PARADISE LOST. BOOK I. THE ARGUMENT. This First Book proposes, first, in brief, the whole subject, Man's disobedience, and the loss thereupon of Paradise, wherein he was placed: then touches the prime cause of his fall, the Serpent, or rather Satan in the serpent; who revolting from God, and drawing to his side many legions of Angels, was, by the command of God, driven out of Heaven, with all his crew, into the great deep. Which action passed over, the poem hastens 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, fitliest called Chaos: here Satan with his Angels lying on the burning lake, thunderstruck 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 same manner confounded: they rise, their numbers, array of battle, their chief leaders named, according to the idols known afterward in Canaan and the countries adjoining. To these Satan directs his speech, comforts them with hope yet of regaining Heaven, 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, suddenly built out of the deep: the infernal peers there sit in council. Or man's first disobedience, and the fruit Of that forbidden tree, whose mortal taste Restore us, and regain the blissful seat, Sing Heav'nly Muse, that on the secret top Milton's Poetical Works. 1 5 Of Oreb, or of Sinai, didst inspire That Shepherd, who first taught the chosen seed Delight thee more, and Siloa's brook that flow'd Instruct me, for Thou know'st: Thou from the first I may assert 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 Moved our grand parents, in that happy state, He trusted to have equall'd the Most High, If he opposed; and with ambitious aim Raised impious war in Heav'n, and battle proud 30 35 40 With vain attempt. Him the Almighty Power 45 Nine times the space that measures day and night 50 55 Torments him; round he throws his baleful eyes, That witness'd huge affliction and dismay, Mix'd with obdurate pride and steadfast hate: At once, as far as angels' ken, he views The dismal situation waste and wild: 60 A dungeon horrible on all sides round, As one great furnace flamed; yet from those flames Served only to discover sights of woe, Regions of sorrow, doleful shades, where peace 65 And rest can never dwell: hope never comes, With ever-burning sulphur unconsumed: For those rebellious; here their pris'n ordain'd 70 75 80 Beelzebub. To whom th' Arch-Enemy, And thence in Heav'n call'd Satan, with bold words If thou beest he; but O how fallen! how changed 85 And hazard in the glorious enterprise, Join'd with me once, now misery hath join'd 90 In equal ruin: into what pit thou seest From what height fall'n, so much the stronger proved He with his thunder: and till then who knew The force of those dire arms? yet not for those Nor what the potent victor in his rage 95 Can else inflict, do I repent or change, Though changed in outward lustre, that fix'd mind And high disdain from sense of injured merit, 100 That durst dislike his reign, and me preferring His utmost pow'r with adverse pow'r opposed In dubious battle on the plains of Heav'n, 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: 110 115 This downfall; since by fate the strength of Gods |