 229: And limited thir might; though numberd such 230: As each divided Legion might have seemd 231: A numerous Host, in strength each armed hand 232: A Legion; led in fight, yet Leader seemd 233: Each Warriour single as in Chief, expert 234: When to advance, or stand, or turn the sway 235: Of Battel, open when, and when to close 236: The ridges of grim Warr; no thought of flight, 237: None of retreat, no unbecoming deed 238: That argu'd fear; each on himself reli'd, 239: As onely in his arm the moment lay 240: Of victorie; deeds of eternal fame 241: Were don, but infinite: for wide was spred 242: That Warr and various; somtimes on firm ground 243: A standing fight, then soaring on main wing 244: Tormented all the Air; all Air seemd then 245: Conflicting Fire: long time in eeven scale 246: The Battel hung; till SATAN, who that day 247: Prodigious power had shewn, and met in Armes 248: No equal, raunging through the dire attack 249: Of fighting Seraphim confus'd, at length 250: Saw where the Sword of MICHAEL smote, and fell'd 251: Squadrons at once, with huge two-handed sway 252: Brandisht aloft the horrid edge came down 253: Wide wasting; such destruction to withstand 254: He hasted, and oppos'd the rockie Orb 255: Of tenfold Adamant, his ample Shield 256: A vast circumference: At his approach 257: The great Arch-Angel from his warlike toile 258: Surceas'd, and glad as hoping here to end 259: Intestine War in Heav'n, the arch foe subdu'd 260: Or Captive drag'd in Chains, with hostile frown 261: And visage all enflam'd first thus began.
262: Author of evil, unknown till thy revolt, 263: Unnam'd in Heav'n, now plenteous, as thou seest 264: These Acts of hateful strife, hateful to all, 265: Though heaviest by just measure on thy self 266: And thy adherents: how hast thou disturb'd 267: Heav'ns blessed peace, and into Nature brought 268: Miserie, uncreated till the crime 269: Of thy Rebellion? how hast thou instill'd 270: Thy malice into thousands, once upright 271: And faithful, now prov'd false. But think not here 272: To trouble Holy Rest; Heav'n casts thee out 273: From all her Confines. Heav'n the seat of bliss 274: Brooks not the works of violence and Warr. 275: Hence then, and evil go with thee along 276: Thy ofspring, to the place of evil, Hell, 277: Thou and thy wicked crew; there mingle broiles, 278: Ere this avenging Sword begin thy doome, 279: Or som more sudden vengeance wing'd from God 280: Precipitate thee with augmented paine.
281: So spake the Prince of Angels; to whom thus 282: The Adversarie. Nor think thou with wind 283: Of airie threats to aw whom yet with deeds 284: Thou canst not. Hast thou turnd the least of these 285: To flight, or if to fall, but that they rise 286: Unvanquisht, easier to transact with mee 287: That thou shouldst hope, imperious, & with threats 288: To chase me hence? erre not that so shall end 289: The strife which thou call'st evil, but wee style 290: The strife of Glorie: which we mean to win, 291: Or turn this Heav'n it self into the Hell 292: Thou fablest, here however to dwell free, 293: If not to reign: mean while thy utmost force, 294: And join him nam'd ALMIGHTIE to thy aid, 295: I flie not, but have sought thee farr and nigh.
296: They ended parle, and both addrest for fight 297: Unspeakable; for who, though with the tongue 298: Of Angels, can relate, or to what things 299: Liken on Earth conspicuous, that may lift 300: Human imagination to such highth 301: Of Godlike Power: for likest Gods they seemd, 302: Stood they or mov'd, in stature, motion, arms 303: Fit to decide the Empire of great Heav'n. 304: Now wav'd thir fierie Swords, and in the Aire 305: Made horrid Circles; two broad Suns thir Shields 306: Blaz'd opposite, while expectation stood 307: In horror; from each hand with speed retir'd 308: Where erst was thickest fight, th' Angelic throng, 309: And left large field, unsafe within the wind 310: Of such commotion, such as to set forth 311: Great things by small, If Natures concord broke, 312: Among the Constellations warr were sprung, 313: Two Planets rushing from aspect maligne 314: Of fiercest opposition in mid Skie, 315: Should combat, and thir jarring Sphears confound. 316: Together both with next to Almightie Arme, 317: Uplifted imminent one stroke they aim'd 318: That might determine, and not need repeate, 319: As not of power, at once; nor odds appeerd 320: In might or swift prevention; but the sword 321: Of MICHAEL from the Armorie of God 322: Was giv'n him temperd so, that neither keen 323: Nor solid might resist that edge: it met 324: The sword of SATAN with steep force to smite 325: Descending, and in half cut sheere, nor staid, 326: But with swift wheele reverse, deep entring shar'd 327: All his right side; then SATAN first knew pain, 328: And writh'd him to and fro convolv'd; so sore 329: The griding sword with discontinuous wound 330: Pass'd through him, but th' Ethereal substance clos'd 331: Not long divisible, and from the gash 332: A stream of Nectarous humor issuing flow'd 333: Sanguin, such as Celestial Spirits may bleed, 334: And all his Armour staind ere while so bright. 335: Forthwith on all sides to his aide was run 336: By Angels many and strong, who interpos'd 337: Defence, while others bore him on thir Shields 338: Back to his Chariot; where it stood retir'd 339: From off the files of warr; there they him laid 340: Gnashing for anguish and despite and shame 341: To find himself not matchless, and his pride 342: Humbl'd by such rebuke, so farr beneath 343: His confidence to equal God in power. 344: Yet soon he heal'd; for Spirits that live throughout 345: Vital in every part, not as frail man 346: In Entrailes, Heart or Head, Liver or Reines, 347: Cannot but by annihilating die; 348: Nor in thir liquid texture mortal wound 349: Receive, no more then can the fluid Aire: 350: All Heart they live, all Head, all Eye, all Eare, 351: All Intellect, all Sense, and as they please, 352: They Limb themselves, and colour, shape or size 353: Assume, as likes them best, condense or rare.
354: Mean while in other parts like deeds deservd 355: Memorial, where the might of GABRIEL fought, 356: And with fierce Ensignes pierc'd the deep array 357: Of MOLOC furious King, who him defi'd, 358: And at his Chariot wheeles to drag him bound 359: Threatn'd, nor from the Holie One of Heav'n 360: Refrein'd his tongue blasphemous; but anon 361: Down clov'n to the waste, with shatterd Armes 362: And uncouth paine fled bellowing. On each wing 363: URIEL and RAPHAEL his vaunting foe, 364: Though huge, and in a Rock of Diamond Armd, 365: Vanquish'd ADRAMELEC, and ASMADAI, 366: Two potent Thrones, that to be less then Gods 367: Disdain'd, but meaner thoughts learnd in thir flight, 368: Mangl'd with gastly wounds through Plate and Maile. 369: Nor stood unmindful ABDIEL to annoy 370: The Atheist crew, but with redoubl'd blow 371: ARIEL and ARIOC, and the violence 372: Of RAMIEL scorcht and blasted overthrew. 373: I might relate of thousands, and thir names 374: Eternize here on Earth; but those elect 375: Angels contented with thir fame in Heav'n 376: Seek not the praise of men: the other sort 377: In might though wondrous and in Acts of Warr, 378: Nor of Renown less eager, yet by doome 379: Canceld from Heav'n and sacred memorie, 380: Nameless in dark oblivion let them dwell. 381: For strength from Truth divided and from Just, 382: Illaudable, naught merits but dispraise 383: And ignominie, yet to glorie aspires 384: Vain glorious, and through infamie seeks fame: 385: Therfore Eternal silence be thir doome.
386: And now thir mightiest quelld, the battel swerv'd, 387: With many an inrode gor'd; deformed rout 388: Enter'd, and foul disorder; all the ground 389: With shiverd armour strow'n, and on a heap 390: Chariot and Charioter lay overturnd 391: And fierie foaming Steeds; what stood, recoyld 392: Orewearied, through the faint Satanic Host 393: Defensive scarse, or with pale fear surpris'd, 394: Then first with fear surpris'd and sense of paine 395: Fled ignominious, to such evil brought 396: By sinne of disobedience, till that hour 397: Not liable to fear or flight or paine. 398: Far otherwise th' inviolable Saints 399: In Cubic Phalanx firm advanc't entire, 400: Invulnerable, impenitrably arm'd: 401: Such high advantages thir innocence 402: Gave them above thir foes, not to have sinnd, 403: Not to have disobei'd; in fight they stood 404: Unwearied, unobnoxious to be pain'd 405: By wound, though from thir place by violence mov'd.
406: Now Night her course began, and over Heav'n 407: Inducing darkness, grateful truce impos'd, 408: And silence on the odious dinn of Warr: 409: Under her Cloudie covert both retir'd, 410: Victor and Vanquisht: on the foughten field 411: MICHAEL and his Angels prevalent 412: Encamping, plac'd in Guard thir Watches round, 413: Cherubic waving fires: on th' other part 414: SATAN with his rebellious disappeerd, 415: Far in the dark dislodg'd, and void of rest, 416: His Potentates to Councel call'd by night; 417: And in the midst thus undismai'd began.
418: O now in danger tri'd, now known in Armes 419: Not to be overpowerd, Companions deare, 420: Found worthy not of Libertie alone, 421: Too mean pretense, but what we more affect, 422: Honour, Dominion, Glorie, and renowne, 423: Who have sustaind one day in doubtful fight, 424: (And if one day, why not Eternal dayes?) 425: What Heavens Lord had powerfullest to send 426: Against us from about his Throne, and judg'd 427: Sufficient to subdue us to his will, 428: But proves not so: then fallible, it seems, 429: Of future we may deem him, though till now 430: Omniscient thought. True is, less firmly arm'd, 431: Some disadvantage we endur'd and paine, 432: Till now not known, but known as soon contemnd, 433: Since now we find this our Empyreal forme 434: Incapable of mortal injurie 435: Imperishable, and though peirc'd with wound, 436: Soon closing, and by native vigour heal'd. 437: Of evil then so small as easie think 438: The remedie; perhaps more valid Armes, 439: Weapons more violent, when next we meet, 440: May serve to better us, and worse our foes, 441: Or equal what between us made the odds, 442: In Nature none: if other hidden cause 443: Left them Superiour, while we can preserve 444: Unhurt our mindes, and understanding sound, 445: Due search and consultation will disclose.
446: He sat; and in th' assembly next upstood 447: NISROC, of Principalities the prime; 448: As one he stood escap't from cruel fight, 449: Sore toild, his riv'n Armes to havoc hewn, 450: And cloudie in aspect thus answering spake. 451: Deliverer from new Lords, leader to free 452: Enjoyment of our right as Gods; yet hard 453: For Gods, and too unequal work we find 454: Against unequal armes to fight in paine, 455: Against unpaind, impassive; from which evil 456: Ruin must needs ensue; for what availes 457: Valour or strength, though matchless, quelld with pain 458: Which all subdues, and makes remiss the hands 459: Of Mightiest. Sense of pleasure we may well 460: Spare out of life perhaps, and not repine, 461: But live content, which is the calmest life: 462: But pain is perfet miserie, the worst 463: Of evils, and excessive, overturnes 464: All patience. He who therefore can invent 465: With what more forcible we may offend 466: Our yet unwounded Enemies, or arme 467: Our selves with like defence, to mee deserves 468: No less then for deliverance what we owe.
469: Whereto with look compos'd SATAN repli'd. 470: Not uninvented that, which thou aright 471: Beleivst so main to our success, I bring; 472: Which of us who beholds the bright surface 473: Of this Ethereous mould whereon we stand, 474: This continent of spacious Heav'n, adornd 475: With Plant, Fruit, Flour Ambrosial, Gemms & Gold, 476: Whose Eye so superficially surveyes 477: These things, as not to mind from whence they grow 478: Deep under ground, materials dark and crude, 479: Of spiritous and fierie spume, till toucht 480: With Heav'ns ray, and temperd they shoot forth 481: So beauteous, op'ning to the ambient light. 482: These in thir dark Nativitie the Deep 483: Shall yeild us, pregnant with infernal flame, 484: Which into hallow Engins long and round 485: Thick-rammd, at th' other bore with touch of fire 486: Dilated and infuriate shall send forth 487: From far with thundring noise among our foes 488: Such implements of mischief as shall dash 489: To pieces, and orewhelm whatever stands 490: Adverse, that they shall fear we have disarmd 491: The Thunderer of his only dreaded bolt. 492: Nor long shall be our labour, yet ere dawne, 493: Effect shall end our wish. Mean while revive; 494: Abandon fear; to strength and counsel joind 495: Think nothing hard, much less to be despaird. 496: He ended, and his words thir drooping chere 497: Enlightn'd, and thir languisht hope reviv'd. 498: Th' invention all admir'd, and each, how hee 499: To be th' inventer miss'd, so easie it seemd 500: Once found, which yet unfound most would have thought 501: Impossible: yet haply of thy Race 502: In future dayes, if Malice should abound, 503: Some one intent on mischief, or inspir'd 504: With dev'lish machination might devise 505: Like instrument to plague the Sons of men 506: For sin, on warr and mutual slaughter bent. 507: Forthwith from Councel to the work they flew, 508: None arguing stood, innumerable hands 509: Were ready, in a moment up they turnd 510: Wide the Celestial soile, and saw beneath 511: Th' originals of Nature in thir crude 512: Conception; Sulphurous and Nitrous Foame 513: They found, they mingl'd, and with suttle Art, 514: Concocted and adusted they reduc'd 515: To blackest grain, and into store conveyd: 516: Part hidd'n veins diggd up (nor hath this Earth 517: Entrails unlike) of Mineral and Stone, 518: Whereof to found thir Engins and thir Balls 519: Of missive ruin; part incentive reed 520: Provide, pernicious with one touch to fire. 521: So all ere day spring, under conscious Night 522: Secret they finish'd, and in order set, 523: With silent circumspection unespi'd. 524: Now when fair Morn Orient in Heav'n appeerd 525: Up rose the Victor Angels, and to Arms 526: The matin Trumpet Sung: in Arms they stood 527: Of Golden Panoplie, refulgent Host, 528: Soon banded; others from the dawning Hills 529: Lookd round, and Scouts each Coast light-armed scoure, 530: Each quarter, to descrie the distant foe, 531: Where lodg'd, or whither fled, or if for fight, 532: In motion or in alt: him soon they met 533: Under spred Ensignes moving nigh, in slow 534: But firm Battalion; back with speediest Sail 535: ZEPHIEL, of Cherubim the swiftest wing, 536: Came flying, and in mid Aire aloud thus cri'd.
537: Arme, Warriours, Arme for fight, the foe at hand, 538: Whom fled we thought, will save us long pursuit 539: This day, fear not his flight; so thick a Cloud 540: He comes, and settl'd in his face I see 541: Sad resolution and secure: let each 542: His Adamantine coat gird well, and each 543: Fit well his Helme, gripe fast his orbed Shield, 544: Born eevn or high, for this day will pour down, 545: If I conjecture aught, no drizling showr, 546: But ratling storm of Arrows barbd with fire. 547: So warnd he them aware themselves, and soon 548: In order, quit of all impediment; 549: Instant without disturb they took Allarm, 550: And onward move Embattelld; when behold 551: Not distant far with heavie pace the Foe 552: Approaching gross and huge; in hollow Cube 553: Training his devilish Enginrie, impal'd 554: On every side with shaddowing Squadrons Deep, 555: To hide the fraud. At interview both stood 556: A while, but suddenly at head appeerd 557: SATAN: And thus was heard Commanding loud.
558: Vangard, to Right and Left the Front unfould; 559: That all may see who hate us, how we seek 560: Peace and composure, and with open brest 561: Stand readie to receive them, if they like 562: Our overture, and turn not back perverse; 563: But that I doubt, however witness Heaven, 564: Heav'n witness thou anon, while we discharge 565: Freely our part: yee who appointed stand 566: Do as you have in charge, and briefly touch 567: What we propound, and loud that all may hear.
568: So scoffing in ambiguous words, he scarce 569: Had ended; when to Right and Left the Front 570: Divided, and to either Flank retir'd. 571: Which to our eyes discoverd new and strange, 572: A triple-mounted row of Pillars laid 573: On Wheels (for like to Pillars most they seem'd 574: Or hollow'd bodies made of Oak or Firr 575: With branches lopt, in Wood or Mountain fell'd) 576: Brass, Iron, Stonie mould, had not thir mouthes 577: With hideous orifice gap't on us wide, 578: Portending hollow truce; at each behind 579: A Seraph stood, and in his hand a Reed 580: Stood waving tipt with fire; while we suspense, 581: Collected stood within our thoughts amus'd, 582: Not long, for sudden all at once thir Reeds 583: Put forth, and to a narrow vent appli'd 584: With nicest touch. Immediate in a flame, 585: But soon obscur'd with smoak, all Heav'n appeerd, 586: From those deep-throated Engins belcht, whose roar 587: Emboweld with outragious noise the Air, 588: And all her entrails tore, disgorging foule 589: Thir devillish glut, chaind Thunderbolts and Hail 590: Of Iron Globes, which on the Victor Host 591: Level'd, with such impetuous furie smote, 592: That whom they hit, none on thir feet might stand, 593: Though standing else as Rocks, but down they fell 594: By thousands, Angel on Arch-Angel rowl'd; 595: The sooner for thir Arms, unarm'd they might 596: Have easily as Spirits evaded swift 597: By quick contraction or remove; but now 598: Foule dissipation follow'd and forc't rout; 599: Nor serv'd it to relax thir serried files. 600: What should they do? if on they rusht, repulse 601: Repeated, and indecent overthrow 602: Doubl'd, would render them yet more despis'd, 603: And to thir foes a laughter; for in view 604: Stood rankt of Seraphim another row 605: In posture to displode thir second tire 606: Of Thunder: back defeated to return 607: They worse abhorr'd. SATAN beheld thir plight, 608: And to his Mates thus in derision call'd.
609: O Friends, why come not on these Victors proud? 610: Ere while they fierce were coming, and when wee, 611: To entertain them fair with open Front 612: And Brest, (what could we more?) propounded terms 613: Of composition, strait they chang'd thir minds, 614: Flew off, and into strange vagaries fell, 615: As they would dance, yet for a dance they seemd 616: Somwhat extravagant and wilde, perhaps 617: For joy of offerd peace: but I suppose 618: If our proposals once again were heard 619: We should compel them to a quick result.
620: To whom thus BELIAL in like gamesom mood. 621: Leader, the terms we sent were terms of weight, 622: Of hard contents, and full of force urg'd home, 623: Such as we might perceive amus'd them all, 624: And stumbl'd many, who receives them right, 625: Had need from head to foot well understand; 626: Not understood, this gift they have besides, 627: They shew us when our foes walk not upright.
628: So they among themselves in pleasant veine 629: Stood scoffing, highthn'd in thir thoughts beyond 630: All doubt of Victorie, eternal might 631: To match with thir inventions they presum'd 632: So easie, and of his Thunder made a scorn, 633: And all his Host derided, while they stood 634: A while in trouble; but they stood not long, 635: Rage prompted them at length, & found them arms 636: Against such hellish mischief fit to oppose. 637: Forthwith (behold the excellence, the power 638: Which God hath in his mighty Angels plac'd) 639: Thir Arms away they threw, and to the Hills 640: (For Earth hath this variety from Heav'n 641: Of pleasure situate in Hill and Dale) 642: Light as the Lightning glimps they ran, they flew, 643: From thir foundations loosning to and fro 644: They pluckt the seated Hills with all thir load, 645: Rocks, Waters, Woods, and by the shaggie tops 646: Up lifting bore them in thir hands: Amaze, 647: Be sure, and terrour seis'd the rebel Host, 648: When coming towards them so dread they saw 649: The bottom of the Mountains upward turn'd, 650: Till on those cursed Engins triple-row 651: They saw them whelmd, and all thir confidence 652: Under the weight of Mountains buried deep, 653: Themselves invaded next, and on thir heads 654: Main Promontories flung, which in the Air 655: Came shadowing, and opprest whole Legions arm'd, 656: Thir armor help'd thir harm, crush't in and brus'd 657: Into thir substance pent, which wrought them pain 658: Implacable, and many a dolorous groan, 659: Long strugling underneath, ere they could wind 660: Out of such prison, though Spirits of purest light, 661: Purest at first, now gross by sinning grown. 662: The rest in imitation to like Armes 663: Betook them, and the neighbouring Hills uptore; 664: So Hills amid the Air encounterd Hills 665: Hurl'd to and fro with jaculation dire, 666: That under ground they fought in dismal shade; 667: Infernal noise; Warr seem'd a civil Game 668: To this uproar; horrid confusion heapt 669: Upon confusion rose: and now all Heav'n 670: Had gone to wrack, with ruin overspred, 671: Had not th' Almightie Father where he sits 672: Shrin'd in his Sanctuarie of Heav'n secure, 673: Consulting on the sum of things, foreseen 674: This tumult, and permitted all, advis'd: 675: That his great purpose he might so fulfill, 676: To honour his Anointed Son aveng'd 677: Upon his enemies, and to declare 678: All power on him transferr'd: whence to his Son 679: Th' Assessor of his Throne he thus began.
680: Effulgence of my Glorie, Son belov'd, 681: Son in whose face invisible is beheld 682: Visibly, what by Deitie I am, 683: And in whose hand what by Decree I doe, 684: Second Omnipotence, two dayes are past, 685: Two dayes, as we compute the dayes of Heav'n, 686: Since MICHAEL and his Powers went forth to tame 687: These disobedient; sore hath been thir fight, 688: As likeliest was, when two such Foes met arm'd; 689: For to themselves I left them, and thou knowst, 690: Equal in their Creation they were form'd, 691: Save what sin hath impaird, which yet hath wrought 692: Insensibly, for I suspend thir doom; 693: Whence in perpetual fight they needs must last 694: Endless, and no solution will be found: 695: Warr wearied hath perform'd what Warr can do, 696: And to disorder'd rage let loose the reines, 697: With Mountains as with Weapons arm'd, which makes 698: Wild work in Heav'n, and dangerous to the maine. 699: Two dayes are therefore past, the third is thine; 700: For thee I have ordain'd it, and thus farr 701: Have sufferd, that the Glorie may be thine 702: Of ending this great Warr, since none but Thou 703: Can end it. Into thee such Vertue and Grace 704: Immense I have transfus'd, that all may know 705: In Heav'n and Hell thy Power above compare, 706: And this perverse Commotion governd thus, 707: To manifest thee worthiest to be Heir 708: Of all things, to be Heir and to be King 709: By Sacred Unction, thy deserved right. 710: Go then thou Mightiest in thy Fathers might, 711: Ascend my Chariot, guide the rapid Wheeles 712: That shake Heav'ns basis, bring forth all my Warr, 713: My Bow and Thunder, my Almightie Arms 714: Gird on, and Sword upon thy puissant Thigh; 715: Pursue these sons of Darkness, drive them out 716: From all Heav'ns bounds into the utter Deep: 717: There let them learn, as likes them, to despise 718: God and MESSIAH his anointed King.
719: He said, and on his Son with Rayes direct 720: Shon full, he all his Father full exprest 721: Ineffably into his face receiv'd, 722: And thus the filial Godhead answering spake.
723: O Father, O Supream of heav'nly Thrones, 724: First, Highest, Holiest, Best, thou alwayes seekst 725: To glorifie thy Son, I alwayes thee, 726: As is most just; this I my Glorie account, 727: My exaltation, and my whole delight, 728: That thou in me well pleas'd, declarst thy will 729: Fulfill'd, which to fulfil is all my bliss. 730: Scepter and Power, thy giving, I assume, 731: And gladlier shall resign, when in the end 732: Thou shalt be All in All, and I in thee 733: For ever, and in mee all whom thou lov'st: 734: But whom thou hat'st, I hate, and can put on 735: Thy terrors, as I put thy mildness on, 736: Image of thee in all things; and shall soon, 737: Armd with thy might, rid heav'n of these rebell'd, 738: To thir prepar'd ill Mansion driven down 739: To chains of Darkness, and th' undying Worm, 740: That from thy just obedience could revolt, 741: Whom to obey is happiness entire. 742: Then shall thy Saints unmixt, and from th' impure 743: Farr separate, circling thy holy Mount 744: Unfained HALLELUIAHS to thee sing, 745: Hymns of high praise, and I among them chief. 746: So said, he o're his Scepter bowing, rose 747: From the right hand of Glorie where he sate, 748: And the third sacred Morn began to shine 749: Dawning through Heav'n: forth rush'd with whirlwind sound 750: The Chariot of Paternal Deitie, 751: Flashing thick flames, Wheele within Wheele undrawn, 752: It self instinct with Spirit, but convoyd 753: By four Cherubic shapes, four Faces each 754: Had wondrous, as with Starrs thir bodies all 755: And Wings were set with Eyes, with Eyes the Wheels 756: Of Beril, and careering Fires between; 757: Over thir heads a chrystal Firmament, 758: Whereon a Saphir Throne, inlaid with pure 759: Amber, and colours of the showrie Arch. 760: Hee in Celestial Panoplie all armd 761: Of radiant URIM, work divinely wrought, 762: Ascended, at his right hand Victorie 763: Sate Eagle-wing'd, beside him hung his Bow 764: And Quiver with three-bolted Thunder stor'd, 765: And from about him fierce Effusion rowld 766: Of smoak and bickering flame, and sparkles dire; 767: Attended with ten thousand thousand Saints, 768: He onward came, farr off his coming shon, 769: And twentie thousand (I thir number heard) 770: Chariots of God, half on each hand were seen: 771: Hee on the wings of Cherub rode sublime 772: On the Crystallin Skie, in Saphir Thron'd. 773: Illustrious farr and wide, but by his own 774: First seen, them unexpected joy surpriz'd, 775: When the great Ensign of MESSIAH blaz'd 776: Aloft by Angels born, his Sign in Heav'n: 777: Under whose Conduct MICHAEL soon reduc'd 778: His Armie, circumfus'd on either Wing, 779: Under thir Head imbodied all in one. 780: Before him Power Divine his way prepar'd; 781: At his command the uprooted Hills retir'd 782: Each to his place, they heard his voice and went 783: Obsequious, Heav'n his wonted face renewd, 784: And with fresh Flourets Hill and Valley smil'd. 785: This saw his hapless Foes, but stood obdur'd, 786: And to rebellious fight rallied thir Powers 787: Insensate, hope conceiving from despair. 788: In heav'nly Spirits could such perverseness dwell? 789: But to convince the proud what Signs availe, 790: Or Wonders move th' obdurate to relent? 791: They hard'nd more by what might most reclame, 792: Grieving to see his Glorie, at the sight 793: Took envie, and aspiring to his highth, 794: Stood reimbattell'd fierce, by force or fraud 795: Weening to prosper, and at length prevaile 796: Against God and MESSIAH, or to fall 797: In universal ruin last, and now 798: To final Battel drew, disdaining flight, 799: Or faint retreat; when the great Son of God 800: To all his Host on either hand thus spake.
801: Stand still in bright array ye Saints, here stand 802: Ye Angels arm'd, this day from Battel rest; 803: Faithful hath been your Warfare, and of God 804: Accepted, fearless in his righteous Cause, 805: And as ye have receivd, so have ye don 806: Invincibly; but of this cursed crew 807: The punishment to other hand belongs, 808: Vengeance is his, or whose he sole appoints; 809: Number to this dayes work is not ordain'd 810: Nor multitude, stand onely and behold 811: Gods indignation on these Godless pourd 812: By mee; not you but mee they have despis'd, 813: Yet envied; against mee is all thir rage, 814: Because the Father, t' whom in Heav'n supream 815: Kingdom and Power and Glorie appertains, 816: Hath honourd me according to his will. 817: Therefore to mee thir doom he hath assig'n'd; 818: That they may have thir wish, to trie with mee 819: In Battel which the stronger proves, they all, 820: Or I alone against them, since by strength 821: They measure all, of other excellence 822: Not emulous, nor care who them excells; 823: Nor other strife with them do I voutsafe.
824: So spake the Son, and into terrour chang'd 825: His count'nance too severe to be beheld 826: And full of wrauth bent on his Enemies. 827: At once the Four spred out thir Starrie wings 828: With dreadful shade contiguous, and the Orbes 829: Of his fierce Chariot rowld, as with the sound 830: Of torrent Floods, or of a numerous Host. 831: Hee on his impious Foes right onward drove, 832: Gloomie as Night; under his burning Wheeles 833: The stedfast Empyrean shook throughout, 834: All but the Throne it self of God. Full soon 835: Among them he arriv'd; in his right hand 836: Grasping ten thousand Thunders, which he sent 837: Before him, such as in thir Soules infix'd 838: Plagues; they astonisht all resistance lost, 839: All courage; down thir idle weapons drop'd; 840: O're Shields and Helmes, and helmed heads he rode 841: Of Thrones and mighty Seraphim prostrate, 842: That wish'd the Mountains now might be again 843: Thrown on them as a shelter from his ire. 844: Nor less on either side tempestuous fell 845: His arrows, from the fourfold-visag'd Foure, 846: Distinct with eyes, and from the living Wheels, 847: Distinct alike with multitude of eyes, 848: One Spirit in them rul'd, and every eye 849: Glar'd lightning, and shot forth pernicious fire 850: Among th' accurst, that witherd all thir strength, 851: And of thir wonted vigour left them draind, 852: Exhausted, spiritless, afflicted, fall'n. 853: Yet half his strength he put not forth, but check'd 854: His Thunder in mid Volie, for he meant 855: Not to destroy, but root them out of Heav'n: 856: The overthrown he rais'd, and as a Heard 857: Of Goats or timerous flock together throngd 858: Drove them before him Thunder-struck, pursu'd 859: With terrors and with furies to the bounds 860: And Chrystall wall of Heav'n, which op'ning wide, 861: Rowld inward, and a spacious Gap disclos'd 862: Into the wastful Deep; the monstrous sight 863: Strook them with horror backward, but far worse 864: Urg'd them behind; headlong themselvs they threw 865: Down from the verge of Heav'n, Eternal wrauth 866: Burnt after them to the bottomless pit.
867: Hell heard th' unsufferable noise, Hell saw 868: Heav'n ruining from Heav'n and would have fled 869: Affrighted; but strict Fate had cast too deep 870: Her dark foundations, and too fast had bound. 871: Nine dayes they fell; confounded CHAOS roard, 872: And felt tenfold confusion in thir fall 873: Through his wilde Anarchie, so huge a rout 874: Incumberd him with ruin: Hell at last 875: Yawning receavd them whole, and on them clos'd, 876: Hell thir fit habitation fraught with fire 877: Unquenchable, the house of woe and paine. 878: Disburd'nd Heav'n rejoic'd, and soon repaird 879: Her mural breach, returning whence it rowld. 880: Sole Victor from th' expulsion of his Foes 881: MESSIAH his triumphal Chariot turnd: 882: To meet him all his Saints, who silent stood 883: Eye witnesses of his Almightie Acts, 884: With Jubilie advanc'd; and as they went, 885: Shaded with branching Palme, each order bright, 886: Sung Triumph, and him sung Victorious King, 887: Son, Heire, and Lord, to him Dominion giv'n, 888: Worthiest to Reign: he celebrated rode 889: Triumphant through mid Heav'n, into the Courts 890: And Temple of his mightie Father Thron'd 891: On high; who into Glorie him receav'd, 892: Where now he sits at the right hand of bliss.
893: Thus measuring things in Heav'n by things on Earth 894: At thy request, and that thou maist beware 895: By what is past, to thee I have reveal'd 896: What might have else to human Race bin hid; 897: The discord which befel, and Warr in Heav'n 898: Among th' Angelic Powers, and the deep fall 899: Of those too high aspiring, who rebelld 900: With SATAN, hee who envies now thy state, 901: Who now is plotting how he may seduce 902: Thee also from obedience, that with him 903: Bereavd of happiness thou maist partake 904: His punishment, Eternal miserie; 905: Which would be all his solace and revenge, 906: As a despite don against the most High, 907: Thee once to gaine Companion of his woe. 908: But list'n not to his Temptations, warne 909: Thy weaker; let it profit thee to have heard 910: By terrible Example the reward 911: Of disobedience; firm they might have stood, 912: Yet fell; remember, and fear to transgress.
Book 7
1: Descend from Heav'n URANIA, by that name 2: If rightly thou art call'd, whose Voice divine 3: Following, above th' OLYMPIAN Hill I soare, 4: Above the flight of PEGASEAN wing. 5: The meaning, not the Name I call: for thou 6: Nor of the Muses nine, nor on the top 7: Of old OLYMPUS dwell'st, but Heav'nlie borne, 8: Before the Hills appeerd, or Fountain flow'd, 9: Thou with Eternal wisdom didst converse, 10: Wisdom thy Sister, and with her didst play 11: In presence of th' Almightie Father, pleas'd 12: With thy Celestial Song. Up led by thee 13: Into the Heav'n of Heav'ns I have presum'd, 14: An Earthlie Guest, and drawn Empyreal Aire, 15: Thy tempring; with like safetie guided down 16: Return me to my Native Element: 17: Least from this flying Steed unrein'd, (as once 18: BELLEROPHON, though from a lower Clime) 19: Dismounted, on th' ALEIAN Field I fall 20: Erroneous, there to wander and forlorne. 21: Half yet remaines unsung, but narrower bound 22: Within the visible Diurnal Spheare; 23: Standing on Earth, not rapt above the Pole, 24: More safe I Sing with mortal voice, unchang'd 25: To hoarce or mute, though fall'n on evil dayes, 26: On evil dayes though fall'n, and evil tongues; 27: In darkness, and with dangers compast rouud, 28: And solitude; yet not alone, while thou 29: Visit'st my slumbers Nightly, or when Morn 30: Purples the East: still govern thou my Song, 31: URANIA, and fit audience find, though few. 32: But drive farr off the barbarous dissonance 33: Of BACCHUS and his Revellers, the Race 34: Of that wilde Rout that tore the THRACIAN Bard 35: In RHODOPE, where Woods and Rocks had Eares 36: To rapture, till the savage clamor dround 37: Both Harp and Voice; nor could the Muse defend 38: Her Son. So fail not thou, who thee implores: 39: For thou art Heav'nlie, shee an empty dreame.
40: Say Goddess, what ensu'd when RAPHAEL, 41: The affable Arch-angel, had forewarn'd 42: ADAM by dire example to beware 43: Apostasie, by what befell in Heaven 44: To those Apostates, least the like befall 45: In Paradise to ADAM or his Race, 46: Charg'd not to touch the interdicted Tree, 47: If they transgress, and slight that sole command, 48: So easily obeyd amid the choice 49: Of all tasts else to please thir appetite, 50: Though wandring. He with his consorted EVE 51: The storie heard attentive, and was fill'd 52: With admiration, and deep Muse to heare 53: Of things so high and strange, things to thir thought 54: So unimaginable as hate in Heav'n, 55: And Warr so neer the Peace of God in bliss 56: With such confusion: but the evil soon 57: Driv'n back redounded as a flood on those 58: From whom it sprung, impossible to mix 59: With Blessedness. Whence ADAM soon repeal'd 60: The doubts that in his heart arose: and now 61: Led on, yet sinless, with desire to know 62: What neerer might concern him, how this World 63: Of Heav'n and Earth conspicuous first began, 64: When, and whereof created, for what cause, 65: What within EDEN or without was done 66: Before his memorie, as one whose drouth 67: Yet scarce allay'd still eyes the current streame, 68: Whose liquid murmur heard new thirst excites, 69: Proceeded thus to ask his Heav'nly Guest.
70: Great things, and full of wonder in our eares, 71: Farr differing from this World, thou hast reveal'd 72: Divine Interpreter, by favour sent 73: Down from the Empyrean to forewarne 74: Us timely of what might else have bin our loss, 75: Unknown, which human knowledg could not reach: 76: For which to the infinitly Good we owe 77: Immortal thanks, and his admonishment 78: Receave with solemne purpose to observe 79: Immutably his sovran will, the end 80: Of what we are. But since thou hast voutsaf't 81: Gently for our instruction to impart 82: Things above Earthly thought, which yet concernd 83: Our knowing, as to highest wisdom seemd, 84: Deign to descend now lower, and relate 85: What may no less perhaps availe us known, 86: How first began this Heav'n which we behold 87: Distant so high, with moving Fires adornd 88: Innumerable, and this which yeelds or fills 89: All space, the ambient Aire wide interfus'd 90: Imbracing round this florid Earth, what cause 91: Mov'd the Creator in his holy Rest 92: Through all Eternitie so late to build 93: In CHAOS, and the work begun, how soon 94: Absolv'd, if unforbid thou maist unfould 95: What wee, not to explore the secrets aske 96: Of his Eternal Empire, but the more 97: To magnifie his works, the more we know. 98: And the great Light of Day yet wants to run 99: Much of his Race though steep, suspens in Heav'n 100: Held by thy voice, thy potent voice he heares, 101: And longer will delay to heare thee tell 102: His Generation, and the rising Birth 103: Of Nature from the unapparent Deep: 104: Or if the Starr of Eevning and the Moon 105: Haste to thy audience, Night with her will bring 106: Silence, and Sleep listning to thee will watch, 107: Or we can bid his absence, till thy Song 108: End, and dismiss thee ere the Morning shine.
109: Thus ADAM his illustrous Guest besought:
110: And thus the Godlike Angel answerd milde. 111: This also thy request with caution askt 112: Obtaine: though to recount Almightie works 113: What words or tongue of Seraph can suffice, 114: Or heart of man suffice to comprehend? 115: Yet what thou canst attain, which best may serve 116: To glorifie the Maker, and inferr 117: Thee also happier, shall not be withheld 118: Thy hearing, such Commission from above 119: I have receav'd, to answer thy desire 120: Of knowledge within bounds; beyond abstain 121: To ask, nor let thine own inventions hope 122: Things not reveal'd, which th' invisible King, 123: Onely Omniscient, hath supprest in Night, 124: To none communicable in Earth or Heaven: 125: Anough is left besides to search and know. 126: But Knowledge is as food, and needs no less 127: Her Temperance over Appetite, to know 128: In measure what the mind may well contain, 129: Oppresses else with Surfet, and soon turns 130: Wisdom to Folly, as Nourishment to Winde.
131: Know then, that after LUCIFER from Heav'n 132: (So call him, brighter once amidst the Host 133: Of Angels, then that Starr the Starrs among) 134: Fell with his flaming Legions through the Deep 135: Into his place, and the great Son returnd 136: Victorious with his Saints, th' Omnipotent 137: Eternal Father from his Throne beheld 138: Thir multitude, and to his Son thus spake.
139: At least our envious Foe hath fail'd, who thought 140: All like himself rebellious, by whose aid 141: This inaccessible high strength, the seat 142: Of Deitie supream, us dispossest, 143: He trusted to have seis'd, and into fraud 144: Drew many, whom thir place knows here no more; 145: Yet farr the greater part have kept, I see, 146: Thir station, Heav'n yet populous retaines 147: Number sufficient to possess her Realmes 148: Though wide, and this high Temple to frequent 149: With Ministeries due and solemn Rites: 150: But least his heart exalt him in the harme 151: Already done, to have dispeopl'd Heav'n, 152: My damage fondly deem'd, I can repaire 153: That detriment, if such it be to lose 154: Self-lost, and in a moment will create 155: Another World, out of one man a Race 156: Of men innumerable, there to dwell, 157: Not here, till by degrees of merit rais'd 158: They open to themselves at length the way 159: Up hither, under long obedience tri'd, 160: And Earth be chang'd to Heavn, & Heav'n to Earth, 161: One Kingdom, Joy and Union without end. 162: Mean while inhabit laxe, ye Powers of Heav'n, 163: And thou my Word, begotten Son, by thee 164: This I perform, speak thou, and be it don: 165: My overshadowing Spirit and might with thee 166: I send along, ride forth, and bid the Deep 167: Within appointed bounds be Heav'n and Earth, 168: Boundless the Deep, because I am who fill 169: Infinitude, nor vacuous the space. 170: Though I uncircumscrib'd my self retire, 171: And put not forth my goodness, which is free 172: To act or not, Necessitie and Chance 173: Approach not mee, and what I will is Fate.
174: So spake th' Almightie, and to what he spake 175: His Word, the Filial Godhead, gave effect. 176: Immediate are the Acts of God, more swift 177: Then time or motion, but to human ears 178: Cannot without process of speech be told, 179: So told as earthly notion can receave. 180: Great triumph and rejoycing was in Heav'n 181: When such was heard declar'd the Almightie's will; 182: Glorie they sung to the most High, good will 183: To future men, and in thir dwellings peace: 184: Glorie to him whose just avenging ire 185: Had driven out th' ungodly from his sight 186: And th' habitations of the just; to him 187: Glorie and praise, whose wisdom had ordain'd 188: Good out of evil to create, in stead 189: Of Spirits maligne a better Race to bring 190: Into thir vacant room, and thence diffuse 191: His good to Worlds and Ages infinite. 192: So sang the Hierarchies: Mean while the Son 193: On his great Expedition now appeer'd, 194: Girt with Omnipotence, with Radiance crown'd 195: Of Majestie Divine, Sapience and Love 196: Immense, and all his Father in him shon. 197: About his Chariot numberless were pour'd 198: Cherub and Seraph, Potentates and Thrones, 199: And Vertues, winged Spirits, and Chariots wing'd, 200: From the Armoury of God, where stand of old 201: Myriads between two brazen Mountains lodg'd 202: Against a solemn day, harnest at hand, 203: Celestial Equipage; and now came forth 204: Spontaneous, for within them Spirit livd, 205: Attendant on thir Lord: Heav'n op'nd wide 206: Her ever during Gates, Harmonious sound 207: On golden Hinges moving, to let forth 208: The King of Glorie in his powerful Word 209: And Spirit coming to create new Worlds. 210: On heav'nly ground they stood, and from the shore 211: They view'd the vast immeasurable Abyss 212: Outrageous as a Sea, dark, wasteful, wilde, 213: Up from the bottom turn'd by furious windes 214: And surging waves, as Mountains to assault 215: Heav'ns highth, and with the Center mix the Pole.
216: Silence, ye troubl'd waves, and thou Deep, peace, 217: Said then th' Omnific Word, your discord end:
218: Nor staid, but on the Wings of Cherubim 219: Uplifted, in Paternal Glorie rode 220: Farr into CHAOS, and the World unborn; 221: For CHAOS heard his voice: him all his Traine 222: Follow'd in bright procession to behold 223: Creation, and the wonders of his might. 224: Then staid the fervid Wheeles, and in his hand 225: He took the golden Compasses, prepar'd 226: In Gods Eternal store, to circumscribe 227: This Universe, and all created things: 228: One foot he center'd, and the other turn'd 229: Round through the vast profunditie obscure, 230: And said, thus farr extend, thus farr thy bounds, 231: This be thy just Circumference, O World. 232: Thus God the Heav'n created, thus the Earth, 233: Matter unform'd and void: Darkness profound 234: Cover'd th' Abyss: but on the watrie calme 235: His brooding wings the Spirit of God outspred, 236: And vital vertue infus'd, and vital warmth 237: Throughout the fluid Mass, but downward purg'd 238: The black tartareous cold infernal dregs 239: Adverse to life: then founded, then conglob'd 240: Like things to like, the rest to several place 241: Disparted, and between spun out the Air, 242: And Earth self-ballanc't on her Center hung.
243: Let ther be Light, said God, and forthwith Light 244: Ethereal, first of things, quintessence pure 245: Sprung from the Deep, and from her Native East 246: To journie through the airie gloom began, 247: Sphear'd in a radiant Cloud, for yet the Sun 248: Was not; shee in a cloudie Tabernacle 249: Sojourn'd the while. God saw the Light was good; 250: And light from darkness by the Hemisphere 251: Divided: Light the Day, and Darkness Night 252: He nam'd. Thus was the first Day Eev'n and Morn: 253: Nor past uncelebrated, nor unsung 254: By the Celestial Quires, when Orient Light 255: Exhaling first from Darkness they beheld; 256: Birth-day of Heav'n and Earth; with joy and shout 257: The hollow Universal Orb they fill'd, 258: And touch't thir Golden Harps, & hymning prais'd 259: God and his works, Creatour him they sung, 260: Both when first Eevning was, and when first Morn.
261: Again, God said, let ther be Firmament 262: Amid the Waters, and let it divide 263: The Waters from the Waters: and God made 264: The Firmament, expanse of liquid, pure, 265: Transparent, Elemental Air, diffus'd 266: In circuit to the uttermost convex 267: Of this great Round: partition firm and sure, 268: The Waters underneath from those above 269: Dividing: for as Earth, so hee the World 270: Built on circumfluous Waters calme, in wide 271: Crystallin Ocean, and the loud misrule 272: Of CHAOS farr remov'd, least fierce extreames 273: Contiguous might distemper the whole frame: 274: And Heav'n he nam'd the Firmament: So Eev'n 275: And Morning CHORUS sung the second Day.
276: The Earth was form'd, but in the Womb as yet 277: Of Waters, Embryon immature involv'd, 278: Appeer'd not: over all the face of Earth 279: Main Ocean flow'd, not idle, but with warme 280: Prolific humour soft'ning all her Globe, 281: Fermented the great Mother to conceave, 282: Satiate with genial moisture, when God said 283: Be gather'd now ye Waters under Heav'n 284: Into one place, and let dry Land appeer. 285: Immediately the Mountains huge appeer 286: Emergent, and thir broad bare backs upheave 287: Into the Clouds, thir tops ascend the Skie: 288: So high as heav'd the tumid Hills, so low 289: Down sunk a hollow bottom broad and deep, 290: Capacious bed of Waters: thither they 291: Hasted with glad precipitance, uprowld 292: As drops on dust conglobing from the drie; 293: Part rise in crystal Wall, or ridge direct, 294: For haste; such flight the great command impress'd 295: On the swift flouds: as Armies at the call 296: Of Trumpet (for of Armies thou hast heard) 297: Troop to thir Standard, so the watrie throng, 298: Wave rowling after Wave, where way they found, 299: If steep, with torrent rapture, if through Plaine, 300: Soft-ebbing; nor withstood them Rock or Hill, 301: But they, or under ground, or circuit wide 302: With Serpent errour wandring, found thir way, 303: And on the washie Oose deep Channels wore; 304: Easie, e're God had bid the ground be drie, 305: All but within those banks, where Rivers now 306: Stream, and perpetual draw thir humid traine. 307: The dry Land, Earth, and the great receptacle 308: Of congregated Waters he call'd Seas: 309: And saw that it was good, and said, Let th' Earth 310: Put forth the verdant Grass, Herb yeilding Seed, 311: And Fruit Tree yeilding Fruit after her kind; 312: Whose Seed is in her self upon the Earth. 313: He scarce had said, when the bare Earth, till then 314: Desert and bare, unsightly, unadorn'd, 315: Brought forth the tender Grass, whose verdure clad 316: Her Universal Face with pleasant green, 317: Then Herbs of every leaf, that sudden flour'd 318: Op'ning thir various colours, and made gay 319: Her bosom smelling sweet: and these scarce blown, 320: Forth flourish't thick the clustring Vine, forth crept 321: The smelling Gourd, up stood the cornie Reed 322: Embattell'd in her field: add the humble Shrub, 323: And Bush with frizl'd hair implicit: last 324: Rose as in Dance the stately Trees, and spred 325: Thir branches hung with copious Fruit; or gemm'd 326: Thir Blossoms: with high Woods the Hills were crownd, 327: With tufts the vallies & each fountain side, 328: With borders long the Rivers. That Earth now 329: Seemd like to Heav'n, a seat where Gods might dwell, 330: Or wander with delight, and love to haunt 331: Her sacred shades: though God had yet not rain'd 332: Upon the Earth, and man to till the ground 333: None was, but from the Earth a dewie Mist 334: Went up and waterd all the ground, and each 335: Plant of the field, which e're it was in the Earth 336: God made, and every Herb, before it grew 337: On the green stemm; God saw that it was good: 338: So Eev'n and Morn recorded the Third Day.
339: Again th' Almightie spake: Let there be Lights 340: High in th' expanse of Heaven to divide 341: The Day from Night; and let them be for Signes, 342: For Seasons, and for Dayes, and circling Years, 343: And let them be for Lights as I ordaine 344: Thir Office in the Firmament of Heav'n 345: To give Light on the Earth; and it was so. 346: And God made two great Lights, great for thir use 347: To Man, the greater to have rule by Day, 348: The less by Night alterne: and made the Starrs, 349: And set them in the Firmament of Heav'n 350: To illuminate the Earth, and rule the Day 351: In thir vicissitude, and rule the Night, 352: And Light from Darkness to divide. God saw, 353: Surveying his great Work, that it was good: 354: For of Celestial Bodies first the Sun 355: A mightie Spheare he fram'd, unlightsom first, 356: Though of Ethereal Mould: then form'd the Moon 357: Globose, and everie magnitude of Starrs, 358: And sowd with Starrs the Heav'n thick as a field: 359: Of Light by farr the greater part he took, 360: Transplanted from her cloudie Shrine, and plac'd 361: In the Suns Orb, made porous to receive 362: And drink the liquid Light, firm to retaine 363: Her gather'd beams, great Palace now of Light. 364: Hither as to thir Fountain other Starrs 365: Repairing, in thir gold'n Urns draw Light, 366: And hence the Morning Planet guilds his horns; 367: By tincture or reflection they augment 368: Thir small peculiar, though from human sight 369: So farr remote, with diminution seen. 370: First in his East the glorious Lamp was seen, 371: Regent of Day, and all th' Horizon round 372: Invested with bright Rayes, jocond to run 373: His Longitude through Heav'ns high rode: the gray 374: Dawn, and the PLEIADES before him danc'd 375: Shedding sweet influence: less bright the Moon, 376: But opposite in leveld West was set 377: His mirror, with full face borrowing her Light 378: From him, for other light she needed none 379: In that aspect, and still that distance keepes 380: Till night, then in the East her turn she shines, 381: Revolvd on Heav'ns great Axle, and her Reign 382: With thousand lesser Lights dividual holds, 383: With thousand thousand Starres, that then appeer'd 384: Spangling the Hemisphere: then first adornd 385: With thir bright Luminaries that Set and Rose, 386: Glad Eevning & glad Morn crownd the fourth day.
387: And God said, let the Waters generate 388: Reptil with Spawn abundant, living Soule: 389: And let Fowle flie above the Earth, with wings 390: Displayd on the op'n Firmament of Heav'n. 391: And God created the great Whales, and each 392: Soul living, each that crept, which plenteously 393: The waters generated by thir kindes, 394: And every Bird of wing after his kinde; 395: And saw that it was good, and bless'd them, saying, 396: Be fruitful, multiply, and in the Seas 397: And Lakes and running Streams the waters fill; 398: And let the Fowle be multiply'd on the Earth. 399: Forthwith the Sounds and Seas, each Creek & Bay 400: With Frie innumerable swarme, and Shoales 401: Of Fish that with thir Finns and shining Scales 402: Glide under the green Wave, in Sculles that oft 403: Bank the mid Sea: part single or with mate 404: Graze the Sea weed thir pasture, & through Groves 405: Of Coral stray, or sporting with quick glance 406: Show to the Sun thir wav'd coats dropt with Gold, 407: Or in thir Pearlie shells at ease, attend 408: Moist nutriment, or under Rocks thir food 409: In jointed Armour watch: on smooth the Seale, 410: And bended Dolphins play: part huge of bulk 411: Wallowing unweildie, enormous in thir Gate 412: Tempest the Ocean: there Leviathan 413: Hugest of living Creatures, on the Deep 414: Stretcht like a Promontorie sleeps or swimmes, 415: And seems a moving Land, and at his Gilles 416: Draws in, and at his Trunck spouts out a Sea. 417: Mean while the tepid Caves, and Fens and shoares 418: Thir Brood as numerous hatch, from the Egg that soon 419: Bursting with kindly rupture forth disclos'd 420: Thir callow young, but featherd soon and fledge 421: They summ'd thir Penns, and soaring th' air sublime 422: With clang despis'd the ground, under a cloud 423: In prospect; there the Eagle and the Stork 424: On Cliffs and Cedar tops thir Eyries build: 425: Part loosly wing the Region, part more wise 426: In common, rang'd in figure wedge thir way, 427: Intelligent of seasons, and set forth 428: Thir Aierie Caravan high over Sea's 429: Flying, and over Lands with mutual wing 430: Easing thir flight; so stears the prudent Crane 431: Her annual Voiage, born on Windes; the Aire 432: Floats, as they pass, fann'd with unnumber'd plumes: 433: From Branch to Branch the smaller Birds with song 434: Solac'd the Woods, and spred thir painted wings 435: Till Ev'n, nor then the solemn Nightingal 436: Ceas'd warbling, but all night tun'd her soft layes: 437: Others on Silver Lakes and Rivers Bath'd 438: Thir downie Brest; the Swan with Arched neck 439: Between her white wings mantling proudly, Rowes 440: Her state with Oarie feet: yet oft they quit 441: The Dank, and rising on stiff Pennons, towre 442: The mid Aereal Skie: Others on ground 443: Walk'd firm; the crested Cock whose clarion sounds 444: The silent hours, and th' other whose gay Traine 445: Adorns him, colour'd with the Florid hue 446: Of Rainbows and Starrie Eyes. The Waters thus 447: With Fish replenisht, and the Aire with Fowle, 448: Ev'ning and Morn solemniz'd the Fift day.
449: The Sixt, and of Creation last arose 450: With Eevning Harps and Mattin, when God said, 451: Let th' Earth bring forth Fowle living in her kinde, 452: Cattel and Creeping things, and Beast of the Earth, 453: Each in their kinde. The Earth obey'd, and strait 454: Op'ning her fertil Woomb teem'd at a Birth 455: Innumerous living Creatures, perfet formes, 456: Limb'd and full grown: out of the ground up-rose 457: As from his Laire the wilde Beast where he wonns 458: In Forrest wilde, in Thicket, Brake, or Den; 459: Among the Trees in Pairs they rose, they walk'd: 460: The Cattel in the Fields and Meddowes green: 461: Those rare and solitarie, these in flocks 462: Pasturing at once, and in broad Herds upsprung: 463: The grassie Clods now Calv'd, now half appeer'd 464: The Tawnie Lion, pawing to get free 465: His hinder parts, then springs as broke from Bonds, 466: And Rampant shakes his Brinded main; the Ounce, 467: The Libbard, and the Tyger, as the Moale 468: Rising, the crumbl'd Earth above them threw 469: In Hillocks; the swift Stag from under ground 470: Bore up his branching head: scarse from his mould 471: BEHEMOTH biggest born of Earth upheav'd 472: His vastness: Fleec't the Flocks and bleating rose, 473: As Plants: ambiguous between Sea and Land 474: The River Horse and scalie Crocodile. 475: At once came forth whatever creeps the ground, 476: Insect or Worme; those wav'd thir limber fans 477: For wings, and smallest Lineaments exact 478: In all the Liveries dect of Summers pride 479: With spots of Gold and Purple, azure and green: 480: These as a line thir long dimension drew, 481: Streaking the ground with sinuous trace; not all 482: Minims of Nature; some of Serpent kinde 483: Wondrous in length and corpulence involv'd 484: Thir Snakie foulds, and added wings. First crept 485: The Parsimonious Emmet, provident 486: Of future, in small room large heart enclos'd, 487: Pattern of just equalitie perhaps 488: Hereafter, join'd in her popular Tribes 489: Of Commonaltie: swarming next appeer'd 490: The Femal Bee that feeds her Husband Drone 491: Deliciously, and builds her waxen Cells 492: With Honey stor'd: the rest are numberless, 493: And thou thir Natures know'st, and gav'st them Names, 494: Needlest to thee repeaed; nor unknown 495: The Serpent suttl'st Beast of all the field, 496: Of huge extent somtimes, with brazen Eyes 497: And hairie Main terrific, though to thee 498: Not noxious, but obedient at thy call. 499: Now Heav'n in all her Glorie shon, and rowld 500: Her motions, as the great first-Movers hand 501: First wheeld thir course; Earth in her rich attire 502: Consummate lovly smil'd; Aire, Water, Earth, 503: By Fowl, Fish, Beast, was flown, was swum, was walkt 504: Frequent; and of the Sixt day yet remain'd; 505: There wanted yet the Master work, the end 506: Of all yet don; a Creature who not prone 507: And Brute as other Creatures, but endu'd 508: With Sanctitie of Reason, might erect 509: His Stature, and upright with Front serene 510: Govern the rest, self-knowing, and from thence 511: Magnanimous to correspond with Heav'n, 512: But grateful to acknowledge whence his good 513: Descends, thither with heart and voice and eyes 514: Directed in Devotion, to adore 515: And worship God Supream, who made him chief 516: Of all his works: therefore the Omnipotent 517: Eternal Father (For where is not hee 518: Present) thus to his Son audibly spake.
519: Let us make now Man in our image, Man 520: In our similitude, and let them rule 521: Over the Fish and Fowle of Sea and Aire, 522: Beast of the Field, and over all the Earth, 523: And every creeping thing that creeps the ground. 524: This said, he formd thee, ADAM, thee O Man 525: Dust of the ground, and in thy nostrils breath'd 526: The breath of Life; in his own Image hee 527: Created thee, in the Image of God 528: Express, and thou becam'st a living Soul. 529: Male he created thee, but thy consort 530: Femal for Race; then bless'd Mankinde, and said, 531: Be fruitful, multiplie, and fill the Earth, 532: Subdue it, and throughout Dominion hold 533: Over Fish of the Sea, and Fowle of the Aire, 534: And every living thing that moves on the Earth. 535: Wherever thus created, for no place 536: Is yet distinct by name, thence, as thou know'st 537: He brought thee into this delicious Grove, 538: This Garden, planted with the Trees of God, 539: Delectable both to behold and taste; 540: And freely all thir pleasant fruit for food 541: Gave thee, all sorts are here that all th' Earth yeelds, 542: Varietie without end; but of the Tree 543: Which tasted works knowledge of Good and Evil, 544: Thou mai'st not; in the day thou eat'st, thou di'st; 545: Death is the penaltie impos'd, beware, 546: And govern well thy appetite, least sin 547: Surprise thee, and her black attendant Death. 548: Here finish'd hee, and all that he had made 549: View'd, and behold all was entirely good; 550: So Ev'n and Morn accomplish'd the Sixt day: 551: Yet not till the Creator from his work 552: Desisting, though unwearied, up returnd 553: Up to the Heav'n of Heav'ns his high abode, 554: Thence to behold this new created World 555: Th' addition of his Empire, how it shew'd 556: In prospect from his Throne, how good, how faire, 557: Answering his great Idea. Up he rode 558: Followd with acclamation and the sound 559: Symphonious of ten thousand Harpes that tun'd 560: Angelic harmonies: the Earth, the Aire 561: Resounded, (thou remember'st, for thou heardst) 562: The Heav'ns and all the Constellations rung, 563: The Planets in thir stations list'ning stood, 564: While the bright Pomp ascended jubilant. 565: Open, ye everlasting Gates, they sung, 566: Open, ye Heav'ns, your living dores; let in 567: The great Creator from his work returnd 568: Magnificent, his Six days work, a World; 569: Open, and henceforth oft; for God will deigne 570: To visit oft the dwellings of just Men 571: Delighted, and with frequent intercourse 572: Thither will send his winged Messengers 573: On errands of supernal Grace. So sung 574: The glorious Train ascending: He through Heav'n, 575: That open'd wide her blazing Portals, led 576: To Gods Eternal house direct the way, 577: A broad and ample rode, whose dust is Gold 578: And pavement Starrs, as Starrs to thee appeer, 579: Seen in the Galaxie, that Milkie way 580: Which nightly as a circling Zone thou seest 581: Pouderd with Starrs. And now on Earth the Seaventh 582: Eev'ning arose in EDEN, for the Sun 583: Was set, and twilight from the East came on, 584: Forerunning Night; when at the holy mount 585: Of Heav'ns high-seated top, th' Impereal Throne 586: Of Godhead, fixt for ever firm and sure, 587: The Filial Power arriv'd, and sate him down 588: With his great Father (for he also went 589: Invisible, yet staid (such priviledge 590: Hath Omnipresence) and the work ordain'd, 591: Author and end of all things, and from work 592: Now resting, bless'd and hallowd the Seav'nth day, 593: As resting on that day from all his work, 594: But not in silence holy kept; the Harp 595: Had work and rested not, the solemn Pipe, 596: And Dulcimer, all Organs of sweet stop, 597: All sounds on Fret by String or Golden Wire 598: Temper'd soft Tunings, intermixt with Voice 599: Choral or Unison: of incense Clouds 600: Fuming from Golden Censers hid the Mount. 601: Creation and the Six dayes acts they sung, 602: Great are thy works, JEHOVAH, infinite 603: Thy power; what thought can measure thee or tongue 604: Relate thee; greater now in thy return 605: Then from the Giant Angels; thee that day 606: Thy Thunders magnifi'd; but to create 607: Is greater then created to destroy. 608: Who can impair thee, mighty King, or bound 609: Thy Empire? easily the proud attempt 610: Of Spirits apostat and thir Counsels vaine 611: Thou hast repeld, while impiously they thought 612: Thee to diminish, and from thee withdraw 613: The number of thy worshippers. Who seekes 614: To lessen thee, against his purpose serves 615: To manifest the more thy might: his evil 616: Thou usest, and from thence creat'st more good. 617: Witness this new-made World, another Heav'n 618: From Heaven Gate not farr, founded in view 619: On the cleer HYALINE, the Glassie Sea; 620: Of amplitude almost immense, with Starr's 621: Numerous, and every Starr perhaps a World 622: Of destind habitation; but thou know'st 623: Thir seasons: among these the seat of men, 624: Earth with her nether Ocean circumfus'd, 625: Thir pleasant dwelling place. Thrice happie men, 626: And sons of men, whom God hath thus advanc't, 627: Created in his Image, there to dwell 628: And worship him, and in reward to rule 629: Over his Works, on Earth, in Sea, or Air, 630: And multiply a Race of Worshippers 631: Holy and just: thrice happie if they know 632: Thir happiness, and persevere upright.
633: So sung they, and the Empyrean rung, 634: With HALLELUIAHS: Thus was Sabbath kept. 635: And thy request think now fulfill'd, that ask'd 636: How first this World and face of things began, 637: And what before thy memorie was don 638: From the beginning, that posteritie 639: Informd by thee might know; if else thou seekst 640: Aught, not surpassing human measure, say.
641: To whom thus ADAM gratefully repli'd. 642: What thanks sufficient, or what recompence 643: Equal have I to render thee, Divine 644: Hystorian, who thus largely hast allayd 645: The thirst I had of knowledge, and voutsaf't 646: This friendly condescention to relate 647: Things else by me unsearchable, now heard 648: VVith wonder, but delight, and, as is due, 649: With glorie attributed to the high 650: Creator; some thing yet of doubt remaines, 651: VVhich onely thy solution can resolve. 652: VVhen I behold this goodly Frame, this VVorld 653: Of Heav'n and Earth consisting, and compute, 654: Thir magnitudes, this Earth a spot, a graine, 655: An Atom, with the Firmament compar'd 656: And all her numberd Starrs, that seem to rowle 657: Spaces incomprehensible (for such 658: Thir distance argues and thir swift return 659: Diurnal) meerly to officiate light 660: Round this opacous Earth, this punctual spot, 661: One day and night; in all thir vast survey 662: Useless besides, reasoning I oft admire, 663: How Nature wise and frugal could commit 664: Such disproportions, with superfluous hand 665: So many nobler Bodies to create, 666: Greater so manifold to this one use, 667: For aught appeers, and on thir Orbs impose 668: Such restless revolution day by day 669: Repeated, while the sedentarie Earth, 670: That better might with farr less compass move, 671: Serv'd by more noble then her self, attaines 672: Her end without least motion, and receaves, 673: As Tribute such a sumless journey brought 674: Of incorporeal speed, her warmth and light; 675: Speed, to describe whose swiftness Number failes.
676: So spake our Sire, and by his count'nance seemd 677: Entring on studious thoughts abstruse, which EVE 678: Perceaving where she sat retir'd in sight, 679: With lowliness Majestic from her seat, 680: And Grace that won who saw to wish her stay, 681: Rose, and went forth among her Fruits and Flours, 682: To visit how they prosper'd, bud and bloom, 683: Her Nurserie; they at her coming sprung 684: And toucht by her fair tendance gladlier grew. 685: Yet went she not, as not with such discourse 686: Delighted, or not capable her eare 687: Of what was high: such pleasure she reserv'd, 688: ADAM relating, she sole Auditress; 689: Her Husband the Relater she preferr'd 690: Before the Angel, and of him to ask 691: Chose rather; hee, she knew would intermix 692: Grateful digressions, and solve high dispute 693: With conjugal Caresses, from his Lip 694: Not Words alone pleas'd her. O when meet now 695: Such pairs, in Love and mutual Honour joyn'd? 696: With Goddess-like demeanour forth she went; 697: Not unattended, for on her as Queen 698: A pomp of winning Graces waited still, 699: And from about her shot Darts of desire 700: Into all Eyes to wish her still in sight. 701: And RAPHAEL now to ADAM's doubt propos'd 702: Benevolent and facil thus repli'd.
703: To ask or search I blame thee not, for Heav'n 704: Is as the Book of God before thee set, 705: Wherein to read his wondrous Works, and learne 706: His Seasons, Hours, or Days, or Months, or Yeares: 707: This to attain, whether Heav'n move or Earth, 708: Imports not, if thou reck'n right, the rest 709: From Man or Angel the great Architect 710: Did wisely to conceal, and not divulge 711: His secrets to be scann'd by them who ought 712: Rather admire; or if they list to try 713: Conjecture, he his Fabric of the Heav'ns 714: Hath left to thir disputes, perhaps to move 715: His laughter at thir quaint Opinions wide 716: Hereafter, when they come to model Heav'n 717: And calculate the Starrs, how they will weild 718: The mightie frame, how build, unbuild, contrive 719: To save appeerances, how gird the Sphear 720: With Centric and Eccentric scribl'd o're, 721: Cycle and Epicycle, Orb in Orb: 722: Alreadie by thy reasoning this I guess, 723: Who art to lead thy ofspring, and supposest 724: That Bodies bright and greater should not serve 725: The less not bright, nor Heav'n such journies run, 726: Earth sitting still, when she alone receaves 727: The benefit: consider first, that Great 728: Or Bright inferrs not Excellence: the Earth 729: Though, in comparison of Heav'n, so small, 730: Nor glistering, may of solid good containe 731: More plenty then the Sun that barren shines, 732: Whose vertue on it self workes no effect, 733: But in the fruitful Earth; there first receavd 734: His beams, unactive else, thir vigor find. 735: Yet not to Earth are those bright Luminaries 736: Officious, but to thee Earths habitant. 737: And for the Heav'ns wide Circuit, let it speak 738: The Makers high magnificence, who built 739: So spacious, and his Line stretcht out so farr; 740: That Man may know he dwells not in his own; 741: An Edifice too large for him to fill, 742: Lodg'd in a small partition, and the rest 743: Ordain'd for uses to his Lord best known. 744: The swiftness of those Circles attribute, 745: Though numberless, to his Omnipotence, 746: That to corporeal substances could adde 747: Speed almost Spiritual; mee thou thinkst not slow, 748: Who since the Morning hour set out from Heav'n 749: Where God resides, and ere mid-day arriv'd 750: In EDEN, distance inexpressible 751: By Numbers that have name. But this I urge, 752: Admitting Motion in the Heav'ns, to shew 753: Invalid that which thee to doubt it mov'd; 754: Not that I so affirm, though so it seem 755: To thee who hast thy dwelling here on Earth. 756: God to remove his wayes from human sense, 757: Plac'd Heav'n from Earth so farr, that earthly sight, 758: If it presume, might erre in things too high, 759: And no advantage gaine. What if the Sun 760: Be Center to the World, and other Starrs 761: By his attractive vertue and thir own 762: Incited, dance about him various rounds? 763: Thir wandring course now high, now low, then hid, 764: Progressive, retrograde, or standing still, 765: In six thou seest, and what if sev'nth to these 766: The Planet Earth, so stedfast though she seem, 767: Insensibly three different Motions move? 768: Which else to several Sphears thou must ascribe, 769: Mov'd contrarie with thwart obliquities, 770: Or save the Sun his labour, and that swift 771: Nocturnal and Diurnal rhomb suppos'd, 772: Invisible else above all Starrs, the Wheele 773: Of Day and Night; which needs not thy beleefe, 774: If Earth industrious of her self fetch Day 775: Travelling East, and with her part averse 776: From the Suns beam meet Night, her other part 777: Still luminous by his ray. What if that light 778: Sent from her through the wide transpicuous aire, 779: To the terrestrial Moon be as a Starr 780: Enlightning her by Day, as she by Night 781: This Earth? reciprocal, if Land be there, 782: Feilds and Inhabitants: Her spots thou seest 783: As Clouds, and Clouds may rain, and Rain produce 784: Fruits in her soft'nd Soile, for some to eate 785: Allotted there; and other Suns perhaps 786: With thir attendant Moons thou wilt descrie 787: Communicating Male and Femal Light, 788: Which two great Sexes animate the World, 789: Stor'd in each Orb perhaps with some that live. 790: For such vast room in Nature unpossest 791: By living Soule, desert and desolate, 792: Onely to shine, yet scarce to contribute 793: Each Orb a glimps of Light, conveyd so farr 794: Down to this habitable, which returnes 795: Light back to them, is obvious to dispute. 796: But whether thus these things, or whether not, 797: Whether the Sun predominant in Heav'n 798: Rise on the Earth, or Earth rise on the Sun, 799: Hee from the East his flaming rode begin, 800: Or Shee from West her silent course advance 801: With inoffensive pace that spinning sleeps 802: On her soft Axle, while she paces Eev'n, 803: And bears thee soft with the smooth Air along, 804: Sollicit not thy thoughts with matters hid, 805: Leave them to God above, him serve and feare; 806: Of other Creatures, as him pleases best, 807: Wherever plac't, let him dispose: joy thou 808: In what he gives to thee, this Paradise 809: And thy faire EVE; Heav'n is for thee too high 810: To know what passes there; be lowlie wise: 811: Think onely what concernes thee and thy being; 812: Dream not of other Worlds, what Creatures there 813: Live, in what state, condition or degree, 814: Contented that thus farr hath been reveal'd 815: Not of Earth onely but of highest Heav'n.
816: To whom thus ADAM cleerd of doubt, repli'd. 817: How fully hast thou satisfi'd mee, pure 818: Intelligence of Heav'n, Angel serene, 819: And freed from intricacies, taught to live, 820: The easiest way, nor with perplexing thoughts 821: To interrupt the sweet of Life, from which 822: God hath bid dwell farr off all anxious cares, 823: And not molest us, unless we our selves 824: Seek them with wandring thoughts, and notions vaine. 825: But apt the Mind or Fancie is to roave 826: Uncheckt, and of her roaving is no end; 827: Till warn'd, or by experience taught, she learne, 828: That not to know at large of things remote 829: From use, obscure and suttle, but to know 830: That which before us lies in daily life, 831: Is the prime Wisdom, what is more, is fume, 832: Or emptiness, or fond impertinence, 833: And renders us in things that most concerne 834: Unpractis'd, unprepar'd, and still to seek. 835: Therefore from this high pitch let us descend 836: A lower flight, and speak of things at hand 837: Useful, whence haply mention may arise 838: Of somthing not unseasonable to ask 839: By sufferance, and thy wonted favour deign'd. 840: Thee I have heard relating what was don 841: Ere my remembrance: now hear mee relate 842: My Storie, which perhaps thou hast not heard; 843: And Day is yet not spent; till then thou seest 844: How suttly to detaine thee I devise, 845: Inviting thee to hear while I relate, 846: Fond, were it not in hope of thy reply: 847: For while I sit with thee, I seem in Heav'n, 848: And sweeter thy discourse is to my eare 849: Then Fruits of Palm-tree pleasantest to thirst 850: And hunger both, from labour, at the houre 851: Of sweet repast; they satiate, and soon fill, 852: Though pleasant, but thy words with Grace Divine 853: Imbu'd, bring to thir sweetness no satietie.
854: To whom thus RAPHAEL answer'd heav'nly meek. 855: Nor are thy lips ungraceful, Sire of men, 856: Nor tongue ineloquent; for God on thee 857: Abundantly his gifts hath also pour'd, 858: Inward and outward both, his image faire: 859: Speaking or mute all comliness and grace 860: Attends thee, and each word, each motion formes. 861: Nor less think wee in Heav'n of thee on Earth 862: Then of our fellow servant, and inquire 863: Gladly into the wayes of God with Man: 864: For God we see hath honour'd thee, and set 865: On Man his equal Love: say therefore on; 866: For I that Day was absent, as befell, 867: Bound on a voyage uncouth and obscure, 868: Farr on excursion toward the Gates of Hell; 869: Squar'd in full Legion (such command we had) 870: To see that none thence issu'd forth a spie, 871: Or enemie, while God was in his work, 872: Least hee incenst at such eruption bold, 873: Destruction with Creation might have mixt. 874: Not that they durst without his leave attempt, 875: But us he sends upon his high behests 876: For state, as Sovran King, and to enure 877: Our prompt obedience. Fast we found, fast shut 878: The dismal Gates, and barricado'd strong; 879: But long ere our approaching heard within 880: Noise, other then the sound of Dance or Song, 881: Torment, and lowd lament, and furious rage. 882: Glad we return'd up to the coasts of Light 883: Ere Sabbath Eev'ning: so we had in charge. 884: But thy relation now; for I attend, 885: Pleas'd with thy words no less then thou with mine.
886: So spake the Godlike Power, and thus our Sire. 887: For Man to tell how human Life began 888: Is hard; for who himself beginning knew? 889: Desire with thee still longer to converse 890: Induc'd me. As new wak't from soundest sleep 891: Soft on the flourie herb I found me laid 892: In Balmie Sweat, which with his Beames the Sun 893: Soon dri'd, and on the reaking moisture fed. 894: Strait toward Heav'n my wondring Eyes I turnd, 895: And gaz'd a while the ample Skie, till rais'd 896: By quick instinctive motion up I sprung, 897: As thitherward endevoring, and upright 898: Stood on my feet; about me round I saw 899: Hill, Dale, and shadie Woods, and sunnie Plaines, 900: And liquid Lapse of murmuring Streams; by these, 901: Creatures that livd, and movd, and walk'd, or flew, 902: Birds on the branches warbling; all things smil'd, 903: With fragrance and with joy my heart oreflow'd. 904: My self I then perus'd, and Limb by Limb 905: Survey'd, and sometimes went, and sometimes ran 906: With supple joints, as lively vigour led: 907: But who I was, or where, or from what cause, 908: Knew not; to speak I tri'd, and forthwith spake, 909: My Tongue obey'd and readily could name 910: What e're I saw. Thou Sun, said I, faire Light, 911: And thou enlight'nd Earth, so fresh and gay, 912: Ye Hills and Dales, ye Rivers, Woods, and Plaines, 913: And ye that live and move, fair Creatures, tell, 914: Tell, if ye saw, how came I thus, how here? 915: Not of my self; by some great Maker then, 916: In goodness and in power praeeminent; 917: Tell me, how may I know him, how adore, 918: From whom I have that thus I move and live, 919: And feel that I am happier then I know. 920: While thus I call'd, and stray'd I knew not whither, 921: From where I first drew Aire, and first beheld 922: This happie Light, when answer none return'd, 923: On a green shadie Bank profuse of Flours 924: Pensive I sate me down; there gentle sleep 925: First found me, and with soft oppression seis'd 926: My droused sense, untroubl'd, though I thought 927: I then was passing to my former state 928: Insensible, and forthwith to dissolve: 929: When suddenly stood at my Head a dream, 930: Whose inward apparition gently mov'd 931: My Fancy to believe I yet had being, 932: And livd: One came, methought, of shape Divine, 933: And said, thy Mansion wants thee, ADAM, rise, 934: First Man, of Men innumerable ordain'd 935: First Father, call'd by thee I come thy Guide 936: To the Garden of bliss, thy seat prepar'd. 937: So saying, by the hand he took me rais'd, 938: And over Fields and Waters, as in Aire 939: Smooth sliding without step, last led me up 940: A woodie Mountain; whose high top was plaine, 941: A Circuit wide, enclos'd, with goodliest Trees 942: Planted, with Walks, and Bowers, that what I saw 943: Of Earth before scarse pleasant seemd. Each Tree 944: Load'n with fairest Fruit, that hung to the Eye 945: Tempting, stirr'd in me sudden appetite 946: To pluck and eate; whereat I wak'd, and found 947: Before mine Eyes all real, as the dream 948: Had lively shadowd: Here had new begun 949: My wandring, had not hee who was my Guide 950: Up hither, from among the Trees appeer'd, 951: Presence Divine. Rejoycing, but with aw 952: In adoration at his feet I fell 953: Submiss: he rear'd me, & Whom thou soughtst I am, 954: Said mildely, Author of all this thou seest 955: Above, or round about thee or beneath. 956: This Paradise I give thee, count it thine 957: To Till and keep, and of the Fruit to eate: 958: Of every Tree that in the Garden growes 959: Eate freely with glad heart; fear here no dearth: 960: But of the Tree whose operation brings 961: Knowledg of good and ill, which I have set 962: The Pledge of thy Obedience and thy Faith, 963: Amid the Garden by the Tree of Life, 964: Remember what I warne thee, shun to taste, 965: And shun the bitter consequence: for know, 966: The day thou eat'st thereof, my sole command 967: Transgrest, inevitably thou shalt dye; 968: From that day mortal, and this happie State 969: Shalt loose, expell'd from hence into a World 970: Of woe and sorrow. Sternly he pronounc'd 971: The rigid interdiction, which resounds 972: Yet dreadful in mine eare, though in my choice 973: Not to incur; but soon his cleer aspect 974: Return'd and gratious purpose thus renew'd. 975: Not onely these fair bounds, but all the Earth 976: To thee and to thy Race I give; as Lords 977: Possess it, and all things that therein live, 978: Or live in Sea, or Aire, Beast, Fish, and Fowle. 979: In signe whereof each Bird and Beast behold 980: After thir kindes; I bring them to receave 981: From thee thir Names, and pay thee fealtie 982: With low subjection; understand the same 983: Of Fish within thir watry residence, 984: Not hither summond, since they cannot change 985: Thir Element to draw the thinner Aire. 986: As thus he spake, each Bird and Beast behold 987: Approaching two and two, These cowring low 988: With blandishment, each Bird stoop'd on his wing. 989: I nam'd them, as they pass'd, and understood 990: Thir Nature, with such knowledg God endu'd 991: My sudden apprehension: but in these 992: I found not what me thought I wanted still; 993: And to the Heav'nly vision thus presum'd.
994: O by what Name, for thou above all these, 995: Above mankinde, or aught then mankinde higher, 996: Surpassest farr my naming, how may I 997: Adore thee, Author of this Universe, 998: And all this good to man, for whose well being 999: So amply, and with hands so liberal 1000: Thou hast provided all things: but with mee 1001: I see not who partakes. In solitude 1002: What happiness, who can enjoy alone, 1003: Or all enjoying, what contentment find? 1004: Thus I presumptuous; and the vision bright, 1005: As with a smile more bright'nd, thus repli'd.
1006: What call'st thou solitude, is not the Earth 1007: With various living creatures, and the Aire 1008: Replenisht, and all these at thy command 1009: To come and play before thee, know'st thou not 1010: Thir language and thir wayes, they also know, 1011: And reason not contemptibly; with these 1012: Find pastime, and beare rule; thy Realm is large. 1013: So spake the Universal Lord, and seem'd 1014: So ordering. I with leave of speech implor'd, 1015: And humble deprecation thus repli'd.
1016: Let not my words offend thee, Heav'nly Power, 1017: My Maker, be propitious while I speak. 1018: Hast thou not made me here thy substitute, 1019: And these inferiour farr beneath me set? 1020: Among unequals what societie 1021: Can sort, what harmonie or true delight? 1022: Which must be mutual, in proportion due 1023: Giv'n and receiv'd; but in disparitie 1024: The one intense, the other still remiss 1025: Cannot well suite with either, but soon prove 1026: Tedious alike: Of fellowship I speak 1027: Such as I seek, fit to participate 1028: All rational delight, wherein the brute 1029: Cannot be human consort; they rejoyce 1030: Each with thir kinde, Lion with Lioness; 1031: So fitly them in pairs thou hast combin'd; 1032: Much less can Bird with Beast, or Fish with Fowle 1033: So well converse, nor with the Ox the Ape; 1034: Wors then can Man with Beast, and least of all.
1035: Whereto th' Almighty answer'd, not displeas'd. 1036: A nice and suttle happiness I see 1037: Thou to thy self proposest, in the choice 1038: Of thy Associates, ADAM, and wilt taste 1039: No pleasure, though in pleasure, solitarie. 1040: What thinkst thou then of mee, and this my State, 1041: Seem I to thee sufficiently possest 1042: Of happiness, or not? who am alone 1043: From all Eternitie, for none I know 1044: Second to mee or like, equal much less. 1045: How have I then with whom to hold converse 1046: Save with the Creatures which I made, and those 1047: To me inferiour, infinite descents 1048: Beneath what other Creatures are to thee?
1049: He ceas'd, I lowly answer'd. To attaine 1050: The highth and depth of thy Eternal wayes 1051: All human thoughts come short, Supream of things; 1052: Thou in thy self art perfet, and in thee 1053: Is no deficience found; not so is Man, 1054: But in degree, the cause of his desire 1055: By conversation with his like to help, 1056: Or solace his defects. No need that thou 1057: Shouldst propagat, already infinite; 1058: And through all numbers absolute, though One; 1059: But Man by number is to manifest 1060: His single imperfection, and beget 1061: Like of his like, his Image multipli'd, 1062: In unitie defective, which requires 1063: Collateral love, and deerest amitie. 1064: Thou in thy secresie although alone, 1065: Best with thy self accompanied, seek'st not 1066: Social communication, yet so pleas'd, 1067: Canst raise thy Creature to what highth thou wilt 1068: Of Union or Communion, deifi'd; 1069: I by conversing cannot these erect 1070: From prone, nor in thir wayes complacence find. 1071: Thus I embold'nd spake, and freedom us'd 1072: Permissive, and acceptance found, which gain'd 1073: This answer from the gratious voice Divine.
1074: Thus farr to try thee, ADAM, I was pleas'd, 1075: And finde thee knowing not of Beasts alone, 1076: Which thou hast rightly nam'd, but of thy self, 1077: Expressing well the spirit within thee free, 1078: My Image, not imparted to the Brute, 1079: Whose fellowship therefore unmeet for thee 1080: Good reason was thou freely shouldst dislike, 1081: And be so minded still; I, ere thou spak'st, 1082: Knew it not good for Man to be alone, 1083: And no such companie as then thou saw'st 1084: Intended thee, for trial onely brought, 1085: To see how thou could'st judge of fit and meet: 1086: What next I bring shall please thee, be assur'd, 1087: Thy likeness, thy fit help, thy other self, 1088: Thy wish, exactly to thy hearts desire.
1089: Hee ended, or I heard no more, for now 1090: My earthly by his Heav'nly overpowerd, 1091: Which it had long stood under, streind to the highth 1092: In that celestial Colloquie sublime, 1093: As with an object that excels the sense, 1094: Dazl'd and spent, sunk down, and sought repair 1095: Of sleep, which instantly fell on me, call'd 1096: By Nature as in aide, and clos'd mine eyes. 1097: Mine eyes he clos'd, but op'n left the Cell 1098: Of Fancie my internal sight, by which 1099: Abstract as in a transe methought I saw, 1100: Though sleeping, where I lay, and saw the shape 1101: Still glorious before whom awake I stood; 1102: Who stooping op'nd my left side, and took 1103: From thence a Rib, with cordial spirits warme, 1104: And Life-blood streaming fresh; wide was the wound, 1105: But suddenly with flesh fill'd up & heal'd: 1106: The Rib he formd and fashond with his hands; 1107: Under his forming hands a Creature grew, 1108: Manlike, but different sex, so lovly faire, 1109: That what seemd fair in all the World, seemd now 1110: Mean, or in her summd up, in her containd 1111: And in her looks, which from that time infus'd 1112: Sweetness into my heart, unfelt before, 1113: And into all things from her Aire inspir'd 1114: The spirit of love and amorous delight. 1115: She disappeerd, and left me dark, I wak'd 1116: To find her, or for ever to deplore 1117: Her loss, and other pleasures all abjure: 1118: When out of hope, behold her, not farr off, 1119: Such as I saw her in my dream, adornd 1120: With what all Earth or Heaven could bestow 1121: To make her amiable: On she came, 1122: Led by her Heav'nly Maker, though unseen, 1123: And guided by his voice, nor uninformd 1124: Of nuptial Sanctitie and marriage Rites: 1125: Grace was in all her steps, Heav'n in her Eye, 1126: In every gesture dignitie and love. 1127: I overjoyd could not forbear aloud.
1128: This turn hath made amends; thou hast fulfill'd 1129: Thy words, Creator bounteous and benigne, 1130: Giver of all things faire, but fairest this 1131: Of all thy gifts, nor enviest. I now see 1132: Bone of my Bone, Flesh of my Flesh, my Self 1133: Before me; Woman is her Name, of Man 1134: Extracted; for this cause he shall forgoe 1135: Father and Mother, and to his Wife adhere; 1136: And they shall be one Flesh, one Heart, one Soule.
1137: She heard me thus, and though divinely brought, 1138: Yet Innocence and Virgin Modestie, 1139: Her vertue and the conscience of her worth, 1140: That would be woo'd, and not unsought be won, 1141: Not obvious, not obtrusive, but retir'd, 1142: The more desirable, or to say all, 1143: Nature her self, though pure of sinful thought, 1144: Wrought in her so, that seeing me, she turn'd; 1145: I follow'd her, she what was Honour knew, 1146: And with obsequious Majestie approv'd 1147: My pleaded reason. To the Nuptial Bowre 1148: I led her blushing like the Morn: all Heav'n, 1149: And happie Constellations on that houre 1150: Shed thir selectest influence; the Earth 1151: Gave sign of gratulation, and each Hill; 1152: Joyous the Birds; fresh Gales and gentle Aires 1153: Whisper'd it to the Woods, and from thir wings 1154: Flung Rose, flung Odours from the spicie Shrub, 1155: Disporting, till the amorous Bird of Night 1156: Sung Spousal, and bid haste the Eevning Starr 1157: On his Hill top, to light the bridal Lamp. 1158: Thus I have told thee all my State, and brought 1159: My Storie to the sum of earthly bliss 1160: Which I enjoy, and must confess to find 1161: In all things else delight indeed, but such 1162: As us'd or not, works in the mind no change, 1163: Nor vehement desire, these delicacies 1164: I mean of Taste, Sight, Smell, Herbs, Fruits, & Flours, 1165: Walks, and the melodie of Birds; but here 1166: Farr otherwise, transported I behold, 1167: Transported touch; here passion first I felt, 1168: Commotion strange, in all enjoyments else 1169: Superiour and unmov'd, here onely weake 1170: Against the charm of Beauties powerful glance. 1171: Or Nature faild in mee, and left some part 1172: Not proof enough such Object to sustain, 1173: Or from my side subducting, took perhaps 1174: More then enough; at least on her bestow'd 1175: Too much of Ornament, in outward shew 1176: Elaborate, of inward less exact. 1177: For well I understand in the prime end 1178: Of Nature her th' inferiour, in the mind 1179: And inward Faculties, which most excell, 1180: In outward also her resembling less 1181: His Image who made both, and less expressing 1182: The character of that Dominion giv'n 1183: O're other Creatures; yet when I approach 1184: Her loveliness, so absolute she seems 1185: And in her self compleat, so well to know 1186: Her own, that what she wills to do or say, 1187: Seems wisest, vertuousest, discreetest, best; 1188: All higher knowledge in her presence falls 1189: Degraded, Wisdom in discourse with her 1190: Looses discount'nanc't, and like folly shewes; 1191: Authoritie and Reason on her waite, 1192: As one intended first, not after made 1193: Occasionally; and to consummate all, 1194: Greatness of mind and nobleness thir seat 1195: Build in her loveliest, and create an awe 1196: About her, as a guard Angelic plac't. 1197: To whom the Angel with contracted brow.
1198: Accuse not Nature, she hath don her part; 1199: Do thou but thine, and be not diffident 1200: Of Wisdom, she deserts thee not, if thou 1201: Dismiss not her, when most thou needst her nigh, 1202: By attributing overmuch to things 1203: Less excellent, as thou thy self perceav'st. 1204: For what admir'st thou, what transports thee so, 1205: An outside? fair no doubt, and worthy well 1206: Thy cherishing, thy honouring, and thy love, 1207: Not thy subjection: weigh with her thy self; 1208: Then value: Oft times nothing profits more 1209: Then self-esteem, grounded on just and right 1210: Well manag'd; of that skill the more thou know'st, 1211: The more she will acknowledge thee her Head, 1212: And to realities yeild all her shows; 1213: Made so adorn for thy delight the more, 1214: So awful, that with honour thou maist love 1215: Thy mate, who sees when thou art seen least wise. 1216: But if the sense of touch whereby mankind 1217: Is propagated seem such dear delight 1218: Beyond all other, think the same voutsaf't 1219: To Cattel and each Beast; which would not be 1220: To them made common & divulg'd, if aught 1221: Therein enjoy'd were worthy to subdue 1222: The Soule of Man, or passion in him move. 1223: What higher in her societie thou findst 1224: Attractive, human, rational, love still; 1225: In loving thou dost well, in passion not, 1226: Wherein true Love consists not; love refines 1227: The thoughts, and heart enlarges, hath his seat 1228: In Reason, and is judicious, is the scale 1229: By which to heav'nly Love thou maist ascend, 1230: Not sunk in carnal pleasure, for which cause 1231: Among the Beasts no Mate for thee was found.
1232: To whom thus half abash't ADAM repli'd. 1233: Neither her out-side formd so fair, nor aught 1234: In procreation common to all kindes 1235: (Though higher of the genial Bed by far, 1236: And with mysterious reverence I deem) 1237: So much delights me, as those graceful acts, 1238: Those thousand decencies that daily flow 1239: From all her words and actions, mixt with Love 1240: And sweet compliance, which declare unfeign'd 1241: Union of Mind, or in us both one Soule; 1242: Harmonie to behold in wedded pair 1243: More grateful then harmonious sound to the eare. 1244: Yet these subject not; I to thee disclose 1245: What inward thence I feel, not therefore foild, 1246: Who meet with various objects, from the sense 1247: Variously representing; yet still free 1248: Approve the best, and follow what I approve. 1249: To love thou blam'st me not, for love thou saist 1250: Leads up to Heav'n, is both the way and guide; 1251: Bear with me then, if lawful what I ask; 1252: Love not the heav'nly Spirits, and how thir Love 1253: Express they, by looks onely, or do they mix 1254: Irradiance, virtual or immediate touch?
1255: To whom the Angel with a smile that glow'd 1256: Celestial rosie red, Loves proper hue, 1257: Answer'd. Let it suffice thee that thou know'st 1258: Us happie, and without Love no happiness. 1259: Whatever pure thou in the body enjoy'st 1260: (And pure thou wert created) we enjoy 1261: In eminence, and obstacle find none 1262: Of membrane, joynt, or limb, exclusive barrs: 1263: Easier then Air with Air, if Spirits embrace, 1264: Total they mix, Union of Pure with Pure 1265: Desiring; nor restrain'd conveyance need 1266: As Flesh to mix with Flesh, or Soul with Soul. 1267: But I can now no more; the parting Sun 1268: Beyond the Earths green Cape and verdant Isles 1269: HESPEREAN sets, my Signal to depart. 1270: Be strong, live happie, and love, but first of all 1271: Him whom to love is to obey, and keep 1272: His great command; take heed least Passion sway 1273: Thy Judgement to do aught, which else free Will 1274: Would not admit; thine and of all thy Sons 1275: The weal or woe in thee is plac't; beware. 1276: I in thy persevering shall rejoyce, 1277: And all the Blest: stand fast; to stand or fall 1278: Free in thine own Arbitrement it lies. 1279: Perfet within, no outward aid require; 1280: And all temptation to transgress repel.
1281: So saying, he arose; whom ADAM thus 1282: Follow'd with benediction. Since to part, 1283: Go heavenly Guest, Ethereal Messenger, 1284: Sent from whose sovran goodness I adore. 1285: Gentle to me and affable hath been 1286: Thy condescension, and shall be honour'd ever 1287: With grateful Memorie: thou to mankind 1288: Be good and friendly still, and oft return.
1289: So parted they, the Angel up to Heav'n 1290: From the thick shade, and ADAM to his Bowre.
Book 8
1: No more of talk where God or Angel Guest 2: With Man, as with his Friend, familiar us'd 3: To sit indulgent, and with him partake 4: Rural repast, permitting him the while 5: Venial discourse unblam'd: I now must change 6: Those Notes to Tragic; foul distrust, and breach 7: Disloyal on the part of Man, revolt 8: And disobedience: On the part of Heav'n 9: Now alienated, distance and distaste, 10: Anger and just rebuke, and judgement giv'n, 11: That brought into this World a world of woe, 12: Sinne and her shadow Death, and Miserie 13: Deaths Harbinger: Sad task, yet argument 14: Not less but more Heroic then the wrauth 15: Of stern ACHILLES on his Foe pursu'd 16: Thrice Fugitive about TROY Wall; or rage 17: Of TURNUS for LAVINIA disespous'd, 18: Or NEPTUN'S ire or JUNO'S, that so long 19: Perplex'd the GREEK and CYTHEREA'S Son; 20: If answerable style I can obtaine 21: Of my Celestial Patroness, who deignes 22: Her nightly visitation unimplor'd, 23: And dictates to me slumbring, or inspires 24: Easie my unpremeditated Verse: 25: Since first this subject for Heroic Song 26: Pleas'd me long choosing, and beginning late; 27: Not sedulous by Nature to indite 28: Warrs, hitherto the onely Argument 29: Heroic deem'd, chief maistrie to dissect 30: With long and tedious havoc fabl'd Knights 31: In Battels feign'd; the better fortitude 32: Of Patience and Heroic Martyrdom 33: Unsung; or to describe Races and Games, 34: Or tilting Furniture, emblazon'd Shields, 35: Impreses quaint, Caparisons and Steeds; 36: Bases and tinsel Trappings, gorgious Knights 37: At Joust and Torneament; then marshal'd Feast 38: Serv'd up in Hall with Sewers, and Seneshals; 39: The skill of Artifice or Office mean, 40: Not that which justly gives Heroic name 41: To Person or to Poem. Mee of these 42: Nor skilld nor studious, higher Argument 43: Remaines, sufficient of it self to raise 44: That name, unless an age too late, or cold 45: Climat, or Years damp my intended wing 46: Deprest, and much they may, if all be mine, 47: Not Hers who brings it nightly to my Ear.
48: The Sun was sunk, and after him the Starr 49: Of HESPERUS, whose Office is to bring 50: Twilight upon the Earth, short Arbiter 51: Twixt Day and Night, and now from end to end 52: Nights Hemisphere had veild the Horizon round: 53: When SATAN who late fled before the threats 54: Of GABRIEL out of EDEN, now improv'd 55: In meditated fraud and malice, bent 56: On mans destruction, maugre what might hap 57: Of heavier on himself, fearless return'd. 58: By Night he fled, and at Midnight return'd 59: From compassing the Earth, cautious of day, 60: Since URIEL Regent of the Sun descri'd 61: His entrance, and forewarnd the Cherubim 62: That kept thir watch; thence full of anguish driv'n, 63: The space of seven continu'd Nights he rode 64: With darkness, thrice the Equinoctial Line 65: He circl'd, four times cross'd the Carr of Night 66: From Pole to Pole, traversing each Colure; 67: On the eighth return'd, and on the Coast averse 68: From entrance or Cherubic Watch, by stealth 69: Found unsuspected way. There was a place, 70: Now not, though Sin, not Time, first wraught the change, 71: Where TIGRIS at the foot of Paradise 72: Into a Gulf shot under ground, till part 73: Rose up a Fountain by the Tree of Life; 74: In with the River sunk, and with it rose 75: Satan involv'd in rising Mist, then sought 76: Where to lie hid; Sea he had searcht and Land 77: From EDEN over PONTUS, and the Poole 78: MAEOTIS, up beyond the River OB; 79: Downward as farr Antartic; and in length 80: West from ORANTES to the Ocean barr'd 81: At DARIEN, thence to the Land where flowes 82: GANGES and INDUS: thus the Orb he roam'd 83: With narrow search; and with inspection deep 84: Consider'd every Creature, which of all 85: Most opportune might serve his Wiles, and found 86: The Serpent suttlest Beast of all the Field. 87: Him after long debate, irresolute 88: Of thoughts revolv'd, his final sentence chose 89: Fit Vessel, fittest Imp of fraud, in whom 90: To enter, and his dark suggestions hide 91: From sharpest sight: for in the wilie Snake, 92: Whatever sleights none would suspicious mark, 93: As from his wit and native suttletie 94: Proceeding, which in other Beasts observ'd 95: Doubt might beget of Diabolic pow'r 96: Active within beyond the sense of brute. 97: Thus he resolv'd, but first from inward griefe 98: His bursting passion into plaints thus pour'd:
99: O Earth, how like to Heav'n, if not preferrd 100: More justly, Seat worthier of Gods, as built 101: With second thoughts, reforming what was old! 102: For what God after better worse would build? 103: Terrestrial Heav'n, danc't round by other Heav'ns 104: That shine, yet bear thir bright officious Lamps, 105: Light above Light, for thee alone, as seems, 106: In thee concentring all thir precious beams 107: Of sacred influence: As God in Heav'n 108: Is Center, yet extends to all, so thou 109: Centring receav'st from all those Orbs; in thee, 110: Not in themselves, all thir known vertue appeers 111: Productive in Herb, Plant, and nobler birth 112: Of Creatures animate with gradual life 113: Of Growth, Sense, Reason, all summ'd up in Man. 114: With what delight could I have walkt thee round 115: If I could joy in aught, sweet interchange 116: Of Hill and Vallie, Rivers, Woods and Plaines, 117: Now Land, now Sea, & Shores with Forrest crownd, 118: Rocks, Dens, and Caves; but I in none of these 119: Find place or refuge; and the more I see 120: Pleasures about me, so much more I feel 121: Torment within me, as from the hateful siege 122: Of contraries; all good to me becomes 123: Bane, and in Heav'n much worse would be my state. 124: But neither here seek I, no nor in Heav'n 125: To dwell, unless by maistring Heav'ns Supreame; 126: Nor hope to be my self less miserable 127: By what I seek, but others to make such 128: As I though thereby worse to me redound: 129: For onely in destroying I finde ease 130: To my relentless thoughts; and him destroyd, 131: Or won to what may work his utter loss, 132: For whom all this was made, all this will soon 133: Follow, as to him linkt in weal or woe, 134: In wo then; that destruction wide may range: 135: To mee shall be the glorie sole among 136: The infernal Powers, in one day to have marr'd 137: What he ALMIGHTIE styl'd, six Nights and Days 138: Continu'd making, and who knows how long 139: Before had bin contriving, though perhaps 140: Not longer then since I in one Night freed 141: From servitude inglorious welnigh half 142: Th' Angelic Name, and thinner left the throng 143: Of his adorers: hee to be aveng'd, 144: And to repaire his numbers thus impair'd, 145: Whether such vertue spent of old now faild 146: More Angels to Create, if they at least 147: Are his Created or to spite us more, 148: Determin'd to advance into our room 149: A Creature form'd of Earth, and him endow, 150: Exalted from so base original, 151: With Heav'nly spoils, our spoils: What he decreed 152: He effected; Man he made, and for him built 153: Magnificent this World, and Earth his seat, 154: Him Lord pronounc'd, and, O indignitie! 155: Subjected to his service Angel wings, 156: And flaming Ministers to watch and tend 157: Thir earthlie Charge: Of these the vigilance 158: I dread, and to elude, thus wrapt in mist 159: Of midnight vapor glide obscure, and prie 160: In every Bush and Brake, where hap may finde 161: The Serpent sleeping, in whose mazie foulds 162: To hide me, and the dark intent I bring. 163: O foul descent! that I who erst contended 164: With Gods to sit the highest, am now constraind 165: Into a Beast, and mixt with bestial slime, 166: This essence to incarnate and imbrute, 167: That to the hight of Deitie aspir'd; 168: But what will not Ambition and Revenge 169: Descend to? who aspires must down as low 170: As high he soard, obnoxious first or last 171: To basest things. Revenge, at first though sweet, 172: Bitter ere long back on it self recoiles; 173: Let it; I reck not, so it light well aim'd, 174: Since higher I fall short, on him who next 175: Provokes my envie, this new Favorite 176: Of Heav'n, this Man of Clay, Son of despite, 177: Whom us the more to spite his Maker rais'd 178: From dust: spite then with spite is best repaid.
179: So saying, through each Thicket Danck or Drie, 180: Like a black mist low creeping, he held on 181: His midnight search, where soonest he might finde 182: The Serpent: him fast sleeping soon he found 183: In Labyrinth of many a round self-rowl'd, 184: His head the midst, well stor'd with suttle wiles: 185: Not yet in horrid Shade or dismal Den, 186: Not nocent yet, but on the grassie Herbe 187: Fearless unfeard he slept: in at his Mouth 188: The Devil enterd, and his brutal sense, 189: In heart or head, possessing soon inspir'd 190: With act intelligential; but his sleep 191: Disturbd not, waiting close th' approach of Morn. 192: Now whenas sacred Light began to dawne 193: In EDEN on the humid Flours, that breathd 194: Thir morning Incense, when all things that breath, 195: From th' Earths great Altar send up silent praise 196: To the Creator, and his Nostrils fill 197: With gratefull Smell, forth came the human pair 198: And joynd thir vocal Worship to the Quire 199: Of Creatures wanting voice, that done, partake 200: The season, prime for sweetest Sents and Aires: 201: Then commune how that day they best may ply 202: Thir growing work: for much thir work outgrew 203: The hands dispatch of two Gardning so wide. 204: And EVE first to her Husband thus began.
205: ADAM, well may we labour still to dress 206: This Garden, still to tend Plant, Herb and Flour. 207: Our pleasant task enjoyn'd, but till more hands 208: Aid us, the work under our labour grows, 209: Luxurious by restraint; what we by day 210: Lop overgrown, or prune, or prop, or bind, 211: One night or two with wanton growth derides 212: Tending to wilde. Thou therefore now advise 213: Or hear what to my mind first thoughts present, 214: Let us divide our labours, thou where choice 215: Leads thee, or where most needs, whether to wind 216: The Woodbine round this Arbour, or direct 217: The clasping Ivie where to climb, while I 218: In yonder Spring of Roses intermixt 219: With Myrtle, find what to redress till Noon: 220: For while so near each other thus all day 221: Our task we choose, what wonder if no near 222: Looks intervene and smiles, or object new 223: Casual discourse draw on, which intermits 224: Our dayes work brought to little, though begun 225: Early, and th' hour of Supper comes unearn'd.
226: To whom mild answer ADAM thus return'd. 227: Sole EVE, Associate sole, to me beyond 228: Compare above all living Creatures deare, 229: Well hast thou motion'd, wel thy thoughts imployd 230: How we might best fulfill the work which here 231: God hath assign'd us, nor of me shalt pass 232: Unprais'd: for nothing lovelier can be found 233: In woman, then to studie houshold good, 234: And good workes in her Husband to promote. 235: Yet not so strictly hath our Lord impos'd 236: Labour, as to debarr us when we need 237: Refreshment, whether food, or talk between, 238: Food of the mind, or this sweet intercourse 239: Of looks and smiles, for smiles from Reason flow, 240: To brute deni'd, and are of Love the food, 241: Love not the lowest end of human life. 242: For not to irksom toile, but to delight 243: He made us, and delight to Reason joyn'd. 244: These paths and Bowers doubt not but our joynt 245: Will keep from Wilderness with ease, as wide 246: As we need walk, till younger hands ere long 247: Assist us: But if much converse perhaps 248: Thee satiate, to short absence I could yeild. 249: For solitude somtimes is best societie, 250: And short retirement urges sweet returne. 251: But other doubt possesses me, least harm 252: Befall thee sever'd from me; for thou knowst 253: What hath bin warn'd us, what malicious Foe 254: Envying our happiness, and of his own 255: Despairing, seeks to work us woe and shame 256: By sly assault; and somwhere nigh at hand 257: Watches, no doubt, with greedy hope to find 258: His wish and best advantage, us asunder, 259: Hopeless to circumvent us joynd, where each 260: To other speedie aide might lend at need; 261: Whether his first design be to withdraw 262: Our fealtie from God, or to disturb 263: Conjugal Love, then which perhaps no bliss 264: Enjoy'd by us excites his envie more; 265: Or this, or worse, leave not the faithful side 266: That gave thee being, stil shades thee and protects. 267: The Wife, where danger or dishonour lurks, 268: Safest and seemliest by her Husband staies, 269: Who guards her, or with her the worst endures.
270: To whom the Virgin Majestie of EVE, 271: As one who loves, and some unkindness meets, 272: With sweet austeer composure thus reply'd.
273: Ofspring of Heav'n and Earth, and all Earths Lord, 274: That such an enemie we have, who seeks 275: Our ruin, both by thee informd I learne, 276: And from the parting Angel over-heard 277: As in a shadie nook I stood behind, 278: Just then returnd at shut of Evening Flours. 279: But that thou shouldst my firmness therefore doubt 280: To God or thee, because we have a foe 281: May tempt it, I expected not to hear. 282: His violence thou fearst not, being such, 283: As wee, not capable of death or paine, 284: Can either not receave, or can repell. 285: His fraud is then thy fear, which plain inferrs 286: Thy equal fear that my firm Faith and Love 287: Can by his fraud be shak'n or seduc't; 288: Thoughts, which how found they harbour in thy Brest, 289: ADAM, misthought of her to thee so dear?
290: To whom with healing words ADAM reply'd. 291: Daughter of God and Man, immortal EVE, 292: For such thou art, from sin and blame entire: 293: Not diffident of thee do I dissuade 294: Thy absence from my sight, but to avoid 295: Th' attempt it self, intended by our Foe. 296: For hee who tempts, though in vain, at least asperses 297: The tempted with dishonour foul, suppos'd 298: Not incorruptible of Faith, not prooff 299: Against temptation: thou thy self with scorne 300: And anger wouldst resent the offer'd wrong, 301: Though ineffectual found: misdeem not then, 302: If such affront I labour to avert 303: From thee alone, which on us both at once 304: The Enemie, though bold, will hardly dare, 305: Or daring, first on mee th' assault shall light. 306: Nor thou his malice and false guile contemn; 307: Suttle he needs must be, who could seduce 308: Angels, nor think superfluous others aid. 309: I from the influence of thy looks receave 310: Access in every Vertue, in thy sight 311: More wise, more watchful, stronger, if need were 312: Of outward strength; while shame, thou looking on, 313: Shame to be overcome or over-reacht 314: Would utmost vigor raise, and rais'd unite. 315: Why shouldst not thou like sense within thee feel 316: When I am present, and thy trial choose 317: With me, best witness of thy Vertue tri'd.
318: So spake domestick ADAM in his care 319: And Matrimonial Love, but EVE, who thought 320: Less attributed to her Faith sincere, 321: Thus her reply with accent sweet renewd.
322: If this be our condition, thus to dwell 323: In narrow circuit strait'nd by a Foe, 324: Suttle or violent, we not endu'd 325: Single with like defence, wherever met, 326: How are we happie, still in fear of harm? 327: But harm precedes not sin: onely our Foe 328: Tempting affronts us with his foul esteem 329: Of our integritie: his foul esteeme 330: Sticks no dishonor on our Front, but turns 331: Foul on himself; then wherfore shund or feard 332: By us? who rather double honour gaine 333: From his surmise prov'd false, finde peace within, 334: Favour from Heav'n, our witness from th' event. 335: And what is Faith, Love, Vertue unassaid 336: Alone, without exterior help sustaind? 337: Let us not then suspect our happie State 338: Left so imperfet by the Maker wise, 339: As not secure to single or combin'd. 340: Fraile is our happiness, if this be so, 341: And EDEN were no EDEN thus expos'd.
342: To whom thus ADAM fervently repli'd. 343: O Woman, best are all things as the will 344: Of God ordaind them, his creating hand 345: Nothing imperfet or deficient left 346: Of all that he Created, much less Man, 347: Or ought that might his happie State secure, 348: Secure from outward force; within himself 349: The danger lies, yet lies within his power: 350: Against his will he can receave no harme. 351: But God left free the Will, for what obeyes 352: Reason, is free, and Reason he made right, 353: But bid her well beware, and still erect, 354: Least by some faire appeering good surpris'd 355: She dictate false, and missinforme the Will 356: To do what God expresly hath forbid. 357: Not then mistrust, but tender love enjoynes, 358: That I should mind thee oft, and mind thou me. 359: Firm we subsist, yet possible to swerve, 360: Since Reason not impossibly may meet 361: Some specious object by the Foe subornd, 362: And fall into deception unaware, 363: Not keeping strictest watch, as she was warnd. 364: Seek not temptation then, which to avoide 365: Were better, and most likelie if from mee 366: Thou sever not; Trial will come unsought. 367: Wouldst thou approve thy constancie, approve 368: First thy obedience; th' other who can know, 369: Not seeing thee attempted, who attest? 370: But if thou think, trial unsought may finde 371: Us both securer then thus warnd thou seemst, 372: Go; for thy stay, not free, absents thee more; 373: Go in thy native innocence, relie 374: On what thou hast of vertue, summon all, 375: For God towards thee hath done his part, do thine.
376: So spake the Patriarch of Mankinde, but EVE 377: Persisted, yet submiss, though last, repli'd.
378: With thy permission then, and thus forewarnd 379: Chiefly by what thy own last reasoning words 380: Touchd onely, that our trial, when least sought, 381: May finde us both perhaps farr less prepar'd, 382: The willinger I goe, nor much expect 383: A Foe so proud will first the weaker seek; 384: So bent, the more shall shame him his repulse. 385: Thus saying, from her Husbands hand her hand 386: Soft she withdrew, and like a Wood-Nymph light 387: OREAD or DRYAD, or of DELIA's Traine, 388: Betook her to the Groves, but DELIA's self 389: In gate surpass'd and Goddess-like deport, 390: Though not as shee with Bow and Quiver armd, 391: But with such Gardning Tools as Are yet rude, 392: Guiltless of fire had formd, or Angels brought, 393: To PALES, or POMONA, thus adornd, 394: Likest she seemd, POMONA when she fled 395: VERTUMNUS, or to CERES in her Prime, 396: Yet Virgin of PROSERPINA from JOVE. 397: Her long with ardent look his EYE pursu'd 398: Delighted, but desiring more her stay. 399: Oft he to her his charge of quick returne, 400: Repeated, shee to him as oft engag'd 401: To be returnd by Noon amid the Bowre, 402: And all things in best order to invite 403: Noontide repast, or Afternoons repose. 404: O much deceav'd, much failing, hapless EVE, 405: Of thy presum'd return! event perverse! 406: Thou never from that houre in Paradise 407: Foundst either sweet repast, or found repose; 408: Such ambush hid among sweet Flours and Shades 409: Waited with hellish rancor imminent 410: To intercept thy way, or send thee back 411: Despoild of Innocence, of Faith, of Bliss. 412: For now, and since first break of dawne the Fiend, 413: Meer Serpent in appearance, forth was come, 414: And on his Quest, where likeliest he might finde 415: The onely two of Mankinde, but in them 416: The whole included Race, his purposd prey. 417: In Bowre and Field he sought, where any tuft 418: Of Grove or Garden-Plot more pleasant lay, 419: Thir tendance or Plantation for delight, 420: By Fountain or by shadie Rivulet 421: He sought them both, but wish'd his hap might find 422: EVE separate, he wish'd, but not with hope 423: Of what so seldom chanc'd, when to his wish, 424: Beyond his hope, EVE separate he spies, 425: Veild in a Cloud of Fragrance, where she stood, 426: Half spi'd, so thick the Roses bushing round 427: About her glowd, oft stooping to support 428: Each Flour of slender stalk, whose head though gay 429: Carnation, Purple, Azure, or spect with Gold, 430: Hung drooping unsustaind, them she upstaies 431: Gently with Mirtle band, mindless the while, 432: Her self, though fairest unsupported Flour, 433: From her best prop so farr, and storn so nigh. 434: Neererhe drew, and many a walk travers'd 435: Of stateliest Covert, Cedar, Pine, or Palme, 436: Then voluble and bold, now hid, now seen 437: Among thick-wov'n Arborets and Flours 438: Imborderd on each Bank, the hand of EVE: 439: Spot more delicious then those Gardens feign'd 440: Or of reviv'd ADONIS, or renownd 441: ALCINOUS, host of old LAERTES Son, 442: Or that, not Mystic, where the Sapient King 443: Held dalliance with his faire EGYPTIAN Spouse. 444: Much hee the Place admir'd, the Person more. 445: As one who long in populous City pent, 446: Where Houses thick and Sewers annoy the Aire, 447: Forth issuing on a Summers Morn, to breathe 448: Among the pleasant Villages and Farmes 449: Adjoynd, from each thing met conceaves delight, 450: The smell of Grain, or tedded Grass, or Kine, 451: Or Dairie, each rural sight, each rural sound; 452: If chance with Nymphlike step fair Virgin pass, 453: What pleasing seemd, for her now pleases more, 454: She most, and in her look summs all Delight. 455: Such Pleasure took the Serpent to behold 456: This Flourie Plat, the sweet recess of EVE 457: Thus earlie, thus alone; her Heav'nly forme 458: Angelic, but more soft, and Feminine, 459: Her graceful Innocence, her every Aire 460: Of gesture or lest action overawd 461: His Malice, and with rapine sweet bereav'd 462: His fierceness of the fierce intent it brought: 463: That space the Evil one abstracted stood 464: From his own evil, and for the time remaind 465: Stupidly good, of enmitie disarm'd, 466: Of guile, of hate, of envie, of revenge; 467: But the hot Hell that alwayes in him burnes, 468: Though in mid Heav'n, soon ended his delight, 469: And tortures him now more, the more he sees 470: Of pleasure not for him ordain'd: then soon 471: Fierce hate he recollects, and all his thoughts 472: Of mischief, gratulating, thus excites.
473: Thoughts, whither have he led me, with what sweet 474: Compulsion thus transported to forget 475: What hither brought us, hate, not love, nor hope 476: Of Paradise for Hell, hope here to taste 477: Of pleasure, but all pleasure to destroy, 478: Save what is in destroying, other joy 479: To me is lost. Then let me not let pass 480: Occasion which now smiles, behold alone 481: The Woman, opportune to all attempts, 482: Her Husband, for I view far round, not nigh, 483: Whose higher intellectual more I shun, 484: And strength, of courage hautie, and of limb 485: Heroic built, though of terrestrial mould, 486: Foe not informidable, exempt from wound, 487: I not; so much hath Hell debas'd, and paine 488: Infeebl'd me, to what I was in Heav'n. 489: Shee fair, divinely fair, fit Love for Gods, 490: Not terrible, though terrour be in Love 491: And beautie, not approacht by stronger hate, 492: Hate stronger, under shew of Love well feign'd, 493: The way which to her ruin now I tend.
494: So spake the Enemie of Mankind, enclos'd 495: In Serpent, Inmate bad, and toward EVE 496: Address'd his way, not with indented wave, 497: Prone on the ground, as since, but on his reare, 498: Circular base of rising foulds, that tour'd 499: Fould above fould a surging Maze, his Head 500: Crested aloft, and Carbuncle his Eyes; 501: With burnisht Neck of verdant Gold, erect 502: Amidst his circling Spires, that on the grass 503: Floted redundant: pleasing was his shape, 504: And lovely, never since of Serpent kind 505: Lovelier, not those that in ILLYRIA chang'd 506: HERMIONE and CADMUS, or the God 507: In EPIDAURUS; nor to which transformd 508: AMMONIAN JOVE, or CAPITOLINE was seen, 509: Hee with OLYMPIAS, this with her who bore 510: SCIPIO the highth of ROME. With tract oblique 511: At first, as one who sought access, but feard 512: To interrupt, side-long he works his way. 513: As when a Ship by skilful Stearsman wrought 514: Nigh Rivers mouth or Foreland, where the Wind 515: Veres oft, as oft so steers, and shifts her Saile; 516: So varied hee, and of his tortuous Traine 517: Curld many a wanton wreath in sight of EVE, 518: To lure her Eye; shee busied heard the sound 519: Of rusling Leaves, but minded not, as us'd 520: To such disport before her through the Field, 521: From every Beast, more duteous at her call, 522: Then at CIRCEAN call the Herd disguis'd. 523: Hee boulder now, uncall'd before her stood; 524: But as in gaze admiring: Oft he bowd 525: His turret Crest, and sleek enamel'd Neck, 526: Fawning, and lick'd the ground whereon she trod. 527: His gentle dumb expression turnd at length 528: The Eye of EVE to mark his play; he glad 529: Of her attention gaind, with Serpent Tongue 530: Organic, or impulse of vocal Air, 531: His fraudulent temptation thus began.
532: Wonder not, sovran Mistress, if perhaps 533: Thou canst, who art sole Wonder, much less arm 534: Thy looks, the Heav'n of mildness, with disdain, 535: Displeas'd that I approach thee thus, and gaze 536: Insatiate, I thus single; nor have feard 537: Thy awful brow, more awful thus retir'd. 538: Fairest resemblance of thy Maker faire, 539: Thee all living things gaze on, all things thine 540: By gift, and thy Celestial Beautie adore 541: With ravishment beheld, there best beheld 542: Where universally admir'd; but here 543: In this enclosure wild, these Beasts among, 544: Beholders rude, and shallow to discerne 545: Half what in thee is fair, one man except, 546: Who sees thee? (and what is one?) who shouldst be seen 547: A Goddess among Gods, ador'd and serv'd 548: By Angels numberless, thy daily Train.
549: So gloz'd the Tempter, and his Proem tun'd; 550: Into the Heart of EVE his words made way, 551: Though at the voice much marveling; at length 552: Not unamaz'd she thus in answer spake. 553: What may this mean? Language of Man pronounc't 554: By Tongue of Brute, and human sense exprest? 555: The first at lest of these I thought deni'd 556: To Beasts, whom God on their Creation-Day 557: Created mute to all articulat sound; 558: The latter I demurre, for in thir looks 559: Much reason, and in thir actions oft appeers. 560: Thee, Serpent, suttlest beast of all the field 561: I knew, but not with human voice endu'd; 562: Redouble then this miracle, and say, 563: How cam'st thou speakable of mute, and how 564: To me so friendly grown above the rest 565: Of brutal kind, that daily are in sight? 566: Say, for such wonder claims attention due.
567: To whom the guileful Tempter thus reply'd. 568: Empress of this fair World, resplendent EVE, 569: Easie to mee it is to tell thee all 570: What thou commandst, and right thou shouldst be obeyd: 571: I was at first as other Beasts that graze 572: The trodden Herb, of abject thoughts and low, 573: As was my food, nor aught but food discern'd 574: Or Sex, and apprehended nothing high: 575: Till on a day roaving the field, I chanc'd 576: A goodly Tree farr distant to behold 577: Loaden with fruit of fairest colours mixt, 578: Ruddie and Gold: I nearer drew to gaze; 579: When from the boughes a savorie odour blow'n, 580: Grateful to appetite, more pleas'd my sense 581: Then smell of sweetest Fenel, or the Teats 582: Of Ewe or Goat dropping with Milk at Eevn, 583: Unsuckt of Lamb or Kid, that tend thir play. 584: To satisfie the sharp desire I had 585: Of tasting those fair Apples, I resolv'd 586: Not to deferr; hunger and thirst at once, 587: Powerful perswaders, quick'nd at the scent 588: Of that alluring fruit, urg'd me so keene. 589: About the Mossie Trunk I wound me soon, 590: For high from ground the branches would require 591: Thy utmost reach or ADAMS: Round the Tree 592: All other Beasts that saw, with like desire 593: Longing and envying stood, but could not reach. 594: Amid the Tree now got, where plentie hung 595: Tempting so nigh, to pluck and eat my fill 596: I spar'd not, for such pleasure till that hour 597: At Feed or Fountain never had I found. 598: Sated at length, ere long I might perceave 599: Strange alteration in me, to degree 600: Of Reason in my inward Powers, and Speech 601: Wanted not long, though to this shape retaind. 602: Thenceforth to Speculations high or deep 603: I turnd my thoughts, and with capacious mind 604: Considerd all things visible in Heav'n, 605: Or Earth, or Middle, all things fair and good; 606: But all that fair and good in thy Divine 607: Semblance, and in thy Beauties heav'nly Ray 608: United I beheld; no Fair to thine 609: Equivalent or second, which compel'd 610: Mee thus, though importune perhaps, to come 611: And gaze, and worship thee of right declar'd 612: Sovran of Creatures, universal Dame.
613: So talk'd the spirited sly Snake; and EVE 614: Yet more amaz'd unwarie thus reply'd.
615: Serpent, thy overpraising leaves in doubt 616: The vertue of that Fruit, in thee first prov'd: 617: But say, where grows the Tree, from hence how far? 618: For many are the Trees of God that grow 619: In Paradise, and various, yet unknown 620: To us, in such abundance lies our choice, 621: As leaves a greater store of Fruit untoucht, 622: Still hanging incorruptible, till men 623: Grow up to thir provision, and more hands 624: Help to disburden Nature of her Bearth.
625: To whom the wilie Adder, blithe and glad. 626: Empress, the way is readie, and not long, 627: Beyond a row of Myrtles, on a Flat, 628: Fast by a Fountain, one small Thicket past 629: Of blowing Myrrh and Balme; if thou accept 630: My conduct, I can bring thee thither soon.
631: Lead then, said EVE. Hee leading swiftly rowld 632: In tangles, and make intricate seem strait, 633: To mischief swift. Hope elevates, and joy 634: Bright'ns his Crest, as when a wandring Fire 635: Compact of unctuous vapor, which the Night 636: Condenses, and the cold invirons round, 637: Kindl'd through agitation to a Flame, 638: Which oft, they say, some evil Spirit attends, 639: Hovering and blazing with delusive Light, 640: Misleads th' amaz'd Night-wanderer from his way 641: To Boggs and Mires, & oft through Pond or Poole, 642: There swallow'd up and lost, from succour farr. 643: So glister'd the dire Snake and into fraud 644: Led EVE our credulous Mother, to the Tree 645: Of prohibition, root of all our woe; 646: Which when she saw, thus to her guide she spake.
647: Serpent, we might have spar'd our coming hither, 648: Fruitless to me, though Fruit be here to excess, 649: The credit of whose vertue rest with thee, 650: Wondrous indeed, if cause of such effects. 651: But of this Tree we may not taste nor touch; 652: God so commanded, and left that Command 653: Sole Daughter of his voice; the rest, we live 654: Law to our selves, our Reason is our Law.
655: To whom the Tempter guilefully repli'd. 656: Indeed? hath God then said that of the Fruit 657: Of all these Garden Trees ye shall not eate, 658: Yet Lords declar'd of all in Earth or Aire?
659: To whom thus EVE yet sinless. Of the Fruit 660: Of each Tree in the Garden we may eate, 661: But of the Fruit of this fair Tree amidst 662: The Garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eate 663: Thereof, nor shall ye touch it, least ye die.
664: She scarse had said, though brief, when now more bold 665: The Tempter, but with shew of Zeale and Love 666: To Man, and indignation at his wrong, 667: New part puts on, and as to passion mov'd, 668: Fluctuats disturbd, yet comely, and in act 669: Rais'd, as of som great matter to begin. 670: As when of old som Orator renound 671: In ATHENS or free ROME, where Eloquence 672: Flourishd, since mute, to som great cause addrest, 673: Stood in himself collected, while each part, 674: Motion, each act won audience ere the tongue, 675: Somtimes in highth began, as no delay 676: Of Preface brooking through his Zeal of Right. 677: So standing, moving, or to highth upgrown 678: The Tempter all impassiond thus began.
679: O Sacred, Wise, and Wisdom-giving Plant, 680: Mother of Science, Now I feel thy Power 681: Within me cleere, not onely to discerne 682: Things in thir Causes, but to trace the wayes 683: Of highest Agents, deemd however wise. 684: Queen of this Universe, doe not believe 685: Those rigid threats of Death; ye shall not Die: 686: How should ye? by the Fruit? it gives you Life 687: To Knowledge? By the Threatner, look on mee, 688: Mee who have touch'd and tasted, yet both live, 689: And life more perfet have attaind then Fate 690: Meant mee, by ventring higher then my Lot. 691: Shall that be shut to Man, which to the Beast 692: Is open? or will God incense his ire 693: For such a pretty Trespass, and not praise 694: Rather your dauntless vertue, whom the pain 695: Of Death denounc't, whatever thing Death be, 696: Deterrd not from atchieving what might leade 697: To happier life, knowledge of Good and Evil; 698: Of good, how just? of evil, if what is evil 699: Be real, why not known, since easier shunnd? 700: God therefore cannot hurt ye, and be just; 701: Not just, not God; not feard then, nor obeid: 702: Your feare it self of Death removes the feare. 703: Why then was this forbid? Why but to awe, 704: Why but to keep ye low and ignorant, 705: His worshippers; he knows that in the day 706: Ye Eate thereof, your Eyes that seem so cleere, 707: Yet are but dim, shall perfetly be then 708: Op'nd and cleerd, and ye shall be as Gods, 709: Knowing both Good and Evil as they know. 710: That ye should be as Gods, since I as Man, 711: Internal Man, is but proportion meet, 712: I of brute human, yee of human Gods. 713: So ye shalt die perhaps, by putting off 714: Human, to put on Gods, death to be wisht, 715: Though threat'nd, which no worse then this can bring 716: And what are Gods that Man may not become 717: As they, participating God-like food? 718: The Gods are first, and that advantage use 719: On our belief, that all from them proceeds, 720: I question it, for this fair Earth I see, 721: Warm'd by the Sun, producing every kind, 722: Them nothing: If they all things, who enclos'd 723: Knowledge of Good and Evil in this Tree, 724: That whoso eats thereof, forthwith attains 725: Wisdom without their leave? and wherein lies 726: Th' offence, that Man should thus attain to know? 727: What can your knowledge hurt him, or this Tree 728: Impart against his will if all be his? 729: Or is it envie, and can envie dwell 730: In heav'nly brests? these, these and many more 731: Causes import your need of this fair Fruit. 732: Goddess humane, reach then, and freely taste.
733: He ended, and his words replete with guile 734: Into her heart too easie entrance won: 735: Fixt on the Fruit she gaz'd, which to behold 736: Might tempt alone, and in her ears the sound 737: Yet rung of his perswasive words, impregn'd 738: With Reason, to her seeming, and with Truth; 739: Meanwhile the hour of Noon drew on, and wak'd 740: An eager appetite, rais'd by the smell 741: So savorie of that Fruit, which with desire, 742: Inclinable now grown to touch or taste, 743: Sollicited her longing eye; yet first 744: Pausing a while, thus to her self she mus'd.
745: Great are thy Vertues, doubtless, best of Fruits, 746: Though kept from Man, & worthy to be admir'd, 747: Whose taste, too long forborn, at first assay 748: Gave elocution to the mute, and taught 749: The Tongue not made for Speech to speak thy praise: 750: Thy praise hee also who forbids thy use, 751: Conceales not from us, naming thee the Tree 752: Of Knowledge, knowledge both of good and evil; 753: Forbids us then to taste, but his forbidding 754: Commends thee more, while it inferrs the good 755: By thee communicated, and our want: 756: For good unknown, sure is not had, or had 757: And yet unknown, is as not had at all. 758: In plain then, what forbids he but to know, 759: Forbids us good, forbids us to be wise? 760: Such prohibitions binde not. But if Death 761: Bind us with after-bands, what profits then 762: Our inward freedom? In the day we eate 763: Of this fair Fruit, our doom is, we shall die. 764: How dies the Serpent? hee hath eat'n and lives, 765: And knows, and speaks, and reasons, and discernes, 766: Irrational till then. For us alone 767: Was death invented? or to us deni'd 768: This intellectual food, for beasts reserv'd? 769: For Beasts it seems: yet that one Beast which first 770: Hath tasted, envies not, but brings with joy 771: The good befall'n him, Author unsuspect, 772: Friendly to man, farr from deceit or guile. 773: What fear I then, rather what know to feare 774: Under this ignorance of Good and Evil, 775: Of God or Death, of Law or Penaltie? 776: Here grows the Cure of all, this Fruit Divine, 777: Fair to the Eye, inviting to the Taste, 778: Of vertue to make wise: what hinders then 779: To reach, and feed at once both Bodie and Mind?
780: So saying, her rash hand in evil hour 781: Forth reaching to the Fruit, she pluck'd, she eat: 782: Earth felt the wound, and Nature from her seat 783: Sighing through all her Works gave signs of woe, 784: That all was lost. Back to the Thicket slunk 785: The guiltie Serpent, and well might, for EVE 786: Intent now wholly on her taste, naught else 787: Regarded, such delight till then, as seemd, 788: In Fruit she never tasted, whether true 789: Or fansied so, through expectation high 790: Of knowledg, nor was God-head from her thought. 791: Greedily she ingorg'd without restraint, 792: And knew not eating Death: Satiate at length, 793: And hight'nd as with Wine, jocond and boon, 794: Thus to her self she pleasingly began.
795: O Sovran, vertuous, precious of all Trees 796: In Paradise, of operation blest 797: To Sapience, hitherto obscur'd, infam'd, 798: And thy fair Fruit let hang, as to no end 799: Created; but henceforth my early care, 800: Not without Song, each Morning, and due praise 801: Shall tend thee, and the fertil burden ease 802: Of thy full branches offer'd free to all; 803: Till dieted by thee I grow mature 804: In knowledge, as the Gods who all things know; 805: Though others envie what they cannot give; 806: For had the gift bin theirs, it had not here 807: Thus grown. Experience, next to thee I owe, 808: Best guide; not following thee, I had remaind 809: In ignorance, thou op'nst Wisdoms way, 810: And giv'st access, though secret she retire. 811: And I perhaps am secret; Heav'n is high, 812: High and remote to see from thence distinct 813: Each thing on Earth; and other care perhaps 814: May have diverted from continual watch 815: Our great Forbidder, safe with all his Spies 816: About him. But to ADAM in what sort 817: Shall I appeer? shall I to him make known 818: As yet my change, and give him to partake 819: Full happiness with mee, or rather not, 820: But keep the odds of Knowledge in my power 821: Without Copartner? so to add what wants 822: In Femal Sex, the more to draw his Love, 823: And render me more equal, and perhaps 824: A thing not undesireable, somtime 825: Superior; for inferior who is free? 826: This may be well: but what if God have seen, 827: And Death ensue? then I shall be no more, 828: And ADAM wedded to another EVE, 829: Shall live with her enjoying, I extinct; 830: A death to think. Confirm'd then I resolve, 831: ADAM shall share with me in bliss or woe: 832: So dear I love him, that with him all deaths 833: I could endure; without him live no life.
834: So saying, from the Tree her step she turnd, 835: But first low Reverence don, as to the power 836: That dwelt within, whose presence had infus'd 837: Into the plant sciential sap, deriv'd 838: From Nectar, drink of Gods. ADAM the while 839: Waiting desirous her return, had wove 840: Of choicest Flours a Garland to adorne 841: Her Tresses, and her rural labours crown 842: As Reapers oft are wont thir Harvest Queen. 843: Great joy he promis'd to his thoughts, and new 844: Solace in her return, so long delay'd; 845: Yet oft his heart, divine of somthing ill, 846: Misgave him; hee the faultring measure felt; 847: And forth to meet her went, the way she took 848: That Morn when first they parted; by the Tree 849: Of Knowledge he must pass, there he her met, 850: Scarse from the Tree returning; in her hand 851: A bough of fairest fruit that downie smil'd, 852: New gatherd, and ambrosial smell diffus'd. 853: To him she hasted, in her face excuse 854: Came Prologue, and Apologie to prompt, 855: Which with bland words at will she thus addrest.
856: Hast thou not wonderd, ADAM, at my stay? 857: Thee I have misst, and thought it long, depriv'd 858: Thy presence, agonie of love till now 859: Not felt, nor shall be twice, for never more 860: Mean I to trie, what rash untri'd I sought, 861: The paine of absence from thy sight. But strange 862: Hath bin the cause, and wonderful to heare: 863: This Tree is not as we are told, a Tree 864: Of danger tasted, nor to evil unknown 865: Op'ning the way, but of Divine effect 866: To open Eyes, and make them Gods who taste; 867: And hath bin tasted such; the Serpent wise, 868: Or not restraind as wee, or not obeying, 869: Hath eat'n of the fruit, and is become, 870: Not dead, as we are threatn'd, but thenceforth 871: Endu'd with human voice and human sense, 872: Reasoning to admiration, and with mee 873: Perswasively hath so prevaild, that I 874: Have also tasted, and have also found 875: Th' effects to correspond, opener mine Eyes, 876: Dimm erst, dilated Spirits, ampler Heart, 877: And growing up to Godhead; which for thee 878: Chiefly I sought, without thee can despise. 879: For bliss, as thou hast part, to me is bliss, 880: Tedious, unshar'd with thee, and odious soon. 881: Thou therefore also taste, that equal Lot 882: May joyne us, equal Joy, as equal Love; 883: Least thou not tasting, different degree 884: Disjoyne us, and I then too late renounce 885: Deitie for thee, when Fate will not permit.
886: Thus EVE with Countnance blithe her storie told; 887: But in her Cheek distemper flushing glowd. 888: On th' other side, ADAM, soon as he heard 889: The fatal Trespass don by EVE, amaz'd, 890: Astonied stood and Blank, while horror chill 891: Ran through his veins, and all his joynts relax'd; 892: From his slack hand the Garland wreath'd for EVE 893: Down drop'd, and all the faded Roses shed: 894: Speechless he stood and pale, till thus at length 895: First to himself he inward silence broke.
896: O fairest of Creation, last and best 897: Of all Gods Works, Creature in whom excell'd 898: Whatever can to fight or thought be found, 899: Holy, divine, good, amiable, or sweet! 900: How art thou lost, how on a sudden lost, 901: Defac't, deflourd, and now to Death devote? 902: Rather how hast thou yeelded to transgress 903: The strict forbiddance, how to violate 904: The sacred Fruit forbidd'n! som cursed fraud 905: Of Enemie hath beguil'd thee, yet unknown, 906: And mee with thee hath ruind, for with thee 907: Certain my resolution is to Die; 908: How can I live without thee, how forgoe 909: Thy sweet Converse and Love so dearly joyn'd, 910: To live again in these wilde Woods forlorn? 911: Should God create another EVE, and I 912: Another Rib afford, yet loss of thee 913: Would never from my heart; no no, I feel 914: The Link of Nature draw me: Flesh of Flesh, 915: Bone of my Bone thou art, and from thy State 916: Mine never shall be parted, bliss or woe.
917: So having said, as one from sad dismay 918: Recomforted, and after thoughts disturbd 919: Submitting to what seemd remediless, 920: Thus in calme mood his Words to EVE he turnd.
921: Bold deed thou hast presum'd, adventrous EVE, 922: And peril great provok't, who thus hast dar'd 923: Had it bin onely coveting to Eye 924: That sacred Fruit, sacred to abstinence, 925: Much more to taste it under banne to touch. 926: But past who can recall, or don undoe? 927: Not God omnipotent, for Fate, yet so 928: Perhaps thou shalt not Die, perhaps the Fact 929: Is not so hainous now, foretasted Fruit, 930: Profan'd first by the Serpent, by him first 931: Made common and unhallowd: ere one tastes; 932: Nor yet on him found deadly; he yet lives, 933: Lives, as thou saidst, and gaines to live as Man 934: Higher degree of Life, inducement strong 935: To us, as likely tasting to attaine 936: Proportional ascent, which cannot be 937: But to be Gods, or Angels Demi-gods. 938: Nor can I think that God, Creator wise, 939: Though threatning, will in earnest so destroy 940: Us his prime Creatures, dignifi'd so high, 941: Set over all his Works, which in our Fall, 942: For us created, needs with us must faile, 943: Dependent made; so God shall uncreate, 944: Be frustrate, do, undo, and labour loose, 945: Not well conceav'd of God, who though his Power 946: Creation could repeate, yet would be loath 947: Us to abolish, least the Adversary 948: Triumph and say; Fickle their State whom God 949: Most Favors, who can please him long? Mee first 950: He ruind, now Mankind; whom will he next? 951: Matter of scorne, not to be given the Foe. 952: However I with thee have fixt my Lot, 953: Certain to undergoe like doom, if Death 954: Consort with thee, Death is to mee as Life; 955: So forcible within my heart I feel 956: The Bond of Nature draw me to my owne, 957: My own in thee, for what thou art is mine; 958: Our State cannot be severd, we are one, 959: One Flesh; to loose thee were to loose my self.
960: So ADAM, and thus EVE to him repli'd. 961: O glorious trial of exceeding Love, 962: Illustrious evidence, example high! 963: Ingaging me to emulate, but short 964: Of thy perfection, how shall I attaine, 965: ADAM, from whose deare side I boast me sprung, 966: And gladly of our Union heare thee speak, 967: One Heart, one Soul in both; whereof good prooff 968: This day affords, declaring thee resolvd, 969: Rather then Death or aught then Death more dread 970: Shall separate us, linkt in Love so deare, 971: To undergoe with mee one Guilt, one Crime, 972: If any be, of tasting this fair Fruit, 973: Whose vertue, for of good still good proceeds, 974: Direct, or by occasion hath presented 975: This happie trial of thy Love, which else 976: So eminently never had bin known. 977: Were it I thought Death menac't would ensue 978: This my attempt, I would sustain alone 979: The worst, and not perswade thee, rather die 980: Deserted, then oblige thee with a fact 981: Pernicious to thy Peace, chiefly assur'd 982: Remarkably so late of thy so true, 983: So faithful Love unequald; but I feel 984: Farr otherwise th' event, not Death, but Life 985: Augmented, op'nd Eyes, new Hopes, new Joyes, 986: Taste so Divine, that what of sweet before 987: Hath toucht my sense, flat seems to this, and harsh. 988: On my experience, ADAM, freely taste, 989: And fear of Death deliver to the Windes.
990: So saying, she embrac'd him, and for joy 991: Tenderly wept, much won that he his Love 992: Had so enobl'd, as of choice to incurr 993: Divine displeasure for her sake, or Death. 994: In recompence (for such compliance bad 995: Such recompence best merits) from the bough 996: She gave him of that fair enticing Fruit 997: With liberal hand: he scrupl'd not to eat 998: Against his better knowledge, not deceav'd, 999: But fondly overcome with Femal charm. 1000: Earth trembl'd from her entrails, as again 1001: In pangs, and Nature gave a second groan, 1002: Skie lowr'd, and muttering Thunder, som sad drops 1003: Wept at compleating of the mortal Sin 1004: Original; while ADAM took no thought, 1005: Eating his fill, nor EVE to iterate 1006: Her former trespass fear'd, the more to soothe 1007: Him with her lov'd societie, that now 1008: As with new Wine intoxicated both 1009: They swim in mirth, and fansie that they feel 1010: Divinitie within them breeding wings 1011: Wherewith to scorn the Earth: but that false Fruit 1012: Farr other operation first displaid, 1013: Carnal desire enflaming, hee on EVE 1014: Began to cast lascivious Eyes, she him 1015: As wantonly repaid; in Lust they burne: 1016: Till ADAM thus 'gan EVE to dalliance move.
1017: EVE, now I see thou art exact of taste, 1018: And elegant, of Sapience no small part, 1019: Since to each meaning savour we apply, 1020: And Palate call judicious; I the praise 1021: Yeild thee, so well this day thou hast purvey'd. 1022: Much pleasure we have lost, while we abstain'd 1023: From this delightful Fruit, nor known till now 1024: True relish, tasting; if such pleasure be 1025: In things to us forbidden, it might be wish'd, 1026: For this one Tree had bin forbidden ten. 1027: But come, so well refresh't, now let us play, 1028: As meet is, after such delicious Fare; 1029: For never did thy Beautie since the day 1030: I saw thee first and wedded thee, adorn'd 1031: With all perfections, so enflame my sense 1032: With ardor to enjoy thee, fairer now 1033: Then ever, bountie of this vertuous Tree.
1034: So said he, and forbore not glance or toy 1035: Of amorous intent, well understood 1036: Of EVE, whose Eye darted contagious Fire. 1037: Her hand he seis'd, and to a shadie bank, 1038: Thick overhead with verdant roof imbowr'd 1039: He led her nothing loath; Flours were the Couch, 1040: Pansies, and Violets, and Asphodel, 1041: And Hyacinth, Earths freshest softest lap. 1042: There they thir fill of Love and Loves disport 1043: Took largely, of thir mutual guilt the Seale, 1044: The solace of thir sin, till dewie sleep 1045: Oppress'd them, wearied with thir amorous play. 1046: Soon as the force of that fallacious Fruit, 1047: That with exhilerating vapour bland 1048: About thir spirits had plaid, and inmost powers 1049: Made erre, was now exhal'd, and grosser sleep 1050: Bred of unkindly fumes, with conscious dreams 1051: Encumberd, now had left them, up they rose 1052: As from unrest, and each the other viewing, 1053: Soon found thir Eyes how op'nd, and thir minds 1054: How dark'nd; innocence, that as a veile 1055: Had shadow'd them from knowing ill, was gon, 1056: Just confidence, and native righteousness, 1057: And honour from about them, naked left 1058: To guiltie shame hee cover'd, but his Robe 1059: Uncover'd more. So rose the DANITE strong 1060: HERCULEAN SAMSON from the Harlot-lap 1061: Of PHILISTEAN DALILAH, and wak'd 1062: Shorn of his strength, They destitute and bare 1063: Of all thir vertue: silent, and in face 1064: Confounded long they sate, as struck'n mute, 1065: Till ADAM, though not less then EVE abasht, 1066: At length gave utterance to these words constraind.
1067: O EVE, in evil hour thou didst give care 1068: To that false Worm, of whomsoever taught 1069: To counterfet Mans voice, true in our Fall, 1070: False in our promis'd Rising; since our Eyes 1071: Op'nd we find indeed, and find we know 1072: Both Good and Evil, Good lost and Evil got, 1073: Bad Fruit of Knowledge, if this be to know, 1074: Which leaves us naked thus, of Honour void, 1075: Of Innocence, of Faith, of Puritie, 1076: Our wonted Ornaments now soild and staind, 1077: And in our Faces evident the signes 1078: Of foul concupiscence; whence evil store; 1079: Even shame, the last of evils; of the first 1080: Be sure then. How shall I behold the face 1081: Henceforth of God or Angel, earst with joy 1082: And rapture so oft beheld? those heav'nly shapes 1083: Will dazle now this earthly, with thir blaze 1084: Insufferably bright. O might I here 1085: In solitude live savage, in some glad 1086: Obscur'd, where highest Woods impenetrable 1087: To Starr or Sun-light, spread thir umbrage broad, 1088: And brown as Evening: Cover me ye Pines, 1089: Ye Cedars, with innumerable boughs 1090: Hide me, where I may never see them more. 1091: But let us now, as in bad plight, devise 1092: What best may for the present serve to hide 1093: The Parts of each from other, that seem most 1094: To shame obnoxious, and unseemliest seen, 1095: Some Tree whose broad smooth Leaves together sowd, 1096: And girded on our loyns, may cover round 1097: Those middle parts, that this new commer, Shame, 1098: There sit not, and reproach us as unclean.
1099: So counsel'd hee, and both together went 1100: Into the thickest Wood, there soon they chose 1101: The Figtree, not that kind for Fruit renown'd, 1102: But such as at this day to INDIANS known 1103: In MALABAR or DECAN spreds her Armes 1104: Braunching so broad and long, that in the ground 1105: The bended Twigs take root, and Daughters grow 1106: About the Mother Tree, a Pillard shade 1107: High overarch't, and echoing Walks between; 1108: There oft the INDIAN Herdsman shunning heate 1109: Shelters in coole, and tends his pasturing Herds 1110: At Loopholes cut through thickest shade: Those Leaves 1111: They gatherd, broad as AMAZONIAN Targe, 1112: And with what skill they had, together sowd, 1113: To gird thir waste, vain Covering if to hide 1114: Thir guilt and dreaded shame; O how unlike 1115: To that first naked Glorie. Such of late 1116: COLUMBUS found th' AMERICAN to girt 1117: With featherd Cincture, naked else and wilde 1118: Among the Trees on Iles and woodie Shores. 1119: Thus fenc't, and as they thought, thir shame in part 1120: Coverd, but not at rest or ease of Mind, 1121: They sate them down to weep, nor onely Teares 1122: Raind at thir Eyes, but high Winds worse within 1123: Began to rise, high Passions, Anger, Hate, 1124: Mistrust, Suspicion, Discord, and shook sore 1125: Thir inward State of Mind, calme Region once 1126: And full of Peace, now tost and turbulent: 1127: For Understanding rul'd not, and the Will 1128: Heard not her lore, both in subjection now 1129: To sensual Appetite, who from beneathe 1130: Usurping over sovran Reason claimd 1131: Superior sway: From thus distemperd brest, 1132: ADAM, estrang'd in look and alterd stile, 1133: Speech intermitted thus to EVE renewd.
1134: Would thou hadst heark'nd to my words, & stai'd 1135: With me, as I besought thee, when that strange 1136: Desire of wandring this unhappie Morn, 1137: I know not whence possessd thee; we had then 1138: Remaind still happie, not as now, despoild 1139: Of all our good, sham'd, naked, miserable. 1140: Let none henceforth seek needless cause to approve 1141: The Faith they owe; when earnestly they seek 1142: Such proof, conclude, they then begin to faile.
1143: To whom soon mov'd with touch of blame thus EVE. 1144: What words have past thy Lips, ADAM severe, 1145: Imput'st thou that to my default, or will 1146: Of wandering, as thou call'st it, which who knows 1147: But might as ill have happ'nd thou being by, 1148: Or to thy self perhaps: hadst thou bin there, 1149: Or bere th' attempt, thou couldst not have discernd 1150: Fraud in the Serpent, speaking as he spake; 1151: No ground of enmitie between us known, 1152: Why hee should mean me ill, or seek to harme. 1153: Was I to have never parted from thy side? 1154: As good have grown there still a liveless Rib. 1155: Being as I am, why didst not thou the Head 1156: Command me absolutely not to go, 1157: Going into such danger as thou saidst? 1158: Too facil then thou didst not much gainsay, 1159: Nay, didst permit, approve, and fair dismiss. 1160: Hadst thou bin firm and fixt in thy dissent, 1161: Neither had I transgress'd, nor thou with mee.
1162: To whom then first incenst ADAM repli'd. 1163: Is this the Love, is the recompence 1164: Of mine to thee, ingrateful EVE, exprest 1165: Immutable when thou wert lost, not I, 1166: Who might have liv'd and joyd immortal bliss, 1167: Yet willingly chose rather Death with thee: 1168: And am I now upbraided, as the cause 1169: Of thy transgressing? not enough severe, 1170: It seems, in thy restraint: what could I more? 1171: I warn'd thee, I admonish'd thee, foretold 1172: The danger, and the lurking Enemie 1173: That lay in wait; beyond this had bin force, 1174: And force upon free Will hath here no place. 1175: But confidence then bore thee on, secure 1176: Either to meet no danger, or to finde 1177: Matter of glorious trial; and perhaps 1178: I also err'd in overmuch admiring 1179: What seemd in thee so perfet, that I thought 1180: No evil durst attempt thee, but I rue 1181: That errour now, which is become my crime, 1182: And thou th' accuser. Thus it shall befall 1183: Him who to worth in Women overtrusting 1184: Lets her Will rule; restraint she will not brook, 1185: And left to her self, if evil thence ensue, 1186: Shee first his weak indulgence will accuse.
1187: Thus they in mutual accusation spent 1188: The fruitless hours, but neither self-condemning 1189: And of thir vain contest appeer'd no end.
Book 9
1: Meanwhile the hainous and despightfull act 2: Of SATAN done in Paradise, and how 3: Hee in the Serpent had perverted EVE, 4: Her Husband shee, to taste the fatall fruit, 5: Was known in Heav'n; for what can scape the Eye 6: Of God All-seeing, or deceave his Heart 7: Omniscient, who in all things wise and just, 8: Hinder'd not SATAN to attempt the minde 9: Of Man, with strength entire, and free Will arm'd, 10: Complete to have discover'd and repulst 11: Whatever wiles of Foe or seeming Friend. 12: For still they knew, and ought to have still remember'd 13: The high Injunction not to taste that Fruit, 14: Whoever tempted; which they not obeying, 15: Incurr'd, what could they less, the penaltie, 16: And manifold in sin, deserv'd to fall. 17: Up into Heav'n from Paradise in hast 18: Th' Angelic Guards ascended, mute and sad 19: For Man, for of his state by this they knew, 20: Much wondring how the suttle Fiend had stoln 21: Entrance unseen. Soon as th' unwelcome news 22: From Earth arriv'd at Heaven Gate, displeas'd 23: All were who heard, dim sadness did not spare 24: That time Celestial visages, yet mixt 25: With pitie, violated not thir bliss. 26: About the new-arriv'd, in multitudes 27: Th' ethereal People ran, to hear and know 28: How all befell: they towards the Throne Supream 29: Accountable made haste to make appear 30: With righteous plea, thir utmost vigilance, 31: And easily approv'd; when the most High 32: Eternal Father from his secret Cloud, 33: Amidst in Thunder utter'd thus his voice.
34: Assembl'd Angels, and ye Powers return'd 35: From unsuccessful charge, be not dismaid, 36: Nor troubl'd at these tidings from the Earth, 37: Which your sincerest care could not prevent, 38: Foretold so lately what would come to pass, 39: When first this Tempter cross'd the Gulf from Hell. 40: I told ye then he should prevail and speed 41: On his bad Errand, Man should be seduc't 42: And flatter'd out of all, believing lies 43: Against his Maker; no Decree of mine 44: Concurring to necessitate his Fall, 45: Or touch with lightest moment of impulse 46: His free Will, to her own inclining left 47: In eevn scale. But fall'n he is, and now 48: What rests, but that the mortal Sentence pass 49: On his transgression, Death denounc't that day, 50: Which he presumes already vain and void, 51: Because not yet inflicted, as he fear'd, 52: By some immediate stroak; but soon shall find 53: Forbearance no acquittance ere day end. 54: Justice shall not return as bountie scorn'd. 55: But whom send I to judge them? whom but thee 56: Vicegerent Son, to thee I have transferr'd 57: All Judgement, whether in Heav'n, or Earth; or Hell. 58: Easie it may be seen that I intend 59: Mercie collegue with Justice, sending thee 60: Mans Friend, his Mediator, his design'd 61: Both Ransom and Redeemer voluntarie, 62: And destin'd Man himself to judge Man fall'n.
63: So spake the Father, and unfoulding bright 64: Toward the right hand his Glorie, on the Son 65: Blaz'd forth unclouded Deitie; he full 66: Resplendent all his Father manifest 67: Express'd, and thus divinely answer'd milde.
68: Father Eternal, thine is to decree, 69: Mine both in Heav'n and Earth to do thy will 70: Supream, that thou in mee thy Son belov'd 71: Mayst ever rest well pleas'd. I go to judge 72: On Earth these thy transgressors, but thou knowst, 73: Whoever judg'd, the worst on mee must light, 74: When time shall be, for so I undertook 75: Before thee; and not repenting, this obtaine 76: Of right, that I may mitigate thir doom 77: On me deriv'd, yet I shall temper so 78: Justice with Mercie, as may illustrate most 79: Them fully satisfied, and thee appease. 80: Attendance none shall need, nor Train, where none 81: Are to behold the Judgement, but the judg'd, 82: Those two; the third best absent is condemn'd, 83: Convict by flight, and Rebel to all Law 84: Conviction to the Serpent none belongs.
85: Thus saying, from his radiant Seat he rose 86: Of high collateral glorie: him Thrones and Powers, 87: Princedoms, and Dominations ministrant 88: Accompanied to Heaven Gate, from whence 89: EDEN and all the Coast in prospect lay. 90: Down he descended strait; the speed of Gods 91: Time counts not, though with swiftest minutes wing'd. 92: Now was the Sun in Western cadence low 93: From Noon, and gentle Aires due at thir hour 94: To fan the Earth now wak'd, and usher in 95: The Eevning coole when he from wrauth more coole 96: Came the mild Judge and Intercessor both 97: To sentence Man: the voice of God they heard 98: Now walking in the Garden, by soft windes 99: Brought to thir Ears, while day declin'd, they heard 100: And from his presence hid themselves among 101: The thickest Trees, both Man and Wife, till God 102: Approaching, thus to ADAM call'd aloud.
103: Where art thou ADAM, wont with joy to meet 104: My coming seen far off? I miss thee here, 105: Not pleas'd, thus entertaind with solitude, 106: Where obvious dutie erewhile appear'd unsaught: 107: Or come I less conspicuous, or what change 108: Absents thee, or what chance detains? Come forth. 109: He came, and with him EVE, more loth, though first 110: To offend, discount'nanc't both, and discompos'd; 111: Love was not in thir looks, either to God 112: Or to each other, but apparent guilt, 113: And shame, and perturbation, and despaire, 114: Anger, and obstinacie, and hate, and guile. 115: Whence ADAM faultring long, thus answer'd brief.
116: I heard thee in the Garden, and of thy voice 117: Affraid, being naked, hid my self. To whom 118: The gracious Judge without revile repli'd.
119: My voice thou oft hast heard, and hast not fear'd, 120: But still rejoyc't, how is it now become 121: So dreadful to thee? that thou art naked, who 122: Hath told thee? hast thou eaten of the Tree 123: Whereof I gave thee charge thou shouldst not eat?
124: To whom thus ADAM sore beset repli'd. 125: O Heav'n! in evil strait this day I stand 126: Before my Judge, either to undergoe 127: My self the total Crime, or to accuse 128: My other self, the partner of my life; 129: Whose failing, while her Faith to me remaines, 130: I should conceal, and not expose to blame 131: By my complaint; but strict necessitie 132: Subdues me, and calamitous constraint, 133: Least on my head both sin and punishment, 134: However insupportable, be all 135: Devolv'd; though should I hold my peace, yet thou 136: Wouldst easily detect what I conceale. 137: This Woman whom thou mad'st to be my help, 138: And gav'st me as thy perfet gift, so good, 139: So fit, so acceptable, so Divine, 140: That from her hand I could suspect no ill, 141: And what she did, whatever in it self, 142: Her doing seem'd to justifie the deed; 143: Shee gave me of the Tree, and I did eate.
144: To whom the sovran Presence thus repli'd. 145: Was shee thy God, that her thou didst obey 146: Before his voice, or was shee made thy guide, 147: Superior, or but equal, that to her 148: Thou did'st resigne thy Manhood, and the Place 149: Wherein God set thee above her made of thee, 150: And for thee, whose perfection farr excell'd 151: Hers in all real dignitie: Adornd 152: She was indeed, and lovely to attract 153: Thy Love, not thy Subjection, and her Gifts 154: Were such as under Government well seem'd, 155: Unseemly to beare rule, which was thy part 156: And person, had'st thou known thy self aright.
157: So having said, he thus to EVE in few: 158: Say Woman, what is this which thou hast done?
159: To whom sad EVE with shame nigh overwhelm'd, 160: Confessing soon, yet not before her Judge 161: Bold or loquacious, thus abasht repli'd.
162: The Serpent me beguil'd and I did eate.
163: Which when the Lord God heard, without delay 164: To Judgement he proceeded on th' accus'd 165: Serpent though brute, unable to transferre 166: The Guilt on him who made him instrument 167: Of mischief, and polluted from the end 168: Of his Creation; justly then accurst, 169: As vitiated in Nature: more to know 170: Concern'd not Man (since he no further knew) 171: Nor alter'd his offence; yet God at last 172: To Satan first in sin his doom apply'd, 173: Though in mysterious terms, judg'd as then best: 174: And on the Serpent thus his curse let fall.
175: Because thou hast done this, thou art accurst 176: Above all Cattel, each Beast of the Field; 177: Upon thy Belly groveling thou shalt goe, 178: And dust shalt eat all the days of thy Life. 179: Between Thee and the Woman I will put 180: Enmitie, and between thine and her Seed; 181: Her Seed shall bruise thy head, thou bruise his heel.
182: So spake this Oracle, then verifi'd 183: When JESUS son of MARY second EVE, 184: Saw Satan fall like Lightning down from Heav'n, 185: Prince of the Aire; then rising from his Grave 186: Spoild Principalities and Powers, triumpht 187: In open shew, and with ascention bright 188: Captivity led captive through the Aire, 189: The Realme it self of Satan long usurpt, 190: Whom he shall tread at last under our feet; 191: Eevn hee who now foretold his fatal bruise, 192: And to the Woman thus his Sentence turn'd.
193: Thy sorrow I will greatly multiplie 194: By thy Conception; Children thou shalt bring 195: In sorrow forth, and to thy Husbands will 196: Thine shall submit, hee over thee shall rule.
197: On ADAM last thus judgement he pronounc'd. 198: Because thou hast heark'nd to the voice of thy Wife, 199: And eaten of the Tree concerning which 200: I charg'd thee, saying: Thou shalt not eate thereof, 201: Curs'd is the ground for thy sake, thou in sorrow 202: Shalt eate thereof all the days of thy Life; 203: Thornes also and Thistles it shall bring thee forth 204: Unbid, and thou shalt eate th' Herb of th' Field, 205: In the sweat of thy Face shalt thou eate Bread, 206: Till thou return unto the ground, for thou 207: Out of the ground wast taken, know thy Birth, 208: For dust thou art, and shalt to dust returne.
209: So judg'd he Man, both Judge and Saviour sent, 210: And th' instant stroke of Death denounc't that day 211: Remov'd farr off; then pittying how they stood 212: Before him naked to the aire, that now 213: Must suffer change, disdain'd not to begin 214: Thenceforth the forme of servant to assume, 215: As when he wash'd his servants feet, so now 216: As Father of his Familie he clad 217: Thir nakedness with Skins of Beasts, or slain, 218: Or as the Snake with youthful Coate repaid; 219: And thought not much to cloath his Enemies: 220: Nor hee thir outward onely with the Skins 221: Of Beasts, but inward nakedness, much more 222: Opprobrious, with his Robe of righteousness, 223: Araying cover'd from his Fathers sight. 224: To him with swift ascent he up returnd, 225: Into his blissful bosom reassum'd 226: In glory as of old, to him appeas'd 227: All, though all-knowing, what had past with Man 228: Recounted, mixing intercession sweet. 229: Meanwhile ere thus was sin'd and judg'd on Earth, 230: Within the Gates of Hell sate Sin and Death, 231: In counterview within the Gates, that now 232: Stood open wide, belching outrageous flame 233: Farr into CHAOS, since the Fiend pass'd through, 234: Sin opening, who thus now to Death began.
235: O Son, why sit we here each other viewing 236: Idlely, while Satan our great Author thrives 237: In other Worlds, and happier Seat provides 238: For us his ofspring deare? It cannot be 239: But that success attends him; if mishap, 240: Ere this he had return'd, with fury driv'n 241: By his Avenger, since no place like this 242: Can fit his punishment, or their revenge. 243: Methinks I feel new strength within me rise, 244: Wings growing, and Dominion giv'n me large 245: Beyond this Deep; whatever drawes me on, 246: Or sympathie, or som connatural force 247: Powerful at greatest distance to unite 248: With secret amity things of like kinde 249: By secretest conveyance. Thou my Shade 250: Inseparable must with mee along: 251: For Death from Sin no power can separate. 252: But least the difficultie of passing back 253: Stay his returne perhaps over this Gulfe 254: Impassable, impervious, let us try 255: Adventrous work, yet to thy power and mine 256: Not unagreeable, to found a path 257: Over this Maine from Hell to that new World 258: Where Satan now prevailes, a Monument 259: Of merit high to all th' infernal Host, 260: Easing thir passage hence, for intercourse, 261: Or transmigration, as thir lot shall lead. 262: Nor can I miss the way, so strongly drawn 263: By this new felt attraction and instinct.
264: Whom thus the meager Shadow answerd soon. 265: Goe whither Fate and inclination strong 266: Leads thee, I shall not lag behinde, nor erre 267: The way, thou leading, such a sent I draw 268: Of carnage, prey innumerable, and taste 269: The savour of Death from all things there that live: 270: Nor shall I to the work thou enterprisest 271: Be wanting, but afford thee equal aid.
272: So saying, with delight he snuff'd the smell 273: Of mortal change on Earth. As when a flock 274: Of ravenous Fowl, though many a League remote, 275: Against the day of Battel, to a Field, 276: Where Armies lie encampt, come flying, lur'd 277: With sent of living Carcasses design'd 278: For death, the following day, in bloodie fight. 279: So sented the grim Feature, and upturn'd 280: His Nostril wide into the murkie Air, 281: Sagacious of his Quarrey from so farr. 282: Then Both from out Hell Gates into the waste 283: Wide Anarchie of CHAOS damp and dark 284: Flew divers, & with Power (thir Power was great) 285: Hovering upon the Waters; what they met 286: Solid or slimie, as in raging Sea 287: Tost up and down, together crowded drove 288: From each side shoaling towards the mouth of Hell. 289: As when two Polar Winds blowing adverse 290: Upon the CRONIAN Sea, together drive 291: Mountains of Ice, that stop th' imagin'd way 292: Beyond PETSORA Eastward, to the rich 293: CATHAIAN Coast. The aggregated Soyle 294: Death with his Mace petrific, cold and dry, 295: As with a Trident smote, and fix't as firm 296: As DELOS floating once; the rest his look 297: Bound with GORGONIAN rigor not to move, 298: And with ASPHALTIC slime; broad as the Gate, 299: Deep to the Roots of Hell the gather'd beach 300: They fasten'd, and the Mole immense wraught on 301: Over the foaming deep high Archt, a Bridge 302: Of length prodigious joyning to the Wall 303: Immoveable of this now fenceless world 304: Forfeit to Death; from hence a passage broad, 305: Smooth, easie, inoffensive down to Hell. 306: So, if great things to small may be compar'd, 307: XERXES, the Libertie of GREECE to yoke, 308: From SUSA his MEMNONIAN Palace high 309: Came to the Sea, and over HELLESPONT 310: Bridging his way, EUROPE with ASIA joyn'd, 311: And scourg'd with many a stroak th' indignant waves. 312: Now had they brought the work by wondrous Art 313: Pontifical, a ridge of pendent Rock 314: Over the vext Abyss, following the track 315: Of SATAN, to the selfsame place where hee 316: First lighted from his Wing, and landed safe 317: From out of CHAOS to the outside bare 318: Of this round World: with Pinns of Adamant 319: And Chains they made all fast, too fast they made 320: And durable; and now in little space 321: The Confines met of Empyrean Heav'n 322: And of this World, and on the left hand Hell 323: With long reach interpos'd; three sev'ral wayes 324: In sight, to each of these three places led. 325: And now thir way to Earth they had descri'd, 326: To Paradise first tending, when behold 327: SATAN in likeness of an Angel bright 328: Betwixt the CENTAURE and the SCORPION stearing 329: His ZENITH, while the Sun in ARIES rose: 330: Disguis'd he came, but those his Children dear 331: Thir Parent soon discern'd, though in disguise. 332: Hee, after EVE seduc't, unminded slunk 333: Into the Wood fast by, and changing shape 334: To observe the sequel, saw his guileful act 335: By EVE, though all unweeting, seconded 336: Upon her Husband, saw thir shame that sought 337: Vain covertures; but when he saw descend 338: The Son of God to judge them, terrifi'd 339: Hee fled, not hoping to escape, but shun 340: The present, fearing guiltie what his wrauth 341: Might suddenly inflict; that past, return'd 342: By Night, and listning where the hapless Paire 343: Sate in thir sad discourse, and various plaint, 344: Thence gatherd his own doom, which understood 345: Not instant, but of future time. With joy 346: And tidings fraught, to Hell he now return'd, 347: And at the brink of CHAOS, neer the foot 348: Of this new wondrous Pontifice, unhop't 349: Met who to meet him came, his Ofspring dear. 350: Great joy was at thir meeting, and at sight 351: Of that stupendious Bridge his joy encreas'd. 352: Long hee admiring stood, till Sin, his faire 353: Inchanting Daughter, thus the silence broke.
354: O Parent, these are thy magnific deeds, 355: Thy Trophies, which thou view'st as not thine own, 356: Thou art thir Author and prime Architect: 357: For I no sooner in my Heart divin'd, 358: My Heart, which by a secret harmonie 359: Still moves with thine, joyn'd in connexion sweet, 360: That thou on Earth hadst prosper'd, which thy looks 361: Now also evidence, but straight I felt 362: Though distant from thee Worlds between, yet felt 363: That I must after thee with this thy Son; 364: Such fatal consequence unites us three: 365: Hell could no longer hold us in her bounds, 366: Nor this unvoyageable Gulf obscure 367: Detain from following thy illustrious track. 368: Thou hast atchiev'd our libertie, confin'd 369: Within Hell Gates till now, thou us impow'rd 370: To fortifie thus farr, and overlay 371: With this portentous Bridge the dark Abyss. 372: Thine now is all this World, thy vertue hath won 373: What thy hands builded not, thy Wisdom gain'd 374: With odds what Warr hath lost, and fully aveng'd 375: Our foile in Heav'n; here thou shalt Monarch reign, 376: There didst not; there let him still Victor sway, 377: As Battel hath adjudg'd, from this new World 378: Retiring, by his own doom alienated, 379: And henceforth Monarchie with thee divide 380: Of all things, parted by th' Empyreal bounds, 381: His Quadrature, from thy Orbicular World, 382: Or trie thee now more dang'rous to his Throne.
383: Whom thus the Prince of Darkness answerd glad. 384: Fair Daughter, and thou Son and Grandchild both, 385: High proof ye now have giv'n to be the Race 386: Of SATAN (for I glorie in the name, 387: Antagonist of Heav'ns Almightie King) 388: Amply have merited of me, of all 389: Th' Infernal Empire, that so neer Heav'ns dore 390: Triumphal with triumphal act have met, 391: Mine with this glorious Work, & made one Realm 392: Hell and this World, one Realm, one Continent 393: Of easie thorough-fare. Therefore while I 394: Descend through Darkness, on your Rode with ease 395: To my associate Powers, them to acquaint 396: With these successes, and with them rejoyce, 397: You two this way, among those numerous Orbs 398: All yours, right down to Paradise descend; 399: There dwell & Reign in bliss, thence on the Earth 400: Dominion exercise and in the Aire, 401: Chiefly on Man, sole Lord of all declar'd, 402: Him first make sure your thrall, and lastly kill. 403: My Substitutes I send ye, and Create 404: Plenipotent on Earth, of matchless might 405: Issuing from mee: on your joynt vigor now 406: My hold of this new Kingdom all depends, 407: Through Sin to Death expos'd by my exploit. 408: If your joynt power prevaile, th' affaires of Hell 409: No detriment need feare, goe and be strong.
410: So saying he dismiss'd them, they with speed 411: Thir course through thickest Constellations held 412: Spreading thir bane; the blasted Starrs lookt wan, 413: And Planets, Planet-strook, real Eclips 414: Then sufferd. Th' other way SATAN went down 415: The Causey to Hell Gate; on either side 416: Disparted CHAOS over built exclaimd, 417: And with rebounding surge the barrs assaild, 418: That scorn'd his indignation: through the Gate, 419: Wide open and unguarded, SATAN pass'd, 420: And all about found desolate; for those 421: Appointed to sit there, had left thir charge, 422: Flown to the upper World; the rest were all 423: Farr to the inland retir'd, about the walls 424: Of PANDEMONIUM, Citie and proud seate 425: Of LUCIFER, so by allusion calld, 426: Of that bright Starr to SATAN paragond. 427: There kept thir Watch the Legions, while the Grand 428: In Council sate, sollicitous what chance 429: Might intercept thir Emperour sent, so hee 430: Departing gave command, and they observ'd. 431: As when the TARTAR from his RUSSIAN Foe 432: By ASTRACAN over the Snowie Plaines 433: Retires, or BACTRIAN Sophi from the hornes 434: Of TURKISH Crescent, leaves all waste beyond 435: The Realme of ALADULE, in his retreate 436: To TAURIS or CASBEEN. So these the late 437: Heav'n-banisht Host, left desert utmost Hell 438: Many a dark League, reduc't in careful Watch 439: Round thir Metropolis, and now expecting 440: Each hour their great adventurer from the search 441: Of Forrein Worlds: he through the midst unmarkt, 442: In shew plebeian Angel militant 443: Of lowest order, past; and from the dore 444: Of that PLUTONIAN Hall, invisible 445: Ascended his high Throne, which under state 446: Of richest texture spred, at th' upper end 447: Was plac't in regal lustre. Down a while 448: He sate, and round about him saw unseen: 449: At last as from a Cloud his fulgent head 450: And shape Starr bright appeer'd, or brighter, clad 451: With what permissive glory since his fall 452: Was left him, or false glitter: All amaz'd 453: At that so sudden blaze the STYGIAN throng 454: Bent thir aspect, and whom they wish'd beheld, 455: Thir mighty Chief returnd: loud was th' acclaime: 456: Forth rush'd in haste the great consulting Peers, 457: Rais'd from thir dark DIVAN, and with like joy 458: Congratulant approach'd him, who with hand 459: Silence, and with these words attention won.
460: Thrones, Dominations, Princedoms, Vertues, Powers, 461: For in possession such, not onely of right, 462: I call ye and declare ye now, returnd 463: Successful beyond hope, to lead ye forth 464: Triumphant out of this infernal Pit 465: Abominable, accurst, the house of woe, 466: And Dungeon of our Tyrant: Now possess, 467: As Lords, a spacious World, to our native Heaven 468: Little inferiour, by my adventure hard 469: With peril great atchiev'd. Long were to tell 470: What I have don, what sufferd, with what paine 471: Voyag'd the unreal, vast, unbounded deep 472: Of horrible confusion, over which 473: By Sin and Death a broad way now is pav'd 474: To expedite your glorious march; but I 475: Toild out my uncouth passage, forc't to ride 476: Th' untractable Abysse, plung'd in the womb 477: Of unoriginal NIGHT and CHAOS wilde, 478: That jealous of thir secrets fiercely oppos'd 479: My journey strange, with clamorous uproare 480: Protesting Fate supreame; thence how I found 481: The new created World, which fame in Heav'n 482: Long had foretold, a Fabrick wonderful 483: Of absolute perfection, therein Man 484: Plac't in a Paradise, by our exile 485: Made happie: Him by fraud I have seduc'd 486: From his Creator, and the more to increase 487: Your wonder, with an Apple; he thereat 488: Offended, worth your laughter, hath giv'n up 489: Both his beloved Man and all his World, 490: To Sin and Death a prey, and so to us, 491: Without our hazard, labour or allarme, 492: To range in, and to dwell, and over Man 493: To rule, as over all he should have rul'd. 494: True is, mee also he hath judg'd, or rather 495: Mee not, but the brute Serpent in whose shape 496: Man I deceav'd: that which to mee belongs, 497: Is enmity, which he will put between 498: Mee and Mankinde; I am to bruise his heel; 499: His Seed, when is not set, shall bruise my head: 500: A World who would not purchase with a bruise, 501: Or much more grievous pain? Ye have th' account 502: Of my performance: What remaines, ye Gods, 503: But up and enter now into full bliss.
504: So having said, a while he stood, expecting 505: Thir universal shout and high applause 506: To fill his eare, when contrary he hears 507: On all sides, from innumerable tongues 508: A dismal universal hiss, the sound 509: Of public scorn; he wonderd, but not long 510: Had leasure, wondring at himself now more; 511: His Visage drawn he felt to sharp and spare, 512: His Armes clung to his Ribs, his Leggs entwining 513: Each other, till supplanted down he fell 514: A monstrous Serpent on his Belly prone, 515: Reluctant, but in vaine, a greater power 516: Now rul'd him, punisht in the shape he sin'd, 517: According to his doom: he would have spoke, 518: But hiss for hiss returnd with forked tongue 519: To forked tongue, for now were all transform'd 520: Alike, to Serpents all as accessories 521: To his bold Riot: dreadful was the din 522: Of hissing through the Hall, thick swarming now 523: With complicated monsters, head and taile, 524: Scorpion and Asp, and AMPHISBAENA dire, 525: CERASTES hornd, HYDRUS, and ELLOPS drear, 526: And DIPSAS (Not so thick swarm'd once the Soil 527: Bedropt with blood of Gorgon, or the Isle 528: OPHIUSA) but still greatest hee the midst, 529: Now Dragon grown, larger then whom the Sun 530: Ingenderd in the PYTHIAN Vale on slime, 531: Huge PYTHON, and his Power no less he seem'd 532: Above the rest still to retain; they all 533: Him follow'd issuing forth to th' open Field, 534: Where all yet left of that revolted Rout 535: Heav'n-fall'n, in station stood or just array, 536: Sublime with expectation when to see 537: In Triumph issuing forth thir glorious Chief; 538: They saw, but other sight instead, a crowd 539: Of ugly Serpents; ho
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