Live to ourselves, though in this vaft recefs, Free, and to none accountable; preferring Hard liberty before the eafy yoke
of fervile pomp. Our greatnefs will appear Then molt confpicuous, when great things of finall, Ufeful of hurtful, profperous of adverfe
We can create; and in what place foe'er Thrive under evil, and work cafe out of pain, Through labour, and indurance.
This deep world Of darkness do we dread? how oft amidst
Thick clouds and dark, doth heav'n's all-ruling Sire Chufe to refide, his glory unobfcur'd?
And with the majesty of darkness round Covers his throne; from whence deep thunders roar Muft'ring their rage, and heav'n resembles hell? As he our darkness, cannot we his light Imitate when we pleafe? This defert foil Wants not her hidden luftre, gems and gold : Nor want we skill or art, from whence to raise Magnificence; and what can heav'n fhew more? Our torments alfo may in length of time Become our elements; thefe piercing fires As foft as now fevere, our temper chang'd Into their temper; which must needs remove The fenfible of pain. All things invite To peaceful counfels, and the fettled ftate Of order, how in fafety best we may Compose our prefent evils, with regard Of what we are, and where; difmiffing quite All thoughts of war.
HE fcarce had finifh'd, when fuch murmur fill'd Th' affembly, as when hollow rocks retain The found of bluft'ring winds, which all night long Had rouz'd the fea, now with hoarfe cadence lull
Sea-faring men o'erwatch'd, whofe bark by chance, Or pinnace, anchors in a craggy bay After the tempeft: fuch applaufe was heard As MAMMON ended, and his fentence pleas'd, Advifing peace. For, fuch another field
They dreaded worfe than hell: fo much the fear Of thunder, and the fword of MICHAEL, Wrought still within them: and no less defire To found this nether empire, which might rise, By policy, and long process of time,
In emulation oppofite to heav'n.
Which when BEELZEBUB perceiv'd (than whom, SATAN except, none higher fat) with grave
Afpect he rofe, and in his rifing feem'd
A pillar of ftate: deep on his front engraven,
Deliberation fat, and public care;
And princely counfel in his face yet fhone,
Majeltic though in ruin! fage he flood, With ATLANTEAN fhoulders, fit to bear The weight of mightiest monarchies; his look Drew audience, and attention ftill as night, Or fummer's noon-tide air; while thus he fpake.
THRONES, and imperial Pow'rs, offspring of heav'n, Ethereal Virtues! or thefe titles now
Muft we renounce, and changing style, be call'd Princes of Hell? For, fo the popular vote Inclines, here to continue, and build up here A growing empire: doubtlefs! while we dream, 315 And know not that the King of heav'n hath doom'd This place our dungeon; not our safe retreat Beyond his potent arm, to live exempt
From heav'n's high jurisdiction, in new league. Banded against his throne: but to remain
In ftrictest bondage, though thus far remov'd,
Under th' inevitable curb, referv'd
His captive multitude: for he, be fure,
In height, or depth, ftill first and last will reign Sole King, and of his kingdom lofe no part By our revolt; but over hell extend His empire, and with iron fceptre rule Us here, as with his golden those in heav'n. What fit we then projecting peace and war? War hath determin'd us, and foil'd with lofs Irreparable; terms of peace yet none
Vouthfaf'd or fought; for what peace will be giv'n To us enflav'd, but cuftody fevere,
And ftripes, and arbitrary punishment Inflicted? and what peace can we return! But, to our pow'r, hoftility, and hate, Untam'd reluctance, and revenge; though flow, Yet ever plotting how the conqueror least May reap his conqueft; and may leaft rejoice In doing, what we most in suffering feel? Nor will occafion want, nor thall we need With dangerous expedition, to invade Heav'n, whofe high walls fear no affault or fiege, Or ambush from the Deep: what if we find Some easier enterprize? There is a place, (If antient and prophetic fame in heav'n Err not) another world, the happy feat Of fome new race call'd MAN; about this time To be created like to us, though less
In pow'r and excellence, but favour'd more Of him who rules above: fo was his will Pronounc'd among the Gods, and by an oath, That shook heav'n's whole circumference, confirm'd. Thither let us bend all our thoughts, to learn What creatures there inhabit, of what mold, 355 Or fubftance, how endu'd, and what their pow'r,"
And where their weaknefs, how attempted best, By force, or fubtilty. Though heav'n be fhut, And heav'n's high arbitrator fit fecure
In his own ftrength, this place may lie expos'd, The utmost border of his kingdom, left, To their defence who hold it: here perhaps Some advantageous act may be atchiev'd By fudden onfet, either with hell fire To wafte his whole creation; or poffefs All as our own, and drive, as we are driv'n, The puny habitants; or if not drive,
Seduce them to our party, that their GOD
May prove their foe, and with repenting hand
Abolish his own works. This would furpafs Common revenge, and interrupt his joy
In our confufion, and our joy upraife
In his difturbance; when his darling fons,
Hurl'd headlong to partake with us, shall curfe Their frail original, and faded bliss:
Faded fo foon! Advife if this be worth
Attempting, or to fit in darkness here.
Hatching vain empires.
Pleaded his devilish counfel, first devis'd
By SATAN, and in part propos'd: from whence, 380 But from the author of all ill, could spring, So deep a malice, to confound the race. Of mankind in one root, and earth with hell To mingle and involve, done all to fpite The great Creator? But their spite still ferves His glory to augment. The bold defign Pleas'd highly thofe infernal States, and joy Sparkled in all their eyes; with full affent They vote: whereat his fpeech he thus renews.
WELL have ye judg'd, well ended long debate, 390 Synod
Synod of Gods! and, like to what ye are,
Great things refolv'd: which from the lowest deep Will once more lift us up, in fpite of Fate, Nearer our ancient feat: perhaps in view
Of thofe bright confines, whence with neighbouring And opportune excurfion, we may chance Re-enter heav'n or elfe, in fome wild Zone Dwell not unvifited of heav'n's fair light,. Secure, and at the bright'ning orient beam Purge off this gloom : the foft delicious air, To heal the fear of these corrofive fires, Shall breathe her balm. But firft whom shall we fend In fearch of this new world; whom fhall we find Sufficient? Who fhall tempt with wand'ring feet The dark, unbottom'd, infinite Abyss,
And through the palpable obfcure find out His uncouth way; or fpread his aery flight, Up-born with indefatigable wings
Over the vast abrupt, ere he arrive
The happy ile? What ftrength, what art can then Suffice, or what evasion bear him fafe
Through the Itrict fenteries, and tations thick, Of angels watching round? Here he had need All circumfpection; and we now no lefs
Choice in our fuffrage: for, on whom we fend, 415 The weight of all, and our last hope, relies.
THIS faid, he fat; and expectation held His look fufpenfe, awaiting who appear'd·· To fecond or oppofe, or undertake The perilous attempt: but all fat mute,
Pondering the danger with deep thoughts; and each In others count'nance read his own difmay, Astonish'd! None, among the choice and prime Of those heav'n-warring champions, could be found
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