Aspéct he rose, and in his rising seem'd A pillar of state; deep on his front engraven, And princely counsel in his face yet shone 305 The weight of mightiest monarchies; his look Drew audience and attention, still as night Or summer's noontide air, while thus he spake. "Thrones and Imperial Pow'rs, Offspring of Heaven, Etheria: Virtues! or these titles now 311 Must we renounce, and changing style be call'd Princes of Hell? for so the popular vote Inclines, here to continue', and build up here A growing empire; doubtless; while we dream, 315 And know not that the King of Heav'n hath doom'd This place our dungeon, not our safe retreat Beyond his potent arm, to live exempt From Heav'n's high jurisdiction, in new league Banded against his throne, but to remain 320 In strictest bondage, though thus far remov'd, His captive multitude: for he, be sure, In height or depth, still first and last will reign Sole king, and of his kingdom lose no part 325 His empire, and with iron sceptre rule Vouchsaf'd or sought; for what peace will be given But to our pow'r hostility and hate, Untam'd reluctance, and revenge, though slow, 330 335 In doing what we most in suffering feel? Nor will occasion want, nor shall we need, Heav'n whose high walls fear no assault or siege, 340 Some easier enterprise? There is a place, 345 (If ancient and prophetic fame in Heaven Err not) another world the happy seat Of some new race call'd Man, about this time- In pow'r and excellence, but favour'd more 350 Of him who rules above; so was his will Pronounc'd among the Gods, and by an oath, That shook Heav'n's whole circumference, confirm'd. $55 In his own strength, this place may lie expos'd, 360 To their defence who hold it: here perhaps 365 All as our own, and drive, as we were driven, May prove their foe, and with repenting hand 370 In our confusion, and our joy upraise In his disturbance; when his darling sons, Hurl'd headlong to partake with us, shall curse Their frail original, and faded bliss, 375 Faded so soon. Advise if this be worth Attempting, or to sit in darkness here Pleaded his devilish counsel, first devis'd .380 385 390 Great things resolv'd, which from the lowest deep Will once more lift us up, in spite of fate, Nearer our ancient seat: perhaps in view Of those bright confines, whence with neighb'ring arms 396 Dwell, not unvisited of Heav'n's fair light, Secure, and at the bright'ning orient beam 400 Shall breath 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 airy flight, Upborne with indefatigable wings, Over the vast abrupt, ere he arrive The happy isle? what strength, what art, can then Suffice, or what evasion bear him safe 411 Through the strict senteries and stations thick Of Angels watching round? Here he had need Choice in our suffrage; for on whom we send 416 This said, he sat ; and expectation held His looks suspense, awaiting who appear'd To second, or oppose, or undertake, The perilous attempt: but all sat mute, Pond'ring the danger with deep thoughts; and each Astonish'd: none among the choice and prime 420 Of those Heav'n-warring champions could be found 425 Alone the dreadfu: voyage; till at last Satan, whom now transcendent glory rais'd Conscious of highest worth, unmov'd, thus spake. These pass'd, if any pass, the void profound 430 435 440 Than unknown dangers, and as hard escape ? But I should ill become this throne, O Peers, 445 And this imperial sov'reignty, adorn'd With splendor, arm'd with pow'r, if ought propos'd And judg'd of public moment, in the shape Of difficulty or danger, could deter Me from attempting. Wherefore do I assume 450 These royalties, and not refuse to reign, Refusing to accept as great a share Of hazard as of honour, due alike To him who reigns, and so much to him due Of hazard more, as he above the rest 456 High honour'd sits? Go, therefore, mighty Powers Terror of Heav'n though fall'n; intend at home, More tolerable; if there be cure or charm To respite, or deceive, or slack the pain, But they Of thunder heard remote. Tow'ards him they bend, 460 465 470 475 Nor fail'd they to express how much they prais'd 481 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, 485 Thus they their doubtful consultations dark Ended, rejoicing in their matchless chief: Scowls o'er the darken'd landskip snow, or shower; BOOK IN E 490 495 |