To be created like to us, though lefs
In power and excellence, but favor'd more
Of him who rules above; fo was his will
Pronounc'd among the gods, and by an oath
That shook Heav'n's whole circumference confirm’d.
Thither let us bend all our thoughts, to learn
What creatures there inhabit, of what mould, 355
Or fubftance, how endu'd, and what their power,
And where their weakness, how attempted best,
By force or fubtlety. Though Heav'n be shut,
And Heav'n's high Arbitrator sit secure
In his own strength, this place may lie expos'd 360
The utmost border of his kingdom; left
To their defence who hold it: here perhaps
Some advantageous act may be achiev'd
By fudden onfet, either with Hell fire
To waste his whole creation, or poffefs
All as our own, and drive as we were driven,
The puny habitants, or if not drive,
Seduce them to our party, that their God
May prove their foe, and with repenting band
Abolish his own works. This would surpass
Common revenge, and interrupt his joy
In our confufion, and our joy upraise
In his disturbance; when his darling fons,
Hurl'd headlong to partake with us, shall curfe
Their frail original, and faded blifs,
Faded fo foon. Advise if this be worth
Attempting, or to fit in darkness here
Hatching vain empires. Thus Beelzebub
Pleaded his devilish counsel, first devis'd
By Satan, and in part propos'd: for whence,
But from the author of all ill, could spring
So deep a malice, to confound the race
Of Mankind in one root, and earth with Hell
To mingle and involve, done all to spite
The greater Creator? But their spite still serves 385
His glory to augment. The bold defign
Pleas'd highly those infernal States, and joy
Sparkled in all their eyes; with full affent
They vote: whereàt his speech he thus renews.
Well have ye judg'd, well ended long debate, 390
Synod of gods, and like to what ye are,
Great things refolv'd, which from the lowest deep
Will once more lift us up, in spite of fate,
Nearer our ancient feat; perhaps in view
Of those bright confines, whence with neighb'ring arms.
And opportune excurfion we may chance
Re-enter Heav'n; or else in some mild zone
Dwell not unvifited of Heav'n's fair light
Secure, and at the bright'ning orient beam
Purge off this gloom; the soft delicious air,
To heal the fear of these corrofive fires,
Shall breathe her balm. But first whom shall we fend
In fearch of this new world? whom shall we find
Sufficient? who fhall tempt with wand'ring feet
The dark unbottom'd infinite abyss,
And through the palpable obfcure find out
His uncouth way, or spread his
Upborne with indefatigable wings
Over the vast abrupt, ere he arrive
The happy ile? what strength, what art can then
Suffice, or what evasion bear him safe
Through the strict senteries and stations thick
Of angels watching round? Here he had need
All circumfpection, and we now no less
Choice in our fuffrage; for on whom we fend, 415
The weight of all and our last hope relies.
This faid, he fat; and expectation held
His look fufpenfe, awaiting who appear'd
To fecond, or oppose, or undertake
The perilous attempt: but all fat mute,
Pond'ring the danger with deep thoughts; and each In others count'nance read his own difmay Astonish'd: none among the choice and prime
Of those Heav'n-warring champions could be found So hardy as to proffer or accept
Alone the dreadful voyage; till at last
Satan, whom now transcendant glory rais'd
Above his fellows, with monarchal pride
Conscious of highest worth, unmov'd thus spake.
O Progeny of Heaven, empyreal Thrones,
With reafon hath deep filence and demur
Seis'd us, though undismay'd; long is the way
And hard, that out of Hell leads up to light;
Our prifon ftrong; this huge convex of fire,
Outrageous to devour, immures us round
Ninefold, and gates of burning adamant
Barr'd over us prohibit all egrefs.
These pass'd, if any pass, the void profound
Of unessential Night receives him next
Wide gaping, and with utter loss of being
Threatens him, plung'd in that abortive gulf.
If thence he 'fcape into whatever world,
Or unknown region, what remains him lefs
Than unknown dangers, and as hard escape?
But I fhould ill become this throne, O Peers,
And this imperial sovranty, adorn'd
With splendor, arm'd with power, 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 affume 450 These royalties, and not refufe to reign,
Refusing to accept as great a share
Of hazard as of honor, due alike
To him who reigns, and fo much to him due
Of hazard more, as he above the rest
High honor'd fits? Go therefore mighty Powers, Terror of Heav'n, though fall'n; intend at home, While here fhall be our home, what best may ease The prefent mifery, and render Hell
More tolerable; if there be cure or charm
To refpit, or deceive, or flack the pain
Of this ill mansion: intermit no watch
Against a wakeful foe, while I abroad
Through all the coafts of dark Destruction seek
Deliverance for us all: this enterprise
None shall partake with me. Thus faying rofe
The Monarch, and prevented all reply,
Prudent, left from his refolution rais'd
Others among the chief might offer now
(Certain to be refus'd) what erst they fear'd;
And fo refus'd might in opinion stand
His rivals, winning cheap the high repute
Which he through hazard huge must earn. But they Dreaded not more th' adventure than his voice Forbidding; and at once with him they rose; 475 Their rifing all at once was as the found
Of thunder heard remote. Tow'ards him they bend
With awful reverence prone; and as a god
Extol him equal to the Hig'heft in Heav'n:
Nor fail'd they to exprefs how much they prais'd,
That for the general safety he despis'd
His own: for neither do the spirits damn'd
Lofe all their virtue; left bad men should boast
Their fpecious deeds on earth, which glory' excites,
Or close ambition varnish'd o'er with zeal.
Thus they their doubtful consultations dark
Ended rejoicing in their matchless chief :
As when from mountain tops the dusky clouds
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