Death ready stands to interpose his dart Fearless to be o'rematcht by living might But what ow I to his commands above Who hates me and hath hither thrust me down Into this gloom of Tartarus profound To sit in hateful Office here confin'd Inhabitant of Heav'n and heav'nlie-born Here in perpetual agonie and pain With terrors and with clamors compasst round Of mine own brood that on my bowels feed Thou art my Father thou my Author thou My being gav'st me whom should I obey But thee whom follow thou wilt bring me soon To that new world of light and bliss among The Gods who live at ease where I shall Reign At thy right hand voluptuous as beseems Thy daughter and thy darling without end Thus saying from her side the fatal Key Sad instrument of all our woe she took And towards the Gate rouling her bestial train Forthwith the huge Porcullis high up drew Which but her self not all the 〈◊〉 powers Could once have mov'd thâ—… in the key-hole turns Th' intricate wards and every Bolt and Bar Of massie Iron or sollid Rock with ease Unfast'ns on a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 With 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Th' 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and on 〈◊〉 great Harsh Thunder that the lowest bottom shook Of Erebus She op'nd but to shut Excel'd her power the Gates wide op'n stood That with extended wings a Bannerd Host Under spread Ensigns marching might pass through With Horse and Chariots rankt in loose array So wide they stood and like a Furnace mouth Cast forth redounding smoak and ruddy flame Before thir eyes in sudden view appear The secrets of the hoarie deep a dark Illimitable Ocean without bound Without dimension where length breadth and highth And time and place are lost where eldest Night And Chaos Ancestors of Nature hold Eternal Anarchie amidst the noise Of endless warrs and by confusion stand For hot cold moist and dry four Champions sierce Strive here for Maistrie and to Battel 〈◊〉 Thir embryon Atoms they around the flag Of each his faction in thir several Clanâ—…s Light-arm'd or heavy sharp smooth swift or slow Swarm populous unnumber'd as the Sands Of Barca or Cyrene's torrid soil Levied to side with warring Winds and poise Thir lighter wings To whom these most adhere Hee rules a moment Chaos Umpire sits And by decision more imbroiles the fray By which he Reigns next him high Arbiter Chance governs all Into this wilde Abyss The Womb of nature and perhaps her Grave Of neither Sea nor Shore nor Air nor Fire But all these in thir pregnant causes mixt Confus'dly and which thus must ever sight Unless th' Almighty Maker them ordain His dark materials to create more Worlds Into this wilde Abyss the warie fiend Stood on the brink of Hell and look'd a while Pondering his Voyage for no narrow frith He had to cross Nor was his eareless peal'd With noises loud and ruinous to compare Great things with small then when Bellona storms With all her battering Engines bent to rase Som Capital City or less then if this frame Of Heav'n were falling and these Elements In mutinie had from her Axle torn The stedfast Earth At last his Sail-broad Vannes He spreads for flight and in the surging smoak Uplisted spurns the ground thence many a League As in a cloudy Chair ascending rides Audacious but that seat soon failing meets A vast vacuitie all unawares Fluttring his pennons vain plumb down he drops Ten thousand fadom deep and to this hour Down had been falling had not by ill chance The strong rebuff of som tumultuous cloud Instinct with Fire and Nitre hurried him As many miles aloft that furie stay'd Quencht in a Boggie Syrtis neither Sea Nor good dry Land nigh founderd on he fares Treading the crude consistence half on foot Half flying behoves him now both Oare and Saile As when a Gryfon through the Wilderness With winged course ore Hill or moarie Dale Pursues the Arimaspian who by stelth Had from his wakeful custody purloind The guarded Gold So eagerly the fiend Ore bog or steep through strait rough dense or rare With head hands wings or feet pursues his way And swims or sinks or wades or creeps or flyes At length a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wilde Of stunning sounds and voices all confus'd Born through the hollow dark assaults his eare With loudest vehemence thither he plyes Undaunted to meet there what ever power Or Spirit of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Might in that noise reside of whom to ask Which way the neerest coast of darkness lyes Bordering on light when strait behold the Throne Of Chaos and his 〈◊〉 Pavilion â—…pread Wide on the wasteful Deep with him Enthron'd Sat Sable-vested Night eldest of things The consort of his Reign and by them stood Orcus and Ades and the dreaded name Of Demogorgon 〈◊〉 Rumor next and Chance And Tumult and Confusion all 〈◊〉 And Discord with a thousand various mouths T' whom Satan turning boldly thus Ye Powers And Spirits of this nethermost Abyss Chaos and ancient Night I comeno Spie With purpose to explore or to disturb The secrets of your Realm but by constraint Wandring this darksome desart as my way Lies through your spacious Empire up to light Alone and without guide half lost I seek What readiest path leads where your gloomie bounds Confine with Heav'n or if â—…om other place From your Dominion won th' Ethereal King Possesses lately thither to arrive I travel this profound direct my course Directed no mean recompence it brings To your behoof if I that Region lost All usurpation thence expell'd reduce To her original darkness and your sway Which is my present journey and once more Erect the Standerd there of ancient Night Yours be th' advantage all mine the revenge Thus Satan and him thus the Anarch old With faultring speech and visage incompos'd Answer'd I know thee stranger who thou art That mighty leading Angel who of late Made head against Heav'ns King though overthrown I saw and heard for such a numerous host Fled not in silence through the frighted deep With ruin upon ruin rout on rout Confusion worse confounded and Heav'n Gates Pourd out by millions her victorious Bands Pursuing I upon my Frontieres herd Keep residence if all I can will serve That little which is left so to defend Encroacht on still through our intestine broiles Weakning the Scepter of old Night first Hell Your dungeon stretching far and wide beneath Now lately Heaven and Earth another World Hung ore my Realm link'd in a golden Chain To that side Heav'n from whence your Legions fell If that way be your walk you have not farr So much the neerer danger goe and speed Havock and spoil and ruin are my gain He ceas'd and Satan staid not to reply But glad that now his Sea should find a shore With fresh alacritie and force renew'd Springs upward like a Pyramid of fire Into the wilde expanse and through the shock Of fighting Elements on all sides round Environ'd wins his way harder beset And
let mee serve In Heav'n God ever blessed and his Divine Behests obey worthiest to be obey'd Yet Chains in Hell not Realms expect mean while From mee returnd as erst thou saidst from flight This greeting on thy impious Crest receive So saying a noble stroke he lifted high Which hung not but so swift with tempest fell On the proud Crest of Satan that no sight Nor motion of swift thought less could his Shield Such ruin intercept ten paces huge He back recoild the tenth on bended knee His massie Spear upstaid as if on Earth Winds under ground or waters forcing way Sidelong had push't a Mountain from his seat Half sunk with all his Pines Amazement seis'd The Rebel Thrones but greater rage to see Thus foil'd thir mightiest ours joy filld and shout Presage of Victorie and fierce desire Of Battel whereat Michael bid sound Th'Arch-angel trumpet through the vast of Heav'n It sounded and the faithful Armies rung Hosanna to the Highest nor stood at gaze The adverse Legions nor less hideous joyn'd The horrid shock now storming furie rose And clamour such as heard in Heav'n till now Was never Arms on Armour clashing bray'd Horrible discord and the madding Wheeles Of brazen Chariots rag'd dire was the noise Of conflict over head the dismal hiss Of fiery Darts in flaming volies flew And flying vaulted either Host with fire Sounder fierie Cope together rush'd Both Battels maine with ruinous assault And inextinguishable rage all Heav'n Resounded and had Earth bin then all Eaâ—…h Had to her Center shook What wonder when Millions of fierce encountring Angels fought On either side the least of whom could weild These Elements and arm him with the force Of all thir Regions how much more of Power Armie against Armie numberless to raise Dreadful combustion warring and disturb Though not destroy thir happie Native seat Had not th' Eternal King Omnipotent From his strong hold of Heav'n high over rul'd And limited thir might though numberd such As each divided Legion might have seemd A numerous Host in strength each arâ—…ed hand A Legion led in fight yâ—…t Leader seemd Each Warriour single as in Chief expert When to advance or stand or turn the sway Of Battel open when and when to close The ridges of grim Warr no thought of flight None of retreat no unbecoming deed That argu'd fear each on himself reli'd As onely in his arm the moment lay Of victorie deeds of eternal fame Were don but infinite for wide was spred That Warr and various somtimes on firm ground A standing fight then soaring on main wing Tormented all the Air all Air seemd then Conflicting Fire long time in eeven scale The Battel hung till Satan who that day Prodigious power had shewn and met in Armes No equal raunging through the dire attack Of fighting Seraphim confus'd at length Saw where the Sword of Michael smote and fell'd Squadrons at once with huge two-handed sway Brandisht aloft the horrid edge came down Wide wasting such destruction to withstand He hasted and oppos'd the rockie Orb Of tenfold Adamant his ample Shield A vast circumference At his approach The great Arch-Angel from his warlike toile Surcâ—…'d and glad as hoping here to end Intestine War in Heav'n the arch foe subdu'd Or Captive drag'd in Chains with hostile frown And visage all enflam'd first thus began Author of evil unknown till thy revolt Unnam'd in Heav'n now plenteous as thou seest These Acts of hateful strife hateful to all Though heaviest by just measure on thy self And thy adherents how hast thou disturb'd Heav'ns blessed peace and into Nature brought Miserie uncreated till the crime Of thy Rebellion how hâ—…t thou instill'd Thy malice into thousands once upright And faithful now prov'd false But think not here To trouble Holy Rest Heav'n casts thee out From all her Confines Heav'n the seat of bliss Brooks not the works of violence and Warr. Hence then and evil go with thee along Thy ofspring to the place of evil Hell Thou and thy wicked crew there mingle broiles Ere this avenging Sword begin thy doome Or som more sudden vengeance wing'd from God Precipitate thee with augmented paine So spake the Prince of Angels to whom thus The Adversarie Nor think thou with wind Of airie threats to aw whom yet with deeds Thou canst not Hast thou turnd the least of these To flight or if to fall but that they rise Unvanquisht easier to transact with mee That thou shouldst hope imperious with threats To chase me hence erre not that so shall end The strife which thou call'st evil but wee style The strife of Glorie which we mean to win Or turn this Heav'n it self into the Hell Tâ—…ou fablest here however to dwell free If not to reign mean while thy utmost force And join him nam'd Almightie to thy aid I flie not but have sought thee farr and nigh They ended parle and both addrest for fight Unspeakable for who though with the tongue Of Angels can relate or to what things Liken on Earth conspicuous that may lift Human imagination to such highth Of Godlike Power for likest Gods they seemd Stood they or mov'd in stature motion arms Fit to decide the Empire of great Heav'n Now wav'd thir fierie Swords and in the Aire Made horrid Circles two broad Suns thir Shields Blaz'd opposite while expectation stood In horror from each hand with speed retir'd Where erst was thickest fight th' Angelic throng And left large field unsafe within the wind Of such commotion such as to set forth Great things by small If Natures concord broke Among the Constellations warr were spruâ—… Two Planets rushing from asâ—…ect maligne Of fiercest opposition in mid Skie Should combat and thir jarring Sphears confound Together both with next to Almightie Arme Uplifted imminent one stroke they aim'd That might determine and not need repeaâ—…e As not of power at once nor odds appeerd In might or swift prevention but the sword Of Michael from the Armorie of God Was giv'n him temperd so that neither keen Nor solid might resist that edge it met The sword of Satan with steep force to smite Descending and in halfcut sheere nor staid But with swift wheele reverse deep entring shar'd All his right side then Satan first knew pain And writh'd him to and fro convolv'd so sore The griding sword with discontinuous wound Pass'd through him but th' Ethereal substance clos'd Not long divisible and from the gash A stream of Nectarous humor issuing flow'd Sanguin such as Celestial Spirits may bleed And all his Armour staind ere while so bright Forthwith on all sides to his aide was run By Angels many and strong who interpos'd Defence while others bore him on thir Shields Back to his Chariot where it stood retir'd From off the â—…les of waâ—… there they him laid Gnashing for anguish and despite and shame To find himâ—… noâ—… matchless and his pride Humbl'd by such rebuke so farr beneath His confidence to equal God in power Yet
let in The great Creator from his work returnd Magnificent his Six days work a World Open and henceforth oft for God will deigne To visit oft the dwellings of just Men Delighted and with frequent intercourse Thither will send his winged Messengers On errands of supernal Grace So sung The glorious Train ascending He through Heav'n That open'd wide her blazing Portals led To Gods Eternal house direct the way A broad and ample rode whose dust is Gold And pavement Starrs as Starrs to thee appeer Seen in the Galaxie that Milkie way Which nightly as a circling Zone thou seest Pouderd with Starrs And now on Earth the Seaventh Eev'ning arose in Eden for the Sun Was set and twilight from the East came on Forerunning Night when at the holy mount Of Heav'ns high-seated top th' Impereal Throne Of Godhead fixt forever firm and sure The Filial Power arriv'd and sate him down With his great Father for he also went Invisible yet staid such priviledge Hath Omnipresence and the work ordain'd Author and end of all things and from work Now resting bless'd and hallowd the Seav'nth day As resting on that day from all his work But not in silence holy kept the 〈◊〉 Had work and 〈◊〉 not the solemn â—…ipe And Dulcimer all Organs of sweet stop All sounds on Fret by String or Golden Wire Temper'd 〈◊〉 Tunings intermixt with Voice Choral or Unison of incense Clouds Fuming from Golden Câ—…nsers hid the Mount Creation and the Six dayes acts they sung Great are thy works Jehovah infinite Thy power what thought can measure thee or tongue Relate thee greater now in thy return Then from the Giant Angels thee that day Thy Thunders 〈◊〉 but to 〈◊〉 Is greater then created to destroy Who can impair thee mighty King or bound Thy Empire easily the proud attempt Of Spirits apostat and thir Counsels vaine Thou hast repeld while impiously they thought Thee to diminish and from thee withdraw The number of thy worshippers Who seekes To lessen thee against his purpose serves To manifest the more thy might his evil Thou usest and from thence creat'st more good Witness this new-made World another Heav'n From Heaven Gate not farr founded in view On the cleer Hyaline the Glassie Sea Of amplitude almost immense with Starr's Numerous and every Starr perhaps a World Of destind habitation but thou know'st Thir seasons among these the seat of men Earth with her nether Ocean circumfus'd Thir pleasant dwelling place Thrice happie men And sons of men whom God hath thus advanc't Created in his Image there to dwell And worship him and in reward to rule Over his Works on Earth in Sea or Air And multiply a Race of Worshippers Holy and just thrice happie if they know Thir happiness and persevere upright So sung they and the Empyrean rung With Halleluiahs Thus was Sabbath kept And thy request think now fulfill'd that ask'd How first this World and face of things began And what before thy memorie was don From the beginning that posteritie Informd by thee might know if else thou seekst Aught not surpassing human measure say To whom thus Adam gratefully repli'd What thanks sufficient or what recompence Equal have I to render thee Divine Hystorian who thus largely hast allayd The thirst I had of knowledge and voutsaf't This friendly condescention to relate Things else by me unsearchable now heard VVith wonder but delight and as is due With glorie attributed to the high Creator some thing yet of doubt remaines VVhich onely thy solution can resolve VVhen I behold this goodly Frame this VVorld Of Heav'n and Earth consisting and compute Thir magnitudes this Earth a spot a graine An Atom with the Firmament compar'd And all â—…er numberd Starrs that seem to rowle Spaces incomprehensible for such Thir distance argues and thir swift return Diurnal meerly to officiate light Round this opacous Earth this punctual spot One day and night in all thir vast survey Useless besides reasoning I oft admire How Nature wise and frugal could commit Such disproportions with superfluous hand So many nobler Bodies to create Greater so manifold to this one use For aught appeers and on thir Orbs impose Such restless revolution day by day Repeated while the sedentarie Earth That better might with farr less compass move Serv'd by more noble then her self attaines Her end without least motion and receaves As Tribute such a sumless journey brought Of incorporeal speed her warmth and light Speed to describe whose swiftness Number failes So spake our Sire and by his count'nance seemd Entring on studious thoughts abstruse which Eve Perceaving where she sat retir'd in sight With lowliness Majestic from her seat And Grace that won who saw to wish her stay Rose and went forth among her Fruits and Flours To visit how they prosper'd bud and bloom Her Nurserie they at her coming sprung And toucht by her fair tendance gladlier grew Yet went she not as not with such discourse Delighted or not capable her eare Of what was high such pleasure she reserv'd Adam relating she sole Auditress Her Husband the Relater she preferr'd Before the Angel and of him to ask Chose rather hee she knew would intermix Grateful digressions and solve high dispute With conjugal Caresses from his Lip Not Words alone pleas'd her O when meet now Such pairs in Love and mutual Honour joyn'd With Goddess-like demeanour forth she went Not unattended for on her as Queen A pomp of winning Graces waited still And from about her shot Darts of desire Into all Eyes to wish her still in sight And Raphael now to Adam's doubt propos'd Benevolent and facil thus repli'd To ask or search I blame thee not for Heav'n Is as the Book of God before thee set Wherein to read his wondrous Works and learne His Seasons Hours or Days or Months or Yeares This to attain whether Heav'n move or Earth Imports not if thou reck'n right the rest From Man or Angel the great Architect Did wisely to conceal and not divulge His secrets to be scann'd by them who ought Rather admire or if they list to try Conjecture he his Fabric of the Heav'ns Hath left to thir disputes perhaps to move His laughter at thir quaint Opinions wide Hereafter when they come to model Heav'n And calculate the Starrs how they will weild The mightie frame how build unbuild contrive To save appeerances how gird the Sphear With Centric and Eccentric scribl'd o're Cycle and Epicycle Orb in Orb Alreadie by thy reasoning this I guess Who art to lead thy ofspring and supposest That Bodies bright and greater should not serve The less not bright nor Heav'n such journies run Earth sitting still when she alone receaves The benefit consider first that Great Or Bright inferrs not Excellence the Earth Though in comparison of Heav'n so small Nor glistering may of solid good containe More plenty then the Sun that barren shines Whose vertue on it self workes no effect But in the fruitful Earth there first receavd
perhaps thus farr remov'd Not mind us not offending satisfi'd With what is punish't whence these raging fires Will slack'n if his breath stir not thir flames Our purer essenee then will overcome Thir noxious vapour or enur'd not feel Or chang'd at length and to the place conformd In temper and in nature will receive Familiar the fierce heat and void of pain This horror will grow milde this darkness light Besides what hope the never ending flight Of future days maybring what chance what change Worth waiting since our present lot appeers For happy though but ill for ill not worst If we procure not to our â—…lves more woe Thus Belial with words cloath'd in reasons garb Counsel'd ignoble ease and peaceful sloath Not peace and after him thus Mammon spake Either to disinthrone the King of Heav'n We warr if warâ—… be best or to regain Our own right lost him to unthrone we then May hope when everlasting Fate shall yeild To fickle Chance and Chaos judge the strife The former vain to hope argues as vain The latter for what place can be for us Within Heav'ns bound unless Heav'ns Lord supream We overpower Suppose he should relent And publish Grace to all on promise made Of new Subjection with what eyes could we Stand in his presence humble and receive Strict Laws impos'd to celebrate his Throne With warbl'd Hymns and to his Godhead sing Forc't Halleluiah's while he Lordly sits Our envied Sovran and his Altar breathes Ambrosial Odours and Ambrosial Flowers Our servile offerings This must be our task In Heav'n this our delight how wearisom Eternity so spent in worship paid To whom we hate Let us not then pursue By force impossible by leave obtain'd Unacceptable though in Heav'n our state Of splendid vassalage but rather seek Our own good from our selves and from our own Live to our selves though in this vast recess Free and to none accountable preferring Hard liberty before the easie yoke Of servile Pomp. Our greatness will appear Then most conspicuous when great things of small Useful of hurtful prosperous of adverse We can create and in what place so e're Thrive under evil and work ease out of pain Through labour and endurance This deep world Of darkness do we dread How oft amidst Thick clouds and dark doth Heav'ns all-ruling Sire Choose to reside his Glory unobscur'd And with the Majesty of darkness round Covers his Throne from whence deep thunders roar Must'ring thir rage and Heav'n resembles Hell As he our Darkness cannot we his Light Imitate when we please This Desart soile Wants not her hidden lustre Gemms and Gold Nor want we skill or art from whence to raise Magnificence and what can Heav'n shew more Our torments also may in length of time Become our Elements these piercing Fires As soft as now severe our temper chang'd Into their temper which must needs remove The sensible of pain All things invite To peaceful Counsels and the settl'd State Of order how in safety best we may Compose our present evils with regard Of what we are and where dismissing quite All thoughts of Warr ye have what I advise He scarce had finisht when such murmur filld Th' Assembly as when hollow Rocks retain The sound of blustring winds which all night long Had rous'd the Sea now with hoarse cadence lull Sea-faring men orewatcht whose Bark by chance Or Pinnace anchors in a craggy Bay After the Tempest Such applause was heard As Mammon ended and his Sentence pleas'd Advising peace for fuch another Field They dreaded worse then Hell so much the fear Of Thunder and the Sword of Michael Wrought still within them and no less desire To found this nether Empire which might rise By pollicy and long process of time In emulation opposite to Heav'n Which when Bëëlzebub perceiv'd then whom Satan except none higher sat with grave Aspect he rose and in his rising seem'd A Pillar of State deep on his Front engraven Deliberation sat and publick care And Princely counsel in his face yet shon Majestick though in ruin sage he stood With Atlantean shoulders fit to bear The weight of mightiest Monarchies his look Drew audience and attention still as Night Or Summers Noon-tide air while thus he spake Thrones and imperial Powers off-spring of heav'n Ethereal Vertues or these Titles now Must we renounce and changing stile be call'd Princes of Hell for so the popular vote Inclines here to continue and build up here A growing Empire doubtless while we dream And know not that the King of Heav'n hath doom'd This place our dungeon not our safe retreat Beyond his Potent arm to live exempt From Heav'ns high jurisdiction in new League Banded against his Throne but to remaine In strictest bondage though thus far remov'd Under th' inevitable curb reserv'd His captive multitude For he be sure In highth or depth still first and last will Reign Sole King and of his Kingdom loose no part By our revolt but over Hell extend His Empire and with Iron Scepter rule Us here as with his Golden those in Heav'n What sit we then projecting Peace and Warr Warr hath determin'd us and foild with loss Irreparable tearms of peace yet none Voutsaf't or sought for what peace will be giv'n To us enslav'd but custody severe And stripes and arbitrary punishment Inflicted and what peace can we return But to our power hostility and hate Untam'd reluctance and revenge though slow Yet ever plotting how the Conquerour least May reap his conquest and may least rejoyce In doing what we most in suffering feel Nor will occasion want nor shall we need With dangerous expedition to invade Heav'n whose high walls fear no assault or Siege Or ambush from the Deep What if we find Some easier enterprize There is a place If ancient and prophetic fame in Heav'n Err not another World the happy seat Of som new Race call'd Man about this time To be created like to us though less In power and excellence but favour'd more Of him who rules above so was his will Pronounc'd among the Gods and by an Oath That shook Heav'ns whol circumference confirm'd Thither let us bend all our thoughts to learn What creatures there inhabit of what mould Or substance how endu'd and what thir Power And where thir weakness how attempted best By force or suttlety Though Heav'n be shut And Heav'ns high Arbitrator sit secure In his own strength this place may lye expos'd The utmost border of his Kingdom left To their defence who hold it here perhaps Som advantagious act may be achiev'd By sudden onset either with Hell sire To waste his whole Creation or possess All as our own and drive as we were driven The punie habitants or if not drive Seduce them to our Party that thir God May prove thir foe and with repenting hand Abolish his own works This would surpass Common revenge and interrupt his joy In our Confusion and our Joy upraise In his disturbance when his darâ—…ing
Sons Hurl'd headlong to partake with us shall curse Thir frail Originals and faded bliss Faded so soon Advise if this be worth Attempting or to sit in darkness here Hatching vain Empires Thus Beelzebub Pleaded his devilish Counsel first devis'd By Sâ—…tan 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 great Creatour But thir spite still serves His glory to augment The bold design Pleas'd highly those infernal States and joy Sparkl'd in all thir eyes with full assent They vote whereat his speech he thus renews Well have ye judg'd well ended long debate Synod of Gods and like to what ye are Great things resolv'd which from the lowest deep Will once more lift us up in spight of Fate Neerer our ancient Seat perhaps in view Of those bright confines whence with neighbâ—…uring Arms And opportune excursion we may chance Re-enter Heav'n or else in some milde Zone Dwell not unvisited of Heav'ns fair Light Secure and at the brightning Oâ—…ient beam Purge off this gloom the soft delicious Air To heal the â—…earr of these corrosive Fires Shall breath her balme But first whom shall we send In search of this new world whom shall we find Sufficient who shall tempt with wandring feet The dark unbottom'd infinite Abyss And through the palpable obscure find out His uncouth way or spread his aerie flight Upborn with indefatigable wings Over the vast abrupt ere he arrive The happy I le 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 circumspection and we now no less Choice in our suffrage for on whom we send The weight of all and our last hope relies This said he sat and expectation held His look suspence awaiting who appeer'd To second or oppose or undertake The perilous attempt but all sat mute Pondering the danger with deep thoughts each In others count'nance red his own dismay Astonisht none among the choice and prime Of those Heav'n-warring Champions could be found So hardie as to proffer or accept Alone the dreadful voyage till at last Satan whom now 〈◊〉 glory 〈◊〉 Above his fellows with Monarchal pride Conscious of highest worth unmov'd thus spake O Progeny of Heav'n Empyreal Thrones With reason hath deep silence and demurâ—… Seis'd us though undismaid long is the way And hard that out of Hell leads up to Light Our prison strong this huge convex of Fire Outrageous to devour immures us round Ninefold and gates of burning Adamant Barr'd over us prohibit all egress These past if any pass the void profound Of unessential Night receives him next Wide gaping and with utter loâ—…s of being Threatens him plung'd in that abortive gulf If thence he scape into what ever world Or unknown Region what remains him less Then unknown dangers and as hard escape But I should ill become this Throne O Peers And this Imperial Sov'ranty adorn'd With splendor arm'd with power if aught propos'd And judg'd of public moment in the shape Of difficulty or danger could deterre Me from attempting Wherefore do I assume These Royalties and not refuse to Reign Refusing to accept as great a share Of hazard as of honour due alike To him who Reigns and so much to him due Of hazard more as he above the rest High honourd sits Go therfore mighty powers Terror of Heav'n though fall'n intend at home While here shall be our home what best may ease The present misery and render Hell More tollerâ—…ble if there be cure or charm To respite or deceive or slack the pain Of this ill Mansion intermit no watch Against a wakeful Foe while I abroad Through all the coasts of dark destruction seek Deliverance for us all this enterprize None shall partake with me Thus saying rose The Monarch and prevented all reply Prudent least from his resolution rais'd Others among the chief might offer now Certain to be refus'd what erst they feard And so 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 then his voice Forbidding and at once with him they rose Thir rising all at once was as the sound Of Thunder heard remote Towards him they bend With awful reverence prone and as a God Extoll him equal to the highest in Heav'n Nor fail'd they to express how much they prais'd That for the general safety he despis'd His own for neither do the Spirits damn'd Loose all thir vertue least bad men should boast Thir specious deeds on earth which glory excites Or close ambition varnisht o're with zeal Thus they thir doubtful consultations dark Ended rejoycing in thir matchless Chief As when from mountain tops the dusky clouds Ascending while the North wind sleeps o'respread Heav'ns chearful face the lowring Element Scowls ore the dark'nd lantskip Snow or showre If chance the radiant Sun with farewell sweet Extend his ev'ning beam the fields revive The birds thir notes renew and bleating herds Attest thir joy that hill and valley rings O shame to men Devil with Devil damn'd Firm concord holds men onely disagree Of Creatures rational though under hope Of heavenly Grace and God 〈◊〉 peace Yet live in hatred enmitie and strife Among themselves and levie cruel warres Wasting the Earth each other to destroy As if which might induce us to accord Man had not hellish foes anow besides That day and night for his destruction waite The Stygian Councel thus dissolv'd and forth In order came the grand 〈◊〉 Peers Midst came thir mighty Paramount and seemd Alone th' Antagonist of Heav'n nor less Then Hells dread Emperour with pomp Supream And God-like imitated State him round A Globe of fierie Seraphim inclos'd With bright imblazonrie and horrent Arms. Then of thir Session ended they bid cry With Trumpets regal sound the great result Toward the four winds four speedy Cherubim Put to thir mouths the sounding 〈◊〉 By Haralds voice explain'd the 〈◊〉 Abyss Heard farr and wide and all the host of Hell With deafning shout return'd them loud acclaim Thence more at ease thir minds and somwhat rais'd By false presumptuous hope the ranged powers Disband and wandring each his several way Pursues as inclination or sad choice Leads him perplext where he may likeliest 〈◊〉 Truce to his restless thoughts and entertain The irksome hours till his great Chief return Part on the Plain or in the Air sublime Upon the wing or in swift race contend As at th' Olympian Games or Pythian fields Part curb thir fierie Steeds or shun the Goal With rapid wheels or fronted Brigads form As when to warn proud Cities warr appears Wag'd in the troubl'd Skie and Armies rush To Battel in the Clouds before each Van Priâ—… forth the Aerie
Juno smiles when he impregns the Clouds That shed May Flowers and press'd her Matron lip With kisses pure aside the Devil turnd For envie yet with jealous leer maligne Ey'd them askance and to himself thus plaind Sight hateful sight tormenting thus these two Imparadis't in one anothers arms The happier Eden shall enjoy thir fill Of bliss on bliss while I to Hell am thrust Where neither joy nor love but 〈◊〉 desire Among our other torments not the least Still unfulfill'd with pain of longing pines Yet let me not forget what I have gain'd From thir own mouths all is not theirs it seems One fatal Tree there stands of Knowledge call'd Forbidden them to taste Knowledge forbidd'n Suspicious reasonless Why should thir Lord Envie them that can it be sin to know Can it be death and do they onely stand By Ignorance is that thir happie state The proof of thir obedience and thir faith O fair foundation laid whereon to build Thir ruine Hence I will excite thir minds With more desire to know and to reject Envious commands invented with designe To keep them low whom knowledge might exalt 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 unspi'd A chance but chance may lead where I may meet Some wandring Spirit of Heav'n by Fountain 〈◊〉 Or in thick shade retir'd from him to draw What further would be learnt Live while ye may Yet happie pair enjoy till I return Short pleasures for long woes are to succeed So saying his proud step he scornful turn'd But with sly circumspection and began Through wood through waste o're hil o're dale his roam Mean while in utmost Longitude where Heav'n With Earth and Ocean meets the setting Sun Slowly descended and with right aspect Against the eastern Gate of Paradise Leveld his eevning Rayes it was a Rock Of Alablaster pil'd up to the Clouds Conspicuous farr winding with one ascent Accessible from Earth one entrance high The rest was craggie cliff that overhung Still as it rose impossible to climbe Betwixt these rockie Pillars Gabriel 〈◊〉 Chief of th' Angelic Guards awaiting night About him exercis'd Heroic Games Th' unarmed Youth of Heav'n but nigh at hand Celestial Armourie Shields Helmes and Speares Hung high with Diamond flaming and with Gold Thither came Uriel gliding through the Eeven On a Sun beam swift as a shooting Starr In Autumn thwarts the night when vapors fir'd Impress the Air and shews the Mariner From what point of his Compass to beware Impetuous winds he thus began in haste Gabriel to thee thy cours by Lot hath giv'n Charge and strict watch that to this happie place No evil thing approach or enter in This day at highth of Noon came to my Spheare A Spirit zealous as he seem'd to know More of th' Almighties works and chiefly Man Gods latest Image I describ'd his way Bent all on speed and markt his Aerie Gate But in the Mount that lies from Eden North Where he first lighted soon discernd his looks Alien from Heav'n with passions foul obscur'd Mine eye pursu'd him still but under shade Lost sight of him one of the banisht crew I fear hath ventur'd from the deep to raise New troubles him thy care must be to find To whom the winged Warriour thus returnd Uriel no wonder if thy perfet sight Amid the Suns bright circle where thou sitst See farr and wide in at this Gate none pass The vigilance here plac't but such as come Well known from Heav'n and since Meridian hour No Creature thence if Spirit of other sort So minded have oreleapt these earthie bounds On purpose hard thou knowst it to exclude Spiritual substance with corporeal barr But if within the circuit of these walks In whatsoever shape he lurk of whom Thou telst by morrow dawning I shall know So promis'd hee and Uriel to his charge Returnd on that bright beam whose point now raisd Bore him slope downward to the Sun now fall'n Beneath th' Azores whither the prime Orb Incredible how swift had thither rowl'd Diurnal or this less volubil Earth By shorter flight to th' East had left him there Arraying with reflected Purple and Gold The Clouds that on his Western Throne attend Now came still Eevning on and Twilight gray Had in her sober Liverie all things clad Silence accompanied for Beast and Bird They to thir grassie Couch these to thir Nests Were slunk all but the wakeful Nightingale She all night long her amorous descant sung Silence was pleas'd now glow'd the Firmament With living Saphirs Hesperus that led The starrie Host rode brightest till the Moon Rising in clouded Majestie at length Apparent Queen unvaild her peerless light And o're the dark her Silver Mantle threw When Adam thus to Eve Fair Consort th' hour Of night and all things now retir'd 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 slumbrous weight inclines Our eye-lids other Creatures all day long Rove idle unimploid and less need rest Man hath his daily work of body or mind Appointed which declares his Dignitie And the regard of Heav'n on all his waies While other Animals unactive range And of thir doings God takes no account To morrow ere fresh Morning streak the East With first approach of light we must be ris'n And at our pleasant labour to reform Yon flourie Arbors yonder Allies green Our walks at noon with branches overgrown That mock our scant manuring and require More hands then ours to lop thir wanton growth Those Blossoms also and those dropping Gumms That lie bestrowne unsightly and unsmooth Ask riddance if we mean to tread with ease Mean while as Nature wills Night bids us rest To whom thus Eve with perfet beauty adornd My Author and Disposer what thou bidst Unargu'd I obey so God ordains God is thy Law thou mine to know no more Is womans happiest knowledge and her praise With thee conversing I forget all time All seasons and thir change all please alike 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 flour Glistring with dew fragrant the fertil earth After soft showers and sweet the coming on Of grateful Eevning milde then silent Night With this her solemn Bird and this fair Moon And these the Gemms of Heav'n her starrie train But neither breath of Morn when she ascends With charm of earliest Birds nor rising Sun On this delightful land nor herb fruit floure Glistring with dew nor fragrance after showers Nor grateful Evening mild nor silent Night With this her solemn Bird nor walk by Moon Or glittering Starr-light without thee is sweet But wherfore all night long shine these for whom This glorious sight when
up in his own shape the Fiend Back stept those two fair Angels hâ—…lf amaz'd So sudden to behold the grieslie King Yet thus unmovd with fear accost him soon Which of those rebell Spirits adjudg'd to Hell Com'st thou escap'd thy prison and transform'd Why satst thou like an enemie in waite Here watching at the head of these that sleep Know ye not then said Satan filld with scorn Know ye not me ye knew me once no mate For you there sitting where ye durst not soare Not to know mee argue your selves unknown 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 shâ—…pe the same Or undiminisht brightness to be known As when thou stoodst in Heav'n upright and pure That Glorie then when thou no more wast good Departed from thee and thou resembl'st now Thy sin and place of doom obscure and foule But come for thou besure shalt give account To him who sent us whose charge is to keep This place inviolable and these from harm So spake the Cherube and his grave rebuke Severe in youthful beautie added grace Invincible abasht the Devil stood And felt how awful goodness is and saw Vertue in her shape how lovly saw and pin'd His loss but chiefly to find here observd His lustre visibly impar'd yet seemd Undaunted If I must contend said he Best with the best the Sender not the sent Or all at once more glorie will be wonn Or less be lost Thy fear said Zephon bold Will save us trial what the least can doe Single against thee wicked and thence weak The Fiend repli'd not overcome with rage But like a proud Steed reind went hautie on Chaumping his iron curb to strive or flie He held it vain awe from above had quelld His heart not else dismai'd Now drew they nigh The western point where those half-rounding guards Just met closing stood in squadron joind Awaiting next command To whom thir Chief Gabriel from the Front thus calld aloud O friends I hear the tread of nimble fêet Hasting this way and now by glimps discerne Ithuriel and Zephon through the shade And with them comes a third of Regal port But faded splendor wan who by his gate And fierce demeanour seems the Prince of Hell Not likely to part hence without câ—…test Stand firm for in his look defiance lours He scarce had ended when those two approachd And brief related whom they brought wher found How busied in what form and posture coucht To whom with stern regard thus Gabriel spake Why hast thou Satan broke the bounds prescrib'd To thy transgressions and disturbd the charge Of others who approve not to transgress By thy example but have power and right To question thy bold entrance on this place Imploi'd it seems to violate sleep and those Whose dwelling God hath planted here in bliss To whom thus Satan with contemptuous brow Gabriel thou hadst in Heav'n th' esteem of wise And such I held thee but this question askt Puts me in doubt Lives ther who loves his pain Who would not finding way break loose from Hell Though thither doomd Thou wouldst thy self no doubt And boldly venture to whatever place Farthest from pain where thou migâ—…tsti hope to change Torment with ease soonest recompence Dole with delight which in this place I sought To thee no reason who knowst only good But evil hast not tri'd and wilt object His will who bound us let him surer barr His Iron Gates if he intends our stay In that dark durance thus much what was askt The rest is true they found me where they say But that implies not violence or harme Thus hee in scorn The warlike Angel mov'd Disdainfully half smiling thus repli'd O loss of one in Heav'n to judge of wise Since Satan fell whom follie overthrew And now returns him from his prison scap't Gravely in doubt whether to hold them wise Or not who ask what boldness brought him hither Unlicenc't from his bounds in Hell prescrib'd So wise he judges it to sly from pain However and to sĉape his punishment So judge thou still presumptuous till the wrauth Which thou incurr'st by flying meet thy flight Seavenfold and scourge that wisdom back to Hell Which taught thee yet no better that no pain Can equal anger infinite provok't 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 then they Less hardie to endure courageous Chief The first in flight from pain had'st thou alleg'd To thy deserted host this cause of flight Thou surely hadst not come sole fugitive To which the â—…iend thus answerd frowning stern Not that I less endure or shrink from pain Insulting Angel well thou knowst I stood Thy fiercest when in Battel to thy aide The blasting volied Thunder made all speed And seconded thy else not dreaded Spear But still thy words at random as before Argue thy inexperience what behooves From hard assaies and ill successes past A faithful Leader not to hazard all Through wayes of danger by himself untri'd I therefore I alone first undertook To wing the desolate Abyss and spie 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 Aire Though for possession put to try once more What thou and thy gay Legions dare against Whose easier business were to serve thir Lord High up in Heav'n with songs to hymne his Throne And practis'd distances to cringe not fight To whom the warriour Angel soon repli'd To say and strait unsay pretending first Wise to flie pain professing next the Spie Argues no Leader but a lyar trac't Satan and couldst thou faithful add O name O sacred name of faithfulness profan'd Faithful to whom to thy rebellious crew Armie of Fiends fit body to fit head Was this your discipline and faith ingag'd Your military obedience to dissolve Allegeance to th' acknowledg'd Power supream And thou sly hypocrite who now wouldst seem Patron of liberty who more then thou Once fawn'd and cring'd and servilly ador'd Heav'ns awful Monarch wherefore but in hope To dispossess him and thy self to reigne But mark what I arreede thee now avant Flie thither whence thou fledst if from this houre Within these hallowd limits thou appeer Back to th' infernal pit I drag thee chaind And Seale thee so as henceforth not to scorne The facil gates of hell too slightly barrd So threatn'd hee but Satan to no threats Gave heed but waxing more in rage repli'd Then when I am thy captive talk of chaines Proud limitarie Cherube but ere then Farr heavier load thy self expect to feel From my prevailing arme though Heavens King Ride on thy wings and thou with thy Compeers Us'd to the yoak draw'st his triumphant wheels In progress
through the rode of Heav'n Star-pav'd While thus he spake th' Angelic Squadron bright Turnd fierie red sharpning in mooned hornes Thir Phalanx and began to hemm him round With ported Spears as thick as when a field Of Ceres ripe for harvest waving bends Her bearded Grove of ears which way the wind Swayes them the careful Plowman doubting stands Least on the threshing floore his hopeful sheaves Prove chaff On th' other side Satan allarm'd Collâ—…cting all his might dilated stood Like Teneriff or Atlas unremov'd His stature reacht the Skie and on his Crest Sat horror Plum'd nor wanted in his graspe What seemd both Spear and Shield now dreadful deeds Might have ensu'd nor onely Paradise In this commotion but the Starrie Cope Of Heav'n perhaps or all the Elements At least had gon to rack disturbd and torne With violence of this conflict had not soon Th' Eternal to prevent such horrid fray Hung forth in Heav'n his golden Scales yet seen Betwixt Astrea and the Scorpion signe Wherein all things created first he weighd The pendulous round Earth with ballanc't Aire In counterpoise now ponders all events Battels and Realms in these he put two weights The sequel each of parting and of fight The latter quick up flew and kickt the beam Which Gabriel spying thus bespake the Fiend Satan I know thy strength and thou knowst mine Neither our own but giv'n what follie then To boast what Arms can doe since thine no more Then Heav'n permits nor mine though doubld now To trample thee as mire for proof look up And read thy Lot in yon celestial Sign Where thou art weigh'd shown how light how weak If thou resist The Fiend lookt up and knew His mounted scale aloft nor more but fled Murmuring and with him fled the shades of night The End of the Fourth Book PARADISE LOST BOOK V NOw Morn her rosie steps in th' Eastern Clime Advancing sow'd the Earth with Orient Pearle When Adam wak't so customd for his sleep Was Aerie light from pure digestion bred And temperat vapors bland which th' only sound Of leaves and fuming rills Aurora's fan Lightly dispers'd and the shrill Matin Song Of Birds on every bough so much the more His wonder was to find unwak'nd Eve With Tresses discompos'd and glowing Cheek As through unquiet rest he on his side Leaning half-rais'd with looks of cordial Love Hung over her enamour'd and beheld Beautie which whether waking or asleep Shot forth peculiar Graces then with voice Milde as when Zephyrus on Flora breathes Her hand soft touching whisperd thus Awake My fairest my espous'd my latest found Heav'ns last best gift my ever new delight Awake the morning shines and the fresh field Calls us we lose the prime to mark how spring Our tended Plants how blows the Citron Grove What drops the Myrrhe what the balmie Reed How Nature paints her colours how the Bee Sits on the Bloom extracting liquid sweet Such whispering wak'd her but with startl'd eye On Adam whom imbracing thus she spake O Sole in whom my thoughts find all repose My Glorie my Perfection glad I see Thy face and Morn return'd for I this Night Such night till this I never pass'd have dream'd If dream'd not as I oft am wont of thee Works of day pass't or morrows next designe But of offence and trouble which my mind Knew never till this irksom night methought Close at mine ear one call'd me forth to walk With gentle voice I thought it thine it said Why sleepst thou Eve now is the pleasant time The cool the silent save where silence yields To the night-warbling Bird that now awake Tunes sweetest his love-labor'd song now reignes Full Orb'd the Moon and with more pleasing light Shadowie sets off the face of things in vain If none regard Heav'n wakes with all his eyes Whom to behold but thee Natures desire In whose sight all things joy with ravishment Attracted by thy beauty still to gaze I rose as at thy call but found thee not To find thee I directed then my walk And on methought alone I pass'd through ways That brought me on a sudden to the Tree Of interdicted Knowledge fair it seem'd Much-fairer to my Fancie then by day And as I wondring lookt beside it stood One shap'd wing'd like one of those from Heav'n By us oft seen his dewie locks distill'd Ambrosia on that Tree he also gaz'd And O fair Plant said he with fruit surcharg'd Deigns none to ease thy load and taste thy sweet Nor God nor Man is Knowledge so despis'd Or envie or what reserve forbids to taste Forbid who will none shall from me withhold Longer thy offerd good why else set here This said he paus'd not but with ventrous Arme He pluckt he tasted mee damp horror chil'd At such bold words voucht with a deed so bold But he thus overjoy'd O Fruit Divine Sweet of thy self but much more sweet thus cropt Forbidd'n here it seems as onely fit For Gods yet able to make Gods of Men And why not Gods of Men since good the more Communicated more abundant growes The Author not impair'd but honourd more Here happie Creature fair Angelic Eve Partake thou also happie though thou art Happier thou mayst be worthier canst not be Taste this and be henceforth among the Gods Thy self a Goddess not to Earth confind But somtimes in the Air as wee somtimes Ascend to Heav'n by merit thine and see What life the Gods livethere and such live thou So saying he drew nigh and to me held Even to my mouth of that same fruit held part Which he had pluckt the pleasant savourie smell So quick'nd appetite that I methought Could not but taste Forthwith up to the Clouds With him I flew and underneath beheld The Earth outstretcht immense a prospect wide And various wondring at my flight and change To this high exaltation suddenly My Guide was gon and I me thought sunk down And fell asleep but O how glad I wak'd To find this but a dream Thus Eve her Night Related and thus Adam answerd sad Best Image of my self and dearer half The trouble of thy thoughts this night in sleep Affects me equally nor can I like This uncouth dream of evil sprung I fear Yet evil whence in thee can harbour none Created pure But know that in the Soule Are many lesser Faculties that serve Reason as chief among these Fansie next Her office holds of all external things Which the five watchful Senses represent She forms Imaginations Aerie shapes Which Reason joyning or disjoyning frames All what we affirm or what deny and call Our knowledge or opinion then retires Into her private Cell when Nature refts Oft in her absence mimic Fansie wakes To imitate her but misjoyning shapes Wilde work produces oft and most in dreams Ill matching words and deeds long past or late Som such resemblances methinks I find Of our last Eevnings talk in this thy dream But with addition strange yet be not sad Evil into
Among them he arriv'd in his right hand Grasping ten thousand Thunders which he sent Before him such as in thir Soules infix'd Plagues they astonisht all resistance lost All courage down thir idle weapons drop'd O're Shields and Helmes and helmed heads he rode Of Thrones and mighty Seraphim prostrate That wish'd the Mountains now might be again Thrown on them as a shelter from his ire Nor less on either side tempestuous fell His arrows from the fourfold-visag'd Foure Distinct with eyes and from the living Wheels Distinct alike with multitude of eyes One Spirit in them rul'd and every eye Glar'd lightning and shot forth pernicious fire Among th' accurst that witherd all thir strength And of thir wonted vigour left them draind Exhausted spiritless afflicted fall'n Yet half his strength he put not forth but check'd His Thunder in mid Volie for he meant Not to destroy but root them out of Heav'n The overthrown he rais'd and as a Heard Of Goats or 〈◊〉 flock together throngd Drove them before him Thunder-struck pursu'd With terrors and with suries to the bounds And Chrystall wall of Heav'n which op'ning wide Rowld inward and a spacious Gap disclos'd Into the wastful Deep the monstrous sight Strook them with horror backward but far worse Urg'd them behind headlong themselvs they threw Dòwn from the verge of Heav'n Eternal wrauth Burnt after them to the bottomless pit Hell heard th' unsufferable noise Hell saw Heav'n ruining from Heav'n and would have fled Affrighted but strict Fate had cast too deep Her dark foundations and too fast had bound Nine dayes they fell confounded 〈◊〉 roard And felt tenfold confusion in thir fall Through his wilde Anarchie so huge a rout Incumberd him with ruin Hell at last Yawning receavd them whole and on them clos'd Hell thir fit habitation fraught with fire Unquenchable the house of woe and paine Disburd'nd Heav'n rejoie'd and soon repaird Her mural breach returning whence it rowld Sole Victor from th' expulsion of his Foes Messiah his triumphal Chaâ—…iot turnd To meet him all his Saints who silent stood Eye witnesses of his Almightie Acts With Jubilie advanc'd and as they went Shaded with branching Palme each order bright Sung Triumph and him sung Victorious King Son Heire and Lord to him Dominion giv'n Worthiest to Reign he celebrated rode Triumphant through mid Heav'n into the Courts And Temple of his mightie Father Thron'd On high who into Glorie him receav'd Where now he sits at the right hand of bliss Thus measuring things in Heav'n by things on Earth At thy request and that thou maist beware By what is past to thee I have reveal'd What might have else to human Race bin hid The discord which befel and Warr in Heav'n Among th' Angelic Powers and the deep fall Of those too high aspiring who rebelld With Satan hee who envies now thy state Who now is plotting how he may seduce Thee also from obedience that with him Bereavd of happiness thou maist partake His punishment Eternal miserie Which would be all his solace and revenge As a despite don against the most High Thee once to gaine Companion of his woe But list'n not to his Temptations warne Thy weaker let it profit thee to have heard By terrible Example the reward Of disobedience firm they might have stood Yet fell remember and fear to transgress The End of the Sixth Book PARADISE LOST BOOK VII DEscend from Heav'n Urania by that name If rightly thou art call'd whose Voice divine Following above th' Olâ—…mpian Hill I soare Above the flight of Pegasean wing The meaning not the Name I call for thou Nor of the Muses nine nor on the top Of old Olympus dwell'st but Heav'nlie borne Before the Hills appeerd or Fountain flow'd Thou with Eternal wisdom didst converse Wisdom thy Sister and with her didst play In presence of th' Almightie Father pleas'd With thy Celestiul Song Up led by thee Into the Heav'n of Heav'ns I have presum'd An 〈◊〉 Guest and drawn Empyreal Aire Thy tempring with like safetie guided down Return me to my Native Element Least from this flying Steed unrein'd as once Bellerophon though from a lower Clime Dismounted on th' Aleian Field I fall Erroneous there to wander and forlorne Half yet remaines unsung but narrower bound Within the visible Diurnal Spheare Standing on Earth not rapt above the Pole More safe I Sing with mortal voice unchang'd To hoarce or mute though fall'n on evil dayes On evil dayes though fall'n and evil tongues In darkness and with dangers compast rouud And solitude yet not alone while thou Visit'st my slumbers Nightly or when Morn Purples the East still govern thou my Song Urania and fit audience find though few But drive farr off the barbarous dissonance Of Bacchus and his Revellers the Race Of that wilde Rout that tore the Thracian Bard In Rhodope where Woods and Rocks had Eares To rapture till the savage clamor dround Both Harp and Voice nor could the Muse defend Her Son So fail not thou who thee implores For thou art Heav'n lie shee an empty dreame Say Goddess what ensu'd when Raphael The affable Arch-angel had forewarn'd Adam by dire example to beware Apostafie by what befell in Heaven To those Apostates least the like befall In Paradise to Adam or his Race Charg'd not to touch the interdicted Tree If they transgress and slight that sole command So easily obeyd amid the choice Of all tasts else to please thir appetite Though wandring He with his consorted Eve The storie heard attentive and was fill'd With admiration and deep Muse to heare Of things so high and strange things to thirthought So unimaginable as hate in Heav'n And Warr so neer the Peace of God in bliss With such confusion but the evil soon Driv'n back redounded as a flood on those From whom it sprung impossible to mix With Blessedness Whence Adam soon repeal'd The doubts that in his heart arose and now Led on yet sinless with desire to know What neerer might concern him how this World Of Heav'n and Earth conspicuous first began When and whereof created for what cause What within Eden or without was done Before his memorie as one whose drouth Yet scarce allay'd still eyes the current streame Whose liquid murmur heard new thirst excites Proceeded thus to ask his Heav'nly Guest Great things and full of wonder in our eares Farr differing from this World thou hast reveal'd Divine Interpreter by favour sent Down from the Empyrean to forewarne Us timely of what might else have bin our loss Unknown which human knowledg could not reach For which to the infinitly Good we owe Immortal thanks and his admonishment Receave with solemne purpose to observe Immutably his sovran will the end Of what we are But sinâ—…e thou hast voutsaf't Gently for our instruction to impart Things above Earthly thought which yet concernd Our knowing as to highest wisdom seemd Deign to descend now lower and râ—…late What may no less perhaps availe us known How
darkness by the Hemisphere Divided Light the Day and Darkness Night He nam'd Thus was the first Day Eev'n and Morn Nor past uncelebrated nor unsung By the Celestial Quires when Orient Light Exhaling first from Darkness they beheld Birth-day of Heav'n and Earth with joy and shout The hollow Universal Orb they fill'd And touch't thir Golden Harps hymning prais'd God and his works Creatour him they sung Both when first Eevning was and when first Morn Again God said let ther be Firmament Amid the Waters and let it divide The Waters from the Waters and God made The Firmament expanse of liquid pure Transparent Elemental Air diffus'd In circuit to the uttermost convex Of this great Round partition firm and sure The Waters underneath from those above Dividing for as Earth so hee the World Built on circumfluous Waters calme in wide Crystallin Ocean and the loud misrule Of Chaos farr remov'd least fierce extreames Contiguous might distemper the whole frame And Heav'n he nam'd the Firmament So Eev'n And Morning Chorus sung the second Day The Earth was form'd but in the Womb as yet Of Waters Embryon immature involv'd Appeer'd not over all the face of Earth Main Ocean flow'd not idle but with warme Prolific humour soft'ning all her Globe Fermented the great Mother to conceave Satiate with genial moisture when God said Be gather'd now ye Waters under Heav'n Into one place and let dry Land appeer Immediately the Mountains huge appeer Emergent and thir broad bare backs upheave Into the Clouds thir tops ascend the Skie So high as heav'd the tumid Hills so low Down sunk a hollow bottom broad and deep Capacious bed of Waters thither they Hasted with glad precipitance uprowld As drops on dust conglobing from the drie Part rise in crystal Wall or ridge direct For haste such 〈◊〉 the great command impress'd On the swift slouds as Armies at the call Of Trumpet for of Armies thou hast heard Troop to thir Standard so the watrie throng Wave rowling after Wave where way they found If steep with torrent rapture if through Plaine Soft ebbing nor withstood them Rock or Hill But they or under ground or circuit wide With Serpent errour wandring found thir way And on the waâ—…hie Oose deep Channels wore Easie e're God had bid the ground be drie All but within those banks where Rivers now Stream and perpetual draw thir humid traine The dry Land Earth and the great receptacle Of congregated Waters he call'd Seas And saw that it was good and said Let th' Earth Put forth the verdant Grass Herb yeilding Seed And Fruit Tree yeilding Fruit after her kind Whose Seed is in her self upon the Earth He scarce had said when the bare Earth till then Desert and bare unsightly unadorn'd Brought forth the tender Grass whose verdure clad Her Universal Face with pleasant green Then Herbs of every leaf that sudden flour'd Op'ning thir various colours and made gay Her bosom smelling sweet and these scarce blown Forth flourish't thick the clustring Vine forth crept The smelling Gourd up stood the cornie Reed Embattell'd in her field add the humble Shrub And Bush with frizl'd hair implicit last Rose as in Dance the stately Trees and spred Thir branches hung with copious Fruit or gemm'd Thir Blossoms with high Woods the Hills were crownd With tufts the vallies each fountain side With borders long the Rivers That Earth now Seemd like to Heav'n a seat where Gods might dwell Or wander with delight and love to haunt Her sacred shades though God had yet not rain'd Upon the Earth and man to till the ground None was but from the Earth a dewie Mist Went up and waterd all the ground and each Plant of the field which e're it was in the Earth God made and every Herb before it grew On the green stemm God saw that it was good So Eev'n and Morn recorded the Third Day Again th' Almightie spake Let there be Lights High in th' expanse of Heaven to divide The Day from Night and let them be for Signes For Seasons and for Dayes and circling Years And let them be for Lights as I ordaine Thir Office in the Firmament of Heav'n To give Light on the Earth and it was so And God made two great Lights great for thir use To Man the greater to have rule by Day The less by Night alterne and made the Starrs And set them in the Firmament of Heav'n To illuminate the Earth and rule the Day In thir vicissitude and rule the Night And Light from Darkness to divide God saw Surveying his great Work that it was good For of Celestial Bodies first the Sun A mightie Spheare he fram'd unlight som first Though of Ethereal Mould then form'd the Moon Globose and everie magnitude of Starrs And sowd with Starrs the Heav'n thick as a field Of Light by farr the greater part he took Transplanted from her cloudie Shrine and plac'd â—…n the Suns Orb made porous to receive And drink the liquid Light firm to retaine Her gather'd beams great Palace now of Light Hither as to thir Fountain other Starrs Repairing in thir gold'n Urns draw Light And hence the Morning Planet guilds his horns By tincture or reflection they augment Thir small peculiar though from human sight So farr remote with diminution seen First in his East the glorious Lamp was seen Regent of Day and all th' Horizon round Invested with bright Rayes jocond to 〈◊〉 His Longitude through Heav'ns high rode the gray Dawn and the Pleiades before him danc'd Shedding sweet influence less bright the Moon But opposite in leveld West was set His mirror with full face borrowing her Light From him for other light she needed none In that aspect and still that distance keepes Till night then in the East her turn she shines Revolvd on Heav'ns great Axle and her Reign With thousand lesser Lights dividual holds With thousand thousand Starres that then appeer'd Spangling the Hemisphere then first adornd With thir bright Luminaries that Set and Rose Glad Eevning glad Morn crownd the fourth day And God said let the Waters generate Reptil with Spawn abundant living Soule And let Fowle flie above the Earth with wings Displayd on the op'n Firmament of Heav'n And God created the great Whales and each Soul living each that crept which plenteously The waters generated by thir kindes And every Bird of wing after his kinde And saw that it was good and bless'd them saying Be fruitful multiply and in the Seas And Lakes and running Streams the waters fill And let the Fowle be multiply'd on the Earth Forth with the Sounds and Seas each Creek Bay With Frie innumerable swarme and Shoales Of Fish that with thir Finns and shining Scales Glide under the green Wave in Sculles that oft Bank the mid Sea part single or with mate Graze the Sea weed thir pasture through Groves Of Coral stray or sporting with quick glance Show to the Sun thir wav'd coats dropt with Gold Or