Book II
Paradise Lost
BOOK II.
THE ARGUMENT.
The Consultation begun, Satan debates whether another battle be to be hazarded for the recovery of Heaven: some advise it, others dissuade: A third proposal is preferr'd, mention'd 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 honour'd and applauded. The council thus ended, the rest betake them several ways and to several employments, 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 open'd, 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.
High on a throne of royal state, which far Outshone the wealth of Ormus and of Ind, Or where the gorgeous East with richest hand Showers on her kings Barbaric pearl and gold, Satan exalted sat, by merit rais'd To that bad eminence; and from despair Thus high uplifted beyond hope, aspires Beyond thus high, insatiate to pursue Vain war with Heav'n, and by success untaught His proud imaginations thus display'd.
Powers and Dominions, Deities of Heav'n, For since no deep within her gulf can hold Immortal vigour, though opprest and fall'n, I give not Heav'n for lost. From this descent Celestial virtues rising, will appear More glorious and more dread than from no fall, And trust themselves to fear no second fate: Me though just right, and the fix'd laws of Heav'n Did first create your Leader, next free choice, With what besides, in counsel or in Fight, Hath been achiev'd of merit, yet this loss Thus far at least recover'd, hath much more Establish'd in a safe unenvied throne Yielded with full consent. The happier state In Heav'n, which follows dignity, might draw Envy from each inferior; but who here Will envy whom the highest place exposes For most to stand against the Thunderer's aim Your bulwark, and condemns to greatest share Of endless pain? where there is then no good For which to strive, no strife can grow up there From faction; for none sure will claim in Hell precedence, none, whose portion is so small Of present pain, that with ambitious mind Will covet more. With this advantage then To union, and firm faith, and firm accord, More than can be in Heav'n, we now return To claim our just inheritance of old, Surer to prosper than prosperity Could have assur'd us; and by what best way, Whether of open war or covert guile, We now debate; who can advise, may speak,
He ceas'd, and next him Moloc, sceptred king Stood up, the strongest and the fiercest spirit That fought in Heav'n; now fiercer by despair: His trust was with th' Eternal to be deem'd Equal in strength, and rather than be less Car'd not to be at all; with that care lost Went all his fear: of God, or Hell, or worse He reck'd not, and these words thereafter spake.
My sentence is for open war: Of wiles, More unexpert, I boast not: them let those Contrive who need, or when they need, not now For while they sit contriving, shall the rest, Millions that stand in arms, and longing wait The signal to ascend, sit ling'ring here Heav'n's fugitives, and for their dwelling place Accept this dark opprobrious den of shame, The prison of his tyranny who Reigns By our delay? no, let us rather choose Arm'd with Hell flames and fury all at once O'er Heav'n's high tow'rs to force resistless way, Turning our torturer into horrid arms Against the torturer; when to meet the noise Of his Almighty engine he shall hear Infernal thunder, and for lightning see Black fire and horror shot with equal rage Among his Angels; and his throne itself Mix'd with Tartarean sulphur, and strange fire, His own invented torments. But perhaps The way seems difficult and steep to scale With upright wing against a higher foe. Let such bethink them, if the sleepy drench Of that forgetful lake benumb not still, That in our proper motion we ascend Up to our native seat: descent and fall To us is adverse. Who but felt of late When the fierce foe hung on our broken rear Insulting, and pursu'd us through the deep, With what compulsion and laborious flight We sunk thus low? Th' ascent is easy then; Th' event is fear'd; should we again provoke Our stronger, some worse way his wrath may find To our destruction: if there be in Hell Fear to be worse destroy'd: what can be worse Than to dwell here, driv'n out from bliss, condemn'd In this abhorred deep to utter woe; Where pain of unextinguishable fire Must exercise us without hope of end The vassals of his anger, when the scourge Inexorably, and the torturing hour Calls us to penance? More destroy'd than thus We should be quite abolish'd and expire. What fear we then? what doubt we to incense His utmost ire? which to the height enrag'd, Will either quite consume us, and reduce To nothing this essential, happier far Than miserable to have eternal being: Or if our substance be indeed Divine, And cannot cease to be, we are at worst On this side nothing; and by proof we feel Our power sufficient to disturb his Heav'n, And with perpetual inroads to alarm, Though inaccessible, his fatal throne: Which if not victory is yet revenge.
He ended frowning, and his look denounc'd Desperate revenge, and battle dangerous To less than Gods. On th' other side up rose Belial, in act more graceful and humane; A fairer person lost not Heav'n; he seem'd For dignity compos'd and high exploit: But all was false and hollow; though his tongue Dropt manna, and could make the worse appear The better reason, to perplex and dash Maturest counsels: for his thoughts were low; To vice industrious, but to Nobler deeds Timorous and slothful: yet he pleas'd the ear, And with persuasive accent thus began.
I should be much for open war, O Peers, As not behind in hate; if what was urg'd Main reason to persuade immediate war, Did not dissuade me most, and seem to cast Ominous conjecture on the whole success: When he who most excels in fact of arms, In what he counsels and in what excels Mistrustful, grounds his courage on despair And utter dissolution, as the scope Of all his aim, after some dire revenge. First, what revenge? the tow'rs of Heav'n are fill'd With Armed watch, that render all access Impregnable; oft on the bordering deep Encamp their legions, or with obscure wing Scout far and wide into the realm of night, Scorning surprize. Or could we break our way By force, and at our heels all Hell should rise With blackest insurrection, to confound Heav'n's purest, Light, yet our great enemy All incorruptible would on his throne Sit unpolluted, and th' Ethereal mould Incapable of stain would soon expel Her mischief, and purge off the baser fire victorious. Thus repuls'd, our final hope Is flat despair: we must exasperate Th' Almighty victor to spend all his rage, And that must end us, that must be our cure, To be no more; sad cure; for who would lose, Though full of pain, this intellectual being, Those thoughts that wander through eternity, To perish rather, swallow'd up and lost In the wide womb of uncreated night, Devoid of sense and motion? and who knows, Let this be good, whether our angry foe Can give it, or will ever? how he can Is doubtful; that he never will is sure. Will he, so wise, let loose at once his ire, Belike through impotence, or unaware, To give his Enemies their wish, and end Them in his anger, whom his anger saves To punish endless? wherefore cease we then? Say they who counsel war, we are decreed, Reserv'd and destin'd to Eternal woe; Whatever doing, what can we suffer more, What can we suffer worse? is this then worst, Thus sitting, thus consulting, thus in arms? What when we fled amain, pursu'd and strook With Heav'n's afflicting thunder, and besought The deep to shelter us? this Hell then seem'd A refuge from those wounds: or when we lay chain'd on the burning lake? that sure was worse. What if the breath that kindl'd those grim fires Awak'd should blow them into sevenfold rage And plunge us in the flames? or from above Should intermitted vengeance arm again His red right hand to plague us? what if all Her stores were open'd, and this Firmament Of Hell should spout her cataracts of fire, Impendent horrors, threat'ning hideous fall One day upon our heads; while we perhaps Designing or exhorting glorious war, Caught in a fiery tempest shall be hurl'd Each on his rock transfixt, the sport and prey Of racking whirlwinds, or for ever sunk Under yon boiling ocean, wrapped in chains; There to converse with everlasting groans, Unrespited, unpitied, unrepriev'd, Ages of hopeless end; this would be worse. War therefore, open or conceal'd, alike My voice dissuades; for what can force or guile With him, or who deceive his mind, whose eye Views all things at one view? he from Heav'n's height All these our motions vain, sees and derides; Not more Almighty to resist our might Than wise to frustrate all our plots and wiles. Shall we then live thus vile, the Race of Heav'n Thus trampl'd, thus expell'd to suffer here Chains and these torments? better these than worse By my advice; since fate inevitable Subdues us, and Omnipotent Decree, The victor's will. To suffer, as to do, Our strength is equal, nor the Law unjust That so ordains: this was at first resolv'd; If we were wise, against so great a foe Contending, and so doubtful what might fall. I laugh, when those who at the Spear are bold And vent'rous, if that fail them, shrink and fear What yet they know must follow, to endure Exile, or ignominy, or bonds, or pain, The sentence of their Conqueror: This is now Our doom; which if we can sustain and bear, Our Supreme Foe in time may much remit His anger, and perhaps thus far remov'd Not mind us not offending, satisfi'd With what is punished; whence these raging fires Will slacken, if his breath stir not their flames. Our purer essence then will overcome Their noxious vapour, or enur'd not feel, Or chang'd at length, and to the place conform'd 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 may bring, what chance, what change Worth waiting, since our present lot appears For happy though but ill, for ill not worst, If we procure not to our selves more woe.
Thus Belial words cloth'd in reason's garb Counsel'd ignoble ease, and peaceful sloth, Not peace: and after him thus Mammon spake.
Either to disinthrone the King of Heav'n We war, if war be best, or to regain Our own right lost: him to unthrone we then May hope when everlasting Fate shall yield 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'n's bound, unless Heav'n's Lord supreme 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 warbled hymns, and to his Godhead sing Forced Hallelujahs; while he Lordly sits Our envied Sovereign, and his altar breathes Ambrosial Odours and Ambrosial Flowers, Our servile offerings. This must be our task In Heav'n this our delight; how wearisome 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 easy 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'n's 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 their rage, and Heav'n resembles Hell? As he our darkness, cannot we his Light Imitate when we please? This desert soil Wants not her hidden lustre, Gems and gold; Nor want we skill or Art, from whence to raise Magnificence; and what can Heav'n show 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 settled state Of order, how in safety best we may Compose our present evils, with regard Of what we are and were, dismissing quite All thoughts of war: ye have what I advise.
He scarce had finished, when such murmur fill'd Th' assembly, as when hollow rocks retain The sound of blust'ring winds, which all night long Had rous'd the Sea, now with hoarse cadence lull Sea-faring men overwatched, 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 such another Field They dreaded worse than 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 policy, and long process of time, In emulation opposite to Heav'n. Which when Beelzebub perceived, than 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 public care; And princely counsel in his face yet shone, Majestic 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 Summer's noontide air, while thus he spake.
Thrones and imperial powers, offspring of Heav'n Ethereal virtues; 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'n's high jurisdiction, in new League Banded against his throne, but to remain In strictest bondage, though thus far remov'd, Under th' inevitable curb, reserv'd His captive multitude: For he, be sure In height or depth, still first and last will reign Sole King, and of his Kingdom lose no part By our revolt, but over Hell extend His empire, and with iron sceptre rule Us here, as with his golden those in Heav'n. What sit we then projecting peace and war? War hath determin'd us, and foil'd with loss Irreparable; terms of peace yet none Vouchsaf'd 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 Conqueror least May reap his conquest, and may least rejoice 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 enterprise? There is a place (if ancient and prophetic fame in Heav'n Err not) another world, the happy seat Of some 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'n's whole 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 their power, And where their weakness, how attempted best, By force or subtlety: Though Heav'n be shut, And Heav'n's 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 Some advantageous act may be achiev'd By sudden onset, either with Hell fire To waste his whole Creation, or possess All as our own, and drive as we were driven, The puny habitants, or if not drive, Seduce them to our Party, that their God May prove their foe, and with repenting 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 darling sons Hurl'd headlong to partake with us, shall curse Their frail Original, 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 Satan, and in part propos'd: for whence, But from the Author of all ill could Spring So deep a malice, to confound the race Of mankind in one root, and Earth with Hell To mingle and involve, done all to spite The great Creator? But their spite still serves His glory to augment. The bold design Pleas'd highly those infernal States, and joy Sparkl'd in all their 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, Nearer our ancient seat; perhaps in view Of those bright confines, whence with neighbouring arms And opportune excursion we may chance Re-enter Heav'n; or else in some mild Zone Dwell not unvisited of Heav'n's fair light Secure, and at the bright'ning Orient beam Purge off this gloom; the soft delicious air, To heal the scar of these corrosive fires Shall breathe her balm. But first whom shall we send In search of this new world, whom shall we find Sufficient? who shall tempt with wand'ring feet The dark unbottom'd infinite Abyss And through the palpable obscure find out His uncouth way, or spread his airy flight Upborn with indefatigable wings Over the vast abrupt, ere he arrive The happy Isle; what strength, what art can then Suffice, or what evasion bear him safe Through the strict sentries 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 suspense, awaiting who appear'd To second, or oppose, or undertake The perilous attempt: but all sat mute, Pondering the danger with deep thoughts; and each In others count'nance read his own dismay Astonished: none among the choice and prime Of those Heav'n-waring champions could be found So hardy as to proffer or accept Alone the dreadful voyage; till at last Satan, whom now transcendent glory rais'd 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 demurr Seiz'd us, though undismay'd: long is the way And hard, that ope 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 loss of being Threatens him, plung'd in that abortive gulf. If thence he 'scape into whatever world, Or unknown Region, what remains him less Than unknown dangers and as hard escape. But I should ill become this throne, O Peers, And this imperial sovereignty, adorn'd With splendour, arm'd with power, if aught propos'd And judg'd of public moment, in the shape Of difficulty or danger could deterr 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 honour'd sits? Go therefore 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 tolerable; 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, lest from his resolution rais'd Others among the chief might offer now (Certain to be refus'd) what erst they fear'd; 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 than his voice Forbidding; and at once with him they rose; Their 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 Lose all her virtue; lest bad men should boast Their specious deeds on earth, which glory excites, Or close ambition varnish'd o'er with zeal. Thus they their doubtful consultations dark Ended rejoicing in their matchless Chief: As when from mountain tops the dusky clouds Ascending, while the North wind sleeps, o'erspread Heav'n's cheerful face, the lowering element Scowls o'er the dark'ned landscape snow, or shower; If chance the radiant Sun with farewell sweet Extend his ev'ning beam, the fields revive, The birds their notes renew, and bleating herds Attest their joy, that hill and valley rings. O shame to men! Devil with Devil damn'd Firm concord holds, men only disagree Of Creatures rational, though under hope Of heavenly Grace: and God proclaiming peace, Yet live in hatred, enmity, and strife Among themselves, and levy cruel wars, Wasting the Earth, each other to destroy: As if (which might induce us to accord) Man had not hellish foes enow besides, That day and night for his destruction wait.
The Stygian counsel thus dissolv'd; and forth In order came the grand infernal Peers, Midst came their mighty paramount, and seem'd Alone th' Antagonist of Heav'n, nor less Than Hell's dread emperor with pomp supreme, And God-like imitated State; him round A Globe of fiery Seraphim inclos'd With bright emblazonry, and horrent arms. Then of their session ended they bid cry With trumpets regal sound the great result: Toward the four winds four speedy Cherubim Put to their mouths the sounding alchemy By heralds' voice explain'd: the hollow abyss Heard far and wide, and all the host of Hell With deaf'ning shout, return'd them loud acclaim. Thence more at ease their minds and somewhat rais'd By false presumptuous hope, the ranged powers Disband, and wand'ring, each his several way Pursues, as inclination or sad choice Leads him perplext, where he may likeliest find Truce to his restless thoughts, and entertain The irksome hours, till this 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 their fiery steeds, or shun the goal With rapid wheels, or fronted brigades form. As when to warn proud Cities war appears Wag'd in the troubl'd sky, and Armies rush To battle in the clouds, before each van Prick forth the airy Knights, and couch their spears Till thickest legions close; with feats of arms From either end of Heav'n the welkin burns. Others with vast Typhoean rage more fell Rend up both rocks and Hills, and ride the air In whirlwind; Hell scarce holds the wild uproar. As when Alcides from Oechalia Crown'd With conquest, felt th' envenom'd robe, and tore Through pain up by the roots Thessalian Pines, And Lichas from the top of Oeta threw Into th' Euboic Sea. Others more mild, Retreated in a silent valley, sing With notes Angelical to many a Harp Their own Heroic deeds and hapless fall By doom of battle; and complain that Fate Free virtue should enthrall to Force or Chance. Their Song was partial, but the harmony (What could it less when spirits immortal sing?) Suspended Hell, and took with ravishment The thronging audience. In discourse more sweet (For eloquence the soul, song charms the sense,) Others apart sat on a Hill retir'd, In thoughts more elevate, and reason'd high Of Providence, foreknowledge, will and fate, Fixt Fate, free will, foreknowledge absolute, And found no end, in wand'ring mazes lost. Of good and evil much they argu'd then, Of happiness and final misery, Passion and Apathy, and glory and shame, Vain wisdom all, and false philosophy: Yet with a pleasing sorcery could charm Pain for a while or anguish, and excite Fallacious hope, or arm th' obdured breast With stubborn patience as with triple steel. Another part in Squadrons and gross Bands, On bold adventure to discover wide That dismal world, if any clime perhaps Might yield them easier habitation, bend Four ways their flying march, along the banks Of four infernal Rivers that disgorge Into the burning lake their baleful streams; Abhorred Styx the flood of deadly hate, Sad Acheron of sorrow, black and deep; Cocytus, nam'd of lamentation loud Heard on the rueful stream; fierce Phlegeton Whose waves of torrent fire inflame with rage▪ Far off from these a slow and silent stream, Lethe the river of Oblivion rolls Her watery labyrinth, whereof who drinks, Forthwith his former state and being forgets, Forgets both joy and grief, pleasure and pain. Beyond this flood a frozen Continent Lies dark and wild, beat with perpetual storms Of whirlwind and dire hail, which on firm land Thaws not, but gathers heap, and ruin seems Of ancient pile; all else deep snow and ice, A gulf profound as that Serbonian Bog Betwixt Damiata and mount Casius old, Where Armies whole have sunk: the parching air Burns frore, and cold performs th' effect of fire. Thither by harpy-footed furies hail'd, At certain revolutions all the damn'd Are brought: and feel by turns the bitter change Of fierce extremes, extremes by change more fierce, From Beds of raging fire to starve in Ice Their soft Ethereal warmth, and there to pine Immovable, infixt, and frozen round, Periods of time, thence hurried back to fire. They ferry over this Lethean Sound Both to and fro, their sorrow to augment, And wish and struggle, as they pass, to reach The tempting stream, with one small drop to lose In sweet forgetfulness all pain and woe, All in one moment, and so near the brink; But Fate withstands, and to oppose th' attempt Medusa with Gorgonian terror guards The Ford, and of it self the water flies All taste of living wight, as once it fled The lip of Tantalus. Thus roving on In confus'd march forlorn, th' adventurous bands With shudd'ring horror pale, and eyes aghast View'd first their lamentable lot, and found No rest: through many a dark and dreary vale They pass'd, and many a region dolorous, O'er many a Frozen, many a fiery Alpe, Rocks, Caves, Lakes, Fens, Bogs, Dens, and shades of death, A universe of death, which God by curse Created evil, for evil only good, Where all life dies, death lives, and Nature breeds, Perverse, all monstrous, all prodigious things, Abominable, inutterable, and worse Than Fables yet have feign'd, or fear conceiv'd, Gorgons and Hydra's, and Chimera's dire.
Mean while the Adversary of God and Man, Satan with thoughts inflam'd of highest design, Puts on swift wings, and towards the gates of Hell Explores his solitary flight; sometimes He scours the right hand coast, sometimes the left, Now shaves with level wing the deep, then soars Up to the fiery concave tow'ring high. As when far off at sea a Fleet descri'd Hangs in the clouds, by Equinoctial winds Close sailing from Bengala, or the isles Of Ternate and Tidore, whence Merchants bring Their spicy drugs: they on the trading flood Through the wide Ethiopian to the Cape Ply stemming nightly toward the Pole. So seem'd Far off the flying Fiend: at last appeer Hell bounds high reaching to the horrid Roof, And thrice threefold the gates; three folds were Brass, Three iron, three of Adamantine rock, Impenetrable, impal'd with circling fire, Yet unconsum'd. Before the gates there sat On either side a formidable shape; The one seem'd woman to the waste, and fair, But ended foul in many a scaly fold Voluminous and vast, a Serpent arm'd With mortal sting: about her middle round A cry of Hell Hounds never ceasing bark'd With wide Cerberian mouths full loud, and rung A hideous Peal: yet, when they list, would creep, If aught disturb'd their noyse, into her womb, And kennel there, yet there still bark'd and howl'd, Within unseen. Far less abhorred than these Vex'd Scylla bathing in the Sea that parts Calabria from the hoarse Trinacrian shore: Nor uglier follow the Night-Hag, when call'd In secret, riding through the air she comes Lur'd with the smell of infant blood, to dance With Lapland witches, while the labouring Moon Eclipses at their charms. The other shape, If shape it might be call'd that shape had none Distinguishable in member, joint, or limb, Or substance might be call'd that shadow seem'd, For each seem'd either; black it stood as Night, Fierce as ten Furies, terrible as Hell, And shook a dreadful Dart; what seem'd his head The likeness of a Kingly Crown had on. Satan was now at hand, and from his seat The Monster moving onward came as fast With horrid strides, Hell trembled as he strode. Th' undaunted Fiend what this might be admir'd, Admir'd, not fear'd; God and his Son except, Created thing naught valu'd he nor shun'd; And with disdainful look thus first began.
Whence and what art thou, execrable shape, That dar'st, though grim and terrible, advance Thy miscreated Front athwart my way To yonder gates? through them I mean to pass, That be assur'd, without leave askt of thee: Retire, or taste thy folly, and learn by proof, Hell-born, not to contend with spirits of Heav'n.
To whom the Goblin full of wrath reply'd, Art thou that Traitor Angel, art thou he, Who first broke peace in Heav'n and faith, till then Unbrok'n, and in proud rebellious arms Drew after him the third part of Heav'n's Sons Conjur'd against the highest, for which both Thou And they outcast from God, are here condemn'd To waste Eternal days in woe and pain? And reck'n'st thou thy self with spirits of Heav'n, Hell-doom'd, and breath'st defiance here and scorn Where I reign King, and to enrage thee more, Thy King and Lord? Back to thy punishment, False fugitive, and to thy speed add wings, Lest with a whip of Scorpions I pursue Thy ling'ring, or with one stroke of this Dart Strange horror seize thee, and pangs unfelt before.
So spake the grisly terror, and in shape, So speaking and so threat'ning, grew tenfold More dreadful and deform: on th' other side Incenst with indignation Satan stood Unterrifi'd, and like a comet burn'd, That fires the length of Ophiucus huge In th' Arctic sky, and from his horrid hair Shakes pestilence and war. Each at the head Level'd his deadly aim; their fatal hands No second stroke intend, and such a frown Each cast at th' other, as when two black Clouds With Heav'n's artillery fraught, come rattling on Over the Caspian, then stand front to front Hov'ring a space, till winds the signal blow To join their dark encounter in mid air: So frown'd the mighty combatants, that Hell Grew darker at their frown, so matcht they stood; For never but once more was either like To meet so great a foe: and now great deeds Had been achiev'd, whereof all Hell had rung, Had not the Snaky sorceress that sat Fast by Hell Gate, and kept the fatal key, Ris'n, and with hideous outcry rush'd between,
O Father, what intends thy hand, she cry'd, Against thy only Son? What fury O son, Possesses thee to bend that mortal Dart Against thy father's head? and know'st for whom; For him who sits above and laughs the while At thee ordain'd his drudge, to execute What e're his wrath, which he calls Justice, bids, His wrath which one day will destroy ye both.
She spake, and at her words the hellish Pest Forbore, then these to her Satan return'd:
So strange thy outcry, and thy words so strange Thou interposest, that my sudden hand Prevented spares to tell thee yet by deeds What it intends; till first I know of thee, What thing thou art, thus double-form'd, and why In this infernal vale first met thou call'st Me Father, and that Fantasm call'st my Son? I know thee not, nor ever saw till now Sight more detestable than him and thee.
T' whom thus the portress of Hell Gate reply'd; Hast thou forgot me then, and do I seem Now in thine eye so foul, once deemd so fair In Heav'n, when at th' assembly, and in sight Of all the Seraphim with thee combin'd In bold conspiracy against Heav'n's King, All on a sudden miserable pain Surpris'd thee, dim thine eyes, and dizzy swum In darkness, while thy head flames thick and fast Threw forth, till on the left side op'ning wide, Likest to thee in shape and count'nance bright, Then shining heav'nly fair, a goddess arm'd Out of thy head I sprung: amazement seiz'd All th' host of Heav'n; back they recoil'd afraid At first, and call'd me Sin, and for a sign portentous held me; but familiar grown, I pleas'd, and with attractive graces won The most averse, thee chiefly, who full oft Thy self in me thy perfect image viewing Becam'st enamour'd, and such joy thou took'st With me in secret, that my womb conceiv'd A growing burden. Mean while war arose, And fields were fought in Heav'n; wherein remain'd (For what could else) to our Almighty Foe Clear victory, to our part loss and rout Through all the Empyrean: down they fell Driv'n headlong from the pitch of Heaven, down Into this deep, and in the general fall I also; at which time this powerful key Into my hand was giv'n, with charge to keep These gates for ever shut, which none can pass Without my op'ning. Pensive here I sat Alone, but long I sat not, till my womb Pregnant by thee, and now excessive grown Prodigious motion felt and rueful throes. At last this odious offspring whom thou seest Thine own begotten, breaking violent way Tore through my entrails, that with fear and pain Distorted, all my nether shape thus grew Transform'd: but he my inbred enemy Forth issu'd, brandishing his fatal Dart Made to destroy: I fled, and cry'd out Death; Hell trembl'd at the hideous Name, and sigh'd From all her caves, and back resounded Death. I fled, but he pursu'd (though more, it seems, Inflam'd with lust than rage) and swifter far, Me overtook his mother all dismay'd, And in embraces forcible and foul Engend'ring with me, of that rape begot These yelling Monsters that with ceaseless cry Surround me, as thou saw'st, hourly conceiv'd And hourly born, with sorrow infinite To me, for when they list into the womb That bred them they return, and howl and gnaw My Bowels, their repast; then bursting forth Afresh with conscious terrors vex me round, That rest or intermission none I find. Before mine eyes in opposition sits Grim Death my Son and foe, who sets them on, And me his parent would full soon devour For want of other prey, but that he knows His end with mine involv'd; and knows that I Should prove a bitter Morsel, and his bane, Whenever that shall be; so Fate pronounc'd. But thou O father, I forewarn thee, shun His deadly arrow; neither vainly hope To be invulnerable in those bright arms, Though temper'd heav'nly, for that mortal dint, Save he who reigns above, none can resist.
She finish'd, and the subtle Fiend his lore Soon learn'd, now milder, and thus answer'd smooth. Dear Daughter, since thou claim'st me for thy Sire, And my fair Son here show'st me, the dear pledge Of dalliance had with thee in Heav'n, and joys Then sweet, now sad to mention, through dire change Befallen us unforeseen, unthought of, know I come no enemy, but to set free From out this dark and dismal house of pain, Both him and thee, and all the heav'nly host Of spirits that in our just pretences arm'd Fell with us from on high: from them I go This uncouth errand sole, and one for all My self expose, with lonely steps to tread Th' unfounded deep, and through the void immense To search with wand'ring quest a place foretold Should be, and, by concurring signs, ere now Created vast and round, a place of bliss In the purlieus of Heav'n, and therein plac'd A race of upstart Creatures, to supply Perhaps our vacant room, though more remov'd, Lest Heav'n surcharg'd with potent multitude Might hap to move new broils: Be this or aught Than this more secret now design'd, I haste To know, and this once known, shall soon return, And bring ye to the place where thou and Death Shall dwell at ease, and up and down unseen Wing silently the buxom air, embalm'd With odours; there ye shall be fed and fill'd Immeasurably, all things shall be your prey. He ceas'd, for both seem'd highly pleas'd, and Death Grinn'd horrible a ghastly smile, to hear His famine should be fill'd, and bless'd his maw Destin'd to that good hour: no less rejoic'd His mother bad, and thus bespake her sire.
The key of this infernal pit by due. And by command of Heav'n's all-powerful King I keep, by him forbidden to unlock These Adamantine gates; against all force Death ready stands to interpose his dart, Fearless to be o'ermatch'd by living might. But what owe 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'nly-born, Here in perpetual agony and pain, With terrors and with clamours compass'd 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 rolling her bestial train, Forthwith the huge portcullis high up drew, Which but herself not all the Stygian powers Could once have mov'd; then in the key-hole turns Th' intricate wards, and every bolt and bar Of massy iron or solid rock with ease Unfast'ns: on a sudden open fly With impetuous recoil and jarring sound Th' infernal doors, and on their hinges grate Harsh thunder, that the lowest bottom shook Of Erebus. She open'd, but to shut Excell'd her power; the gates wide op'n stood, That with extended wings a Banner'd host Under spread ensigns marching might pass through With Horse and chariots ranked in loose array; So wide they stood, and like a furnace mouth Cast forth redounding smoke and ruddy flame. Before their eyes in sudden view appear The secrets of the hoary deep, a dark Illimitable ocean without bound, Without dimension, where length, breadth, & height, And time and place are lost; where eldest Night And Chaos, ancestors of Nature, hold Eternal Anarchy, amidst the noise Of endless wars, and by confusion stand. For hot, cold, moist, and dry, four champions fierce Strive here for mastery, and to battle bring Their embryon Atoms; they around the flag Of each his faction, in their several clans, 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 Their lighter wings. To whom these most adhere, He rules a moment; Chaos Umpire sits, And by decision more embroils the fray By which he Reigns: next him high arbiter Chance governs all. Into this wild abyss, The womb of nature and perhaps her grave, Of neither sea, nor shore, nor air, nor fire, But all these in their pregnant causes mixt Confus'dly, and which thus must ever fight, Unless th' Almighty maker them ordain His dark materials to create more worlds, Into this wild abyss the wary 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 ear less peal'd With noises loud and ruinous (to compare Great things with small) than when Bellona storms, With all her battering engines bent to raze Some Capital city; or less than if this frame Of Heav'n were falling, and these Elements In mutiny had from her Axle torn The steadfast Earth. At last his sail-broad vanes He spreads for flight, and in the surging smoke Uplifted 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 Flutt'ring his pennons vain plumb down he drops Ten thousand fathom deep, and to this hour Down had been falling, had not by ill chance The strong rebuff of some tumultuous cloud Instinct with fire and Nitre hurried him As many miles aloft: that fury stay'd, Quench'd in a boggy Syrtis, neither Sea, Nor good dry land: nigh founder'd on he fares, Treading the crude consistence, half on foot, Half flying; behoves him now both oar and sail. As when a Gryphon through the wilderness With winged course o'er hill or moory dale, Pursues the Arimaspian, who by stealth Had from his wakeful custody purloin'd The guarded gold: So eagerly the fiend O'er 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 flies: At length a universal hubbub wild Of stunning sounds and voices all confus'd Born through the hollow dark assaults his ear With loudest vehemence: thither he plyes, Undaunted to meet there what ever power Or spirit of the nethermost Abyss Might in that noise reside, of whom to ask Which way the nearest coast of darkness lies Bordering on light; when straight behold the throne Of Chaos, and his dark pavilion spread 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 Demogorgon; Rumor next and Chance, Tumult and Confusion all embroil'd, 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 come no Spy, With purpose to explore or to disturb The secrets of your realm, but by constraint Wand'ring this darksome desert, 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 gloomy bounds Confine with Heav'n; or if some other place From your Dominion won, th' Ethereal King Possesses lately, thither to arrive I travel this profound, direct my course; Directed no mean recompense 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 Standard there of ancient Night; Yours be th' advantage all, mine the revenge.
Thus Satan; and him thus the Anarch old With falt'ring 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'n's 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's gates Pourd out by millions her victorious Bands Pursuing. I upon my Frontiers here Keep residence; if all I can will serve, That little which is left so to defend, Encroach'd on still through our intestine broils Weak'ning the Sceptre of old Night: first Hell Your dungeon stretching far and wide beneath; Now lately Heaven and Earth, another world Hung o'er 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 far; So much the nearer danger; go 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 alacrity and force renew'd Springs upward like a pyramid of fire Into the wild expanse, and through the shock Of fighting Elements, on all sides round Environ'd wins his way; harder beset And more endanger'd, than when Argo pass'd Through Bosporus betwixt the justling rocks: Or when Ulysses on the larboard shunn'd Charybdis, and by th' other whirlpool steer'd. So he with difficulty and labour hard Mov'd on, with difficulty and labour he; But he once past, soon after when man fell, Strange alteration! Sin and Death amain Following his track, such was the will of Heav'n, Pav'd after him a broad and beaten way Over the dark Abyss, whose boiling gulf Tamely endur'd a bridge of wondrous length From Hell continu'd reaching th' utmost Orb Of this frail world; by which the Spirits perverse With easy intercourse pass to and fro To tempt or punish mortals, except whom God and good Angels guard by special grace. But now at last the sacred influence Of light appears, and from the walls of Heav'n Shoots far into the bosom of dim Night A glimmering dawn; here Nature first begins Her farthest verge, and Chaos to retire As from her outmost works a broken foe With tumult less and with less hostile din, That Satan with less toil, and now with ease Wafts on the calmer wave by dubious light And like a weather-beaten vessel holds Gladly the Port, though Shrouds and Tackle torn; Or in the emptier waste, resembling air, Weighs his spread wings, at leisure to behold Far off th' Empyreal Heav'n, extended wide In circuit, undetermind square or round, With Opal tow'rs and Battlements adorn'd Of living Sapphire, once his native seat; And fast by hanging in a golden chain This pendant world, in bigness as a star Of smallest Magnitude close by the Moon▪ Thither full fraught with mischievous revenge, Accurst, and in a cursed hour he hies.
BOOK III.
THE ARGUMENT.
God sitting on his throne sees Satan flying towards this world, then newly created; shows 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 seduc'd. 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 choir, celebrate the Father and the Son. Mean while Satan alights upon the bare convex of this world's outermost orb; where wandering he first finds a place since call'd The limbo of vanity; what persons and things fly up thither; thence comes to the gate of Heaven, describ'd 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 plac'd here, inquires of him the place of his habitation, and is directed; alights first on Mount Niphates.
Hail holy Light, offspring of Heav'n first-born, Or of th' Eternal coeternal beam May I express thee unblam'd? since God is light, And never but in unapproached light Dwelt from eternity, dwelt then in thee, Bright effluence of bright essence increate. Or hear'st thou rather pure ethereal stream, Whose fountain who shall tell? before the Sun, Before the heavens thou wert, and at the voice Of God, as with a mantle didst invest The rising world of waters dark and deep, Won from the void and formless infinite. Thee I revisit now with bolder wing, Escap'd the Stygian pool, though long detain'd In that obscure sojourn, while in my flight Through utter and through middle darkness borne With other notes than to th' Orphean lyre I sung of Chaos and Eternal Night, Taught by the heav'nly Muse to venture down The dark descent, and up to reascend, Though hard and rare: thee I revisit safe, And feel thy sovereign vital lamp; but thou Revisit'st not these eyes, that roll in vain To find thy piercing ray, and find no dawn; So thick a drop serene hath quench'd their orbs, Or dim suffusion veil'd. Yet not the more Cease I to wander where the Muses haunt Clear spring, or shady grove, or sunny hill, Smit with the love of sacred song; but chief Thee Sion and the flow'ry brooks beneath That wash thy hallow'd feet, and warbling flow, Nightly I visit: nor sometimes forget Those other two equal'd with me in fate, So were I equal'd with them in renown, Blind Thamyris and blind Maeonides, And Tiresias and Phineus prophets old. Then feed on thoughts, that voluntary move Harmonious numbers; as the wakeful bird Sings darkling, and in shadiest covert hid Tunes her nocturnal note. Thus with the year Seasons return, but not to me returns Day, or the sweet approach of ev'n or morn, Or sight of vernal bloom, or Summer's rose, Or flocks, or herds, or human face divine; But cloud instead, and ever-during dark Surrounds me, from the cheerful ways of men Cut off, and for the book of knowledge fair Presented with a universal blank Of Nature's works to me expung'd and ras'd, And wisdom at one entrance quite shut out. So much the rather thou celestial light Shine inward, and the mind through all her powers Irradiate, there plant eyes, all mist from thence Purge and disperse, that I may see and tell Of things invisible to mortal sight.
Now had the Almighty Father from above, From the pure Empyrean where he sits High thron'd above all height, bent down his eye, His own works and their works at once to view: About him all the sanctities of Heaven Stood thick as stars, and from his sight receiv'd Beatitude past utterance; on his right The radiant image of his glory sat, His only Son; on Earth he first beheld Our two first Parents, yet the only two Of mankind, in the happy garden plac'd, Reaping immortal fruits of joy and love, Uninterrupted joy, unrival'd love In blissful solitude; he then survey'd Hell and the gulf between, and Satan there Coasting the wall of Heav'n on this side Night In the dun air sublime, and ready now To stoop with wearied wings, and willing feet On the bare outside of this world, that seem'd Firm land embosom'd without firmament, Uncertain which, in ocean or in air. Him God beholding from his prospect high, Wherein past, present, future he beholds, Thus to his only Son foreseeing spake.
Only begotten Son, seest thou what rage Transports our adversary, whom no bounds Prescrib'd, no bars of Hell, nor all the chains Heap'd on him there, nor yet the main Abyss Wide interrupt can hold; so bent he seems On desperate revenge, that shall redound Upon his own rebellious head. And now Through all restraint broke loose he wings his way Not far off Heav'n, in the precincts of light, Directly towards the new created world, And man there plac'd, with purpose to assay If him by force he can destroy, or worse, By some false guile pervert; and shall pervert For man will hearken to his glozing lies, And easily transgress the sole command, Sole pledge of his obedience: so will fall, He and his faithless progeny: whose fault? Whose but his own? ingrate, he had of me All he could have; I made him just and right, Sufficient to have stood, though free to fall. Such I created all th' ethereal Powers And Spirits, both them who stood and them who fail'd; Freely they stood who stood, and fell who fell. Not free, what proof could they have giv'n sincere Of true allegiance, constant faith or love, Where only what they needs must do, appear'd, Not what they would? what praise could they receive? What pleasure I from such obedience paid, When will and reason (reason also is choice) Useless and vain, of freedom both despoil'd, Made passive both, had serv'd necessity, Not me. They therefore as to right belong'd, So were created, nor can justly accuse Their Maker, or their making, or their fate, As if predestination over-rul'd Their will, dispos'd by absolute decree Or high foreknowledge; they themselves decreed Their own revolt, not I: if I foreknew, Foreknowledge had no influence on their fault, Which had no less prov'd certain unforeknown. So without least impulse or shadow of fate, Or aught by me immutably foreseen, They trespass, authors to themselves in all Both what they judge and what they choose; for so I form'd them free, and free they must remain, Till they enthrall themselves: I else must change Their nature, and revoke the high decree Unchangeable, Eternal, which ordain'd Their freedom, they themselves ordain'd their fall; The first sort by their own suggestion fell, Self-tempted, self-deprav'd: man falls deceiv'd By the other first: man therefore shall find grace, The other none: in mercy and justice both, Through Heav'n and Earth, so shall my glory excel, But mercy first and last shall brightest shine.
Thus while God spake, ambrosial fragrance fill'd All Heav'n, and in the blessed spirits elect Sense of new joy ineffable diffus'd: Beyond compare the Son of God was seen Most glorious, in him all his Father shone Substantially express'd, and in his face Divine compassion visibly appear'd, Love without end, and without measure grace, Which uttering thus he to his Father spake.
O Father, gracious was that word which clos'd Thy sovereign sentence, that man should find grace; For which both Heav'n and Earth shall high extol Thy praises, with th' innumerable sound Of hymns and sacred songs, wherewith thy throne Encompass'd shall resound thee ever blest. For should man finally be lost, should man Thy creature late so lov'd, thy youngest son Fall circumvented thus by fraud, though join'd With his own folly? that be from thee far, That far be from thee, Father, who art Judge Of all things made, and judgest only right. Or shall the adversary thus obtain His end, and frustrate thine, shall he fulfil His malice, and thy goodness bring to naught, Or proud return though to his heavier doom, Yet with revenge accomplish'd and to Hell Draw after him the whole race of mankind, By him corrupted? or wilt thou thyself Abolish thy creation, and unmake, For him, what for thy glory thou hast made? So should thy goodness and thy greatness both Be question'd and blasphem'd without defence.
To whom the great Creator thus reply'd. O Son, in whom my soul hath chief delight, Son of my bosom, Son who art alone My word, my wisdom, and effectual might, All hast thou spoken as my thoughts are, all As my eternal purpose hath decreed: Man shall not quite be lost, but sav'd who will, Yet not of will in him, but grace in me Freely vouchsaf'd; once more I will renew His lapsed powers, though forfeit and enthrall'd By sin to foul exorbitant desires; Upheld by me, yet once more he shall stand On even ground against his mortal foe, By me upheld, that he may know how frail His fall'n condition is, and to me owe All his deliv'rance, and to none but me. Some I have chosen of peculiar grace Elect above the rest; so is my will: The rest shall hear me call, and oft be warn'd Their sinful date, and to appease betimes Th' incensed Deity, while offer'd grace Invites; for I will clear their senses dark, What may suffice, and soften stony hearts To pray, repent, and bring obedience due. To prayer, repentance, and obedience due, Though but endeavour'd with sincere intent, Mine ear shall not be slow, mine eye not shut. And I will place within them as a guide My umpire Conscience, whom if they will hear, Light after light well us'd they shall attain, And to the end persisting, safe arrive. This my long sufferance and my day of grace They who neglect and scorn, shall never taste; But hard be harden'd, blind be blinded more, That they may stumble on, and deeper fall; And none but such from mercy I exclude. But yet all is not done; man disobeying, Disloyal breaks his fealty, and sins Against the high supremacy of Heav'n, Affecting Godhead, and so losing all, To expiate his treason hath naught left, But to destruction sacred and devote, He with his whole posterity must die, Die he or Justice must; unless for him Some other able, and as willing, pay The rigid satisfaction, death for death. Say, heav'nly powers, where shall we find such love, Which of ye will be mortal to redeem Man's mortal crime, and just th' unjust to save, Dwells in all Heaven charity so dear?
He ask'd, but all the heav'nly choir stood mute, And silence was in Heav'n: on man's behalf Patron or intercessor none appear'd, Much less that durst upon his own head draw The deadly forfeiture, and ransom set. And now without redemption all mankind Must have been lost, adjudg'd to Death and Hell By doom severe, had not the Son of God, In whom the fulness dwells of love divine, His dearest mediation thus renew'd.
Father, thy word is past, man shall find grace; And shall grace not find means, that finds her way, The speediest of thy winged messengers, To visit all thy creatures, and to all Comes unprevented, unimplor'd, unsought, Happy for man, so coming; he her aid Can never seek, once dead in sins and lost; Atonement for himself or offering meet, Indebted and undone, hath none to bring: Behold me then, me for him, life for life I offer, on me let thine anger fall; Account me man; I for his sake will leave Thy bosom, and this glory next to thee Freely put off, and for him lastly die Well pleas'd, on me let Death wreck all his rage; Under his gloomy power I shall not long Lie vanquish'd; thou hast giv'n me to possess Life in myself for ever, by thee I live, Though now to Death I yield, and am his due All that of me can die, yet that debt paid, Thou wilt not leave me in the loathsome grave His prey, nor suffer my unspotted soul For ever with corruption there to dwell; But I shall rise victorious, and subdue My vanquisher, spoil'd of his vaunted spoil; Death his death's wound shall then receive, and stoop Inglorious, of his mortal sting disarm'd. I through the ample air in triumph high Shall lead Hell captive maugre Hell, and show The powers of darkness bound. Thou at the sight Pleas'd, out of Heaven shalt look down and smile, While by thee rais'd I ruin all my foes, Death last, and with his carcass glut the grave: Then with the multitude of my redeem'd Shall enter Heaven long absent, and return, Father, to see thy face, wherein no cloud Of anger shall remain, but peace assur'd, And reconcilement; wrath shall be no more Thenceforth, but in thy presence joy entire.
His words here ended, but his meek aspect Silent yet spake, and breath'd immortal love To mortal men, above which only shone Filial obedience: as a sacrifice Glad to be offer'd, he attends the will Of his great Father. Admiration seiz'd All Heav'n, what this might mean, and whither tend Wond'ring; but soon th' Almighty thus reply'd:
O thou in Heav'n and Earth the only peace Found out for mankind under wrath, O thou My sole complacence! well thou know'st how dear, To me are all my works, nor man the least Though last created, that for him I spare Thee from my bosom and right hand, to save, By losing thee a while, the whole race lost. Thou therefore whom thou only canst redeem, Their nature also to thy nature join; And be thyself man among men on Earth, Made flesh, when time shall be, of Virgin seed By wondrous birth: be thou in Adam's room The head of all mankind, though Adam's Son. As in him perish all men, so in thee As from a second root shall be restor'd, As many as are restor'd, without thee none. His crime makes guilty all his sons, thy merit Imputed shall absolve them who renounce Their own both righteous and unrighteous deeds, And live in thee transplanted, and from thee Receive new life. So man, as is most just, Shall satisfy for man, be judg'd and die, And dying rise, and rising with him raise His brethren, ransom'd with his own dear life. So heav'nly love shall outdo hellish hate Giving to death, and dying to redeem, So dearly to redeem what hellish hate So easily destroy'd, and still destroys In those who, when they may, accept not grace. Nor shalt thou by descending to assume Man's nature, lessen or degrade thine own. Because thou hast, though thron'd in highest bliss Equal to God, and equally enjoying God-like fruition, quitted all to save A world from utter loss, and hast been found By merit more than birthright Son of God, Found worthiest to be so by being good, Far more than great or high; because in thee Love hath abounded more than glory abounds, Therefore thy humiliation shall exalt With thee thy manhood also to this throne. Here shalt thou sit incarnate, here shalt reign Both God and man, Son both of God and man, Anointed universal King, all power I give thee, reign for ever, and assume Thy merits; under thee as head supreme Thrones, princedoms, powers, dominions I reduce: All knees to thee shall bow, of them that bide In Heaven, or Earth, or under Earth in Hell; When thou attended gloriously from Heav'n Shalt in the sky appear, and from thee send The summoning archangels to proclaim Thy dread tribunal: forthwith from all winds The living, and forthwith the cited dead Of all past ages to the general Doom Shall hasten, such a peal shall rouse their sleep. Then all thy saints assembl'd, thou shalt judge Bad men and angels, they arraign'd shall sink Beneath thy sentence; Hell her numbers full, Thenceforth shall be for ever shut. Mean while The world shall burn, and from her ashes spring New Heav'n and Earth, wherein the just shall dwell, And after all their tribulations long See golden days, fruitful of golden deeds, With joy and love triumphing, and fair Truth. Then thou thy regal sceptre shalt lay by, For regal sceptre then no more shall need, God shall be All in All. But all ye gods, Adore him, who to compass all this dies, Adore the Son, and honour him as me.
No sooner had th' Almighty ceas'd, but all The multitude of angels with a shout Loud as from numbers without number, sweet As from blest voices, uttering joy, Heav'n rung With jubilee, and loud Hosannas fill'd Th' eternal regions: lowly reverent Towards either throne they bow, and to the ground With solemn adoration down they cast Their crowns inwove with Amarant and gold, Immortal Amarant, a flower which once In Paradise, fast by the Tree of Life Began to bloom, but soon for man's offence To Heav'n remov'd where first it grew, there grows, And flowers aloft shading the fount of life, And where the river of bliss through midst of Heav'n Rolls o'er Elysian flowers her amber stream; With these that never fade the spirits elect Bind their resplendent locks inwreath'd with beams, Now in loose garlands thick thrown off, the bright Pavement that like a sea of jasper shone Impurple'd with celestial roses smil'd. Then crown'd again their golden harps they took, Harps ever tun'd, that glittering by their side Like quivers hung, and with preamble sweet Of charming symphony they introduce Their sacred song, and waken raptures high; No voice exempt, no voice but well could join Melodious part, such concord is in Heav'n.
Thee Father first they sung Omnipotent, Immutable, Immortal, Infinite, Eternal King; thee Author of all being, Fountain of Light, thyself invisible Amidst the glorious brightness where thou sit'st Thron'd inaccessible, but when thou shad'st The full blaze of thy beams, and through a cloud Drawn round about thee like a radiant Shrine, Dark with excessive bright thy skirts appear, Yet dazzle Heav'n, that brightest Seraphim Approach not, but with both wings veil their eyes, Thee next they sang of all creation first, Begotten Son, Divine Similitude, In whose conspicuous count'nance, without cloud Made visible, th' Almighty Father shines, Whom else no creature can behold; on thee Impress'd the effulgence of his glory abides, Transfus'd on thee his ample Spirit rests. He Heav'n of Heavens and all the powers therein By thee created, and by thee threw down Th' aspiring dominations: thou that day Thy Father's dreadful Thunder didst not spare, Nor stop thy flaming Chariot wheels, that shook Heav'n's everlasting frame, while o'er the necks Thou drov'st of warring angels disarray'd. Back from pursuit thy powers with loud acclaim Thee only extoll'd, Son of thy Father's might, To execute fierce vengeance on his foes, Not so on Man; him, through their malice fall'n, Father of mercy and grace, thou didst not doom So strictly, but much more to pity incline: No sooner did thy dear and only Son Perceive thee purpos'd not to doom frail man So strictly, but much more to pity inclin'd, He to appease thy wrath, and end the strife Of mercy and justice in thy face discern'd, Regardless of the bliss wherein he sat Second to thee, offer'd himself to die For man's offence. O unexample'd love, Love no where to be found less than divine! Hail Son of God, Saviour of men, thy Name Shall be the copious matter of my song Henceforth, and never shall my harp thy praise Forget, nor from thy Father's praise disjoin.
Thus they in Heav'n, above the starry sphere, Their happy hours in joy and hymning spent. Mean while upon the firm opacous globe Of this round world, whose first convex divides The luminous inferior orbs, enclos'd From Chaos and th' inroad of darkness old, Satan alighted walks: a globe far off It seem'd, now seems a boundless continent Dark, waste, and wild, under the frown of Night Starless expos'd, and ever-threatening storms Of Chaos blust'ring round, inclement sky; Save on that side which from the wall of Heav'n Though distant far some small reflection gains Of glimmering air less vexed with tempest loud: Here walk'd the Fiend at large in spacious field. As when a vulture on Imaus bred, Whose snowy ridge the roving Tartar bounds, Dislodging from a region scarce of prey To gorge the flesh of lambs or yeanling kids On hills where flocks are fed, flies toward the springs Of Ganges or Hydaspes, Indian streams; But in his way lights on the barren plains Of Sericana, where Chineses drive With sails and wind their cany wagons light: So on this windy sea of land, the Fiend Walk'd up and down alone bent on his prey, Alone, for other creature in this place Living or lifeless to be found was none, None yet, but store hereafter from the earth Up hither like aerial vapours flew Of all things transitory and vain, when Sin With vanity had fill'd the works of men: Both all things vain, and all who in vain things Built their fond hopes of glory or lasting fame, Or happiness in this or th' other life; All who have their reward on Earth, the fruits Of painful superstition and blind zeal, Naught seeking but the praise of men, here find Fit retribution, empty as their deeds; All th' unaccomplish'd works of Nature's hand, Abortive, monstrous, or unkindly mix'd, Dissolv'd on Earth, fleet hither, and in vain, Till final dissolution, wander here, Not in the neighbouring Moon, as some have dream'd; Those argent fields more likely habitants, Translated saints, or middle spirits hold Betwixt th' angelical and human kind: Hither of ill-join'd sons and daughters born First from the ancient world those giants came With many a vain exploit, though then renown'd: The builders next of Babel on the Plain Of Sennaar, and still with vain design New Babels, had they wherewithal, would build: Others came single; he who to be deem'd A God, leap'd fondly into Aetna's flames, Empedocles, and he who to enjoy Pluto's Elysium, leap'd into the Sea, Cleombrotus, and many more too long, Embryos and idiots, eremites and friars White, Black and Grey, with all their trumpery. Here pilgrims roam, that stray'd so far to seek In Golgotha him dead, who lives in Heav'n; And they who to be sure of Paradise Dying put on the weeds of Dominic, Or in Franciscan think to pass disguis'd; They pass the Planets seven, and pass the fixed, And that crystalline sphere whose balance weighs The trepidation talk'd, and that first mov'd; And now Saint Peter at Heav'n's Wicket seems To wait them with his keys, and now at foot Of Heav'n's ascent they lift their feet, when lo A violent cross wind from either coast Blows them transverse ten thousand leagues awry Into the devious air; then might ye see Cowls, hoods and habits with their wearers tossed And flutter'd rags, then relics, beads, Indulgences, dispenses, pardons, bulls, The sport of winds: all these upwhirl'd aloft Fly o'er the backside of the world far off Into a Limbo large and broad, since call'd The Paradise of Fools, to few unknown Long after, now unpeopled, and untrod; All this dark globe the Fiend found as he pass'd, And long he wander'd, till at last a gleam Of dawning light turn'd thither-ward in haste His travell'd steps; far distant he descries Ascending by degrees magnificent Up to the wall of Heaven a structure high, At top whereof, but far more rich appear'd The work as of a kingly palace gate With frontispiece of diamond and gold Embellish'd, thick with sparkling orient gems The portal shone, inimitable on Earth By model, or by shading pencil drawn. The stairs were such as whereon Jacob saw Angels ascending and descending, bands Of Guardians bright, when he from Esau fled To Padan-Aram in the field of Luz, Dreaming by night under the open sky, And waking cri'd, This is the Gate of Heav'n Each stair mysteriously was meant, nor stood There always, but drawn up to Heav'n sometimes Viewless, and underneath a bright sea flow'd Of jasper, or of liquid pearl, whereon Who after came from Earth, sailing arriv'd, Wafted by angels, or flew o'er the lake Rapt in a chariot drawn by fiery steeds. The stairs were then let down, whether to dare The Fiend by easy ascent, or aggravate His sad exclusion from the doors of Direct against which open'd from beneath, Just o'er the blissful seat of Paradise, A passage down to th' Earth, a passage wide, Wider by far than that of after-times Over Mount Sion, and, though that were large, Over the Promis'd Land to God so dear, By which, to visit oft those happy tribes, On high behests his angels to and fro Pass'd frequent, and his eye with choice regard From Paneas the fount of Jordan's flood To Beersheba, where the Holy Land Borders on Egypt and the Arabian shore; So wide the opening seem'd, where bounds were set To darkness, such as bound the ocean wave. Satan from hence now on the lower stair That scal'd by steps of gold to Heav'n's Gate Looks down with wonder at the sudden view Of all this world at once. As when a Scout Through dark and desert ways with peril gone All night; at last by break of cheerful dawn Obtains the brow of some high-climbing hill, Which to his eye discovers unaware The goodly prospect of some foreign land First-seen, or some renown'd metropolis With glistering spires and pinnacles adorn'd, Which now the rising Sun gilds with his beams, Such wonder seiz'd, though after Heaven seen, The Spirit malign, but much more envy seiz'd At sight of all this world beheld so fair. Round he surveys, and well might, where he stood So high above the circling canopy Of Night's extended shade; from Eastern point Of Libra to the fleecy star that bears Andromeda far off Atlantic seas Beyond th' horizon; then from pole to pole He views in breadth, and without longer pause Down right into the world's first region throws His flight precipitant, and winds with ease Through the pure marble air his oblique way Amongst innumerable stars, that shone Stars distant, but nigh hand seem'd other worlds, Or other worlds they seem'd, or happy isles, Like those Hesperian gardens fam'd of old, Fortunate fields, and groves and flowery vales, Thrice happy isles, but who dwelt happy there He stay'd not to inquire: above them all The golden Sun in splendour likest Heaven Allur'd his eye: thither his course he bends Through the calm firmament; but up or down By centre, or eccentric, hard to tell, Or longitude, where the great luminary Aloof the vulgar constellations thick, That from his lordly eye keep distance due, Dispenses light from far; they as they move Their starry dance in numbers that compute Days, months, and years, towards his all-cheering lamp Turn swift their various motions, or are turn'd By his magnetic beam, that gently warms The universe, and to each inward part With gentle penetration, though unseen, Shoots invisible virtue even to the deep: So wondrously was set his station bright. There lands the Fiend, a spot like which perhaps Astronomer in the Sun's lucent orb Through his glaz'd optic tube yet never saw. The place he found beyond expression bright, Compar'd with aught on Earth, medal or stone; Not all parts like, but all alike inform'd With radiant light, as glowing iron with fire; If metal, part seem'd gold, part silver clear; If stone, carbuncle most or chrysolite, Ruby or topaz, to the twelve that shone In Aaron's breastplate, and a stone besides Imagin'd rather oft than elsewhere seen, That stone, or like to that which here below Philosophers in vain so long have sought, In vain, though by their powerful art they bind Volatile Hermes, and call up unbound In various shape old Proteus from the Sea, Drain'd through a limbec to his native form. What wonder then if fields and regions here Breathe forth elixir pure, and rivers run Potable gold, when with one virtuous touch Th' arch-chemic Sun so far from us remote Produces with terrestrial humour mix'd Here in the dark so many precious things Of colour glorious and effect so rare? Here matter new to gaze the Devil met Undazz'd, far and wide his eye commands, For sight no obstacle found here, nor shade, But all sunshine, as when his beams at noon Culminate from th' Equator, as they now Shot upward still direct, whence no way round Shadow from body opaque can fall, and the air, Nowhere so clear, sharpen'd his visual ray To objects distant far, whereby he soon Saw within ken a glorious angel stand, The same whom John saw also in the Sun: His back was turn'd, but not his brightness hid; Of beaming sunny rays, a golden tiar Circl'd his head, nor less his locks behind Illustrious on his shoulders fledg'd with wings Lay waving round; on some great charge employ'd He seem'd, or fixed in cogitation deep. Glad was the spirit impure as now in hope To find who might direct his wand'ring flight To Paradise the happy seat of man, His journey's end and our beginning woe. But first he casts to change his proper shape, Which else might work him danger or delay: And now a stripling cherub he appears, Not of the prime, yet such as in his face Youth smil'd celestial, and to every limb Suitable grace diffus'd, so well he feign'd, Under a coronet his flowing hair In curls on either cheek play'd, wings he wore Of many a colour'd plume sprinkled with gold, His habit fit for speed succinct, and held Before his decent steps a silver wand. He drew not nigh unheard, the angel bright, Ere he drew nigh, his radiant visage turn'd, Admonish'd by his ear, and straight was known Th' archangel Uriel, one of the sev'n Who in God's presence, nearest to his throne Stand ready at command, and are his eyes That run through all the heavens, or down to th' Earth Bear his swift errands over moist and dry, O'er Sea and Land: him Satan thus accosts;
Uriel, for thou of those sev'n spirits that stand In sight of God's high throne, gloriously bright, The first art wont his great authentic will Interpreter through highest Heav'n to bring, Where all his sons thy embassy attend; And here art likeliest by supreme decree Like honour to obtain, and as his eye To visit oft this new creation round; Unspeakable desire to see, and know All these his wondrous works, but chiefly man, His chief delight and favour, him for whom All these his works so wondrous he ordain'd, Hath brought me from the choirs of cherubim Alone thus wand'ring. Brightest Seraph tell In which of all these shining orbs hath man His fixed seat, or fixed seat hath none, But all these shining orbs his choice to dwell; That I may find him, and with secret gaze, Or open admiration him behold On whom the great Creator hath bestow'd Worlds, and on whom hath all these graces pour'd. That both in him and all things, as is meet, The Universal Maker we may praise; Who justly hath driv'n out his rebel foes To deepest Hell, and to repair that loss Created this new happy race of men To serve him better: wise are all his ways.
So spake the false dissembler unperceiv'd; For neither man nor angel can discern Hypocrisy, the only evil that walks Invisible, except to God alone, By his permissive will, through Heav'n and Earth: And oft though wisdom wake, suspicion sleeps At wisdom's gate, and to simplicity Resigns her charge, while goodness thinks no ill Where no ill seems: which now for once beguil'd Uriel though Regent of the Sun, and held The sharpest sighted spirit of all in Heav'n; Who to the fraudulent impostor foul In his uprightness answer thus return'd. Fair angel, thy desire which tends to know The works of God, thereby to glorify The great Work-Master, leads to no excess That reaches blame, but rather merits praise The more it seems excess, that led thee hither From thy empyreal mansion thus alone, To witness with thine eyes what some perhaps Contented with report hear only in heav'n: For wonderful indeed are all his works, Pleasant to know, and worthiest to be all Had in remembrance always with delight; But what created mind can comprehend Their number, or the wisdom infinite That brought them forth, but hid their causes deep. I saw when at his Word the formless mass, This world's material mould, came to a heap: Confusion heard his voice, and wild uproar Stood rul'd, stood vast infinitude confin'd; Till at his second bidding darkness fled, Light shone, and order from disorder sprung: Swift to their several quarters hasted then The cumbrous elements, earth, flood, air, fire, And this ethereal quintessence of Heav'n Flew upward, spirited with various forms, That roll'd orbicular, and turn'd to stars Numberless, as thou seest, and how they move; Each had his place appointed, each his course, The rest in circuit walls this universe. Look downward on that globe whose hither side With light from hence, though but reflected, shines; That place is Earth the seat of man, that light His day, which else as th' other Hemisphere Night would invade, but there the neighbouring Moon (So call that opposite fair star) her aid Timely interposes, and her monthly round Still ending, still renewing, through mid Heav'n; With borrow'd light her countenance triform Hence fills and empties to enlighten th' Earth, And in her pale dominion checks the night. That spot to which I point is Paradise, Adam's abode, those lofty shades his bower. Thy way thou canst not miss, me mine requires.
Thus said, he turn'd, and Satan bowing low, As to superior spirits is wont in Heaven, Where honour due and reverence none neglects, Took leave, and toward the coast of Earth beneath, Down from th' ecliptic, sped with hop'd success, Throws his steep flight in many an airy wheel, Nor stay'd, till on Niphates top he lights.