[2] ARGUMENT of Bоок І. This First Book proposes, first, in brief, the whole fubject Man's disobedience, and the lofs thereupon of Paradifi wherein he was placed: Then touches the prime caufe of his fall, the ferpent, or rather Satan in the ferpent; who, revolting from God, and drawing to his fide many legions of angels, was, by the command of God, driven out of heaven, with all his crew, inte the great deep. Which action passed over, the Poem haftes into the midst of things, presenting Satan, with his angels, now fallen into hell, described here, not in the centre, (for heaven and earth may be supposed as yet not made, certainly not yet accursed) but in a place of utter darkness, fitlieft called Chaos. Here Sa-tan, with his angels lying on the burning lake, thunder-struck and astonished, after a certain space recovers, as from confusion, calls up him who next in order and dignity lay by him: They confer of their miserable fall. Satan awakens all his legions, who lay till then in the fame manner confounded: They rife; their numbers, array of battle, their chief leaders named, according to the idols known afterwards in Canaan and the countries adjoining. To these Satan directs his Speech, comforts them with hope yet of regaining beaven; but tells them, lastly, of a new world, and new kind of creature to be created, according to an ancient prophecy or report in heaven; for that angels were long before this visible creation, was the opinion of many ancient fathers. To find out the truth of this prophecy, and what to determine thereon, he refers to a full council. What his associates thence attempt. Pandemonium, the palace of Satan, rises, fuddenly built out of the deep: The infernal peers there fit in council.. PARADISE PARADISE LOST. *** BOOK I. F man's first disobedience, and the fruit With lofs of Eden, till one greater Man 5 Of Oreb, or of Sinai, didst inspire That shepherd, who first taught the chosen seed, Rofe out of Chaos: or if Sion hill 10 Delight thee more, and Siloa's brook that flow'd Fast by the oracle of God; I thence 15 20 I may afsfert eternal Providence, 25 And justify the ways of God to men. Say first, for Heav'n hides nothing from thy view, Nor the deep tract of hell; say first what cause 30 From their Creator, and transgress his will, Th' infernal Serpent; he it was, whose guile, 35 Of rebel angels; by whose aid afpiring Who durst defy th' Omnipotent to arms. 45 Nine times the space that measures day and night se Lay vanquish'd, rolling in the fiery gulf, 55 At once, as far as angels ken, he views The difmal fituation waste and wild; A dungeon horrible on all fides round 60 No light, but rather darkness visible Regions of forrow, doleful shades, where peace 65 Still urges, and a fiery deluge, fed 70 As far remov'd from God and light of heav'n, 75 80 Beelzebub. To whom th' arch-enemy, 85 If thou beest he; but O how fall'n! how chang'd From him, who in the happy realms of light Cloth'd with transcendent brightness didst outshine Myriads tho' bright! if he whom mutual league, United thoughts and counsels equal hope And hazard in the glorious enterprize, Join'd with me once, now misery hath join'd In equal ruin: into what pit thou feeft 90 From-what height fall'n, so much the stronger prov'd H Nor what the potent victor in his rage 95 Though chang'd in outward lustre, that fix'd mind, And high disdain from sense of injur'd merit, And to the fierce contention brought along 100 Innumerable force of spirits arm'd, That durst dislike his reign, and me preferring, In dubious battle on the plains of heaven, And shook his throne. What though the field be lost? All is not lost; th' unconquerable will, 106 And study of revenge, immortal hate, And courage never to submit or yield, And what is else not to be overcome; That glory never shall his wrath or might 110 That were an ignominy' and shame beneath 115 And this empyreal substance cannot fail; Since through experience of this great event We may with more successful hope refolve 120 Irreconcileable to our grand foe, Who now triumphs, and in th' excess of joy - Sole reigning holds the tyranny of heaven. So spake th' apostate angel, though in pain; 125 Vaunting aloud, but rack'd with deep despair: And him thus answer'd foon his bold compeer, O Prince, O Chief of many throned powers, That led th' imbattl'd Seraphim to war 1 |