Thine own begotten, breaking violent way Tore through my entrails, that, with fear and pain 785 790 Ingendering with me, of that rape begot These yelling monsters that with ceaseless cry 795 To me; for, when they list, into the womb That bred them they return, and howl and gnaw My bowels, their repast; then bursting forth 800 That rest or intermission none I find. Before mine eyes in opposition sits Grim Death, my son and foe; who sets them on, And me his parent would full soon devour 805 For want of other prey, but that he knows 810 815 She finish'd; and the subtle Fiend his lore Soon learn'd, now milder, and thus answer'd smooth Dear Daughter! since thou claim'st me for thy sire And my fair son here show'st me, (the dear pledge Of dalliance had with thee in Heaven, and joys Then sweet, now sad to mention, through dire change I come no enemy, but to set free 821 825 The unfounded deep, and through the void immense In the purlieus of Heaven, and therein placed Perhaps our vacant room; though more removed, 835 To know; and, this once known, shall soon return, Wing silently the buxom air, embalm'd He ceased, for both seem'd highly pleased; and Death Grinn'd horrible a ghastly smile, to hear 846 His famine should be fill'd; and bless'd his maw Destined to that good hour: No less rejoiced His mother bad, and thus bespoke her sire· The key of this infernal pit by due, 850 And by command of Heaven's all-powerful King, I keep; by him forbidden to unlock These adamantine gates; against all force Death ready stands to interpose his dart, Fearless to be o'ermatch d by living might 855 Who hates me, and hath hither thrust me down Into this gloom of Tartarus profound, To sit in hateful office here confined, 860 With terrors and with clamours compass'd round 865 870 Which but herself, not all the Stygian Powers Could once have moved; then in the keyhole turns The intricate wards, and every bolt and bar 875 Of massy iron or solid rock with ease With impetuous recoil and jaring sound 880 The infernal doors, and on their hinges grate Harsh thunder, that the lowest bottom shook Of Erebus. She open'd, but to shut Excell'd her power; the gates wide open stood, That with extended wings a banner'd host, 885 Under spread ensigns, marching, might pass through With horse and chariots rank'd in loose array · Cast forth redounding smoke and ruddy flame.) 890 Without dimension; where length, breadth, and height, 895 Eternal anarchy, amidst the noise Of endless wars, and by confusion stand. 900 For hot, cold, moist, and dry, four champions fierce, Levied to side with warring winds, and poise Their lighter wings. To whom these most adhere, He rules a moment: Chaos umpire sits, And by decision more embroils the fray, By which he reigns: Chance governs all. Next him, high arbiter, The womb of Nature and perhaps her grave, 905 910 915 He had to cross. Nor was his ear less peal'd. 920 325 The steadfast earth. At last his sail-broad vans Audacious; but, that seat soon failing, meets A vast vacuity: all unawares Fluttering his pennons vain, plumb down he drops 930 Ten thousand fathom deep; and to this hour 935 940 945 O'er bog, or steep, through strait, rough, dense, or rare, With head, hands, wings, or feet, pursues his way, And swims, or sinks, or wades, or creeps, or flies. 950 At length a universal hubbub wild Of stunning sounds and voices all confused, Borne through the hollow dark, assaults his ear With loudest vehemence: thither he plies, Undaunted to meet there whatever Power Or Spirit of the nethermost abyss 955 Might in that noise reside, of whom to ask Which way the nearest coast of darkness lies Bordering on light; when straight behold the throne Of Chaos, and his dark pavilion spread 960 Wide on the wasteful deep; with him enthroned Sat sable-vested Night, eldest of things, The consort of his reign; and by them stood Orcus and Hades, and the dreaded name Of Demogorgon; Rumour next and Chance, 965 And Tumult and Confusion all embroil'd, And Discord with a thousand various mouths. To whom Satan turning boldly, thus: Ye Powers And Spirits of this nethermost abyss, Chaos and ancient Night! I core no spy, 970 With purpose to explore or to disturb |