Sparkled in all their eyes; with full assent Nearer our ancient seat; perhaps in view 390 Of those bright confines, whence, with neighb'ring arms 395 And opportune excursion, we may chance Re-enter Heav'n; or else in some mild zone Dwell, notunvisited of Heav'n's fair light, 400 To heal the scar of these corrosive fires, Shall breathe her balm. But first whom shall we send In search of this new world? whom shall we find Sufficient? who shall tempt with wand'ring feet The dark unbottom'd infinite abyss, 405 And through the palpable obscure find out His uncouth way, or spread his aery flight, Over the vast abrupt, ere he arrive The happy isle? what strength, what art can then 410 Suffice, or what evasion bear him safe Through the strict senteries and stations thick Of angels watching round? Here he had need All circumspection, and we now no less Choice in our suffrage; for on whom we send, 4t5 420 Pond'ring the danger with deep thoughts; and each Of those Heav'n-warring champions could be found 42% Alone the dreadful voyage; till at last Satan, whom now transcendant glory rais'd Above his fellows, with monarchial pride, Conscious of highest worth, unmov'd thus spake. "O progeny of Heav'n, empyreal thrones! 430 With reason hath deep silence and deimur Seiz'd us, though undismay'd: long is the way, 419 But I should ill become this throne, O peers! 415 And this imperial sov'reignty, adoru'd With splendour, arm'd with power, if ought propos'd To him who reigns, and so much to him due Of hazard more, as he above the rest 455 High honour'd sits? Go, therefore, mighty powers, The present misery, and render Hell More tolerable; if there be cure or charm 460 Through all the coasts of dark destruction seek 469 None shall partake with me." Thus saying, rose 470 'His rivals, winning cheap the high repute Which he through hazard huge must earn. But they Forbidding; and at once with him they rose;" 475 Their rising all at once was as the sound Of thunder heard remote. Tow'ards him they bend Extol him equal to the high'est in Heav'n: Nor fail'd they to express how much they prais'd, 480 His own: for neither do the spirits damn'd Lose all their virtue; lest bad men should boast Their specious deeds on earth, which glory' excites, Thus they their doubtful consultations dark Ended, rejoicing in their matchless chief: 490 498 Of heav'nly grace: and, God proclaiming peace, 500 Among themselves, and levy cruel wars, Wasting the earth, each other to destroy : 503 The Stygian council thus dissolv'd; and forth In order came the grand infernal peers: Midst came their mighty paramount, and seem'd Than Hell's dread emperor, with pomp supreme, 510 And god-like imitated state him round With bright emblazonry, and horrent arms. 515 With deaf'ning shout return'd them loud acclaim. 520 Thence more at ease their minds, and somewhat rais'd Disband, and wand'ring, each his several way Leads him perplex'd, where he may likeliest find 5:25 530 To battle in the clouds, before each van 535 Prick forth the aery knights, and couch their spears Till thickest legions close; with feats of arms From either end of Heav'n the welkin burns. 540 With conquest, felt th' envenom'd robe, and tore Through pain up by the roots Thessalian pinez, 549 By doom of battle; and complain that fate 550 Free virtue should inthral to force or chance. Their song was partial, but the harmony |