Well have ye judg'd, well ended long debate, 390 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 fpight of Fate, Nearer our ancient Seat; perhaps in view Of those bright confines, whence with neighbouring And opportune excurfion we may chance [Arms
Re-enter Heav'n; or else in some mild Zone
Dwell not unvifited of Heav'ns fair Light
Secure, and at the brightning Orient beani
Purge off this gloom; the foft delicious Air, 400
To heal the fear of these corrofive Fires
Shall breathe her balm. But firft whom fhall we fend
In fearch of this new world, whom shall we find
Sufficient who fhall tempt with wandring feet
The dark unbottom'd infinite Abyss,
And through the palpable obfcure find out
His uncouth way, or fpread his aery flight
Upborn with indefatigable wings
Over the vaft abrupt, e'er he arrive
The happy Ifle; what strength, what art can then 410
Suffice, or what evasion bear him fafe
Through the ftrict Senteries and Stations thick
Of Angels watching round? Here he had need
All circumfpection, and we now no less
Choice in our fuffrage; for on whom we fend, 415
The weight of all and our last hope relies.
This said, he fat; and expectation held
His look fufpence, awaiting who appear'd
To fecond, or oppose, or undertake
The perilous attempt: But all fat mute,
Pondering the danger with deep thoughts; and each
In others count'nance read his own dismay
Aftonisht: none among the choice and prime
Of thofe Heav'n-warring Champions could be found
So hardy as to proffer or accept
Alone the dreadful voyage; till at last
Satan, whom now tranfcendent glory rais'd
Above his fellows, with Monarchal pride
Confcious of higheft worth, unmov'd thus fpake.
O Progeny of Heav'n, Empyreal Thrones,
With reafon hath deep filence and demurr
Seis'd us, though undifmai'd: long is the way
And hard, that out of Hell leads up to light;
Our prifon ftrong, this huge convex of Fire,
Outragious to devour, immures us round
Ninefold, and gates of burning Adamant
Barr'd over us prohibit all egrefs.
Thefe paft, if any pafs, the void profound
Of uneffential Night receives him next
Wide gaping, and with utter lofs of being
Threatens him, plung'd in that abortive gulf.
If thence he fcape into whatever world,
Or unknown Region, what remains him less
Than unknown dangers, and as hard escape?
But I fhould ill become this Throne, O Peers, 445
And this Imperial Sov'reignty, adorn'd
With fplendor, arm'd with power, if ought propos'd
And judg'd of public moment, in the fhape
Of difficulty or danger could deter
Me from attempting. Wherefore do I affume 450 Thefe Royalties, and not refufe to Reign,
Refufing to accept as great a fhare
Of hazard as of honour, due alike
To him who Reigns, and so much to him due
Of hazard more, as he above the reft
High honour'd fits? Go therefore mighty Powers,
Terror of Heav'n, though fall'n; intend at home,
While here fhall be our home, what beft may ease
The prefent mifery, and render Hell
More tollerable; if there be cure or charm
To refpite or deceive, or flack the pain
Of this ill Mansion: intermit no watch
Against the wakeful Foe, while I abroad
Through all the Coafts of dark deftruction feek
Deliverance for us all: this enterprize
None fall partake with me. Thus faying rose
The Monarch, and prevented all reply,
Prudent, left from his refolution rais'd
Others among the chief might offer now
(Certain to be refus'd) what erft they fear'd; 470
And fo refus'd might in opinion ftand
His Rivals, winning cheap the high repute
Which he through hazard huge muft earn.
But they
Dreaded not more th'adventure than his voice
Forbidding; and at once with him they rofe; 475
Their rifing all at once was as the found
Of Thunder heard remote. Towards him they bend
With awful reverence prone; and as a God
Extoll him equal to the highest in Heav'n:
Nor fail'd they to exprefs how much they prais❜d, 48c That for the general fafety he defpis'd
His own: for neither do the Spirits damn'd
Lofe all their virtue; left bad men should boast
Their fpecious deeds on Earth, which glory excites,
Or clofe ambition varnisht o're with zeal.
Thus they their doubtful confultations dark
Ended rejoycing in their matchlefs Chief:
As when from mountain tops the dusky clouds
Afcending, while the North-wind fleeps, o'er-fpread
Heav'ns chearful face, the lowring Element
Scowls o're the dark'nd lantskip Snow, or showre;
If chance the radiant Sun with farewell fweet
Extend his ev'ning beam, the fields revive,
The birds their notes renew, and bleating herds
Atteft their joy, that hill and valley rings.
O fhame to men! Devil with Devil damn'd
Firm concord holds, men only difàgree
Of Creatures rational, though under hope
Of heavenly Grace: and God proclaiming peace,
Yet live in hatred, enmity, and ftrife
Among themselves, and levie cruel wars,
Wafting the Earth, each other to destroy:
Asif (which might induce us to accord)
Man had not hellish foes anow befides,
That day and night for his deftruction wait. sos
The Stygian Counsel thus diffolv'd; and forth
In order came the grand infernal Feers,
'Midft came their mighty Paramount, and feem'd
Alone th' Antagonist of Heav'n, nor less
Than Hell's dread Emperour with pomp fupream, 510 And God-like imitated State; him round
A Globe of fiery Seraphim inclos'd
With bright imblazonry, and horrent Arms.
Then of their Seffion ended they bid cry
With Trumpets regal found the great result :
Towards the four winds four fpeedy Cherubim
Put to their mouths the founding Alchymie
By Heralds Voice explain'd; the hollow Abyss
Heard far and wide, and all the Hoft of Hell
With deafning fhout, return d them loud acclaim. 520
Thence more at eafe their minds, and fomewhat rais'd
By faife prefumptuous hope, the ranged powers
Disband, and wandring, cach his feveral way
Purfues, as inclination or fad choice
Leads him perplext, where he may likelieft find 52
Truce to his reftiefs thoughts, and entertain
The irkfome hours, till this great Chief return.
Part on the Plain, or in the Air fublime
Upon the wing, or in fwift Race contend,
As at th' Olympian Games or Pythian fields;
Part curb their fiery Steeds, or fhun the Goal
With rapid wheels, or fronted Brigads form.
As when to warn proud Cities war appears
Wag'd in the troubl'd Sky, and Armies rufh
To Battel in the Clouds, before each Van
Prick forth the Aery Knights, and couch their Spears
Till thickeft Legions clofe; with feats of Arms
From either end of Heav'n the welkin burns.
Others with vaft Typhaan rage more fell
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