ParaDise Lost (1667)
Books 1 & 4
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Paradise Lost: The First Book
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 hastes 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 afterwards 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. OF MAN’S first disobedience, and the fruit
Of that forbidden tree whose mortal taste Brought death into the World, and all our woe, With loss of Eden, till one greater Man* Restore us, and regain the blissful Seat, 5 Sing, Heavenly Muse, that, on the secret top Of Oreb,* or of Sinai,** didst inspire That Shepherd who first taught the chosen seed In the beginning how the heavens and earth Rose out of Chaos: or, if Sion*** hill 10 Delight thee more, and Siloa’s brook**** that flowed Fast by the oracle of God, I thence***** Invoke thy aid to my adventrous song, That with no middle flight intends to soar Above the Aonian mount,****** while it pursues 15 Things unattempted yet in prose or rhyme. And chiefly Thou, O Spirit, that dost prefer Before all temples the upright heart and pure, Instruct me, for Thou know’st; Thou from the first Wast present, and, with mighty wings outspread, 20 Dove-like sat’st brooding on the vast Abyss, And mad’st it pregnant: what in me is dark Illumine, what is low raise and support; That, to the highth of this great argument, I may assert Eternal Providence, 25 And justify the ways of God to men. Say first—for Heaven hides nothing from thy view, Nor the deep tract of Hell—say first what cause Moved our grand Parents, in that happy state, Favoured of Heaven so highly, to fall off 30 From their Creator, and transgress his will For one restraint, lords of the World besides. Who first seduced them to that foul revolt? The infernal Serpent; he it was whose guile, Stirred up with envy and revenge, deceived 35 The mother of mankind, what time his pride Had cast him out from Heaven, with all his host Of rebel Angels, by whose aid, aspiring To set himself in glory above his peers, He trusted to have equalled the Most High, 40 If he opposed, and, with ambitious aim Against the throne and monarchy of God, Raised impious* war in Heaven and battle proud, With vain attempt. Him the Almighty Power Hurled headlong flaming from the ethereal* sky, 45 With hideous ruin and combustion, down To bottomless perdition,* there to dwell In adamantine* chains and penal fire, Who durst* defy the Omnipotent to arms. Nine times the space that measures day and night 50 To mortal men, he, with his horrid crew, Lay vanquished, rowling in the fiery gulf, Confounded, though immortal. But his doom Reserved him to more wrath; for now the thought Both of lost happiness and lasting pain 55 Torments him: round he throws his baleful eyes, That witnessed huge affliction and dismay, Mixed with obdurate* pride and steadfast hate. At once, as far as Angel’s 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 No light; but rather darkness visible Served only to discover sights of woe, Regions of sorrow, doleful shades, where peace 65 And rest can never dwell, hope never comes That comes to all, but torture without end Still urges, and a fiery deluge, fed With ever-burning sulphur unconsumed. Such place Eternal Justice had prepared 70 For those rebellious; here their prison ordained In utter darkness, and their portion set, As far removed from God and light of Heaven As from the centre thrice to the utmost pole. Oh how unlike the place from whence they fell! 75 There the companions of his fall, o’erwhelmed With floods and whirlwinds of tempestuous fire, He soon discerns; and, weltering by his side, One next himself in power, and next in crime, Long after known in Palestine, and named 80 Beëlzebub.* To whom the Arch-Enemy, And thence in Heaven called Satan, with bold words Breaking the horrid silence, thus began:— “If thou beest he—but Oh how fallen! how changed From him!—who, in the happy realms of light, 85 Clothed with transcendent brightness, didst outshine Myriads, though bright—if he whom mutual league, United thoughts and counsels, equal hope And hazard in the glorious enterprise, Joined with me once, now misery hath joined 90 In equal ruin; into what pit thou seest From what highth fallen: 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 fixed mind, And high disdain from sense of injured merit, That with the Mightiest raised me to contend, And to the fierce contention brought along 100 Innumerable force of Spirits armed, That durst dislike his reign, and, me preferring, His utmost power with adverse power opposed In dubious battle on the plains of Heaven, And shook his throne. What though the field be lost? 105 All is not lost—the unconquerable will, And study of revenge, immortal hate, And courage never to submit or yield: And what is else not to be overcome. That glory never shall his wrath or might 110 Extort from me. To bow and sue for grace With suppliant knee, and deify his power Who, from the terror of this arm, so late Doubted his empire—that were low indeed; That were an ignominy* and shame beneath 115 This downfall; since, by fate, the strength of Gods, And this empyreal substance, cannot fail; Since, through experience of this great event, In arms not worse, in foresight much advanced, We may with more successful hope resolve 120 To wage by force or guile eternal war, Irreconcilable to our grand Foe, Who now triumphs’, and in the excess of joy Sole reigning holds the tyranny of Heaven.” So spake the apostate Angel, though in pain, 125 Vaunting aloud, but racked with deep despair; And him thus answered soon his bold Compeer* — “O Prince, O Chief of many thronèd Powers That led the embattled Seraphim* to war Under thy conduct, and, in dreadful deeds 130 Fearless, endangered Heaven’s perpetual King, And put to proof his high supremacy, Whether upheld by strength, or chance, or fate! Too well I see and rue the dire event That, with sad overthrow and foul defeat, 135 Hath lost us Heaven, and all this mighty host In horrible destruction laid thus low, As far as Gods and Heavenly Essences Can perish: for the mind and spirit remains Invincible, and vigour soon returns, 140 Though all our glory extinct, and happy state Here swallowed up in endless misery. But what if He our Conqueror (whom I now Of force believe Almighty, since no less Than such could have o’erpowered such force as ours) 145 Have left us this our spirit and strength entire, Strongly to suffer and support our pains, That we may so suffice his vengeful ire, Or do him mightier service as his thralls By right of war, whate’er his business be, 150 Here in the heart of Hell to work in fire, Or do errands in the gloomy Deep? What can it then avail though yet we feel Strength undiminished, or eternal being To undergo eternal punishment?” 155 Whereto with speedy words the Arch-Fiend replied:— “Fallen Cherub, to be weak is miserable, Doing or suffering: but of this be sure— To do aught good never will be our task, But ever to do ill our sole delight, 160 As being the contrary to His high will Whom we resist. If then His providence Out of our evil seek to bring forth good, Our labour must be to pervert that end, And out of good still to find means of evil; 165 Which ofttimes may succeed so as perhaps Shall grieve him, if I fail not, and disturb His inmost counsels from their destined aim. But see! the angry Victor hath recalled His ministers of vengeance and pursuit 170 Back to the gates of Heaven: the sulphurous hail,* Shot after us in storm, o’erblown hath laid The fiery surge that from the precipice Of Heaven received us falling; and the thunder, Winged with red lightning and impetuous rage, 175 Perhaps hath spent his shafts, and ceases now To bellow through the vast and boundless Deep. Let us not slip the occasion, whether scorn Or satiate fury yield it from our Foe. Seest thou yon dreary plain, forlorn and wild, 180 The seat of desolation, void of light, Save what the glimmering of these livid flames Casts pale and dreadful? Thither let us tend From off the tossing of these fiery waves; There rest, if any rest can harbour there; 185 And, re-assembling our afflicted powers, Consult how we may henceforth most offend Our Enemy, our own loss how repair, How overcome this dire calamity, What reinforcement we may gain from hope, 190 If not what resolution from despair.” Thus Satan, talking to his nearest Mate, With head uplift above the wave, and eyes That sparkling blazed; his other parts besides Prone on the flood, extended long and large, 195 Lay floating many a rood, in bulk as huge As whom the fables name of monstrous size, Titanian or Earth-born, that warred on Jove, Briareos or Typhon,* whom the den By ancient Tarsus** held, or that sea-beast 200 Leviathan, which God of all his works Created hugest that swim the ocean-stream. Him, haply slumbering on the Norway foam, The pilot of some small night-foundered skiff, Deeming some island, oft, as seamen tell, 205 With fixèd anchor in his scaly rind, Moors by his side under the lee,* while night Invests the sea, and wishèd morn delays. So stretched out huge in length the Arch-Fiend lay, Chained on the burning lake; nor ever thence 210 Had risen, or heaved his head, but that the will And high permission of all-ruling Heaven Left him at large to his own dark designs, That with reiterated crimes he might Heap on himself damnation, while he sought 215 Evil to others, and enraged might see How all his malice served but to bring forth Infinite goodness, grace, and mercy, shewn On Man by him seduced, but on himself Treble confusion, wrath, and vengeance poured. 220 Forthwith upright he rears from off the pool His mighty stature; on each hand the flames Driven backward slope their pointing spires, and, rowled In billows, leave i’ the midst a horrid vale. Then with expanded wings he steers his flight 225 Aloft, incumbent on the dusky air, That felt unusual weight; till on dry land He lights—if it were land that ever burned With solid, as the lake with liquid fire, And such appeared in hue as when the force 230 Of subterranean wind transports a hill Torn from Pelorus, or the shattered side Of thundering Ætna,* whose combustible And fuelled entrails, thence conceiving fire, Sublimed with mineral fury, aid the winds, 235 And leave a singèd bottom all involved With stench and smoke. Such resting found the sole Of unblest feet. Him followed his next Mate; Both glorying to have scaped the Stygian flood* As gods, and by their own recovered strength, 240 Not by the sufferance of supernal power. “Is this the region, this the soil, the clime,” Said then the lost Archangel, “this the seat That we must change for Heaven?—this mournful gloom For that celestial light? Be it so, since He 245 Who now is sovran can dispose and bid What shall be right: fardest from Him is best, Whom reason hath equalled, force hath made supreme Above his equals. Farewell, happy fields, Where joy forever dwells! Hail, horrors! hail, 250 Infernal World! and thou, profoundest Hell, Receive thy new possessor—one who brings A mind not to be changed by place or time. The mind is its own place, and in itself Can make a Heaven of Hell, a Hell of Heaven. 255 What matter where, if I be still the same, And what I should be, all but less than he Whom thunder hath made greater? Here at least We shall be free; the Almighty hath not built Here for his envy, will not drive us hence: 260 Here we may reign secure; and, in my choice, To reign is worth ambition, though in Hell: Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven. But wherefore let we then our faithful friends, The associates and co-partners of our loss, 265 Lie thus astonished on the oblivious pool, And call them not to share with us their part In this unhappy mansion, or once more With rallied arms to try what may be yet Regained in Heaven, or what more lost in Hell?” 270 So Satan spake; and him Beelzebub Thus answered:—“Leader of those armies bright Which, but the Omnipotent, none could have foiled! If once they hear that voice, their liveliest pledge Of hope in fears and dangers—heard so oft 275 In worst extremes, and on the perilous edge Of battle, when it raged, in all assaults Their surest signal—they will soon resume New courage and revive, though now they lie Grovelling and prostrate on yon lake of fire, 280 As we erewhile, astounded and amazed; No wonder, fallen such a pernicious highth!” He scarce had ceased when the superior Fiend Was moving toward the shore; his ponderous shield, Ethereal temper, massy, large, and round, 285 Behind him cast. The broad circumference Hung on his shoulders like the moon, whose orb Through optic glass the Tuscan artist views At evening, from the top of Fesolè, Or in Valdarno,* to descry new lands, 290 Rivers, or mountains, in her spotty globe. His spear—to equal which the tallest pine Hewn on Norwegian hills, to be the mast Of some great Ammiral, were but a wand— He walked with, to support uneasy steps 295 Over the burning marle, not like those steps On Heaven’s azure; and the torrid clime Smote on him sore besides, vaulted with fire. Nathless he so endured, till on the beach Of that inflamèd sea he stood, and called 300 His legions—Angel Forms, who lay entranced Thick as autumnal leaves that strow the brooks In Vallombrosa, where the Etrurian shades High over-arched imbower; or scattered sedge Afloat, when with fierce winds Orion armed 305 Hath vexed the Red-Sea coast, whose waves o’erthrew Busiris* and his Memphian chivalry, While with perfidious** hatred they pursued The sojourners of Goshen,*** who beheld From the safe shore their floating carcases 310 And broken chariot-wheels. So thick bestrown,**** Abject and lost, lay these, covering the flood, Under amazement of their hideous change. He called so loud that all the hollow deep Of Hell resounded:—“Princes, Potentates, 315 Warriors, the Flower of Heaven—once yours; now lost, If such astonishment as this can seize Eternal Spirits! Or have ye chosen this place After the toil of battle to repose Your wearied virtue, for the ease you find 320 To slumber here, as in the vales of Heaven? Or in this abject posture have ye sworn To adore the Conqueror, who now beholds Cherub* and Seraph rowling in the flood With scattered arms and ensigns,** till anon 325 His swift pursuers from Heaven-gates discern The advantage, and, descending tread us down Thus drooping, or with linkèd thunderbolts Transfix us to the bottom of this gulf?— Awake, arise, or be for ever fallen!” 330 They heard, and were abashed, and up they sprung Upon the wing, as when men wont to watch, On duty sleeping found by whom they dread, Rouse and bestir themselves ere well awake. Nor did they not perceive the evil plight 335 In which they were, or the fierce pains not feel; Yet to their General’s voice they soon obeyed Innumerable. As when the potent rod Of Amram’s son, in Egypt’s evil day, Waved round the coast, up-called a pitchy cloud 340 Of locusts, warping on the eastern wind, That o’er the realm of impious Pharaoh hung Like Night, and darkened all the land of Nile; So numberless were those bad Angels seen Hovering on wing under the cope of Hell, 345 ’Twixt upper, nether, and surrounding fires; Till, as a signal given, the uplifted spear Of their great Sultan waving to direct Their course, in even balance down they light On the firm brimstone, and fill the plain: 350 A multitude like which the populous North Poured never from her frozen loins to pass Rhene or the Danaw, when her barbarous sons Came like a deluge on the South, and spread Beneath Gibraltar to the Libyan sands. 355 Forthwith, from every squadron* and each band, The heads and leaders thither haste where stood Their great Commander—godlike Shapes, and Forms Excelling human; princely Dignities; And powers that erst in Heaven sat on thrones, 360 Though of their names in Heavenly records now Be no memorial, blotted out and rased By their rebellion from the Books of Life. Nor had they yet among the sons of Eve Got them new names, till, wondering o’er the earth, 365 Through God’s high sufferance for the trial of man, By falsities and lies the greatest part Of mankind they corrupted to forsake God their Creator, and the invisible Glory of Him that made them to transform 370 Oft to the image of a brute, adorned With gay religions full of pomp and gold, And devils to adore for deities: Then were they known to men by various names, And various idols through the heathen world. 375 Say, Muse, their names then known, who first, who last, Roused from the slumber on that fiery couch, At their great Emperor’s call, as next in worth Came singly where he stood on the bare strand, While the promiscuous crowd stood yet aloof. 380 The chief were those who, from the pit of Hell Roaming to seek their prey on Earth, durst fix Their seats, long after, next the seat of God, Their altars by His altar, gods adored Among the nations round, and durst abide 385 Jehovah thundering out of Sion, throned Between the Cherubim; yea, often placed Within His sanctuary itself their shrines, Abominations; and with cursed things His holy rites and solemn feasts profaned, 390 And with their darkness durst affront His light. First, Moloch,* horrid King, besmeared with blood Of human sacrifice, and parents’ tears; Though, for the noise of drums and timbrels loud, Their children’s cries unheard that passed through fire 395 To his grim idol. Him the Ammonite Worshiped in Rabba and her watery plain, In Argob and in Basan, to the stream Of utmost Arnon. Nor content with such Audacious neighbourhood, the wisest heart 400 Of Solomon he led by fraud to build His temple right against the temple of God On that opprobrious* hill, and made his grove The pleasant valley of Hinnom, Tophet thence And black Gehenna called, the type of Hell. 405 Next Chemos, the obscene dread of Moab’s sons, From Aroar to Nebo and the wild Of southmost Abarim; in Hesebon And Horonaim, Seon’s realm, beyond The flowery dale of Sibma clad with vines, 410 And Elealè to the Asphaltick Pool: Peor his other name, when he enticed Israel in Sittim, on their march from Nile, To do him wanton rites, which cost them woe. Yet thence his lustful orgies he enlarged 415 Even to that hill of scandal, by the grove Of Moloch homicide, lust hard by hate, Till good Josiah drove them thence to Hell. With these came they who, from the bordering flood Of old Euphrates to the brook that parts 420 Egypt from Syrian ground, had general names Of Baalim and Ashtaroth—those male, These feminine. For Spirits, when they please, Can either sex assume, or both; so soft And uncompounded is their essence pure, 425 Not tied or manacled with joint or limb, Nor founded on the brittle strength of bones, Like cumbrous flesh; but, in what shape they choose, Dilated or condensed, bright or obscure, Can execute their aery purposes, 430 And works of love or enmity fulfil. For those the race of Israel oft forsook Their Living Strength, and unfrequented left His righteous altar, bowing lowly down To bestial gods; for which their heads, as low 435 Bowed down in battle, sunk before the spear Of despicable foes. With these in troop Came Astoreth, whom the Phoenicians called Astarte, queen of heaven, with cresent horns; To whose bright image nightly by the moon 440 Sidonian virgins paid their vows and songs; In Sion also not unsung, where stood Her temple on the offensive mountain, built By that uxorious* king whose heart, though large, Beguiled by fair idolatresses, fell 445 To idols foul. Thammuz came next behind, Whose annual wound in Lebanon allured The Syrian damsels to lament his fate In amorous ditties all a summer’s day, While smooth Adonis* from his native rock 450 Ran purple to the sea, supposed with blood Of Thammuz yearly wounded: the love-tale Infected Sion’s daughters with like heat, Whose wanton passions in the sacred porch Ezekiel saw, when, by the vision led, 455 His eye surveyed the dark idolatries Of alienated Judah. Next came one Who mourned in earnest, when the captive Ark Maimed his brute image, head and hands lopt off, In his own temple, on the grunsel-edge, 460 Where he fell flat and shamed his worshipers: Dagon his name, sea-monster, upward man And downward fish; yet had his temple high Reared in Azotus, dreaded through the coast Of Palestine, in Gath and Ascalon, 465 And Accaron and Gaza’s frontier bounds. Him followed Rimmon, whose delightful seat Was fair Damascus, on the fertile banks Of Abbana and Pharphar, lucid streams. He also against the house of God was bold: 470 A leper once he lost, and gained a king— Ahaz, his sottish conqueror, whom he drew God’s altar to disparage and displace For one of Syrian mode, whereon to burn His odious offerings, and adore the gods 475 Whom he had vanquished. After these appeared A crew who, under names of old renown— Osiris, Isis, Orus, and their train— With monstrous shapes and sorceries abused Fanatic Egypt and her priests to seek 480 Their wandering gods disguised in brutish forms Rather than human. Nor did Israel scape The infection, when their borrowed gold composed The calf in Oreb; and the rebel king Doubled that sin in Bethel and in Dan, 485 Likening his Maker to the grazèd ox— Jehovah, who, in one night, when he passed From Egypt marching, equalled with one stroke Both her first-born and all her bleating gods. Belial came last; than whom a Spirit more lewd 490 Fell not from Heaven, or more gross to love, Vice for itself. To him no temple stood Or altar smoked; yet who more oft than he In temples and at altars, when the priest Turns atheist, as did Eli’s sons, who filled 495 With lust and violence the house of God? In courts and palaces he also reigns, And in luxurious cities, where the noise Of riot ascends above their loftiest towers, And injury and outrage; and, when night 500 Darkens the streets, then wander forth the sons Of Belial, flown with insolence and wine. Witness the streets of Sodom, and that night In Gibeah, when the hospitable door Exposed a matron, to avoid worse rape. 505 These were the prime in order and in might: The rest were long to tell; though far renowned The Ionian gods—of Javan’s issue held Gods, yet confessed later than Heaven and Earth, Their boasted parents;—Titan, Heaven’s first-born, 510 With his enormous brood, and birthright seized By younger Saturn: he from mightier Jove, His own and Rhea’s son, like measure found; So Jove unsurping reigned. These, first in Crete And Ida known, thence on the snowy top 515 Of cold Olympus ruled the middle air, Their highest heaven; or on the Delphian cliff, Or in Dodona, and through all the bounds Of Doric land; or who with Saturn old Fled over Adria to the Hesperian fields, 520 And o’er the Celtic roamed the utmost Isles. All these and more came flocking; but with looks Downcast and damp; yet such wherein appeared Obscure some glimpse of joy to have found their Chief Not in despair, to have found themselves not lost 525 In loss itself; which on his countenance cast Like doubtful hue. But he, his wonted pride Soon recollecting, with high words, that bore Semblance* of worth, nor substance, gently raised Their fainting courage, and dispelled their fears: 530 Then straight commands that, at the war-like sound Of trumpets loud and clarions, be upreared His mighty standard. That proud honour claimed Azazel as his right, a Cherub tall: Who forthwith from the glittering staff unfurled 535 The imperial ensign; which, full high advanced, Shon like a meteor streaming to the wind, With gems and golden lustre rich imblazed, Seraphic arms and trophies; all the while Sonorous metal blowing martial sounds: 540 At which the universal host up-sent A shout that tore Hell’s concave, and beyond Frighted the reign of Chaos and old Night. All in a moment through the gloom were seen Ten thousand banners rise into the air, 545 With orient colours waving: with them rose A forest huge of spears; and thronging helms Appeared, and serried shields in thick array Of depth immeasurable. Anon they move In perfect phalanx to the Dorian mood 550 Of flutes and soft recorders—such as raised To highth of noblest temper heroes old Arming to battle, and instead of rage Deliberate valour breathed, firm, and unmoved With dread of death to flight or foul retreat; 555 Nor wanting power to mitigate and swage With solemn touches troubled thoughts, and chase Anguish and doubt and fear and sorrow and pain From mortal or immortal minds. Thus they, Breathing united force with fixed thought, 560 Moved on in silence to soft pipes that charmed Their painful steps o’er the burnt soil. And now Advanced in view they stand—a horrid front Of dreadful length and dazzling arms, in guise Of warriors old, with ordered spear and shield, 565 Awaiting what command their mighty Chief Had to impose. He through the armed files Darts his experienced eye, and soon traverse The whole battalion views—their order due, Their visages and stature as of Gods; 570 Their number last he sums. And now his heart Distends with pride, and, hardening in his strength, Glories: for never, since created Man, Met such imbodied force as, named with these, Could merit more than that small infantry 575 Warred on by cranes—though all the giant brood Of Phlegra with the heroic race were joined That fought at Thebes and Ilium, on each side Mixed with auxiliar gods; and what resounds In fable or romance of Uther’s son, 580 Begirt with British and Armoric knights; And all who since, baptized or infidel, Jousted in Aspramont, or Montalban, Damasco, or Marocco, or Trebisond, Or whom Biserta sent from Afric shore 585 When Charlemain* with all his peerage fell By Fontarabbia. Thus far these beyond Compare of mortal prowess, yet observed Their dread Commander. He, above the rest In shape and gesture proudly eminent, 590 Stood like a tower. His form had yet not lost All her original brightness, nor appeared Less than Archangel ruined, and the excess Of glory obscured: as when the sun new-risen Looks through the horizontal misty air 595 Shorn of his beams, or, from behind the moon, In dim eclipse, disastrous twilight sheds On half the nations, and with fear of change Perplexes monarchs. Darkened so, yet shon Above them all the Archangel: but his face 600 Deep scars of thunder had intrenched, and care Sat on his faded cheek, but under brows Of dauntless courage, and considerate pride Waiting revenge. Cruel his eye, but cast Signs of remorse and passion, to behold 605 The fellows of his crime, the followers rather (Far other once beheld in bliss), condemned For ever now to have their lot in pain— Millions of Spirits for his fault amerced Of Heaven, and from eternal splendours flung 610 For his revolt—yet faithful how they stood, Their glory withered; as, when heaven’s fire Hath scathed the forest oaks or mountain pines, With singèd top their stately growth, though bare, Stands on the blasted heath. He now prepared 615 To speak; whereat their doubled ranks they bend From wing to wing, and half enclose him round With all his peers: Attention held them mute. Thrice he assayed, and thrice, in spite of scorn, Tears, such as Angels weep, burst forth: at last 620 Words interwove with sighs found out their way:— “O myriads of immortal Spirits! O Powers Matchless, but with the Almighty!—and that strife Was not inglorious, though the event was dire, As this place testifies, and this dire change, 625 Hateful to utter. But what power of mind, Foreseeing or presaging, from the depth Of knowledge past or present, could have feared How such united force of gods, how such As stood like these, could ever know repulse? 630 For who can yet believe, though after loss, That all these puissant legions, whose exile Hath emptied Heaven, shall fail to reascend, Self-raised, and re-possess their native seat? For me, be witness all the host of Heaven, 635 If counsels different, or danger shunned By me, have lost our hopes. But he who reigns Monarch in Heaven till then as one secure Sat on his throne, upheld by old repute, Consent or custom, and his regal state 640 Put forth at full, but still his strength concealed— Which tempted our attempt, and wrought our fall. Henceforth his might we know, and know our own, So as not either to provoke, or dread New war provoked: our better part remains 645 To work in close design, by fraud or guile, What force effected not; that he no less At length from us may find, Who overcomes By force hath overcome but half his foe. Space may produce new Worlds; whereof so rife 650 There went a fame in Heaven that He ere long Intended to create, and therein plant A generation whom his choice regard Should favour equal to the Sons of Heaven. Thither, if but to pry, shall be perhaps 655 Our first eruption—thither, or elsewhere; For this infernal pit shall never hold Cælestial Spirits in bondage, nor the Abyss Long under darkness cover. But these thoughts Full counsel must mature. Peace is despaired; 660 For who can think submission? War, then, war Open or understood, must be resolved.” He spake; and, to confirm his words, out-flew Millions of flaming swords, drawn from the thighs Of mighty Cherubim; the sudden blaze 665 Far around illumined Hell. Highly they raged Again the Highest and fierce with graspèd arms Clashed on their sounding shields the din of war, Hurling defiance toward the vault of Heaven. There stood a hill not far, whose griesly top 670 Belched fire and rowling smoke; the rest entire Shown with a glossy scurf—undoubted sign That in his womb was hid metallic ore, The work of sulphur. Thither, winged with speed, A numerous brigad hastened: as when bands 675 Of pioners, with spade and pickaxe armed, Forerun the royal camp, to trench a field, Or cast a rampart. Mammon led them on— Mammon, the least erected Spirit that fell From Heaven; for even in Heaven his looks and thoughts 680 Were always downward bent, admiring more The riches of Heaven’s pavement, trodden* gold, Than aught divine or holy else enjoyed In vision beatific. By him first Men also, and by suggestion taught 685 Ransacked the Centre, and with impious hands Rifled the bowels of their mother Earth For treasures better hid. Soon had his crew Opened into the hill a spacious wound, And digged out ribs of gold. Let none admire 690 That riches grow in Hell: that soil may best Deserve the pretious bane. And here let those Who boast in mortal things, and wondering tell Of Babel and the works of Memphian kings, Learn how their greatest monuments of fame, 695 And strength, and art, are easily outdone By Spirits reprobate, and in an hour What in an age they, with incessant toil And hands innumerable, scarce perform. Nigh on the plain, in many cells prepared, 700 That underneath had veins of liquid fire Sluiced from the lake, a second multitude With wondrous art founded the massy ore, Severing each kind, and scummed the bullion-dross. A third as soon had formed within the ground 705 A various mould, and from the boiling cells By strange conveyance filled each hollow nook; As in an organ, from one blast of wind, To many a row of pipes the sound-board breathes. Anon out of the earth a fabric huge 710 Rose like an exhalation, with the sound Of dulcet symphonies and voices sweet— Built like a temple, where pilasters round Were set, and Doric pillars overlaid With golden architrave; nor did there want 715 Cornice or frieze, with bossy sculptures graven: The roof was fretted gold. Not Babilon Nor great Alcairo such magnificence Equalled in all their glories, to inshrine Belus or Serapis their gods, or seat 720 Their kings, when Ægypt with Assyria strove In wealth and luxury. The ascending pile Stood fixed her stately highth; and straight the doors Opening their brazen folds, discover, wide Within, her ample spaces o’er the smooth 725 And level pavement: from the arched roof, Pendent by subtle magic, many a row Of starry lamps and blazing cressets, fed With naphtha and asphaltus, yielded light As from a sky. The hasty multitude 730 Admiring entered; and the work some praise, And some the Architect. His hand was known In Heaven by many a towered structure high, Where sceptred Angels held their residence, And sat as Princes, whom the supreme King 735 Exalted to such power, and gave to rule, Each in his hierarchy, the Orders bright. Nor was his name unheard or unadored In ancient Greece; and in Ausonian land Men called him Mulciber; and how he fell 740 From Heaven they fabled, thrown by angry Jove Sheer o’er the crystal battlements: from morn To noon he fell, from noon to dewy eve, A summer’s day, and with the setting sun Dropt from the zenith, like a falling star, 745 On Lemnos, the Ægæan isle. Thus they relate, Erring; for he with this rebellious rout Fell long before; nor aught availed him now To have built in Heaven high towers; nor did he scape By all his engines, but was headlong sent, 750 With his industrious crew, to build in Hell. Meanwhile the wingèd Haralds, by command Of sovran power, with awful ceremony And trumpet’s sound, throughout the host proclaim A solemn council forthwith to be held 755 At Pandæmonium, the high capital Of Satan and his peers. Their summons called From every band and squarèd regiment By place or choice the worthiest: they anon With hundreds and with thousands trooping came 760 Attended. All access was thronged; the gates And porches wide, but chief the spacious hall (Though like a covered field, where champions bold Wont ride in armed, and at the Soldan’s chair Defied the best of Panim chivalry 765 To mortal combat, or career with lance), Thick swarmed, both on the ground and in the air, Brushed with the hiss of rustling wings. As bees In spring-time, when the Sun with Taurus rides, Pour forth their populous youth about the hive 770 In clusters; they among fresh dews and flowers Fly to and fro, or on the smoothèd plank, The suburb of their straw-built citadel, New rubbed with balm, expatiate, and confer Their state-affairs: so thick the aerie crowd 775 Swarmed and were straitened; till, the signal given, Behold a wonder! They but now who seemed In bigness to surpass Earth’s giant sons, Now less than smallest dwarfs, in narrow room Throng numberless—like that pygmean race 780 Beyond the Indian mount; or faery elves, Whose midnight revels, by a forest-side Or fountain, some belated peasant sees, Or dreams he sees, while overhead the Moon Sits arbitress, and nearer to the Earth 785 Wheels her pale course: they, on their mirth and dance Intent, with jocond music charm his ear; At once with joy and fear his heart rebounds. Thus incorporeal Spirits to smallest forms Reduced their shapes immense, and were at large, 790 Though without number still, amidst the hall Of that infernal court. But far within, And in their own dimensions like themselves, The great Seraphic Lords and Cherubim In close recess and secret conclave sat, 795 A thousand demi-gods on golden seats, Frequent and full. After short silence then, And summons read, the great consult began. Paradise Lost: The Second Book THE ARGUMENT.—The consultation begun, Satan debates whether another battle is to be hazarded for the recovery of Heaven: some advise it, others dissuade. A third proposal is preferred, mentioned before by Satan—to search the truth of that prophecy or tradition in Heaven concerning another world, and another kind of creature, equal, or not much inferior, to themselves, about this time to be created. Their doubt who shall be sent on this difficult search: Satan, their chief, undertakes alone the voyage; is honoured and applauded. The council thus ended, the rest betake them several ways and to several imployments, as their inclinations lead them, to entertain the time till Satan return. He passes on his journey to Hell-gates; finds them shut, and who sat there to guard them; by whom at length they are opened, and discover to him the great gulf between Hell and Heaven. With what difficulty he passes through, directed by Chaos, the Power of that place, to the sight of this new World which he sought. Paradise Lost: The Third Book THE ARGUMENT.—God, sitting on his throne, sees Satan flying towards this World, then newly created; shews him to the Son, who sat at his right hand; foretells the success of Satan in perverting mankind; clears his, own Justice and Wisdom from all imputation, having created Man free, and able enough to have withstood his Tempter; yet declares his purpose of grace towards him, in regard he fell not of his own malice, as did Satan, but by him seduced. The Son of God renders praises to his Father for the manifestation of his gracious purpose towards Man: but God again declares that Grace cannot be extended towards Man without the satisfaction of Divine Justice; Man hath offended the majesty of God by aspiring to Godhead, and therefore, with all his progeny, devoted to death, must die, unless some one can be found sufficient to answer for his offence, and undergo his punishment. The Son of God freely offers himself a ransom for Man: the Father accepts him, ordains his incarnation, pronounces his exaltation above all Names in Heaven and Earth; commands all the Angels to adore him. They obey, and, hymning to their harps in full quire, celebrate the Father and the Son. Meanwhile Satan alights upon the bare convex of this World’s outermost orb; where wandering he first finds a place since called the Limbo of Vanity; what persons and things fly up thither: thence comes to the gate of Heaven, described ascending by stairs, and the waters above the firmament that flow about it. His passage thence to the orb of the Sun: he finds there Uriel, the regent of that orb, but first changes himself into the shape of a meaner Angel, and, pretending a zealous desire to behold the new Creation, and Man whom God had placed here, inquires of him the place of his habitation, and is directed: Alights first on Mount Niphates. Paradise Lost: The Fourth Book THE ARGUMENT.—Satan, now in prospect of Eden, and nigh the place where he must now attempt the bold enterprise which he undertook alone against God and Man, falls into many doubts with himself, and many passions—fear, envy, and despair; but at length confirms himself in evil; journeys on to Paradise, whose outward prospect and situation is described; overleaps the bounds; sits, in the shape of a Cormorant, on the Tree of Life, as highest in the Garden, to look about him. The Garden described; Satan’s first sight of Adam and Eve; his wonder at their excellent form and happy state, but with resolution to work their fall; overhears their discourse; thence gathers that the Tree of Knowledge was forbidden them to eat of under penalty of death, and thereon intends to found his temptation by seducing them to transgress; then leaves them a while, to know further of their state by some other means. Meanwhile Uriel, descending on a sunbeam, warns Gabriel, who had in charge the gate of Paradise, that some evil Spirit had escaped the Deep, and passed at noon by his Sphere, in the shape of a good Angel, down to Paradise, discovered after by his furious gestures in the Mount. Gabriel promises to find him ere morning. Night coming on, Adam and Eve discourse of going to their rest; their bower described; their evening worship. Gabriel, drawing forth his bands of night—watch to walk the rounds of Paradise, appoints two strong Angels to Adam’s bower, lest the evil Spirit should be there doing some harm to Adam or Eve sleeping: there they find him at the ear of Eve, tempting her in a dream, and bring him, though unwilling, to Gabriel; by whom questioned, he scornfully answers; prepares resistance; but, hindered by a sign from Heaven, flies out of Paradise. O FOR that warning voice, which he who saw The Apocalypse heard cry in Heaven aloud, Then when the Dragon, put to second rout, Came furious down to be revenged on men, Woe to the inhabitants on Earth! that now, 5 While time was, our first parents had been warned The coming of their secret Foe, and scaped, Haply so scaped, his mortal snare! For now Satan, now first inflamed with rage, came down, The tempter, ere the accuser, of mankind, 10 To wreak on innocent frail Man his loss Of that first battle, and his flight to Hell. Yet not rejoicing in his speed, though bold Far off and fearless, nor with cause to boast, Begins his dire attempt; which, nigh the birth 15 Now rowling, boils in his tumultuous breast, And like a devilish engine back recoils Upon himself. Horror and doubt distract His troubled thoughts, and from the bottom stir The hell within him; for within him Hell 20 He brings, and round about him, nor from Hell One step, no more than from Himself, can fly By change of place. Now conscience wakes despair That slumbered; wakes the bitter memory Of what he was, what is, and what must be 25 Worse; of worse deeds worse sufferings must ensue! Sometimes towards Eden, which now in his view Lay pleasant, his grieved look he fixes sad; Sometimes towards Heaven and the full-blazing Sun, Which now sat high in his meridian tower: 30 Then, much revolving, thus in sighs began:— “O thou that, with surpassing glory crowned, Look’st from thy sole dominion like the god Of this new World—at whose sight all the stars Hide their diminished heads—to thee I call, 35 But with no friendly voice, and add thy name, O Sun, to tell thee how I hate thy beams, That bring to my remembrance from what state I fell, how glorious once above thy sphere, Till pride and worse ambition threw me down, 40 Warring in Heaven against Heaven’s matchless King! Ah, wherefore? He deserved no such return From me, whom he created what I was In that bright eminence, and with his good Upbraided none; nor was his service hard. 45 What could be less than to afford him praise, The easiest recompense, and pay him thanks, How due? Yet all his good proved ill in me, And wrought but malice. Lifted up so high, I ’sdained subjection, and thought one step higher 50 Would set me highest, and in a moment quit The debt immense of endless gratitude, So burthensome, still paying, still to owe; Forgetful what from him I still received; And understood not that a grateful mind 55 By owing owes not, but still pays, at once Indebted and discharged—what burden then? Oh, had his powerful destiny ordained Me some inferior Angel, I had stood Then happy; no unbounded hope had raised 60 Ambition. Yet why not? Some other Power As great might have aspired, and me, though mean, Drawn to his part. But other Powers as great Fell not, but stand unshaken, from within Or from without to all temptations armed! 65 Hadst thou the same free will and power to stand? Thou hadst. Whom has thou then, or what, to accuse, But Heaven’s free love dealt equally to all? Be then his love accursed, since, love or hate, To me alike it deals eternal woe. 70 Nay, cursed be thou; since against his thy will Chose freely what it now so justly rues. Me miserable! which way shall I fly Infinite wrauth and infinite despair? Which way I fly is Hell; myself am Hell; 75 And, in the lowest deep, a lower deep Still threatening to devour me opens wide, To which the Hell I suffer seems a Heaven. O, then, at last relent! Is there no place Left for repentence, none for pardon left? 80 None left but by submission; and that word Disdain forbids me, and my dread of shame Among the Spirits beneath, whom I seduced With other promises and other vaunts Than to submit, boasting I could subdue 85 The Omnipotent. Aye me! they little know How dearly I abide that boast so vain, Under what torments inwardly I groan. While they adore me on the throne of Hell, With diadem and sceptre high advanced, 90 The lower still I fall, only supreme In misery: such joy ambition finds! But say I could repent, and could obtain, By act of grace, my former state; how soon Would highth recal high thoughts, how soon unsay 95 What feigned submission swore! Ease would recant Vows made in pain, as violent and void (For never can true reconcilement grow Where wounds of deadly hate have pierced so deep) Which would but lead me to a worse relapse 100 And heavier fall: so should I purchase dear Short intermission, bought with double smart. This knows my Punisher; therefore as far From granting he, as I from begging, peace. All hope excluded thus, behold, instead 105 Of us, outcast, exiled, his new delight, Mankind, created, and for him this World! So farewell hope, and, with hope, farewell fear, Farewell remorse! All good to me is lost; Evil, be thou my Good: by thee at least 110 Divided empire with Heaven’s King I hold, By thee, and more than half perhaps will reign; As Man ere long, and this new World, shall know.” Thus while he spake, each passion dimmed his face, Thrice changed with pale—ire, envy, and despair; 115 Which marred his borrowed visage, and betrayed Him counterfeit, if any eye beheld: For Heavenly minds from such distempers foul Are ever clear. Whereof he soon aware Each perturbation smoothed with outward calm, 120 Artificer of fraud; and was the first That practised falsehood under saintly shew, Deep malice to conceal, couched with revenge: Yet not enough had practised to deceive Uriel, once warned; whose eye pursued him down 125 The way he went, and on the Assyrian mount Saw him disfigured, more than could befall Spirit of happy sort: his gestures fierce He marked and mad demeanour, then alone, As he supposed, all unobserved, unseen. 130 So on he fares, and to the border comes Of Eden, where delicious Paradise, Now nearer, crowns with her enclosure green, As with a rural mound, the champain head Of a steep wilderness whose hairy sides 135 With thicket overgrown, grotesque and wild. Access denied; and overhead up-grew Insuperable highth of loftiest shade, Cedar, and pine, and fir, and branching palm, A sylvan* scene, and, as the ranks ascend 140 Shade above shade, a woody theatre Of stateliest view. Yet higher than their tops The verdurous wall of Paradise up-sprung; Which to our general Sire gave prospect large Into his nether empire neighbouring round. 145 And higher than that wall a circling row Of goodliest trees, loaden with fairest fruit, Blossoms and fruits at once of golden hue, Appeared, with gay enamelled colours mixed; On which the sun more glad impressed his beams 150 Than in fair evening cloud, or humid bow, When God hath showered the earth; so lovely seemed That lantskip. And of pure now purer air Meets his approach, and to the heart inspires Vernal delight and joy, able to drive 155 All sadness but despair. Now gentle gales, Fanning their odoriferous wings, dispense Native perfumes, and whisper whence they stole Those balmy spoils. As when to them who sail Beyond the Cape of Hope, and now are past 160 Mozambic, off at sea north-east winds blow Sabean odours from the spicy shore Of Araby the Blest, with such delay Well pleased they slack their course, and many a league Cheered with the grateful smell old Ocean smiles; 165 So entertained those odorous sweets the Fiend Who came their bane, though with them better pleased Than Asmodeus with the fishy fume That drove him, though enamoured, from the spouse Of Tobit’s son, and with a vengeance sent 170 From Media post to Ægypt, there fast bound. Now to the ascent of that steep savage hill Satan had journeyed on, pensive and slow; But further way found none; so thick entwined, As one continued brake, the undergrowth 175 Of shrubs and tangling bushes had perplexed All path of man or beast that passed that way. One gate there only was, and that looked east On the other side. Which when the Arch-Felon saw, Due entrance he disdained, and, in contempt, 180 At one slight bound high overleaped all bound Of hill or highest wall, and sheer within Lights on his feet. As when a prowling wolf, Whom hunger drives to seek new haunt for prey, Watching where shepherds pen their flocks at eve, 185 In hurdled cotes* amid the field secure, Leaps o’er the fence with ease into the fold; Or as a thief, bent to unhoard the cash Of some rich burgher,* whose substantial doors, Cross-barred and bolted fast, fear no assault, 190 In at the window climbs, or o’er the tiles; So climb this first grand Thief into God’s fold: So since into his Church lewd hirelings climb. Thence up he flew, and on the Tree of Life, The middle tree and highest there that grew, 195 Sat like a Cormorant*; yet not true life Thereby regained, but sat devising death To them who lived; nor on the virtue thought Of that life-giving plant, but only used For prospect what, well used, had been the pledge 200 Of immortality. So little knows Any, but God alone, to value right The good before him, but perverts best things To worst abuse, or to their meanest use. Beneath him, with new wonder, now he views, 205 To all delight of human sense exposed, In narrow room Nature’s whole wealth; yea, more— A Heaven on Earth: for blissful Paradise Of God the garden was, by him in the east Of Eden planted. Eden stretched her line 210 From Auran eastward to the royal towers Of great Seleucia, built by Grecian kings, Or where the sons of Eden long before Dwelt in Telassar. In this pleasant soil His far more pleasant garden God ordained. 215 Out of the fertile ground he caused to grow All trees of noblest kind for sight, smell, taste; And all amid them stood the Tree of Life, High eminent, blooming ambrosial fruit Of vegetable gold; and next to life, 220 Our death, the Tree of Knowledge, grew fast by— Knowledge of good, bought dear by knowing ill. Southward through Eden went a river large, Nor changed his course, but through the shaggy hill Passed underneath ingulfed; for God had thrown 225 That mountain, as his garden-mould, high raised Upon the rapid current, which, through veins Of porous earth with kindly thirst updrawn, Rose a fresh fountain, and with many a rill Watered the garden; thence united fell 230 Down the steep glade, and met the nether flood, Which from his darksome passage now appears, And now, divided into four main streams, Runs diverse, wandering many a famous realm And country whereof here needs no account; 235 But rather to tell how, if Art could tell How, from that sapphire fount the crisped brooks, Rowling on orient pearl and sands of gold, With mazy error under pendant* shades Ran nectar, visiting each plant, and fed 240 Flowers worthy of Paradise, which not nice Art In beds and curious knots, but Nature boon Poured forth profuse on hill, and dale, and plain, Both where the morning sun first warmly smote The open field, and where the unpierced shade 245 Imbrowned the noontide bowers. Thus was this place, A happy rural seat of various view: Groves whose rich trees wept odorous gums and balm, Others whose fruit, burnished with golden rind, Hung amiable—Hesperian fables true, 250 If true, here only—and of delicious taste. Betwixt them lawns, or level downs, and flocks Grazing the tender herb, were interposed, Or palmy hillock; or the flowery lap Of some irriguous valley spread her store, 255 Flowers of all hue, and without thorn the rose. Another side, umbrageous grots and caves Of cool recess, o’er which the mantling vine Lays forth her purple grape, and gently creeps Luxuriant; meanwhile murmuring waters fall 260 Down the slope hills dispersed, or in a lake, That to the fringèd bank with myrtle crowned Her crystal mirror holds, unite their streams. The birds their quire apply; airs, vernal airs, Breathing the smell of field and grove, attune 265 The trembling leaves, while universal Pan, Knit with the Graces and the Hours in dance, Led on the eternal Spring. Not that fair field Of Enna, where Proserpin gathering flowers, Herself a fairer flower, by gloomy Dis 270 Was gathered—which cost Ceres all that pain To seek her through the world—nor that sweet grove Of Daphne, by Orontes and the inspired Castalian spring, might with this Paradise Of Eden strive; nor that Nyseian isle, 275 Girt with the river Triton, where old Cham, Whom Gentiles Ammon call and Libyan Jove, Hid Amalthea, and her florid son, Young Bacchus, from his stepdame Rhea’s eye; Nor, where Abassin kings their issue guard, 280 Mount Amara (though this by some supposed True Paradise) under the Ethiop line By Nilus’ head, enclosed with shining rock, A whole day’s journey high, but wide remote From this Assyrian garden, where the Fiend 285 Saw undelighted all delight, all kind Of living creatures, new to sight and strange. Two of far nobler shape, erect and tall, God—like erect, with native honour clad In naked majesty, seemed lords of all, 290 And worthy seemed; for in their looks divine The image of their glorious Maker shon, Truth, wisdom, sanctitude severe and pure— Severe, but in true filial freedom placed, Whence true authority in men: though both 295 Not equal, as their sex not equal seemed; For contemplation he and valour formed, For softness she and sweet attractive grace; He for God only, she for God in him. His fair large front and eye sublime declared 300 Absolute rule; and Hyacinthin locks Round from his parted forelock manly hung Clustering, but not beneath his shoulders broad: She, as a veil down to the slender waist, Her unadornèd golden tresses wore 305 Dishevelled, but in wanton ringlets waved As the vine curls her tendrils—which implied Subjection, but required with gentle sway, And by her yielded, by him best received— Yielded, with coy submission, modest pride, 310 And sweet, reluctant, amorous delay. Nor those mysterious parts were then concealed: Then was not guilty shame. Dishonest shame Of Nature’s works, honour dishonourable, Sin-bred, how have ye troubled all mankind 315 With shews instead, mere shews of seeming pure And banished from man’s life his happiest life, Simplicity and spotless innocence! So passed they naked on, nor shunned the sight Of God or Angel; for they thought no ill: 320 So hand in hand they passed, the loveliest pair That ever since in love’s embraces met— Adam the goodliest man of men since born His sons; the fairest of her daughters Eve. Under a tuft of shade that on a green 325 Stood whispering soft, by a fresh fountain—side. They sat them down; and, after no more toil Of their sweet gardening labour than sufficed To recommend cool Zephyr, and make ease More easy, wholesome thirst and appetite 330 More grateful, to their supper-fruits they fell— Nectarine fruits, which the complaint boughs Yielded them, sidelong as they sat recline On the soft downy bank damasked with flowers. The savoury pulp they chew, and in the rind, 335 Still as they thirsted, scoop the brimming stream Nor gentle purpose, nor endearing smiles Wanted, nor youthful dalliance, as beseems Fair couple linked in happy nuptial league, Alone as they. About them frisking played 340 All beasts of the earth, since wild, and of all chase In wood or wilderness, forest or den. Sporting the lion ramped, and in his paw Dandled the kid; bears, tigers, ounces, pards, Gambolled before them; the unwieldy elephant, 345 To make them mirth, used all his might, and wreathed His lithe proboscis; close the serpent sly, Insinuating, wove with Gordian* twine His breaded train, and of his fatal guile Gave proof unheeded. Others on the grass 350 Couched, and, now filled with pasture, gazing sat, Or bedward ruminating; for the sun, Declined, was hastening now with prone career To the Ocean Isles, and in the ascending scale Of Heaven the stars that usher evening rose: 355 When Satan, still in gaze as first he stood, Scarce thus at length failed speech recovered sad:— “O Hell! what do mine eyes with grief behold? Into our room of bliss thus high advanced Creatures of other mould—Earth-born perhaps, 360 Not Spirits, yet to Heavenly Spirits bright Little inferior—whom my thoughts pursue With wonder, and could love; so lively shines In them divine resemblance, and such grace The hand that formed them on their shape hath poured. 365 Ah! gentle pair, ye little think how nigh Your change approaches, when all these delights Will vanish, and deliver ye to woe— More woe, the more your taste is now of joy: Happy, but for so happy ill secured 370 Long to continue, and this high seat, your Heaven, Ill fenced for Heaven to keep out such a foe As now is entered; yet no purposed foe To you, whom I could pity thus forlorn, Though I unpitied. League with you I seek, 375 And mutual amity, so strait, so close, That I with you must dwell, or you with me, Henceforth. My dwelling, haply, may not please, Like this fair Paradise, your sense; yet such Accept your Marker’s work; he gave it me, 380 Which I as freely give. Hell shall unfold, To entertain you two, her widest gates, And send forth all her kings; there will be room, Not like these narrow limits, to receive Your numerous offspring; if no better place, 385 Thank him who puts me, loath, to this revenge On you, who wrong me not, for him who wronged. And, should I at your harmless innocence Melt, as I do, yet public reason just— Honour and empire with revenge enlarged 390 By conquering this new World—compels me now To do what else, though damned, I should abhor.” So spake the Fiend, and with necessity, The tyrant’s plea, excused his devilish deeds. Then from his lofty stand on that high tree 395 Down he alights among the sportful herd Of those four-footed kinds, himself now one, Now other, as their shape served best his end Nearer to view his prey, and, unespied, To mark what of their state he more might learn 400 By word or action marked. About them round A lion now he stalks with fiery glare; Then as a tiger, who by chance hath spied In some pourlieu two gentle fawns at play, Straight crouches close; then rising, changes oft 405 His couchant watch, as one who chose his ground, Whence rushing he might surest seize them both Griped in each paw: when Adam, first of men. To first of women, Eve, thus moving speech, Turned him all ear to hear new utterance flow:— 410 “Sole partner and sole part of all these joys, Dearer thyself than all, needs must the Power That made us, and for us this ample World, Be infinitely good, and of his good As liberal and free as infinite; 415 That raised us from the dust, and placed us here In all this happiness, who at this hand Have nothing merited, nor can perform Aught whereof he hath need; he who requires From us no other service than to keep 420 This one, this easy charge—of all the trees In Paradise that bear delicious fruit So various, not to taste that only Tree Of Knowledge, planted by the Tree of Life; So near grows Death to Life, whate’er Death is— 425 Some dreadful thing no doubt; for well thou know’st God hath pronounced it Death to taste that Tree: The only sign of our obedience left Among so many signs of power and rule Conferred upon us, and dominion given 430 Over all other creatures that possess Earth, Air, and Sea. Then let us not think hard One easy prohibition, who enjoy Free leave so large to all things else, and choice Unlimited of manifold delights; 435 But let us ever praise him, and extol His bounty, following our delightful task, To prune these growing plants, and tend these flowers; Which, were it toilsome, yet with thee were sweet.” To whom thus Eve replied:—“O thou for whom 440 And from whom I was formed flesh of thy flesh, And without whom am to no end, my guide And head! what thou hast said is just and right. For we to him, indeed, all praises owe, And daily thanks—I chiefly, who enjoy 445 So far the happier lot, enjoying thee Pre-eminent by so much odds, while thou Like consort to thyself canst nowhere find. That day I oft remember, when from sleep I first awaked, and found myself reposed, 450 Under a shade, on flowers, much wondering where And what I was, whence thither brought, and how. Not distant far from thence a murmuring sound Of waters issued from a cave, and spread Into a liquid plain; then stood unmoved, 455 Pure as the expanse of Heaven. I thither went With unexperienced thought, and laid me down On the green bank, to look into the clear Smooth lake, that to me seemed another sky. As I bent down to look, just opposite 460 A Shape within the watery gleam appeared, Bending to look on me. I started back, It started back; but pleased I soon returned Pleased it returned as soon with answering looks Of sympathy and love. There I had fixed 465 Mine eyes till now, and pined with vain desire, Had not a voice thus warned me: ‘What thou seest, What there thou seest, fair creature, is thyself; With thee it came and goes: but follow me, And I will bring thee where no shadow stays 470 Thy coming, and thy soft imbraces—he Whose image thou art; him thou shalt enjoy Inseparably thine; to him shalt bear Multitudes like thyself, and thence be called Mother of human race.’ What could I do, 475 But follow straight, invisibly thus led? Till I espied thee, fair, indeed, and tall, Under a platan; yet methought less fair, Less winning soft, less amiably mild, That that smooth watery image. Back I turned; 480 Thou, following, cried’st aloud, ‘Return, fair Eve; Whom fliest thou? Whom thou fliest, of him thou art, His flesh, his bone, to give thee being I lent Out of my side to thee, nearest my heart, Substantial life, to have thee by my side 485 Henceforth an individual solace dear: Part of my soul I seek thee, and thee claim My other half.’ With that thy gentle hand Seized mine: I yielded, and from that time see How beauty is excelled by manly grace 490 And wisdom, which alone is truly fair.” So spake our general mother, and, with eyes Of conjugal attraction unreproved, And meek surrender, half-embracing leaned On our first father; half her swelling breast 495 Naked met his, under the flowing gold Of her loose tresses hid. He, in delight Both of her beauty and submissive charms, Smiled with superior love, as Jupiter On Juno smiles when he impregns the clouds 500 That shed May flowers, and pressed her matron lip With kisses pure. Aside the Devil turned For envy; yet with jealous leer malign Eyed them askance, and to himself thus plained:— “Sight hateful, sight tormenting! Thus these two, 505 Imparadised in one another’s arms, The happier Eden, shall enjoy their fill Of bliss on bliss; while I to Hell am thrust, Where neither joy nor love, but fierce desire, Among our other torments not the least, 510 Still unfulfilled, with pain of longing pines! Yet let me not forget what I have gained From their own mouths. All is not theirs, it seems; One fatal tree there stands, of Knowledge called, Forbidden them to taste. Knowledge forbidden? 515 Suspicious, reasonless! Why should their Lord Envy them that? Can it be sin to know? Can it be death? And do they only stand By ignorance? Is that their happy state, The proof of their obedience and their faith? 520 O fair foundation laid whereon to build Their ruin! Hence I will excite their minds With more desire to know, and to reject Envious commands, invented with design To keep them low, whom knowledge might exalt 525 Equal with gods. Aspiring to be such, They taste and die: what likelier can ensue? But first with narrow search I must walk round This garden, and no corner leave unspied; A chance but chance may lead where I may meet 530 Some wandering Spirit of Heaven, by fountain-side, Or in thick shade retired, from him to draw What further would be learned. Live while ye may, Yet happy pair; enjoy, till I return, Short pleasures; for long woes are to succeed!” 535 So saying, his proud step he scornful turned, But with sly circumspection, and began Through wood, through waste, o’er hill, o’er dale, his roam. Meanwhile in utmost longitude, where Heaven With Earth and Ocean meets, the setting Sun 540 Slowly descended, and with right aspect Against the eastern gate of Paradise Levelled his evening rays. It was a rock Of alabaster, piled up to the clouds, Conspicuous far, winding with one ascent 545 Accessible from Earth, one entrance high; The rest was craggy cliff, that overhung Still as it rose, impossible to climb. Betwixt these rocky pillars Gabriel sat, Chief of the angelic guards, awaiting night; 550 About him exercised heroic games The unarmed youth of Heaven; but nigh at hand Celestial armoury, shields, helms, and spears, Hung high, with diamond flaming and with gold. Thither came Uriel, gliding through the even 555 On a sunbeam, swift as a shooting star In autumn thwarts the night, when vapours fired Impress the air, and shews the mariner From what point of his compass to beware Impetuous winds, He thus began in haste:— 560 “Gabriel, to thee thy course by lot hath given Charge and strict watch that to this happy place No evil thing approach or enter in. This day at highth of noon came to my sphere A Spirit, zealous, as he seemed, to know 565 More of the Almighty’s works, and chiefly Man, God’s latest image. I described his way Bent all on speed, and marked his aerie gait, But in the mount that lies from Eden north, Where he first lighted, soon discerned his looks 570 Alien from Heaven, with passions foul obscured. Mine eye pursued him still, but under shade Lost sight of him. One of the banished crew, I fear, hath ventured from the Deep, to raise New troubles; him thy care must be to find.” 575 To whom the wingèd Warrior thus returned:— “Uriel, no wonder if thy perfect sight, Amid the Sun’s bright circle where thou sitt’st, See far and wide. In at this gate none pass The vigilance here placed, but such as come 580 Well known from Heaven; since meridian hour No creature thence. If Spirit of other sort, So minded, have o’erleaped these earthly bounds On purpose, hard thou know’st it to exclude Spiritual substance with corporeal bar. 585 But, if within the circuit of these walks, In whatsoever shape, he lurk of whom Thou tell’st, by morrow dawning I shall know.” So promised he; and Uriel to his charge Returned on that bright beam, whose point now raised 590 Bore him slope downward to the Sun, now fallen Beneath the Azores; whether the Prime Orb, Incredible how swift, had thither rowled Diurnal, or this less volúbil Earth By shorter flight to the east, had left him there 595 Arraying with reflected purple and gold The clouds that on his western throne attend. Now came still Evening on, and Twilight gray Had in her sober livery all things clad; Silence accompanied; for beast and bird, 600 They to their grassy couch, these to their nests Were slunk, all but the wakeful nightingale. She all night longer her amorous descant sung: Silence was pleased. Now glowed the firmament With living Saphirs; Hesperus, that led 605 The starry host, rode brightest, till the Moon, Rising in clouded majesty, at length Apparent queen, unveiled her peerless light, And o’er the dark her silver mantle threw; When Adam thus to Eve:—“Fair consort, the hour 610 Of night, and all things now retired to rest Mind us of like repose; since God hath set Labour and rest, as day and night, to men Successive, and the timely dew of sleep, Now falling with soft slumberous weight, inclines 615 Our eye-lids. Other creatures all day long Rove idle, unimployed, and less need rest; Man hath his daily work of body or mind Appointed, which declares his dignity, And the regard of Heaven on all his ways; 620 While other animals unactive range, And of their doings God takes no account. To—morrow, ere fresh morning streak the east With first approach of light, we must be risen, And at our pleasant labour, to reform 625 Yon flowery arbours, yonder alleys green, Our walk at noon, with branches overgrown, That mock our scant manuring, and require More hands than ours to lop their wanton growth. Those blossoms also, and those dropping gums, 630 That lie bestrown[MK52], unsightly and unsmooth, Ask riddance, if we mean to tread with ease. Meanwhile, as Nature wills, Night bids us rest.” To whom thus Eve, with perfect beauty adorned:— “My author and disposer, what thou bidd’st 635 Unargued I obey. So God ordains: God is thy law, thou mine: to know no more Is woman’s happiest knowledge, and her praise. With thee conversing, I forget all time, All seasons, and their change; all please alike. 640 Sweet is the breath of Morn, her rising sweet, With charm of earliest birds; pleasant the Sun, When first on this delightful land he spreads His orient beams, on herb, tree, fruit, and flower, Glistering with dew; fragrant the fertil Earth 645 After soft showers; and sweet the coming on Of grateful Evening mild; then silent Night, With this her solemn bird, and this fair Moon, And these the gems of Heaven, her starry train: But neither breath of Morn, when she ascends 650 With charm of earliest birds; nor rising Sun On this delightful land; nor herb, fruit, flower, Glistering with dew; nor fragrance after showers; Nor grateful Evening mild; nor silent Night, With her solemn bird; nor walk by moon, 655 Or glittering star-light, without thee is sweet. But wherefore all night long shine these? for whom This glorious sight, when sleep hath shut all eyes?” To whom our general ancestor replied:— “Daughter of God and Man, accomplished Eve, 660 Those have their course to finish round the Earth By morrow evening, and from land to land In order, though to nations yet unborn, Ministering light prepared, they set and rise; Lest total Darkness should by night regain 665 Her old possession, and extinguish life In nature and all things; which these soft fires Not only enlighten, but with kindly heat Of various influence foment and warm, Temper or nourish, or in part shed down 670 Their stellar virtue on all kinds that grow On Earth, made hereby apter to receive Perfection from the Sun’s more potent ray. These then, though unbeheld in deep of night, Shine not in vain. Nor think, though men were none, 675 That Heaven would want spectators, God want praise. Millions of spiritual creatures walk the Earth Unseen, both when we wake, and when we sleep: All these with ceaseless praise his works behold Both day and night. How often, from the steep 680 Of echoing hill or thicket, have we heard Celestial voices to the midnight air, Sole, or responsive each to other’s note, Singing their great Creator! Oft in bands While they keep watch, or nightly rounding walk, 685 With heavenly touch of instrumental sounds In full harmonic number joined, their songs Divide the night, and lift our thoughts to Heaven.” Thus talking, hand in hand along they passed On to their blissful bower. It was a place 690 Chosen by the sovran Planter, when he framed All things to Man’s delightful use. The roof Of thickest covert was inwoven shade, Laurel and myrtle, and what higher grew Of firm and fragrant leaf; on either side 695 Acanthus, and each odorous bushy shrub, Fenced up the verdant wall; each beauteous flower, Iris all hues, roses, and gessamin, Reared high their flourished heads between, and wrought Mosaic; under foot the violet, 700 Crocus, and hyacinth, with rich inlay Broidered the ground, more coloured than with stone Of costliest emblem. Other creature here, Beast, bird, insect, or worm, durst enter none; Such was their awe of Man. In shadier bower 705 More sacred and sequestered, though but feigned, Pan or Sylvanus never slept, nor Nymph For Faunus haunted. Here, in close recess, With flowers, garlands, and sweet—smelling hearbs Espousèd Eve decked first her nuptial bed, 710 And heavenly choirs the hymenæan sung, What day the genial Angel to our Sire Brought her, in naked beauty more adorned, More lovely, than Pandora, whom the gods Endowed with all their gifts; and, O! too like 715 In sad event, when, to the unwiser son Of Japhet brought by Hermes, she ensnared Mankind with her fair looks, to be avenged On him who had stole Jove’s authentic fire. Thus at their shady lodge arrived, both stood, 720 Both turned, and under open sky adored The God that made both Sky, Air, Earth, and Heaven, Which they beheld, the Moon’s resplendent globe, And starry Pole:—“Thou also madest the Night, Maker Omnipotent; and thou the Day, 725 Which we, in our appointed work imployed, Have finished, happy in our mutual help And mutual love, the crown of all our bliss Ordained by thee; and this delicious place, For us too large, where thy abundance wants 730 Partakers, and uncropt falls to the ground. But thou hast promised from us two a race To fill the Earth, who shall with us extol Thy goodness infinite, both when we wake, And when we seek, as now, thy gift of sleep.” 735 This said unanimous, and other rites Observing none, but adoration pure, Which God likes best, into their inmost bower Handed they went, and, eased the putting-off These troublesome disguises which we wear, 740 Straight side by side were laid; nor turned, I ween, Adam from his fair spouse, nor Eve the rites Mysterious of connubial love refused: Whatever hypocrites austerely talk Of purity, and place, and innocence, 745 Defaming as impure what God declares Pure, and commands to some, leaves free to all. Our Maker bids increase; who bids abstain But our destroyer, foe to God and Man? Hail, wedded Love, mysterious law, true source 750 Of human offspring, sole propriety In Paradise of all things common else! By thee adulterous lust was driven from men Among the bestial herds to raunge; by thee, Founded in reason, loyal, just, and pure, 755 Relations dear, and all the charities Of father, son, and brother, first were known. Far be it that I should write thee sin or blame, Or think thee unbefitting holiest place, Perpetual fountain of domestic sweets, 760 Whose bed is undefiled and chaste pronounced, Present, or past, as saints and patriarchs used. Here Love his golden shafts imploys, here lights His constant lamp, and waves his purple wings, Reigns here and revels; not in the bought smile 765 Of harlots—loveless, joyless, unindeared, Casual fruition; nor in court amours, Mixed dance, or wanton mask, or midnight bal, Or serenate, which the starved lover sings To his proud fair, best quitted with disdain. 770 These, lulled by nightingales, imbracing slept, And on their naked limbs the flowery roof Showered roses, which the morn repaired. Sleep on, Blest pair! and, O! yet happiest, if ye seek No happier state, and know to know no more! 775 Now had Night measured with her shadowy cone Half-way up-hill this vast sublunar vault, And from their ivory port the Cherubim Forth issuing, at the accustomed hour, stood armed To their night-watches in warlike parade; 780 When Gabriel to his next in power thus spake:— “Uzziel, half these draw off, and coast the south With strictest watch; these other wheel the north: Our circuit meets full west.” As flame they part, Half wheeling to the shield, half to the spear. 785 From these, two strong and subtle Spirits he called That near him stood, and gave them thus in charge:— “Ithuriel and Zephon, with winged speed Search through this Garden; leave unsearched no nook; But chiefly where those two fair creatures lodge, 790 Now laid perhaps asleep, secure of harm. This evening from the Sun’s decline arrived Who tells of some infernal Spirit seen Hitherward bent (who could have thought?), escaped The bars of Hell, on errand bad, no doubt: 795 Such, where ye find, seize fast, and hither bring.” So saying, on he led his radiant files, Dazzling the moon; these to the bower direct In search of whom they sought. Him there they found Squat like a toad, close at the ear of Eve, 800 Assaying by his devilish art to reach The organs of her fancy, and with them forge Illusions as he list, phantasms and dreams; Or if, inspiring venom, he might taint The animal spirits, that from pure blood arise 805 Like gentle breaths from rivers pure, thence raise, At least distempered, discontented thoughts, Vain hopes, vain aims, inordinate desires, Blown up with high conceits ingendering pride. Him thus intent Ithuriel with his spear 810 Touched lightly; for no falsehood can endure Touch of celestial temper, but returns Of force to its own likeness. Up he starts, Discovered and surprised. As, when a spark Lights on a heap of nitrous powder, laid 815 Fit for the tun, some magazine to store Against a rumoured war, the smutty grain, With sudden blaze diffused, inflames the air; So started up, in his own shape, the Fiend. Back stept those two fair Angels, half amazed 820 So sudden to behold the griesly King; Yet thus, unmoved with fear, accost him soon:— “Which of those rebel Spirits adjudged to Hell Com’st thou, escaped thy prison? and, transformed, Why satt’st thou like an enemy in wait, 825 Here watching at the head of these that sleep?” “Know ye not, then,” said Satan, filled with scorn, “Know ye not me? Ye knew me once no mate For you, there sitting where ye durst not soar! Not to know me argues yourselves unknown, 830 The lowest of your throng; or, if ye know, Why ask ye, and superfluous begin Your message, like to end as much in vain?” To whom thus Zephon, answering scorn with scorn:— “Think not, revolted Spirit, thy shape the same, 835 Or undiminished brightness, to be known As when thou stood’st in Heaven upright and pure. That glory then, when thou no more wast good, Departed from thee; and thou resemblest now Thy sin and place of doom obscure and foul. 840 But come; for thou, be sure, shalt give account To him who sent us, whose charge is to keep This place inviolable, and these from harm.” So spake the Cherub; and his grave rebuke, Severe in youthful beauty, added grace 845 Invincible. Abashed the Devil stood, And felt how awful goodness is, and saw Virtue in her shape how lovely—saw, and pined His loss; but chiefly to find here observed His lustre visibly impaired; yet seemed 850 Undaunted. “If I must contend,” said he, “Best with the best—the sender, not the sent; Or all at once: more glory will be won, Or less be lost.” “Thy fear,” said Zephon bold, “Will save us trial what the least can do 855 Single against thee wicked, and thence weak.” The Fiend replied not, overcome with rage; But, like a proud steed reined, went haughty on, Chaumping his iron curb. To strive or fly He held it vain; awe from above had quelled 860 His heart, not else dismayed. Now drew they nigh The western point, where those half—rounding guards Just met, and, closing, stood in squadron joined, Awaiting next command. To whom their chief, Gabriel, from the front thus called aloud:— 865 “O friends, I hear the tread of nimble feet Hasting this way, and now by glimpse discern Ithuriel and Zephon through the shade; And with them comes a third, of regal port, But faded splendour wan, who by his gait 870 And fierce demeanour seems the Prince of Hell— Not likely to part hence without contest’. Stand firm, for in his look defiance lours.” He scarce had ended, when those two approached, And brief related whom they brought, where found, 875 How busied, in what form and posture couched. To whom, with stern regard, thus Gabriel spake:— “Why hast thou, Satan, broke the bounds prescribed To thy transgressions, and disturbed the charge Of others, who approve not to transgress 880 By thy example, but have power and right To question thy bold entrance on this place; Imployed, it seems to violate sleep, and those Whose dwelling God hath planted here in bliss?” To whom thus Satan, with contemptuous brow:— 885 “Gabriel, thou hadst in Heaven the esteem of wise; And such I held thee; but this question asked Puts me in doubt. Lives there who loves his pain? Who would not, finding way, break loose from Hell, Though thither doomed? Thou wouldst thyself, no doubt, 890 And boldly venture to whatever place Farthest from pain, where thou mightst hope to change Torment with ease, and soonest recompense Dole with delight; which in this place I sought: To thee no reason, who know’st only good, 895 But evil hast not tried. And wilt object His will who bound us? Let him surer bar His iron gates, if he intends our stay In that dark durance. Thus much what was asked: The rest is true; they found me where they say; 900 But that implies not violence or harm.” Thus he in scorn. The warlike Angel moved, Disdainfully half smiling, thus replied:— “O loss of one in Heaven to judge of wise, Since Satan fell, whom folly overthrew, 905 And now returns him from his prison scaped, Gravely in doubt whether to hold them wise Or not who ask what boldness brought him hither Unlicensed from his bounds in Hell prescribed! So wise he judges it to fly from pain 910 However, and to scape his punishment! So judge thou still, presumptuous, till the wrauth, Which thou incurr’st by flying, meet thy flight Sevenfold, and scourge that wisdom back to Hell, Which taught thee yet no better that no pain 915 Can equal anger infinite provoked. But wherefore thou alone? Wherefore with thee Came not all Hell broke loose? Is pain to them Less pain, less to be fled? or thou than they Less hardy to endure? Courageous chief, 920 The first in flight from pain, hadst thou alleged To thy deserted host this cause of flight, Thou surely hadst not come sole fugitive.” To which the Fiend thus answered, frowning stern:— “Not that I less endure, or shrink from pain, 925 Insulting Angel! well thou know’st I stood Thy fiercest, when in battle to thy aid The blasting volleyed thunder made all speed And seconded thy else not dreaded spear. But still thy words at random, as before, 930 Argue thy inexperience what behoves, From hard assays and ill successes past, A faithful leader—not to hazard all Through ways of danger by himself untried. I, therefore, I alone, first undertook 935 To wing the desolate Abyss, and spy This new-created World, whereof in Hell Fame is not silent, here in hope to find Better abode, and my afflicted Powers To settle here on Earth, or in mid Air; 940 Though for possession put to try once more What thou and thy gay legions dare against; Whose easier business where to serve their Lord High up in Heaven, with songs to hymn his throne, And practiced distances to cringe, not fight.” 945 To whom the Warrior-Angel soon replied:— “To say and straight unsay, pretending first Wise to fly pain, professing next to spy, Argues no leader, but a liar traced, Satan; and couldst thou ‘faithful’ add? O name, 950 O sacred name of faithfulness profaned! Faithful to whom? to thy rebellious crew? Army of fiends, fit body to fit head! Was this your discipline and faith ingaged, Your military obedience, to dissolve 955 Allegiance to the acknowledged Power Supreme? And thou, sly hypocrite, who now wouldst seem Patron of liberty, who more than thou Once fawned, and cringed, and servilely adored Heaven’s awful Monarch? wherefore, but in hope 960 To dispossess him, and thyself to reign? But mark what I areed thee now: Avaunt!* Fly thither whence thou fledd’st. If from this hour Within these hallowed limits thou appear, Back to the Infernal Pit I drag thee chained, 965 And seal thee so as henceforth not to scorn The facile gates of Hell too slightly barred.” So threatened he; but Satan to no threats Gave heed, but waxing more in rage, replied:— “Then, when I am thy captive, talk of chains, 970 Proud limitary Cherub! but ere then Far heavier load thyself expect to feel From my prevailing arm, though Heaven’s King Ride on thy wings, and thou with thy Compeers, Used to the yoke, draw’st his triumphant wheels 975 In progress through the road of Heaven star—paved.” While thus he spake, the angelic squadron bright Turned fiery red, sharpening in mooned horns Their phalanx and began to hem him round With ported spears, as thick as when a field 980 Of Ceres ripe for harvest waving bends Her bearded grove of ears which way the wind Sways them; the careful ploughman doubting stands Lest on the threshing-floor his hopeful sheaves Prove chaff. On the other side, Satan, alarmed, 985 Collecting all his might, dilated stood, Like Teneriff or Atlas, unremoved: His stature reached the sky, and on his crest Sat Horror plumed; nor wanted in his grasp What seemed both spear and shield. Now dreadful deeds 990 Might have ensued; nor only Paradise, In this commotion, but the starry cope Of Heaven perhaps, or all the Elements At least, had gone to wrack, disturbed and torn With violence of this conflict, had not soon 995 The Eternal, to prevent such horrid fray, Hung forth in Heaven his golden scales, yet seen Betwixt Astræa and the Scorpion sign, Wherein all things created first he weighed, The pendulous round Earth with balanced air 1000 In counterpoise, now ponders all events, Battles and realms. In these he put two weights, The sequel each of parting and of fight: The latter quick up flew, and kicked the beam; Which Gabriel spying thus bespake the Fiend: 1005 “Satan, I know thy strength, and thou know’st mine, Neither our own, but given; what folly then To boast what arms can do! since thine no more Than Heaven permits, nor mine, though doubled now To trample thee as mire. For proof look up, 1010 And read thy lot in yon celestial sign, Where thou art weighed, and shown how light, how weak If thou resist.” The Fiend looked up, and knew His mounted scale aloft: nor more; but fled Murmuring; and with him fled the shades of Night. 1015 |
*“Pandemonim” - 'All demon place'; the capital of Hell (SH51) *“Levent” one greater Man: references Jesus; died for our sins to redeem us (DM46) *“Mount Oreb” In the Book of Deuteronomy, the mountain on which God called to Moses. (DM48) **“Mount Sinai” In the Book of Exodus, this is the mountain on which God gives the Ten Commandments to Moses (DM47) ***“Sion” also known as Zion a historic land of Israel as a symbol of the Jewish people, a place or religious community regarded as sacredly devoted to God; an idealized, harmonious community; utopia (JM49) ****“Siloa’s Book” A stream, near the temple of King Solomon on Mount Zion, where Jesus Christ cured a blind man. (DM49) *****“Thence” is a place or source that has been previously mentioned (EG16) *******“Aonian Mount” may refer to the mountains Helicon and Cithaeron considered sacred to the Muses. (RC46) *“Impious” not showing respect for a god; evil, unholy (RG46) *“Ethereal” too perfect for the human world (HG46) *“Perdition” Eternal damnation; Hell (SH53) *“Adamantine” unbreakable or unyielding (RG47) *“Durst” Dare, the archaic past tense of dare. (RC48) (HG47) *“Obdurate” not moved by persuasion; stubborn (RG48) **“Ken” means understanding (RC47) *“Beezlzebub” is another name for the devil or a demon spirit. In this story he is a fallen angel and Satan's right-hand man. One of the seven princes of Hell (MJ52) (SH50) *“Ignominy” personal humiliation or shame; public disgrace (RG49) *“Compeer” One that is very similar to another in rank or position; colleague (SH52) *“Seraphim” an angelic being, regarded in traditional Christian angelology as belonging to the highest order of the ninefold celestial hierarchy, associated with light, ardor, and purity. (CH50) *“Sulphurous Hail” would be hail made of sulfur (MJ50) *“Typhon” the most fearsome monster in Greek mythology; on his shoulders were one hundred snake heads that emitted fire and every kind of noise (JM52) **“Tarsus” a town in Cilicia (presently Turkey); the birthplace and early residence of the apostle Paul (JM50) *“Lee” shelter from weather typically made up of land formations, boulders, trees, etc. (HG48) *“Aetna” volcanic mountain located in present day Italy, also known as Mount Etna (RD46) *“Stygian Flood” refers to the Styx River which flood from the underworld, according to Greek mythology (MJ51) *“Valdarno” the valley of the Arno, a river in the Tuscany region of Italy. It is the most important river of central Italy after the Tiber (JM51) *“Busiris” Name reffering to Osiris the Egyptian god of the underworld (RD47) **“Perfidious” deceitful and untrustworthy (RD48) (TK47) ***“Goshen” referring to a pastoral region in Lower Egypt, occupied by the Israelites before the Exodus or a land or place of plenty and comfort (TK48) ****“Bestrown” means to lie scattered over or about (MK52) *“Cherub” a winged angelic being described in biblical tradition as attending on God. It is represented in ancient Middle Eastern art as a lion or bull with eagles' wings and a human face, and regarded in traditional Christian angelology as an angel of the second highest order of the ninefold celestial hierarchy. (CH51) **“Ensign” flag or standards used to indicate nationality (HG49) *“Squadron” an operational unit in an air force consisting of two or more flights of aircraft and the personnel required to fly them. (KT1) *“Moloch” name of a god that is thought to have first been worshipped in Ammon. Moloch worship was practiced by Canaanites, Phoenicians, and other groups in North Africa (RD49) *“Opprobrious” means outrageously disgraceful or shameful (TK49) *“Uxorious” having or showing an excessive or submissive fondness for one's wife (KT2) *“Adonis” In classical mythology, an extremely beautiful boy who was loved by Aphrodite, the goddess of love. Note: By extension, an “Adonis” is any handsome young man (CH52) *“Semblance” the outward appearance or apparent form of something, especially when the reality is different (KT3) *“Charlemain” also spelled Charlemagne, also known as Charles the Great or Charles I (CH53) *“Trodden” the past tense of tread (KT4) *“Sylvan” means consisting of or associated with wood; wooded (MK54) *“Cotes” Noun. Means a coop or small shed for sheep, pigs, chickens, etc.. (JH50) *“Burgher” Noun. Means a citizen of a town, typically middle class (or in this case upper, well-off middle class). (JH51) *“Cormorant” Noun. Means simply a greedy person. (JH52) *“Pendant” Adjective. Means overhanging, suspended, projecting. (JH53) *“Gordian” in line 348, is a knot tied by Gordius, king of Phrygia, held to be capable of being untied only by the future ruler of Asia, and cut by Alexander the Great with his sword. (MK53) *“Avaunt” means go away. (MK51) |
Text in public domain.