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Literature.
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. Users need to remember that this text retains the lexicographical and typographical features of the first edition, including all uses of "vv" for "w", and all the variations in spelling typical of a seventeenth-century edition.

Note 2: The Scolar edition is a "hybrid" facsimile: it is neither a diplomatic facsimile of one copy nor an eclectic facsimile of an "ideal" copy. Instead, the Scolar editors have reproduced a copy owned by the press, and the 85 times they came up against legibility problems with their copy, they substituted pages from five different copies held by the British Museum.

Commercial use prohibited.

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.
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