Book V
Paradise Lost
BOOK IV.
THE ARGUMENT.
Satan now in prospect of Eden, and nigh the place where he must now attempt the bold enterprise which he undertook alone against God and man, falls into many doubts with himself, and many passions, fear, envy, and despair; but at length confirms himself in evil, journeys on to Paradise, whose outward prospect and situation is described, overleaps the bounds, sits in the shape of a cormorant on the tree of life, as highest in the garden to look about him. The garden describ'd; Satan's first sight of Adam and Eve; his wonder at their excellent form and happy state, but with resolution to work their fall; overhears their discourse, thence gathers that the tree of knowledge was forbidden them to eat of, under penalty of death; and thereon intends to found his temptation, by seducing them to transgress: then leaves them a while, to know further of their state by some other means. Meanwhile Uriel descending on a sun-beam warns Gabriel, who had in charge the gate of Paradise, that some evil spirit had escap'd the deep, and passed at noon by his sphere in the shape of a good angel down to Paradise, discovered after by his furious gestures in the mount. Gabriel promises to find him ere morning. Night coming on, Adam and Eve discourse of going to their rest: their bower describ'd; their evening worship. Gabriel drawing forth his bands of night-watch to walk the round of Paradise, appoints two strong angels to Adam's bower, lest the evil spirit should be there doing some harm to Adam or Eve sleeping; there they find him at the ear of Eve, tempting her in a dream, and bring him, though unwilling, to Gabriel; by whom question'd, he scornfully answers, prepares resistance, but hinder'd by a sign from Heaven, flies out of Paradise.
O for that warning voice, which he who saw Th' Apocalypse, heard cry in Heaven aloud, Then when the dragon, put to second rout, Came furious down to be reveng'd on men, Woe to the inhabitants on earth! that now, While time was, our first-parents had been warn'd The coming of their secret foe, and 'scap'd Haply so 'scap'd his mortal snare; for now Satan, now first inflam'd with rage, came down, The tempter ere th' accuser of mankind, To wreck on innocent frail man his loss Of that first battle, and his flight to Hell: Yet not rejoicing in his speed, though bold, Far off and fearless, nor with cause to boast, Begins his dire attempt, which nigh the birth Now rolling, boils in his tumultuous breast, And like a devilish engine back recoils Upon himself; horror and doubt distract His troubl'd thoughts, and from the bottom stir The Hell within him, for within him Hell He brings, and round about him, nor from Hell One step no more than from himself can fly By change of place: now conscience wakes despair That slumber'd, wakes the bitter memory Of what he was, what is, and what must be Worse; of worse deeds worse sufferings must ensue. Sometimes towards Eden which now in his view Lay pleasant, his griev'd look he fixes sad, Sometimes towards Heav'n and the full-blazing sun, Which now sat high in his meridian tower: Then much revolving, thus in sighs began.
O thou that with surpassing glory crown'd, Look'st from thy sole dominion like the god Of this new world; at whose sight all the stars Hide their diminish'd heads; to thee I call, But with no friendly voice, and add thy name O Sun, to tell thee how I hate thy beams That bring to my remembrance from what state I fell, how glorious once above thy sphere; Till pride and worse ambition threw me down Warring in Heav'n against Heav'n's matchless King: Ah wherefore! he deserv'd no such return From me, whom he created what I was In that bright eminence, and with his good Upbraided none; nor was his service hard. What could be less than to afford him praise, The easiest recompense, and pay him thanks, How due! yet all his good prov'd ill in me, And wrought but malice; lifted up so high I sdeign'd subjection, and thought one step higher Would set me highest, and in a moment quit The debt immense of endless gratitude, So burdensome still paying, still to owe; Forgetful what from him I still receiv'd, And understood not that a grateful mind By owing owes not, but still pays, at once Indebted and discharg'd; what burden then? O had his powerful destiny ordain'd Me some inferior angel, I had stood Then happy; no unbounded hope had rais'd Ambition. Yet why not? some other power As great might have aspir'd, and me though mean Drawn to his part? but other powers as great Fell not, but stand unshak'n, from within Or from without, to all temptations arm'd. Hadst thou the same free will and power to stand? thou hadst: whom hast thou then or what to accuse, But Heav'n's free love dealt equally to all? Be then his love accurst, since love or hate, To me alike, it deals eternal woe. Nay curs'd be thou; since against his thy will Chose freely what it now so justly rues. Me miserable! which way shall I fly Infinite wrath, and infinite despair? Which way I fly is Hell; myself am Hell; And in the lowest deep a lower deep Still threat'ning to devour me opens wide, To which the Hell I suffer seems a Heav'n. O then at last relent: is there no place Left for repentance, none for pardon left? None left but by submission; and that word Disdain forbids me, and my dread of shame Among the spirits beneath, whom I seduc'd With other promises and other vaunts Than to submit, boasting I could subdue Th' Omnipotent. Ay me, they little know How dearly I abide that boast so vain, Under what torments inwardly I groan; While they adore me on the throne of Hell, With diadem and sceptre high advanc'd The lower still I fall, only supreme In misery; such joy ambition finds. But say I could repent and could obtain By act of grace my former state; how soon Would height recall high thoughts, how soon unsay What feign'd submission swore: ease would recant Vows made in pain, as violent and void. For never can true reconcilement grow Where wounds of deadly hate have pierc'd so deep: Which would but lead me to a worse relapse And heavier fall: so should I purchase dear Short intermission bought with double smart. This knows my Punisher; therefore as far From granting he, as I from begging peace All hope excluded thus, behold in stead Of us outcast, exil'd, his new delight, Mankind created, and for him this world. So farewell hope, and with hope farewell fear, Farewell remorse: all good to me is lost; Evil be thou my good; by thee at least Divided empire with Heav'n's King I hold By thee, and more than half perhaps will reign; As man ere long, and this new world shall know.
Thus while he spake, each passion dimm'd his face Thrice chang'd with pale, ire, envy and despair, Which marr'd his borrow'd visage, and betray'd Him counterfeit, if any eye beheld. For heav'nly minds from such distempers foul Are ever clear. Whereof he soon aware, Each perturbation smooth'd with outward calm, Artificer of fraud; and was the first That practis'd falsehood under saintly show, Deep malice to conceal, couch'd with revenge: Yet not enough had practis'd to deceive Uriel once warn'd; whose eye pursu'd him down The way he went, and on th' Assyrian mount Saw him disfigur'd, more than could befall Spirit of happy sort: his gestures fierce He mark'd and mad demeanour, then alone, As he suppos'd, all unobserv'd, unseen. So on he fares, and to the border comes, Of Eden, where delicious Paradise, Now nearer, crowns with her enclosure green, As with a rural mound the champaign head Of a steep wilderness, whose hairy sides With thicket overgrown, grotesque and wild, Access deni'd; and over head up grew Insuperable height of loftiest shade, Cedar, and pine, and fir, and branching palm, A sylvan scene, and as the ranks ascend Shade above shade, a woody theatre Of stateliest view. Yet higher than their tops The verdurous wall of Paradise up sprung: Which to our general sire gave prospect large Into his nether empire neighbouring round. And higher than that wall a circling row Of goodliest trees loaden with fairest fruit, Blossoms and fruits at once of golden hue Appear'd, with gay enamel'd colours mixed: On which the sun more glad impress'd his beams Than on fair evening cloud, or humid bow, When God hath shower'd the earth; so lovely seem'd That landscape: and of pure now purer air Meets his approach, and to the heart inspires Vernal delight and joy, able to drive All sadness but despair: now gentle gales Fanning their odoriferous wings dispense Native perfumes, and whisper whence they stole Those balmy spoils. As when to them who sail Beyond the Cape of Hope, and now are past Mozambic, off at sea north-east winds blow Sabean odours from the spicy shore Of Arabie the blest, with such delay Well pleas'd they slack their course, and many a league Cheer'd with the grateful smell old Ocean smiles. So entertain'd those odorous sweets the fiend Who came their bane, though with them better pleas'd Than Asmodeus with the fishy fume, That drove him, though enamour'd, from the spouse Of Tobit's son, and with a vengeance sent From Media post to Egypt, there fast bound.
Now to th' ascent of that steep savage hill Satan had journey'd on, pensive and slow; But further way found none, so thick entwin'd, As one continu'd brake, the undergrowth Of shrubs and tangling bushes had perplex'd All path of man or beast that pass'd that way: One gate there only was, and that look'd east On th' other side: which when th' arch-felon saw Due entrance he disdain'd, and in contempt, At one slight bound high overleap'd all bound Of hill or highest wall, and sheer within Lights on his feet. As when a prowling wolf, Whom hunger drives to seek new haunt for prey, Watching where shepherds pen their flocks at eve In hurdl'd cotes amid the field secure, Leaps o'er the fence with ease into the fold: Or as a thief bent to unhoard the cash Of some rich burgher, whose substantial doors, Cross-barr'd and bolted fast, fear no assault, In at the window climbs, or o'er the tiles; So clomb this first grand thief into God's fold: So since into his church lewd hirelings climb. Thence up he flew, and on the tree of life The middle tree and highest there that grew, Sat like a cormorant; yet not true life Thereby regain'd, but sat devising death To them who liv'd; nor on the virtue thought Of that life-giving plant, but only us'd For prospect, what well us'd had been the pledge Of immortality. So little knows Any, but God alone, to value right The good before him, but perverts best things To worst abuse, or to their meanest use. Beneath him with new wonder now he views To all delight of human sense expos'd In narrow room Nature's whole wealth, yea more, A Heav'n on Earth, for blissful Paradise Of God the garden was, by him in the east Of Eden planted; Eden stretch'd her line From Auran eastward to the royal towers Of great Seleucia, built by Grecian kings, Or where the sons of Eden long before Dwelt in Telassar: in this pleasant soil His far more pleasant garden God ordain'd; Out of the fertile ground he caus'd to grow All trees of noblest kind for sight, smell, taste; And all amid them stood, the tree of life, High eminent, blooming ambrosial fruit Of vegetable gold; and next to life Our death the tree of knowledge grew fast by, Knowledge of good bought dear by knowing ill. Southward through Eden went a river large, Nor chang'd his course, but through the shaggy hill Pass'd underneath engulf'd, for God had thrown That mountain as his garden mould high rais'd Upon the rapid current, which through veins Of porous earth with kindly thirst up drawn, Rose a fresh fountain, and with many a rill Water'd the garden; thence united fell Down the steep glade, and met the nether flood, Which from his darksome passage now appears, And now divided into four main streams, Runs divers, wand'ring many a famous realm And country whereof here needs no account, But rather to tell how, if art could tell, How from that sapphire fount the crisped brooks, Rolling on orient pearl and sands of gold, With mazy error under pendant shades Ran nectar, visiting each plant, and fed Flowers worthy of Paradise which not nice art In beds and curious knots, but Nature boon Pour'd forth profuse on hill and dale and plain, Both where the morning sun first warmly smote The open field, and where the unpierc'd shade Imbrown'd the noontide bowers: thus was this place, balm, A happy rural seat of various view; Groves whose rich trees wept odorous gums and Others whose fruit burnish'd with golden rind Hung amiable, Hesperian fables true, If true, here only, and of delicious taste: Betwixt them lawns, or level downs, and flocks Grazing the tender herb, were interpos'd, Or palmy hillock, or the flowery lap Of some irriguous valley spread her store, Flowers of all hue, and without thorn the rose: Another side, umbrageous grots and caves Of cool recess, o'er which the mantling vine Lays forth her purple grape, and gently creeps Luxuriant; meanwhile murmuring waters fall Down the slope hills, dispers'd, or in a lake, That to the fringed bank with myrtle crown'd, Her crystal mirror holds, unite their streams. The birds their choir apply; airs, vernal airs, Breathing the smell of field and grove, attune The trembling leaves, while universal Pan Knit with the Graces and the Hours in dance Led on th' eternal spring. Not that fair field Of Enna, where Proserpin gathering flowers Herself a fairer flower by gloomy Dis Was gather'd, which cost Ceres all that pain To seek her through the world; nor that sweet grove Of Daphne by Orontes, and th' inspir'd Castalian spring, might with this Paradise Of Eden strive; nor that Nyseian isle Girt with the river Triton, where old Cham, Whom gentiles Ammon call and Libyan Jove, Hid Amalthea and her florid son Young Bacchus from his stepdame Rhea's eye; Nor where Abassin kings their issue guard, Mount Amara, though this by some suppos'd True Paradise under the Ethiop line By Nilus' head, enclos'd with shining rock, A whole day's journey high, but wide remote From this Assyrian garden, where the fiend Saw undelighted all delight, all kind Of living creatures new to sight and strange: Two of far nobler shape erect and tall, Godlike erect, with native honour clad In naked majesty seem'd lords of all, And worthy seem'd, for in their looks divine The image of their glorious Maker shone, Truth, wisdom, sanctitude severe and pure, Severe but in true filial freedom plac'd; Whence true authority in men; though both Not equal, as their sex not equal seem'd; For contemplation he and valour form'd, For softness she and sweet attractive grace, He for God only, she for God in him: His fair large front and eye sublime declar'd Absolute rule; and hyacinthine locks Round from his parted forelock manly hung Clust'ring, but not beneath his shoulders broad: She as a veil down to the slender waist Her unadorned golden tresses wore Dishevel'd, but in wanton ringlets wav'd As the vine curls her tendrils, which impli'd Subjection, but requir'd with gentle sway, And by her yielded, by him best receiv'd, Yielded with coy submission, modest pride, And sweet reluctant amorous delay. Nor those mysterious parts were then conceal'd, Then was not guilty shame, dishonest shame Of nature's works, honour dishonourable, Sin-bred, how have ye troubl'd all mankind With shows instead, mere shows of seeming pure, And banished from man's life his happiest life, Simplicity and spotless innocence. So pass'd they naked on, nor shunn'd the sight Of God or angel, for they thought no ill: So hand in hand they pass'd, the loveliest pair That ever since in love's embraces met, Adam the goodliest man of men since born His sons, the fairest of her daughters Eve. Under a tuft of shade that on a green Stood whispering soft, by a fresh fountain side They sat them down, and after no more toil Of their sweet gard'ning labour than suffic'd To recommend cool Zephyr, and made ease More easy, wholesome thirst and appetite More grateful, to their supper fruits they fell, Nectarine fruits which the compliant boughs Yielded them, side-long as they sat recline On the soft downy bank damask'd with flowers: The savoury pulp they chew, and in the rind Still as they thirsted scoop the brimming stream; Nor gentle purpose, nor endearing smiles Wanted, nor youthful dalliance as beseems Fair couple, link'd in happy nuptial league, Alone as they. About them frisking play'd All beasts of th' earth, since wild, and of all chase In wood or wilderness, forest or den; Sporting the lion ramp'd, and in his paw Dandl'd the kid; bears, tigers, ounces, pards, Gambol'd before them, th' unwieldy elephant To make them mirth us'd all his might, and wreath'd His lithe proboscis; close the serpent sly Insinuating, wove with Gordian twine His braided train, and of his fatal guile Gave proof unheeded; others on the grass Couch'd, and now fill'd with pasture gazing sat, Or bedward ruminating: for the sun Declin'd was hasting now with prone career To th' ocean isles, and in th' ascending scale Of Heav'n the stars that usher evening rose. When Satan still in gaze, as first he stood, Scarce thus at length fail'd speech recover'd sad.
O Hell! what do mine eyes with grief behold, Into our room of bliss thus high advanc'd creatures of other mould, earth-born perhaps, Not Spirits, yet to heav'nly Spirits bright Little inferior; whom my thoughts pursue With wonder, and could love, so lively shines In them Divine resemblance, and such grace The hand that form'd them on their shape hath pour'd. Ah gentle pair, ye little think how nigh Your change approaches, when all these delights Will vanish and deliver ye to woe; More woe, the more your taste is now of joy; Happy, but for so happy ill secur'd Long to continue, and this high seat your Heav'n Ill fenc'd for Heav'n to keep out such a foe As now is enter'd; yet no purpos'd foe To you whom I could pity thus forlorn Though I unpitied: league with you I seek, And mutual amity so straight, so close, That I with you must dwell, or you with me Henceforth; my dwelling haply may not please Like this fair Paradise, your sense, yet such Accept your Maker's work; he gave it me, Which I as freely give; Hell shall unfold, To entertain you two, her widest gates, And send forth all her kings; there will be room, Not like these narrow limits, to receive Your numerous offspring; if no better place, Thank him who puts me loath to this revenge On you who wrong me not for him who wrong'd. And should I at your harmless innocence Melt, as I do, yet public reason just, honour and empire with revenge enlarg'd, By conquering this new World, compels me now To do what else though damn'd I should abhor.
So spake the fiend, and with necessity, The tyrant's plea, excus'd his devilish deeds. Then from his lofty stand on that high tree Down he alights among the sportful herd Of those four-footed kinds, himself now one, Now other, as their shape serv'd best his end Nearer to view his prey, and unespi'd To mark what of their state he more might learn By word or action mark'd: about them round A lion now he stalks with fiery glare, Then as a tiger, who by chance hath spi'd In some purlieu two gentle fawns at play, Straight couches close, then rising changes oft His couchant watch, as one who chose his ground Whence rushing he might surest seize them both Grip'd in each paw: when Adam first of men To first of women Eve thus moving speech, Turn'd him all ear to hear new utterance flow.
Sole partner and sole part of all these joys, Dearer thy self than all; needs must the power That made us, and for us this ample world Be infinitely good, and of his good As liberal and free as infinite, That rais'd us from the dust and plac'd us here In all this happiness, who at his hand Have nothing merited, nor can perform Aught whereof he hath need, he who requires From us no other service than to keep This one, this easy charge, of all the trees In Paradise that bear delicious fruit So various, not to taste that only tree Of knowledge, planted by the tree of life, So near grows Death to life, what ere Death is, Some dreadful thing no doubt; for well thou know'st God hath pronounc'd it death to taste that tree, The only sign of our obedience left Among so many signs of power and rule Conferr'd upon us, and dominion giv'n Over all other creatures that possess earth, air, and sea. Then let us not think hard One easy prohibition, who enjoy Free leave so large to all things else, and choice Unlimited of manifold delights: But let us ever praise him and extol His bounty, following our delightful task To prune these growing plants, and tend these flowers, Which were it toilsome, yet with thee were sweet.
To whom thus Eve repli'd. O thou for whom And from whom I was form'd flesh of thy flesh, And without whom am to no end, my guide And head, what thou hast said is just and right. For we to him indeed all praises owe, And daily thanks, I chiefly who enjoy So far the happier lot, enjoying thee Preeminent by so much odds, while thou Like consort to thyself canst nowhere find. That day I oft remember, when from sleep I first awak'd, and found myself repos'd Under a shade of flowers, much wond'ring where And what I was, whence thither brought, and how. Not distant far from thence a murmuring sound Of waters issu'd from a cave and spread Into a liquid plain, then stood unmov'd Pure as th' expanse of Heav'n; I thither went With unexperienc'd thought, and laid me down On the green bank, to look into the clear Smooth lake, that to me seem'd another sky. As I bent down to look, just opposite, A shape within the wat'ry gleam appear'd Bending to look on me, I started back, It started back, but pleas'd I soon return'd, Pleas'd it return'd as soon with answering looks Of sympathy and love; there I had fixed Mine eyes till now, and pin'd with vain desire, Had not a voice thus warn'd me, What thou seest, What there thou seest, fair creature, is thyself, With thee it came and goes: but follow me, And I will bring thee where no shadow stays Thy coming, and thy soft embraces, he Whose image thou art, him thou shalt enjoy Inseparably thine, to him shalt bear Multitudes like thyself, and thence be call'd Mother of human race: what could I do, But follow straight, invisibly thus led? Till I espi'd thee, fair indeed and tall, Under a platan, yet methought less fair, Less winning soft, less amiably mild, Than that smooth wat'ry image; back I turn'd, Thou following cried'st aloud, Return fair Eve, Whom fly'st thou? whom thou fly'st, of him thou art, His flesh, his bone; to give thee being I lent Out of my side to thee, nearest my heart Substantial life, to have thee by my side Henceforth an individual solace dear; Part of my soul I seek thee, and thee claim My other half: with that thy gentle hand Seiz'd mine, I yielded, and from that time see How beauty is excell'd by manly grace And wisdom, which alone is truly fair.
So spake our general mother, and with eyes Of conjugal attraction unreprov'd, And meek surrender, half embracing lean'd On our first father, half her swelling breast Naked met his under the flowing Gold Of her loose tresses hid: he in delight Both of her beauty and submissive charms Smil'd with superior love, as Jupiter On Juno smiles, when he impregns the clouds That shed May flowers; and press'd her matron lip With kisses pure: aside the Devil turn'd For envy, yet with jealous leer malign Ey'd them askance, and to himself thus plain'd.
Sight hateful, sight tormenting! thus these two Imparadis'd in one another's arms The happier Eden, shall enjoy their fill Of bliss on bliss, while I to Hell am thrust, Where neither joy nor love, but fierce desire, Among our other torments not the least, Still unfulfill'd with pain of longing pines; Yet let me not forget what I have gain'd From their 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 their lord Envy them that? can it be sin to know, Can it be death? and do they only stand By ignorance, is that their happy state, The proof of their obedience and their faith? O fair foundation laid whereon to build Their ruin! Hence I will excite their minds With more desire to know, and to reject Envious commands, invented with design To keep them low whom knowledge might exalt 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 wand'ring spirit of Heav'n, by fountain side, Or in thick shade retir'd, from him to draw What further would be learnt. Live while ye may, Yet happy 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'er hill, o'er dale his roam. Meanwhile 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 Level'd his evening rays: it was a rock Of alabaster, pil'd up to the clouds, Conspicuous far, winding with one ascent Accessible from earth, one entrance high; The rest was craggy cliff, that overhung Still as it rose, impossible to climb. Betwixt these rocky pillars Gabriel sat Chief of th' angelic guards, awaiting night; About him exercis'd heroic games Th' unarmed youth of Heav'n, but nigh at hand Celestial armoury, shields, helms, and spears, Hung high with diamond flaming, and with gold. Thither came Uriel, gliding through the even On a sun-beam, swift as a shooting star In Autumn thwarts the night, when vapours fir'd Impress the air, and shows the mariner From what point of his Compass to beware Impetuous winds: he thus began in haste.
Gabriel, to thee thy course by lot hath giv'n Charge and strict watch that to this happy place No evil thing approach or enter in; This day at height of noon came to my sphere A spirit, zealous, as he seem'd, to know More of th' Almighty's works, and chiefly man God's latest image: I describ'd his way Bent all on speed, and mark'd his airy gait; But in the Mount that lies from Eden North, Where he first lighted, soon discern'd 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 banished crew I fear, hath ventur'd from the deep, to raise New troubles; him thy care must be to find.
To whom the winged warrior thus return'd: Uriel, no wonder if thy perfect sight, Amid the sun's bright circle where thou first, See far and wide: in at this gate none pass The vigilance here plac'd, but such as come Well known from Heav'n; and since meridian hour No creature thence: if spirit of other sort, So minded, have o'erleapt these earthy bounds On purpose, hard thou know'st it to exclude Spiritual substance with corporeal bar. But if within the circuit of these walks, In whatsoever shape he lurk, of whom Thou tell'st, by morrow dawning I shall know.
So promis'd he, and Uriel to his charge Return'd on that bright beam, whose point now rais'd Bore him slope downward to the sun now fall'n Beneath th' Azores; whither the prime orb, Incredible how swift, had thither roll'd Diurnal, or this less voluble 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 evening on, and twilight grey Had in her sober livery all things clad; Silence accompanied, for beast and bird, They to their grassy couch, these to their 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 sapphires: Hesperus that led The starry host, rode brightest, till the moon Rising in clouded majesty, at length Apparent queen unveil'd her peerless light, And o'er 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 eyelids; other creatures all day long Rove idle unemploy'd, and less need rest; Man hath his daily work of body or mind Appointed, which declares his dignity, And the regard of Heav'n on all his ways; While other animals inactive range, And of their doings God takes no account. To-morrow ere fresh morning streak the east With first approach of light, we must be ris'n, And at our pleasant labour, to reform Yon flowery arbors, yonder alleys green, Our walk at noon, with branches overgrown, That mock our scant manuring, and require More hands than ours to lop their wanton growth: Those blossoms also, and those dropping gums, That lie bestrewn unsightly and unsmooth, Ask riddance, if we mean to tread with ease; Meanwhile, as Nature wills, night bids us rest.
To whom thus Eve with perfect beauty adorn'd. 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 woman's happiest knowledge and her praise. With thee conversing I forget all time, All seasons and their 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 flower, Glist'ring with dew; fragrant the fertile earth After soft showers; and sweet the coming on Of grateful evening mild, then silent night With this her solemn bird and this fair moon, And these the gems of Heav'n, her starry train: But neither breath of morn when she ascends With charm of earliest birds, nor rising sun On this delightful land, nor herb, fruit, flower, Glist'ring with dew, nor fragrance after showers, Nor grateful evening mild, nor silent night With this her solemn bird, nor walk by moon, Or glittering star-light without thee is sweet. But wherefore all night long shine these, for whom This glorious sight, when sleep hath shut all eyes?
To whom our general ancestor repli'd. Daughter of God and man, accomplish'd Eve, These have their course to finish, round the earth, By morrow evening, and from land to land In order, though to nations yet unborn, Minist'ring light prepar'd, they set and rise; Lest total darkness should by night regain Her old possession, and extinguish life In Nature and all things, which these soft fires Not only enlighten, but with kindly heat Of various influence foment and warm, Temper or nourish, or in part shed down Their stellar virtue on all kinds that grow On earth, made hereby apter to receive Perfection from the sun's more potent ray. These then, though unbeheld in deep of night, Shine not in vain, nor think, though men were none, That Heav'n would want spectators, God want praise; Millions of spiritual creatures walk the earth Unseen, both when we wake, and when we sleep: All these with ceaseless praise his works behold Both day and night: how often from the steep Of echoing hill or thicket have we heard Celestial voices to the midnight air, Sole, or responsive each to other's note Singing their great Creator: oft in bands While they keep watch, or nightly rounding walk With Heav'nly touch of instrumental sounds In full harmonic number join'd, their songs Divide the night, and lift our thoughts to Heaven.
Thus talking hand in hand alone they pass'd On to their blissful bower; it was a place Chos'n by the sovereign planter, when he fram'd All things to man's delightful use; the roof Of thickest covert was inwoven shade Laurel and myrtle, and what higher grew Of firm and fragrant leaf; on either side Acanthus, and each odorous bushy shrub Fenc'd up the verdant wall; each beauteous flower, Iris all hues, roses, and jessamine Rear'd high their flourish'd heads between, and wrought Mosaic; underfoot the violet, Crocus, and hyacinth with rich inlay Broider'd the ground, more colour'd than with stone Of costliest emblem: other creature here Beast, bird, insect, or worm durst enter none; Such was their awe of man. In shady bower More sacred and sequester'd, though but feign'd, Pan or Silvanus never slept, nor nymph, Nor Faunus haunted. Here in close recess With flowers, garlands, and sweet-smelling herbs Espoused Eve deck'd first her nuptial bed, And Heav'nly choirs the Hymenaean sung, What day the genial angel to our Sire Brought her in naked beauty more adorn'd, More lovely than Pandora, whom the Gods Endow'd with all their gifts, and O too like In sad event, when to the unwiser son Of Japhet brought by Hermes, she ensnar'd Mankind with her fair looks, to be avenged On him who had stole Jove's authentic fire.
Thus at their shady lodge arriv'd, both stood Both turn'd, and under open sky ador'd The God that made both sky, air, earth and Heav'n Which they beheld, the moon's resplendent globe And starry pole: Thou also mad'st the night, Maker Omnipotent, and thou the day, Which we in our appointed work employ'd Have finished happy in our mutual help And mutual love, the crown of all our bliss Ordain'd by thee, and this delicious place For us too large, where thy abundance wants Partakers, and uncropped falls to the ground. But thou hast promis'd from us two a race To fill the earth, who shall with us extol Thy goodness infinite, both when we wake, And when we seek, as now, thy gift of sleep.
This said unanimous, and other rites Observing none, but adoration pure Which God likes best, into their inmost bower Handed they went; and eas'd the parting off These troublesome disguises which we wear, Straight side by side were laid, nor turn'd I ween Adam from his fair spouse, nor Eve the rites Mysterious of connubial love refus'd: Whatever hypocrites austerely talk Of purity and place and innocence, Defaming as impure what God declares Pure, and commands to some, leaves free to all. Our Maker bids increase, who bids abstain But our destroyer, foe to God and Man? Hail wedded love, mysterious law, true source Of human offspring, sole propriety, In Paradise of all things common else. By thee adulterous lust was driv'n from men Among the bestial herds to range, by thee Founded in reason, loyal, just, and pure, Relations dear, and all the charities Of father, son, and brother first were known. Far be it, that I should write thee sin or blame, Or think thee unbefitting holiest place, Perpetual fountain of domestic sweets, Whose bed is undefil'd and chaste pronounc'd, Present, or past, as saints and patriarchs us'd. Here Love his golden shafts employs, here lights His constant lamp, and waves his purple wings, Reigns here and revels; not in the bought smile Of harlots, loveless, joyless, unendear'd, Casual fruition, nor in court amours Mixed dance, or wanton mask, or midnight ball, Or serenade, which the starv'd lover sings To his proud fair, best quitted with disdain. These lull'd by nightingales embracing slept, And on their naked limbs the flowery roof Shower'd roses, which the morn repair'd. Sleep on Blest pair; and O yet happiest if ye seek No happier state, and know to know no more.
Now had night measur'd with her shadowy cone Half way up hill this vast sublunar vault, And from their ivory port the Cherubim Forth issuing at th' accustom'd hour stood arm'd To their night watches in warlike parade, When Gabriel to his next in power thus spake.
Uzziel, half these draw off, and coast the South With strictest watch; these other wheel the North, Our circuit meets full West. As flame they part Half wheeling to the Shield, half to the spear. From these, two strong and subtle spirits he call'd That near him stood, and gave them thus in charge.
Ithuriel and Zephon, with wing'd speed Search through this garden, leave unsearch'd no nook, But chiefly where those two fair creatures lodge, Now laid perhaps asleep secure of harm. This evening from the sun's decline arriv'd Who tells of some infernal spirit seen Hitherward bent (who could have thought?) escap'd The bars of Hell, on errand bad no doubt: Such where ye find, seize fast, and hither bring.
So saying, on he led his radiant files, Dazzling the moon; these to the bower direct In search of whom they sought: him there they found Squat like a toad, close at the ear of Eve. Assaying by his devilish art to reach The organs of her fancy, and with them forge Illusions as he list, phantasms and dreams, Or if, inspiring venom, he might taint Th' animal spirits that from pure blood arise Like gentle breaths from rivers pure, thence raise At least distemper'd, discontented thoughts, Vain hopes, vain aims, inordinate desires Blown up with high conceits engend'ring pride. Him thus intent Ithuriel with his spear Touch'd lightly; for no falsehood can endure Touch of celestial temper, but returns Of force to its own likeness: up he starts Discover'd and surpris'd. As when a spark Lights on a heap of nitrous powder, laid Fit for the tun some magazine to store Against a rumour'd war, the smutty grain With sudden blaze diffus'd, inflames the air: So started up in his own shape the fiend. Back stepped those two fair angels half amaz'd So sudden to behold the grisly King; Yet thus, unmov'd with fear, accost him soon.
Which of those rebel spirits adjudg'd to Hell Com'st thou, escap'd thy prison, and transform'd, Why sat'st thou like an enemy in wait Here watching at the head of these that sleep?
Know ye not then said Satan, fill'd with scorn, Know ye not me? ye knew me once no mate For you, there sitting where ye durst not soar; Not to know me argues yourselves unknown, The lowest of your throng; or if ye know, Why ask ye, and superfluous begin Your message, like to end as much in vain? To whom thus Zephon, answering scorn with scorn. Think not, revolted spirit, thy shape the same, Or undiminish'd brightness, to be known As when thou stood'st in Heav'n upright and pure; That glory then, when thou no more wast good, Departed from thee, and thou resembl'st now Thy sin and place of doom obscure and foul. But come, for thou, be sure, shalt give account To him who sent us, whose charge is to keep This place inviolable, and these from harm.
So spake the cherub, and his grave rebuke Severe in youthful beauty, added grace Invincible: abash'd the Devil stood, And felt how awful goodness is, and saw Virtue in her shape how lovely, saw, and pin'd His loss; but chiefly to find here observ'd His lustre visibly impair'd; yet seem'd Undaunted. If I must contend, said he, Best with the best, the sender not the sent, Or all at once; more glory will be won, Or less be lost. Thy fear, said Zephon bold, Will save us trial what the least can do Single against thee wicked, and thence weak.
The fiend repli'd not, overcome with rage; But like a proud steed rein'd, went haughty on, Champing his iron curb: to strive or fly He held it vain; awe from above had quell'd His heart, not else dismay'd. Now drew they nigh The western point, where those half-rounding guards Just met, and closing stood in squadron join'd Awaiting next command. To whom their Chief Gabriel from the front thus call'd aloud.
O friends, I hear the tread of nimble feet Hasting this way, and now by glimpse discern Ithuriel and Zephon through the shade, And with them comes a third of regal port, But faded splendour wan; who by his gait And fierce demeanour seems the Prince of Hell, Not likely to part hence without contest; Stand firm, for in his look defiance lours.
He scarce had ended, when those two approach'd And brief related whom they brought, where found, How busied, in what form and posture couch'd.
To whom with stern regard thus Gabriel spake. Why hast thou, Satan, broke the bounds prescrib'd To thy transgressions, and disturb'd 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; Employ'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 ask'd Puts me in doubt. Lives there who loves his pain? Who would not, finding way, break loose from Hell, Though thither doom'd? Thou wouldst thyself, no doubt, And boldly venture to whatever place Farthest from pain, where thou mightst hope to change Torment with ease, and soonest recompense Dole with delight, which in this place I sought; To thee no reason; who know'st only good, But evil hast not tri'd: and wilt object His will who bound us? let him surer bar His iron gates, if he intends our stay In that dark durance: thus much what was ask'd. The rest is true, they found me where they say; But that implies not violence or harm.
Thus he 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 folly overthrew, And now returns him from his prison 'scap'd, Gravely in doubt whether to hold them wise Or not, who ask what boldness brought him hither Unlicens'd from his bounds in Hell prescrib'd; So wise he judges it to fly from pain However, and to 'scape his punishment. So judge thou still, presumptuous, till the wrath, Which thou incurr'st by flying, meet thy flight Sevenfold, and scourge that wisdom back to Hell, Which taught thee yet no better, that no pain Can equal anger infinite provok'd. But wherefore thou alone? wherefore with thee Came not all Hell broke loose? is pain to them Less pain, less to be fled, or thou than they Less hardy to endure? courageous Chief, The first in flight from pain, hadst thou alleg'd To thy deserted host this cause of flight, thou surely hadst not come sole fugitive.
To which the fiend thus answer'd frowning stern. Not that I less endure, or shrink from pain, Insulting angel, well thou know'st I stood Thy fiercest, when in battle to thy aid Thy blasting volley'd 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 assays and ill successes past A faithful leader, not to hazard all Through ways of danger by himself untri'd, I therefore, I alone first undertook To wing the desolate abyss, and spy This new created World, whereof in Hell Fame is not silent, here in hope to find Better abode, and my afflicted powers To settle here on Earth, or in mid air; Though for possession put to try once more What thou and thy gay legions dare against; Whose easier business were to serve their Lord High up in Heav'n, with songs to hymn his throne, And practis'd distances to cringe, not fight.
To whom the warrior angel, soon repli'd. To say and straight unsay, pretending first Wise to fly pain, professing next the spy, Argues no leader but a liar trac'd, Satan, and couldst thou faithful add? O name, O sacred name of faithfulness profan'd! Faithful to whom? to thy rebellious crew? Army of fiends, fit body to fit head; Was this your discipline and faith engag'd, Your military obedience, to dissolve Allegiance to th' acknowledg'd Power supreme? And thou sly hypocrite, who now wouldst seem Patron of liberty, who more than thou Once fawn'd, and cring'd, and servilely ador'd Heav'n's awful Monarch? wherefore but in hope To dispossess him, and thyself to reign? But mark what I areed thee now, avaunt; Fly thither whence thou fledst: if from this hour Within these hallow'd limits thou appear, Back to th' infernal pit I drag thee chain'd, And seal thee so, as henceforth not to scorn The facile gates of Hell too slightly barr'd.
So threatn'd he, but Satan to no threats Gave heed, but waxing more in rage repli'd.
Then when I am thy captive talk of chains, Proud limitary cherub, but ere then Far heavier load thyself expect to feel From my prevailing arm, though Heav'n's King Ride on thy wings, and thou with thy compeers, Us'd to the yoke, draw'st his triumphant wheels In progress through the road of Heav'n star-pav'd.
While thus he spake, th' angelic squadron bright Turn'd fiery red, sharp'ning in mooned horns Their phalanx, and began to hem 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 Sways them; the careful ploughman doubting stands Lest on the threshing floor his hopeful sheaves Prove chaff. On th' other side Satan alarm'd Collecting all his might dilated stood, Like Teneriffe or Atlas unremov'd: His stature reach'd the sky, and on his crest Sat horror plum'd; nor wanted in his grasp What seem'd both spear and shield: now dreadful deeds Might have ensu'd, nor only Paradise In this commotion, but the starry cope Of Heav'n perhaps, or all the elements At least had gone to rack, disturb'd and torn 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 Astraea and the Scorpion sign, Wherein all things created first he weigh'd, The pendulous round earth with balanc'd air In counterpoise, now ponders all events, Battles and realms: in these he put two weights The sequel each of parting and of fight, The latter quick up flew, and kick'd the beam; Which Gabriel spying, thus bespake the fiend.
Satan, I know thy strength, and thou know'st mine, Neither our own but giv'n; what folly then To boast what arms can do, since thine no more Than Heav'n permits, nor mine, though doubl'd now To trample thee as mire: for proof look up, And read thy lot in yon celestial sign Where thou art weigh'd, and shown how light, how weak, If thou resist. The fiend look'd up and knew His mounted scale aloft: nor more; but fled Murmuring, and with him fled the shades of night.
BOOK V.
THE ARGUMENT.
Morning approach'd, Eve relates to Adam her troublesome dream; he likes it not, yet comforts her: They come forth to their day labours: Their morning hymn at the door of their bower. God to render man inexcusable sends Raphael to admonish him of his obedience, of his free estate, of his enemy near at hand; who he is, and why his enemy, and whatever else may avail Adam to know. Raphael comes down to paradise, his appearance describ'd, his coming discern'd by Adam afar off sitting at the door of his bower; he goes out to meet him, brings him to his lodge, entertains him with the choicest fruits of paradise got together by Eve; their discourse at table: Raphael performs his message, minds Adam of his state and of his enemy; relates at Adam's request who that enemy is, and how he came to be so, beginning from his first revolt in Heaven, and the occasion thereof; how he drew his legions after him to the parts of the north, and there incited them to rebel with him, persuading all but only Abdiel a seraph, who in argument dissuades and opposes him, then forsakes him.
NOw morn her rosy steps in th' eastern clime Advancing, sow'd the earth with orient pearl, When Adam wak't, so custom'd, for his sleep Was airy light from pure digestion bred, And temperate vapours 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 Beauty, which whether waking or asleep, Shot forth peculiar graces; then with voice Mild, as when Zephyrus on Flora breathes, Her hand soft touching, whisper'd thus. Awake My fairest, my espous'd, my latest found, Heav'n's 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 myrrh, and what the balmy 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 embracing, thus she spake.
O sole in whom my thoughts find all repose, My glory, 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 morrow's next design, But of offence and trouble, which my mind Knew never till this irksome 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-labour'd song; now reigns Full orb'd the moon, and with more pleasing light Shadowy sets off the face of things; in vain, If none regard; Heav'n wakes with all his eyes, Whom to behold but thee, Nature's 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 fancy than by day: And as I wond'ring look'd▪ beside it stood One shap'd and wing'd like one of those from Heav'n By us oft seen; his dewy 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 envy, or what reserve forbids to taste? Forbid who will, none shall from me withhold Longer thy offer'd good, why else set here? This said he paus'd not, but with vent'rous arm He pluck'd, he tasted; me damp horror chil'd At such bold words vouch'd with a deed so bold: But he thus overjoy'd, o fruit divine, Sweet of thy self, but much more sweet thus cropped, Forbidd'n here, it seems, as only fit For Gods, yet able to make Gods of men: And why not Gods of men, since good, the more Communicated, more abundant grows, The author not impair'd, but honour'd more? Here, happy creature, fair angelic Eve, Partake thou also; happy 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 confin'd, But sometimes in the air, as we, sometimes Ascend to Heav'n, by merit thine, and see What life the Gods live there, 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 pluck'd; the pleasant savoury 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 outstretch'd immense, a prospect wide And various: wond'ring at my flight and change To this high exaltation; suddenly. My guide was gone, 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 answer'd 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 soul Are many lesser faculties that serve Reason as chief; among these fancy next Her office holds; of all external things, Which the five watchful senses represent, She forms imaginations, airy shapes, Which reason joining or disjoining, frames All what we affirm or what deny, and call Our knowledge or opinion; then retires Into her private cell when Nature rests. Oft in her absence mimic fancy wakes To imitate her; but misjoining shapes, Wild work produces oft, and most in dreams, Ill matching words and deeds long past or late. Some such resemblances methinks I find Of our last evening's talk, in this thy dream, But with addition strange: yet be not sad. Evil into the mind of God or man May come and go, so unapprov'd, and leave No spot or blame behind: Which gives me hope That what in sleep thou didst abhor to dream, Waking thou never wilt consent to do. Be not disheart'nd then, nor cloud those looks That wont to be more cheerful and serene Than when fair morning first smiles on the world, And let us to our fresh employments rise Among the groves, the fountains, and the flowers That open now their choicest bosom'd smells Reserv'd from night, and kept for thee in store.
So cheer'd he his fair spouse, and she was cheer'd, But silently a gentle tear let fall From either eye, and wip'd them with her hair; Two other precious drops that ready stood, Each in their crystal sluice, he ere they fell Kiss'd as the gracious signs of sweet remorse And pious awe, that feard to have offended.
So all was clear'd, and to the field they haste. But first from under shady arborous roof, Soon as they forth were come to open sight Of day-spring, and the sun, who scarce up risen With wheels yet hov'ring o'er the ocean brim, Shot parallel to the earth his dewy ray, Discovering in wide landscape all the East Of paradise and Eden's happy plains, Lowly they bow'd adoring, and began Their orisons, each morning duly paid In various style, for neither various style Nor holy rapture wanted they to praise Their maker, in fit strains pronounc't or sung Unmeditated, such prompt eloquence Flow'd from their lips, in prose or numerous verse, More tuneable than needed lute or harp, To add more sweetness, and they thus began.
These are thy glorious works, parent of good, Almighty, thine this universal frame, Thus wondrous fair; thy self how wondrous then! Unspeakable, who first above these Heavens To us invisible or dimly seen In these thy lowest works, yet these declare Thy goodness beyond thought, and power divine: Speak ye who best can tell, ye Sons of light, Angels, for ye behold him, and with songs And choral symphonies, day without night, Circle his throne rejoicing, ye in Heav'n, On Earth join all ye creatures to extol Him first, him last, him midst, and without end. Fairest of stars, last in the train of night, If better thou belong not to the dawn, Sure pledge of day, that crown'st the smiling morn With thy bright circlet, praise him in thy sphere While day arises, that sweet hour of prime. Thou sun, of this great world both eye and soul. Acknowledge him thy greater, sound his praise In thy eternal course, both when thou climb'st, And when high noon hast gain'd, and when thou fall'st. Moon, that now meet'st the orient sun, now fly'st With the fixed stars, fixed in their orb that flies, And ye five other wand'ring fires that move In mystic dance not without song, resound His praise, who out of darkness call'd up light. Air, and ye elements the eldest birth Of Nature's womb, that in quaternion run Perpetual circle, multiform; and mix And nourish all things, let your ceaseless change Vary to our great maker still new praise. Ye mists and exhalations that now rise From hill or steaming lake, dusky or grey, Till the sun paint your fleecy skirts with gold, In honour to the world's great author rise, Whether to deck with clouds the uncolour'd sky, Or wet the thirsty Earth with falling showers, Rising or falling still advance his praise. His praise ye winds, that from four quarters blow, Breathe soft or loud; and wave your tops, ye pines, With every plant, in sign of worship wave. Fountains and ye, that warble, as ye flow, Melodious murmurs, warbling tune his praise. Join voices all ye living souls, ye birds, That singing up to Heaven gate ascend, Bear on your wings and in your notes his praise; Ye that in waters glide, and ye that walk The Earth, and stately tread, or lowly creep; Witness if I be silent, morn or even, To hill, or valley, fountain, or fresh shade Made vocal by my song, and taught his praise. Hail universal lord, be bounteous still To give us only good; and if the night Have gathered aught of evil or conceal'd, Disperse it, as now light dispels the dark.
So pray'd they innocent, and to their thoughts Firm peace recover'd soon and wonted calm. On to their morning's rural work they haste Among sweet dews and flowers; where any row Of fruit-trees overwoody reach'd too far Their pamper'd boughs, and needed hands to check Fruitless embraces: or they led the vine To wed her elm; she spous'd about him twines Her marriageable arms, and with her brings Her dowr th' adopted clusters, to adorn His barren leaves. Them thus employ'd beheld With pity Heav'n's high king, and to him call'd Raphael, the sociable Spirit, that deign'd To travel with Tobias, and secur'd His marriage with the seventimes-wedded maid.
Raphael, said he, thou hear'st what stir on Earth Satan from Hell 'scap't through the darksome gulf Hath rais'd in paradise, and how disturb'd This night the human pair, how he designs In them at once to ruin all mankind. Go therefore, half this day as friend with friend Converse with Adam, in what bower or shade Thou find'st him from the heat of noon retir'd, To respite his day-labour with repast, Or with repose; and such discourse bring on, As may advise him of his happy state, Happiness in his power left free to will, Left to his own free will, his will though free, Yet mutable; whence warn him to beware He swerve not too secure: tell him withall His danger, and from whom, what enemy Late fall'n himself from Heav'n, is plotting now The fall of others from like state or bliss; By violence, no, for that shall be withstood, But by deceit and lies; this let him know, Lest wilfully transgressing he pretend Surprisal, unadmonish'd, unforewarn'd.
So spake th' eternal Father, and fulfill'd All justice: nor delay'd the winged saint After his charge receiv'd; but from among Thousand celestial ardors, where he stood Veil'd with his gorgeous wings, up springing light Flew through the midst of Heav'n; th' angelic quires On each hand parting, to his speed gave way Through all th' empyreal road; till at the gate Of Heav'n arriv'd, the gate self-open'd wide On golden hinges turning, as by work Divine the sov'ran architect had fram'd. From hence, no cloud, or, to obstruct his sight, Star interpos'd, however small he sees, Not unconform to other shining globes, Earth and the gard'n of God, with cedars crown'd Above all hills. As when by night the glass Of galileo, less assur'd, observes Imagin'd lands and regions in the moon: Or pilot from amidst the Cyclades Delos or Samos first appearing kenns A cloudy spot. Down thither prone in flight He speeds, and through the vast ethereal sky Sails between worlds and worlds, with steady wing Now on the polar winds, then with quick fan Winnows the buxom air; till within soar Of tow'ring eagles, to all the fowls he seems A phaenix, gaz'd by all, as that sole bird When to enshrine his reliques in the sun's Bright temple, to Egyptian Thebes he flies. At once on th' eastern cliff of paradise He lights, and to his proper shape returns A seraph wing'd; six wings he wore, to shade His lineaments divine; the pair that clad Each shoulder broad, came mantling o'er his breast With regal ornament; the middle pair; Girt like a starry zone his waist, and round Skirted his loins and thighs with downy gold And colours dipt in Heav'n; the third his feet Shadow'd from either heel with feather'd mail Sky-tinctur'd grain. Like Maia's son he stood, And shook his plumes, that heav'nly fragrance filld The circuit wide. Strait knew him all the bands Of angels under watch; and to his state, And to his message high in honour rise; For on some message high they guess'd him bound. Their glittering tents he pass'd, and now is come Into the blissful field, through groves of myrrh, And flow'ring odours, cassia, nard, and balm; A wilderness of sweets; for Nature here Wantond as in her prime, and plaid at will Her virgin fancies, pouring forth more sweet, Wild above rule or art; enormous bliss. Him through the spicy forest onward come Adam discern'd, as in the door he sat Of his cool bower, while now the mounted sun Shot down direct his fervid rays to warm Earth's inmost womb, more warmth than Adam needs; And Eve within, due at her hour prepar'd For dinner savoury fruits, of taste to please True appetite, and not disrelish thirst Of nectarous draughts between, from milky stream, Berry or grape: to whom thus Adam call'd.
Haste hither Eve, and worth thy sight behold Eastward among those trees, what glorious shape Comes this way moving; seems another morn Ris'n on mid-noon; some great behest from Heav'n To us perhaps he brings, and will vouchsafe This day to be our guest. But go with speed, And what thy stores contain, bring forth and pour Abundance, fit to honour and receive Our heav'nly stranger; well we may afford Our givers their own gifts, and large bestow From large bestowd, where Nature multiplies Her fertil growth, and by disburd'ning grows More fruitful, which instructs us not to spare.
To whom thus Eve. Adam, earth's hallow'd mould, Of God inspir'd, small store will serve, where store, All seasons, ripe for use hangs on the stalk; Save what by frugal storing firmness gains To nourish, and superfluous moist consumes: But I will haste and from each bough and break, Each plant and juiciest gourd will pluck such choice To entertain our angel guest, as he Beholding shall confess that here on Earth God hath dispensed his bounties as in Heav'n.
So saying, with dispatchful looks in haste She turns, on hospitable thoughts intent What choice to choose for delicacy best, What order, so contriv'd as not to mix Tastes, not well join'd, inelegant, but bring Taste after taste upheld with kindliest change, Bestirs her then, and from each tender stalk Whatever Earth all-bearing mother yields In India East or West, or middle shore In Pontus or the Punic coast, or where Alcinous reign'd, fruit of all kinds, in coat, Rough, or smooth rinded, or bearded husk, or shell She gathers, tribute large, and on the board Heaps with unsparing hand; for drink the grape She crushes, inoffensive must, and meaths From many a berry, and from sweet kernels pressed She tempers dulcet creams, nor these to hold Wants her fit vessels pure, then strews the ground With rose and odours from the shrub unfum'd. Mean while our primitive great sire, to meet His god-like guest, walks forth, without more train Accompani'd than with his own complete Perfections, in himself was all his state, More solemn than the tedious pomp that waits On princes, when their rich retinue long Of horses led, and grooms besmear'd with gold Dazzles the crowd, and sets them all agape. Nearer his presence Adam though not aw'd, Yet with submiss approach and reverence meek, As to a superior Nature, bowing low,
Thus said. Native of Heav'n, for other place None can than Heav'n such glorious shape contain; Since by descending from the Thrones above, Those happy places thou hast deign'd a while To want, and honour these, vouchsafe with us Two only, who yet by sov'ran gift possess This spacious ground, in yonder shady bower To rest, and what the garden choicest bears To sit and taste, till this meridian heat Be over, and the sun more cool decline.
Whom thus the angelic virtue answer'd mild. Adam, I therefore came, nor art thou such Created, or such place hast here to dwell, As may not oft invite, though Spirits of Heav'n To visit thee; lead on then where thy bower O'ershades; for these mid-hours, till evening rise I have at will. So to the silvan lodge They came, that like Pomona's arbour smil'd With flow'rets deck'd and fragrant smells; but Eve Undeck'd, save with her self more lovely fair Than wood-nymph, or the fairest goddess feign'd Of three that in mount Ida naked strove, Stood to entertain her guest from Heav'n; no veil She needed, virtue-proof, no thought infirm Alter'd her cheek. On whom the angel Hail Bestowd, the holy salutation us'd Long after to blest Marie, second Eve.
Hail mother of mankind, whose fruitful womb Shall fill the world more numerous with thy Sons Than with these various fruits the trees of God Have heap'd this table. Rais'd of grassy turf Their table was, and mossy seats had round, And on her ample square from side to side All Autumn pil'd, though Spring and Autumn here Danc'd hand in hand. A while discourse they hold; No fear lest dinner cool; when thus began Our author. Heav'nly stranger, please to taste These bounties which our nourisher, from whom All perfect good unmeasur'd out, descends, To us for food and for delight hath caus'd The Earth to yield; unsavoury food perhaps To spiritual Natures; only this I know, That one celestial Father gives to all.
To whom the angel. Therefore what he gives (Whose praise be ever sung) to man in part Spiritual, may of purest Spirits be found No ingrateful food: and food alike those pure Intelligential substances require As doth your rational; and both contain Within them every lower faculty Of sense, whereby they hear, see, smell, touch, taste, Tasting concoct, digest, assimilate, And corporeal to incorporeal turn. For know, whatever was created, needs To be sustain'd and fed; of elements The grosser feeds the purer, Earth the sea, Earth and the sea feed air, the air those fires Ethereal, and as lowest first the moon; Whence in her visage round those spots, unpurg'd Vapours not yet into her substance turn'd. Nor doth the moon no nourishment exhale From her moist continent to higher orbs. The sun that light imparts to all, receives From all his alimental recompense In humid exhalations, and at even Sups with the ocean: though in Heav'n the trees Of life ambrosial fruitage bear, and vines Yield nectar, though from off the boughs each morn We brush mellifluous dews, and find the ground Cover'd with pearly grain: yet God hath here Varied his bounty so with new delights, As may compare with Heaven; and to taste Think not I shall be nice. So down they sat, And to their viands fell, nor seemingly The angel, nor in mist, the common gloss Of theologians, but with keen dispatch Of real hunger, and concoctive heate To transubstantiate; what redounds, transpires Through Spirits with ease; nor wonder; if by fire Of sooty coal the empiric alchemist Can turn, or holds it possible to turn Metals of drossiest ore to perfect gold As from the mine. Mean while at table Eve Minister'd naked, and their flowing cups With pleasant liquors crown'd: O innocence Deserving paradise: if ever, then, Then had the Sons of God excuse to have been Enamour'd at that sight, but in those hearts Love unlibidinous reign'd, nor jealousy Was understood, the injur'd lover's Hell.
Thus when with meats and drinks they had suffic'd, Not burd'nd Nature, sudden mind arose In Adam, not to let th' occasion pass Given him by this great conference to know Of things above his world, and of their being Who dwell in Heav'n, whose excellence he saw Transcend his own so far, whose radiant forms Divine effulgence, whose high power so far Exceeded human, and his wary speech Thus to th' empyreal minister he fram'd.
Inhabitant with God, now know I well Thy favour, in this honour done to man, Under whose lowly roof thou hast vouchsaf'd To enter, and these earthly fruits to taste, Food not of angels, yet accepted so, As that more willingly thou couldst not seem At Heav'n's high feasts to have fed: yet what compare?
To whom the winged hierarch repli'd. O Adam, one almighty is, from whom All things proceed, and up to him return, If not deprav'd from good, created all Such to perfection, one first matter all, Indu'd with various forms, various degrees Of substance, and in things that live, of life; But more refin'd, more spiritous, and pure, As nearer to him plac't or nearer tending Each in their several active spheres assign'd, Till body up to spirit work, in bounds Proportion'd to each kind. So from the root Springs lighter the green stalk, from thence the leaves More airy, last the bright consummate flower Spirits odorous breathes: flowers and their fruit Man's nourishment, by gradual scale sublim'd To vital Spirits aspire, to animal, To intellectual, give both life and sense, Fancy and understanding, whence the soul Reason receives, and reason is her being, Discursive, or intuitive; discourse Is oftest yours, the latter most is ours, Differing but in degree, of kind the same. Wonder not then, what God for you saw good If I refuse not, but convert, as you, To proper substance, time may come when men With angels may participate, and find No inconvenient diet, nor too light fare: And from these corporal nutriments perhaps Your bodies may at last turn all to Spirit, Improv'd by tract of time, and wing'd ascend Ethereal, as we, or may at choice Here or in heav'nly paradises dwell; If ye be found obedient, and retain Unalterably firm his love entire Whose progeny you are. Mean while enjoy Your fill what happiness this happy state Can comprehend, incapable of more.
To whom the patriarch of mankind repli'd, O favourable spirit, propitious guest, Well hast thou taught the way that might direct Our knowledge, and the scale of Nature set From centre to circumference, whereon In contemplation of created things By steps we may ascend to God. But say, What meant that caution joind, if ye be found Obedient? can we want obedience then To him, or possibly his love desert Who form'd us from the dust, and plac'd us here Full to the utmost measure of what bliss Human desires can seek or apprehend?
To whom the angel. Son of Heav'n and Earth, Attend: That thou art happy, owe to God; That thou continu'st such, owe to thy self, That is, to thy obedience; therein stand. This was that caution giv'n thee; be advis'd. God made thee perfect, not immutable; And good he made thee, but to persevere He left it in thy power, ordain'd thy will By nature free, not over-rul'd by fate Inextricable, or strict necessity; Our voluntary service he requires, Not our necessitated, such with him Finds no acceptance, nor can find, for how Can hearts, not free, be tri'd whether they serve Willing or no, who will but what they must By destiny, and can no other choose? My self and all th' angelic host that stand In sight of God enthron'd, our happy state Hold, as you yours, while our obedience holds; On other surety none; freely we serve, Because we freely love, as in our will To love or not; in this we stand or fall: And some are fall'n, to disobedience fall'n, And so from Heav'n to deepest Hell; o fall From what high state of bliss into what woe!
To whom our great progenitor. Thy words Attentive, and with more delighted ear, Divine instructor, I have heard, than when Cherubic songs by night from neighbouring hills Aerial music send: nor knew I not To be both will and deed created free; Yet that we never shall forget to love Our maker, and obey him whose command Single, is yet so just, my constant thoughts Assur'd me, and still assure: though what thou tellst Hath past in Heav'n, some doubt within me move, But more desire to hear, if thou consent, The full relation, which must needs be strange, Worthy of sacred silence to be heard; And we have yet large day, for scarce the sun Hath finished half his journey, and scarce begins His other half in the great zone of Heav'n.
Thus Adam made request, and Raphael After short pause assenting, thus began.
High matter thou enjoinst me, o prime of men, Sad task and hard, for how shall I relate To human sense th' invisible exploits Of warring Spirits; how without remorse The ruin of so many glorious once And perfect while they stood; how last unfold The secrets of another world, perhaps Not lawful to reveal? yet for thy good This is dispensed, and what surmounts the reach Of human sense, I shall delineate so, By lik'ning spiritual to corporal forms As may express them best, though what if Earth Be but the shadow of Heav'n, and things therein Each to other like, more than on earth is thought?
As yet this world was not, and Chaos wild Reign'd where these Heav'ns now roll, where Earth now rests Upon her centre pois'd, when on a day (For time, though in eternity, appli'd To motion, measures all things durable By present, past, and future) on such day As Heav'n's great year brings forth, th' empyreal host Of angels by imperial summons call'd, Innumerable before th' Almighty's throne Forthwith from all the ends of Heav'n appear'd Under their hierarchs in orders bright Ten thousand thousand ensigns high advanc'd, Standards, and gonfalons twixt van and rear Stream in the air, and for distinction serve Of hierarchies, of orders, and degrees; Or in their glittering tissues bear emblaz'd Holy memorials, acts of zeal and love Recorded eminent. Thus when in orbs Of circuit inexpressible they stood, Orb within orb, the Father infinite, By whom in bliss embosom'd sat the Son, Amidst as from a flaming mount, whose top Brightness had made invisible, thus spake.
Hear all ye angels, progeny of light, Thrones, Dominations, Princedoms, virtues, Powers, Hear my decree, which unrevok't shall stand. This day I have begot whom I declare My only Son, and on this holy hill Him have anointed, whom ye now behold At my right hand; your head I him appoint; And by my self have sworn to him shall bow All knees in Heav'n, and shall confess him lord: Under his great vice-gerent reign abide United as one individual soul For ever happy: him who disobeys Me disobeys, breaks union, and that day Cast out from God and blessed vision, falls Into utter darkness, deep engulfed, his place Ordain'd without redemption, without end.
So spake th' omnipotent, and with his words All seem'd well pleas'd, all seem'd, but were not all That day, as other solemn days, they spent In song and dance about the sacred hill, Mystical dance, which yonder starry sphere Of planets and of fixed in all her wheels Resembles nearest, mazes intricate, Eccentric, intervolv'd, yet regular Then most, when most irregular they seem, And in their motions harmonic divine So smooths her charming tones, that God's own ear Listens delighted. Evening now approach'd (For we have also our evening and our morn, We ours for change delectable, not need) Forthwith from dance to sweet repast they turn Desirous; all in circles as they stood, Tables are set, and on a sudden pil'd With angels' food, and rubied nectar flows In pearl, in diamond, and massy gold, Fruit of delicious vines, the growth of Heav'n. On flowers repos'd, and with fresh flow'rets crown'd. They eat, they drink, and in communion sweet Quaff immortality and joy, secure Of surfeit where full measure only bounds Excess, before th' all bounteous king, who shower'd With copious hand, rejoycing in their joy. Now when ambrosial night with clouds exhal'd From that high mount of God, whence light & shade Spring both, the face of brightest Heav'n had chang'd To grateful twilight (for night comes not there In darker veil) and roseate dews dispos'd All but the unsleeping eyes of God to rest, Wide over all the plain, and wider far Than all this globous Earth in plain out spread, (Such are the courts of God) th' angelic throng Dispersed in bands and files their camp extend By living streams among the trees of life, Pavilions numberless, and sudden rear'd, Celestial tabernacles, where they slept, Fann'd with cool winds, save those who in their course Melodious hymns about the sovereign throne Alternate all night long: but not so wak'd Satan, so call him now, his former name Is heard no more in Heav'n; he of the first, If not the first arch-angel, great in power, In favour and preeminence, yet fraught With envy against the Son of God, that day Honour'd by his great Father, and proclaim'd Messiah king anointed, could not bear Through pride that sight, & thought himself impair'd. Deep malice thence conceiving and disdain, Soon as midnight brought on the dusky hour Friendliest to sleep and silence, he resolv'd With all his legions to dislodge, and leave Unworshipped, unobey'd the throne supreme Contemptuous, and his next subordinate Awak'ning, thus to him in secret spake.
Sleepst thou companion dear, what sleep can close Thy eye lids? and remembrest what decree Of yesterday, so late hath past the lips Of Heav'n's almighty. Thou to me thy thoughts Wast wont, I mine to thee was wont to impart; Both waking we were one; how then can now Thy sleep dissent? new laws thou seest impos'd; New laws from him who reigns, new minds may raise In us who serve, new counsels, to debate What doubtful may ensue, more in this place To utter is not safe. Assemble thou Of all those myriads which we lead the chief; Tell them that by command, ere yet dim night Her shadowy cloud withdraws, I am to haste, And all who under me their banners wave, Homeward with flying march where we possess The quarters of the north, there to prepare Fit entertainment to receive our king The great Messiah, and his new commands, Who speedily through all the hierarchies Intends to pass triumphant, and give laws.
So spake the false arch-angel, and infus'd Bad influence into th' unwary breast Of his associate; he together calls, Or several one by one, the regent Powers, Under him regent, tells, as he was taught, That the most high commanding, now ere night, Now ere dim night had disencumber'd Heav'n, The great hierarchal standard was to move; Tells the suggested cause, and casts between Ambiguous words and jealousies, to sound Or taint integrity; but all obey'd The wonted signal, and superior voice Of their great potentate; for great indeed His name, and high was his degree in Heav'n; His count'nance, as the morning star that guides The starry flock, allur'd them, and with lies Drew after him the third part of Heav'n's host: Mean while th' eternal eye, whose sight discerns Abstrusest thoughts, from forth his holy mount And from within the golden lamps that burn Nightly before him, saw without their light Rebellion rising, saw in whom, how spread Among the sons of morn, what multitudes Were banded to oppose his high decree; And smiling to his only Son thus said.
Son, thou in whom my glory I behold In full resplendence, heir of all my might, Nearly it now concerns us to be sure Of our omnipotence, and with what arms We mean to hold what anciently we claim Of deity or empire, such a foe Is rising, who intends to erect his throne Equal to ours, throughout the spacious north; Nor so content, hath in his thought to try In battle, what our power is, or our right. Let us advise, and to this hazard draw With speed what force is left, and all employ In our defence, lest unawares we lose This our high place, our sanctuary, our hill.
To whom the Son with calm aspect and clear Light'ning divine, ineffable, serene, Made answer. Mighty Father, thou thy foes Justly hast in derision, and secure Laugh'st at their vain designs and tumults vain, Matter to me of glory, whom their hate Illustrates, when they see all regal power Giv'n me to quell their pride, and in event Know whether I be dextrous to subdue Thy rebels, or be found the worst in Heav'n.
So spake the Son, but Satan with his Powers Far was advanc't on winged speed, an host Innumerable as the stars of night, Or stars of morning, dew-drops, which the sun Impearls on every leaf and every flower. Regions they pass'd, the mighty regencies Of seraphim and potentates and Thrones In their triple degrees, regions to which All thy dominion, Adam, is no more Than what this garden is to all the Earth, And all the sea, from one entire globose stretched into longitude; which having pass'd At length into the limits of the north They came, and Satan to his royal seat High on a hill, far blazing, as a mount Rais'd on a mount, with pyramids and tow'rs From diamond quarries hew'n, and rocks of gold▪ The palace of great Lucifer, (so call That structure in the dialect of men Interpreted) which not long after, he Affecting all equality with God, In imitation of that mount whereon Messiah was declar'd in sight of Heav'n, The mountain of the congregation call'd; For thither he assembl'd all his train, Pretending so commanded to consult About the great reception of their king, Thither to come, and with calumnious art Of counterfeited truth thus held their ears.
Thrones, Dominations, princedoms, Virtues, Powers If these magnific titles yet remain Not meerly titular, since by decree Another now hath to himself engross'd All power, and us eclipsed under the name Of king anointed, for whom all this haste Of midnight march, and hurried meeting here, This only to consult how we may best With what may be devis'd of honours new Receive him coming to receive from us Knee-tribute yet unpaid, prostration vile, Too much to one, but double how endur'd To one and to his image now proclaim'd? But what if better counsels might erect Our minds and teach us to cast off this yoke? Will ye submit your necks, and choose to bend The supple knee? ye will not, if I trust To know ye right, or if ye know your selves Natives and Sons of Heav'n possessed before By none, and if not equal all, yet free, Equally free; for orders and degrees Jar not with liberty, but well consist. Who can in reason then or right assume Monarchy over such as live by right His equals, if in power and splendour less, In freedom equal? or can introduce Law and edict on us, who without law Err not, much less for this to be our lord, And look for adoration to th' abuse Of those imperial titles which assert Our being ordain'd to govern, not to serve?
Thus far his bold discourse without control Had audience, when among the seraphim Abdiel, than whom none with more zeal ador'd The deity, and divine commands obey'd, Stood up, and in a flame of zeal severe The current of his fury thus oppos'd.
O argument blasphemous, false and proud! Words which no ear ever to hear in Heav'n Expected, least of all from thee, ingrate In place thy self so high above thy peers. Canst thou with impious obloquy condemn The just decree of God, pronounc't and sworn, That to his only Son by right endu'd With regal sceptre, every soul in Heav'n Shall bend the knee, and in that honour due Confess him rightful king? unjust thou saist Flatly unjust, to bind with laws the free, And equal over equals to let reign, One over all with unsucceeded power. Shalt thou give law to God, shalt thou dispute With him the points of liberty, who made Thee what thou art, and form'd the pow'rs of Heav'n Such as he pleas'd, and circumscrib'd their being? Yet by experience taught we know how good, And of our good, and of our dignity How provident he is, how far from thought To make us less, bent rather to exalt Our happy state under one head more near United. But to grant it thee unjust, That equal over equals monarch reign: Thy self though great and glorious dost thou count, Or all angelic Nature join'd in one, Equal to him begotten Son, by whom As by his word the mighty Father made All things, ev'n thee, and all the Spirits of Heav'n By him created in their bright degrees, Crown'd them with glory, and to their glory nam'd Thrones, Dominations, Princedoms, virtues, Powers, Essential Powers, nor by his reign obscur'd, But more illustrious made, since he the head One of our number thus reduc'd becomes, His laws our laws; all honour to him done Returns our own. Cease then this impious rage, And tempt not these; but hasten to appease Th' incensed Father, and th' incensed Son, While pardon may be found in time besought.
So spake the fervent angel, but his zeal None seconded, as out of season judg'd, Or singular and rash, whereat rejoic'd Th' apostate, and more haughty thus repli'd. That we were form'd then saist thou? and the work Of secondary hands, by task transferr'd From Father to his Son? strange point and new! Doctrine which we would know whence learnt: who saw When this creation was? rememberst thou Thy making, while the maker gave thee being? We know no time when we were not as now; Know none before us, self-begot, self-rais'd By our own quick'ning power, when fatal course Had circl'd his full orb, the birth mature Of this our native Heav'n, ethereal Sons. Our puissance is our own, our own right hand Shall teach us highest deeds, by proof to try Who is our equal: then thou shalt behold Whether by supplication we intend Address, and to begirt th' almighty throne Beseeching or besieging. This report, These tidings carry to th' anointed king; And fly, ere evil intercept thy flight.
He said, and as the sound of waters deep Hoarse murmur echo'd to his words applause Through the infinite host, nor less for that The flaming seraph fearless, though alone Encompass'd round with foes, thus answer'd bold.
O alienate from God, o spirit accurst, Forsak'n of all good; I see thy fall Determin'd, and thy hapless crew involv'd In this perfidious fraud, contagion spread Both of thy crime and punishment: henceforth No more be troubl'd how to quit the yoke Of God's Messiah; those indulgent laws Will not be now vouchsaf'd, other decrees Against thee are gone forth without recall; That golden sceptre which thou didst reject Is now an iron rod to bruise and break Thy disobedience. Well thou didst advise, Yet not for thy advise or threats I fly These wicked tents devoted, lest the wrath Impendent, raging into sudden flame Distinguish not: for soon expect to feel His thunder on thy head, devouring fire. Then who created thee lamenting learn, When who can uncreate thee thou shalt know.
So spake the seraph Abdiel faithful found, Among the faithless, faithful only he; Among innumerable false, unmov'd, Unshak'n, unseduc'd, unterrifi'd His loyalty he kept, his love, his zeal; Nor number, nor example with him wrought To swerve from truth, or change his constant mind Though single. From amidst them forth he pass'd, Long way through hostile scorn, which he sustain'd Superior, nor of violence fear'd aught; And with retorted scorn his back he turn'd On those proud tow'rs to swift destruction doom'd.
BOOK VI.
THE ARGUMENT.
Raphael continues to relate how Michael and Gabriel were sent forth to battle against Satan and his Angels. The first Fight describ'd: Satan and his Powers retire under Night: He calls a Council, invents devilish Engines, which in the second day's Fight put Michael and his Angels to some disorder; but they at length pulling up Mountains overwhelm'd both the force and Machines of Satan: Yet the Tumult not so ending, God on the third day sends Messiah his Son, for whom he had reserv'd the glory of that Victory: He in the Power of his Father coming to the place, and causing all his Legions to stand still on either side, with his Chariot and Thunder driving into the midst of his Enemies, pursues them unable to resist towards the wall of Heaven; which opening, they leap down with horror and confusion into the place of punishment prepar'd for them in the Deep: Messiah returns with triumph to his Father.
ALL night the dreadless Angel unpursu'd Through Heav'n's wide Champain held his way, till Morn, Wak't by the circling Hours, with rosy hand Unbarr'd the gates of Light. There is a Cave Within the Mount of God, fast by his Throne, Where light and darkness in perpetual round Lodge and dislodge by turns, which makes through Heav'n Grateful vicissitude, like day and Night; Light issues forth, and at the other door Obsequious darkness enters, till her hour To veil the Heav'n, though darkness there might well Seem twilight here; and now went forth the Morn Such as in highest Heav'n, array'd in Gold Empyreal, from before her vanished Night, Shot through with orient Beams: when all the plain Cover'd with thick embattled squadrons bright, Chariots and flaming arms, and fiery steeds Reflecting blaze on blaze, first met his view: War he perceiv'd, war in procinct, and found Already known what he for news had thought To have reported: gladly then he mixed Among those friendly Powers who him receiv'd With joy and acclamations loud, that one That of so many myriads fall'n, yet one Return'd not lost: On to the sacred hill They led him high applauded, and present Before the seat supreme; from whence a voice From midst a Golden cloud thus mild was heard.
Servant of God, well done, well hast thou fought The better fight, who single hast maintain'd Against revolted multitudes the cause Of truth, in word mightier than they in arms; And for the testimony of truth hast born Universal reproach, far worse to bear Than violence: for this was all thy care To stand approv'd in sight of God, though worlds Judg'd thee perverse: the easier conquest now Remains thee, aided by this host of friends, Back on thy foes more glorious to return Than scorn'd thou didst depart, and to subdue By force, who reason for their law refuse, Right reason for their law, and for their king Messiah, who by right of merit Reigns. Go Michael of Celestial armies Prince, And thou in Military prowess next Gabriel, lead forth to battle these my Sons Invincible, lead forth my armed saints By thousands and by Millions rang'd for fight; Equal in number to that Godless crew Rebellious, them with fire and hostile arms Fearless assault, and to the brow of Heav'n Pursuing drive them out from God and bliss, Into their place of punishment, the gulf Of Tartarus, which ready opens wide His fiery Chaos to receive their fall.
So spake the Sovereign voice, and clouds began To darken all the hill, and smoke to roll In dusky wreaths, reluctant flames, the sign Of wrath awak't: nor with less dread the loud Ethereal trumpet from on high gan blow: At which command the Powers Militant, That stood for Heav'n, in mighty quadrate join'd Of Union irresistible, mov'd on In silence their bright legions, to the sound Of instrumental harmony that breath'd Heroic Ardour to advent'rous deeds Under their God-like Leaders, in the cause Of God and his Messiah. On they move Indissolubly firm; nor obvious hill, Nor strait'ning vale, nor wood, nor stream divides Their perfect ranks; for high above the ground Their march was, and the passive air upbore Their nimble tread, as when the total kind Of Birds in orderly array on wing Came summon'd over Eden to receive Their names of thee; so over many a tract Of Heav'n they march'd, and many a province wide Tenfold the length of this terrene: at last Far in th' horizon to the North appear'd From skirt to skirt a fiery region, stretched In battailous aspect, and nearer view Bristl'd with upright beams innumerable Of rigid spears, and helmets throng'd, and shields Various, with boastful Argument portrayed, The banded Powers of Satan hasting on With furious expedition; for they ween'd That self same day by fight, or by surprise To win the Mount of God, and on his Throne To set the envier of his State, the proud Aspirer, but their thoughts prov'd fond and vain In the mid way: though strange to us it seem'd At first, that Angel should with Angel war, And in fierce hosting meet, who wont to meet So oft in Festivals of joy and love Unanimous, as sons of one great sire Hymning th' Eternal Father: but the shout Of battle now began, and rushing sound Of onset ended soon each milder thought. High in the midst exalted as a God Th' apostate in his Sun-bright chariot sate Idol of Majesty Divine, enclos'd With Flaming cherubim, and golden shields; Then lighted from his gorgeous Throne, for now 'Twixt Host and Host but narrow space was left, A dreadful interval, and front to front Presented stood in terrible array Of hideous length: before the cloudy Van, On the rough edge of battle ere it join'd, Satan with vast and haughty strides advanc't, Came tow'ring, arm'd in adamant and Gold; Abdiel that sight endur'd not, where he stood Among the mightiest, bent on highest deeds, And thus his own undaunted heart explores.'
O Heav'n! that such resemblance of the Highest Should yet remain, where faith and realty Remain not; wherefore shou'd not strength and might There fail where virtue fails, or weakest prove Where boldest; though to sight unconquerable? His puissance, trusting in th' Almighty's aide, I mean to try, whose Reason I have tri'd Unsound and false; nor is it aught but just, That he who in debate of truth hath won, Should win in arms, in both disputes alike Victor; though brutish that contest and foul, When Reason hath to deal with force, yet so Most reason is that Reason overcome.
So pondering, and from his armed peers Forth stepping opposite, half way he met His daring foe, at this prevention more Incens't, and thus securely him defi'd.
Proud, art thou met? thy hope was to have reached The height of thy aspiring unoppos'd, The Throne of God unguarded, and his side Abandon'd at the terror of thy power Or potent tongue; fool, not to think how vain Against th' Omnipotent to rise in arms; Who out of smallest things could without end Have rais'd incessant armies to defeat Thy folly; or with solitary hand Reaching beyond all limit at one blow Unaided could have finished thee, and whelm'd Thy legions under darkness; but thou seest All are not of thy train; there be who Faith Prefer, and piety to God, though then To thee not visible, when I alone Seem'd in thy World erroneous to dissent From all: my sect thou seest, now learn too late How few sometimes may know, when thousands err.
Whom the grand foe with scornful eye askance Thus answer'd. Ill for thee, but in wished hour Of my revenge, first sought for thou returnst From flight, seditious Angel, to receive Thy merited reward, the first assay Of this right hand provok't, since first that tongue Inspir'd with contradiction durst oppose A third part of the Gods, in synod met Their deities to assert, who while they feel Vigour Divine within them, can allow Omnipotence to none. But well thou comst Before thy fellows, ambitious to win From me some plume, that thy success may show Destruction to the rest: this pause between (Unanswer'd least thou boast) to let thee know; At first I thought that liberty and Heav'n To heav'nly Souls had been all one; but now I see that most through sloth had rather serve, Minist'ring spirits, train'd up in Feast and Song; Such hast thou arm'd, the Minstrelsy of Heav'n, Servility with freedom to contend, As both their deeds compar'd this day shall prove.
To whom in brief thus Abdiel stern repli'd. Apostate, still thou err'st, nor end wilt find Of erring, from the path of truth remote: Unjustly thou deprav'st it with the name Of servitude to serve whom God ordains, Or nature; God and nature bid the same, When he who rules is worthiest, and excels Them whom he governs. This is servitude, To serve th' unwise, or him who hath rebell'd Against his worthier, as thine now serve thee, Thy self not free, but to thy self enthrall'd; Yet lewdly dar'st our minist'ring upbraid. Reign thou in Hell thy kingdom, let me serve In Heav'n God ever blest, and his Divine Behests obey, worthiest to be obey'd, Yet chains in Hell, not Realms expect: mean while From me return'd, 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 recoil'd; the tenth on bended knee His massy spear upstay'd; 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 seiz'd The Rebel thrones, but greater rage to see Thus foil'd their mightiest, ours joy fill'd, and shout, Presage of victory and fierce desire Of battle: whereat Michael bid sound Th' arch-Angel trumpet; through the vast of Heaven It sounded, and the faithful armies rung Hosanna to the Highest: nor stood at gaze The adverse legions, nor less hideous join'd The horrid shock: now storming fury rose, And clamour such as heard in Heav'n till now Was never, arms on armour clashing bray'd Horrible discord, and the madding wheels Of brazen chariots rag'd; dire was the noise Of conflict; over head the dismal hiss Of fiery darts in flaming volleys flew, And flying vaulted either Host with fire. So under fiery cope together rush'd Both battles main, with ruinous assault And inextinguishable rage; all Heav'n Resounded, and had earth been then, all earth Had to her centre shook. What wonder? when Millions of fierce encount'ring angels fought On either side, the least of whom could wield These elements, and arm him with the force Of all their Regions: how much more of power Army against army number less to raise Dreadful combustion warring, and disturb, Though not destroy, their happy Native seat; Had not th' Eternal king Omnipotent From his strong hold of Heav'n high over-rul'd And limited their might; though number'd such As each divided Legion might have seem'd A numerous Host, in strength each armed hand A Legion, led in fight, yet leader seem'd Each warrior single as in chief, expert When to advance, or stand, or turn the sway Of battle, open when, and when to close The ridges of grim war; no thought of flight, None of retreat, no unbecoming deed That argu'd fear; each on himself reli'd, As only in his arm the moment lay Of victory; deeds of eternal fame Were done, but infinite: for wide was spread That war and various; sometimes on firm ground A standing fight, then soaring on main wing Tormented all the air; all air seem'd then Conflicting fire: long time in even scale The battle hung; till Satan, who that day Prodigious power had shown, and met in arms No equal, ranging 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 Brandished aloft the horrid edge came down Wide wasting; such destruction to withstand He hasted, and oppos'd the rocky orb Of tenfold adamant, his ample shield A vast circumference: At his approach The great arch-Angel from his warlike toil Surceas'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'n's blessed peace▪ and into nature brought Misery, uncreated till the crime Of thy rebellion? how hast 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 war. Hence then, and evil go with thee along Thy offspring, to the place of evil, Hell, Thou and thy wicked crew; there mingle broils, Ere this avenging sword begin thy doom, Or some more sudden vengeance wing'd from God Precipitate thee with augmented pain.
So spake the Prince of angels; to whom thus The Adversary. Nor think thou with wind Of airy threats to awe whom yet with deeds Thou canst not. Hast thou turn'd the least of these To flight, or if to fall, but that they rise Unvanquished, easier to transact with me That thou shouldst hope, imperious, and with threats To chase me hence? err not that so shall end The strife which thou call'st evil, but we style The strife of glory: which we mean to win, Or turn this Heav'n it self into the Hell Thou fablest, here however to dwell free, If not to reign: mean while thy utmost force, And join him nam'd Almighty to thy aid▪ I fly not, but have sought thee far and nigh.
They ended parle, and both address'd 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 height Of Godlike power: for likest Gods they seem'd, Stood they or mov'd, in stature, motion, arms Fit to decide the empire of great Heav'n. Now wav'd their fiery swords, and in the Air Made horrid circles; two broad suns their shields Blaz'd opposite, while expedition 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 Nature's concord broke, Among the constellations war were sprung, Two planets rushing from aspect malign Of fiercest opposition in mid sky, Should combat, and their jarring spheres confound. Together both with next to Almighty arm, Uplifted imminent one stroke they aim'd That might determine, and not need repeat, As not of power, at once; nor odds appear'd In might or swift prevention; but the sword Of Michael from the armoury of God Was giv'n him temper'd so, that neither keen Nor solid might resist that edge: it met The sword of Satan with steep force to smite Descending, and in half cut sheer, nor stay'd, But with swift wheel reverse, deep ent'ring 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 humour issuing flow'd Sanguine, such as Celestial spirits may bleed, And all his armour stain'd 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 their shields Back to his chariot; where it stood retir'd From off the files of war; there they him laid Gnashing for anguish and despite and shame To find himself not matchless, and his pride Humbl'd by such rebuke, so far beneath His confidence to equal God in power. Yet soon he heal'd; for spirits that live throughout▪ Vital in every part, not as frail man In entrails, heart or head, liver or reins, Cannot but by annihilating die; Nor in their liquid texture mortal wound Receive, no more than can the fluid Air: All heart they live, all head, all eye, all ear, All intellect, all Sense, and as they please, They limb themselves, and colour, shape or size Assume, as likes them best, condense or rare.
Mean while in other parts like deeds deserv'd Memorial, where the might of Gabriel fought, And with fierce Ensigns pierc'd the deep array Of Moloc furious king who him defi'd, And at his chariot wheels to drag him bound Threatn'd, nor from the Holy One of Heav'n Refrain'd his tongue blasphemous; but anon Down clov'n to the waist, with shatter'd arms And uncouth pain fled bellowing. On each wing Uriel and Raphael his vaunting foe, Though huge, and in a rock of diamond Arm'd, Vanquish'd Adraenelec, and Asmadai, Two potent thrones, that to be less than Gods Disdain'd, but meaner thoughts learn'd in their flight, Mangl'd with ghastly wounds through Plate and Mail, Nor stood unmindful Abdiel to annoy The Atheist crew, but with redoubl'd blow Ariel and Arioc, and the violence Of Ramiel scorched and blasted overthrew. I might relate of thousands, and their names Eternize here on earth; but those elect Angels contented with their fame in Heav'n Seek not the praise of men: the other sort In might though wondrous and in Acts of war, Nor of renown less eager, yet by doom Cancel'd from Heav'n and sacred memory, Nameless in dark oblivion let them dwell. For strength from truth divided and from Just, Illaudable, naught merits but dispraise And ignominy, yet to glory aspires Vain glorious, and through infamy seeks fame: Therefore Eternal silence be their doom.
And now their Mightiest quell'd, the battle swerv'd, With many an inroad gor'd; deformed rout Enter'd, and foul disorder; all the ground With shiver'd armour strow'n, and on a heap Chariot and charioteer lay overturn'd And fiery foaming steeds; what stood, recoil'd O'er wearied, through the faint Satanic Host Defensive scarce, or with pale fear surpris'd, Then first with fear surpris'd and sense of pain Fled ignominious, to such evil brought By sin of disobedience, till that hour Not liable to fear or flight or pain. Far otherwise th' inviolable saints In Cubic phalanx firm advanc't entire, Invulnerable, impenetrably arm'd: Such high advantages their innocence Gave them above their foes, not to have sinned, Not to have disobey'd; in fight they stood Unwearied, unobnoxious to be pain'd By wound, though from their place by violence mov'd.
Now Night her course began, and over Heav'n Inducing darkness, grateful truce impos'd, And silence on the odious din of war: Under her Cloudy covert both retir'd, Victor and Vanquished: on the foughten field Michael and his angels prevalent Encamping, plac'd in Guard their watches round, Cherubic waving fires: on th' other part Satan with his rebellious disappear'd, Far in the dark dislodg'd, and void of rest, His Potentates to council call'd by night; And in the midst thus undismay'd began.
O now in danger tri'd, now known in arms Not to be overpower'd, companions dear, Found worthy not of liberty alone, Too mean pretence, but what we more affect, Honour, dominion, glory, and renown, Who have sustain'd one day in doubtful fight (And if one day, why not Eternal days?) What Heaven's lord had powerfullest to send Against us from about his Throne, and judg'd Sufficient to subdue us to his will, But proves not so; then fallible, it seems, Of future we may deem him, though till now Omniscient thought. True is, less firmly arm'd, Some disadvantage we endur'd and pain, Till now not known, but known as soon contemn'd, Since now we find this our Empyreal form Incapable of mortal injury Imperishable, and though pierc'd with wound, Soon closing and by native vigour heal'd. Of evil then so small as easy think The remedy; perhaps more valid arms, Weapons more violent, when next we meet, May serve to better us, and worse our foes, Or equal what between us made the odds, In nature none: if other hidden cause Left them Superior, while we can preserve Unhurt our minds, and understanding sound, Due search and consultation will disclose.
He sat; and in th' assembly next upstood Nisroc, of Principalities the prime; As one he stood escap't from cruel fight, Sore toil'd, his riv'n arms to havoc hewn, And cloudy in aspect thus answering spake. Deliverer from new lords, leader to free Enjoyment of our right as Gods; yet hard For Gods, and too unequal work we find Against unequal arms to fight in pain, Against unpain'd, impassive; from which evil Ruin must needs ensue; for what avails Valour or strength, though matchless, quell'd with pain Which all subdues, and makes remiss the hands Of Mightiest. Sense of pleasure we may well Spare out of life perhaps, and not repine, But live content, which is the calmest life: But pain is perfect misery, the worst Of evils, and excessive, overturns All patience. He who therefore can invent With what more forcible we may offend Our yet unwounded enemies, or arm Our selves with like defence, to me deserves No less than for deliverance what we owe.
Whereto with look compos'd Satan repli'd▪ Not uninvented that, which thou aright Believ'st so main to our success, I bring; Which of us who beholds the bright surface Of this Ethereous mould whereon we stand, This continent of spacious Heav'n, adorn'd With plant, fruit, Flower Ambrosial, Gems & Gold, Whose eye so superficially surveys These things, as not to mind from whence they grow Deep under ground, materials dark and crude, Of spiritous and fiery spume, till touched With Heav'n's ray, and temper'd they shoot forth So beauteous, op'ning to the ambient light. These in their dark nativity the deep Shall yield us pregnant with infernal flame, Which into hollow engines long and round Thick-ramm'd, at th' other bore with touch of fire Dilated and infuriate shall send forth From far with thund'ring noise among our foes Such implements of mischief as shall dash To pieces, and o'erwhelm whatever stands Adverse, that they shall fear we have disarm'd The thunderer of his only dreaded bolt. Nor long shall be our labour, yet ere dawn, Effect shall end our wish. Mean while revive; Abandon fear; to strength and counsel join'd Think nothing hard, much less to be despair'd. He ended, and his words their drooping cheer Enlighten'd, and their languished hope reviv'd. Th' invention all admir'd, and each, how he To be th' inventor miss'd, so easy it seem'd Once found, which yet unfound most would have thought Impossible: yet haply of thy race In future days, if malice should abound, Some o•• intent on mischief, or inspir'd With dev'lish machination might devise Like instrument to plague the Sons of men For sin, on war and mutual slaughter bent. Forthwith from council to the work they flew, None arguing stood, innumerable hands Were ready, in a moment up they turn'd Wide the Celestial soil, and saw beneath Th' originals of nature in their crude Conception; Sulphurous and Nitrous foam They found, they mingl'd, and with subtle art, Concocted and adusted they reduc'd To blackest grain, and into store convey'd: Part hidd'n veins digg'd up (nor hath this earth Entrails unlike) of mineral and stone, Whereof to found their engines and their balls Of missive ruin; part incentive reed Provide, pernicious with one touch to fire. So all ere day-spring, under conscious Night Secret they finish'd, and in order set, With silent circumspection unespi'd. Now when fair Morn Orient in Heav'n appear'd Up rose the victor angels, and to arms The matin trumpet Sung: in arms they stood Of Golden panoply, refulgent Host, Soon banded; others from the dawning hills Look'd round, and scouts each Coast light-armed scour, Each quarter, to descry the distant foe, Where lodg'd, or whither fled, or if for fight, In motion or in halt: him soon they met Under spread Ensigns moving nigh, in slow But firm battalion; back with speediest sail Zophiel, of cherubim the swiftest wing, Came flying, and in mid Air aloud thus cri'd.
Arm, warriors, arm for fight, the foe at hand, Whom fled we thought, will save us long pursuit This day, fear not his flight; so thick a cloud He comes, and settl'd in his face I see Sad resolution and secure: let each His Adamantine coat gird well, and each Fit well his helm, gripe first his orbed shield, Born even or high, for this day will pour down, If I conjecture aught, no drizzling shower, But rattling storm of arrows barb'd with fire. So warn'd he them aware themselves, and soon In order, quit of all impediment; Instant without disturb they took Alarm, And onward move Embattled; when behold Not distant far with heavy pace the foe Approaching gross and huge; in hollow cube Training his devilish Enginery, impal'd On every side with shadowing squadrons deep, To hide the fraud. At interview both stood A while, but suddenly at head appear'd Satan: And thus was heard Commanding loud.
Vanguard, to Right and Left the front unfold; That all may see who hate us, how we seek; Peace and composure, and with open breast Stand ready to receive them, if they like Our overture, and turn not back perverse; But that I doubt, however witness Heaven, Heav'n witness thou anon, while we discharge Freely our part; ye who appointed stand Do as you have in charge, and briefly touch What we propound, and loud that all may hear.
So scoffing in ambiguous words he scarce, Had ended; when to Right and Left the front Divided, and to either flank retir'd. Which to our eyes discover'd new and strange, A triple mounted row of pillars laid On wheels (for like to pillars most they seem'd Or hollow'd bodies made of oak or fir With branches lopped, in wood or mountain fell'd) Brass, iron, Stony mould, had not their mouths With hideous orifice gap't on us wide, Portending hollow truce; at each behind A Seraph stood, and in his hand a reed Stood waving tipped with fire; while we suspense; Collected stood within our thoughts amus'd, Not long, for sudden all at once their reeds Put forth, and to a narrow vent appli'd With nicest touch. Immediate in a flame, But soon obscur'd with smoke, all Heav'n appear'd, From those deep throated engines belch'd, whose roar Embowel'd with outrageous noise the air, And all her entrails tore, disgorging foul Their devilish glut, chain'd thunderbolts and hail Of iron globes, which on the victor Host Level'd, with such impetuous fury smote, That whom they hit, none on their feet might stand,' Though standing else as rocks, but down they fell By thousands, Angel on arch-Angel roll'd; The sooner for their arms, unarm'd they might Have easily as spirits evaded swift By quick contraction or remove; but now Foul dissipation follow'd and forc't rout; Nor serv'd it to relax their serried files. What should they do? if on they rushed, repulse Repeated, and indecent overthrow Doubl'd, would render them yet more despis'd, And to their foes a laughter; for in view Stood ranked of Seraphim another row In posture to displode their second tier Of thunder: back defeated to return They worse abhorr'd. Satan beheld their plight, And to his mates thus in derision call'd.
O Friends, why come not on these victors proud? Ere while they fierce were coming, and when we, To entertain them fair with open front And Breast, (what could we more?) propounded terms Of composition, strait they chang'd their minds, Flew off, and into strange vagaries fell, As they would dance, yet for a dance they seem'd Somewhat extravagant and wild, perhaps For joy of offer'd peace: but I suppose If our proposals once again were heard We should compel them to a quick result.
To whom thus Belial in like gamesome mood, Leader, the terms we sent were terms of weight, Of hard contents, and full of force urg'd home, Such as we might perceive amus'd them all, And stumbl'd many, who receives them right, Had need from head to foot well understand; Not understood, this gift they have besides, They show us when our foes walk not upright.
So they among themselves in pleasant vein Stood scoffing, heighten'd in their thoughts beyond All doubt of victory, eternal might To match with their inventions they presum'd So easy, and of his thunder made a scorn, And all his Host derided, while they stood A while in trouble; but they stood not long, Rage prompted them at length, and found them arms Against such hellish mischief fit to oppose. Forthwith (behold the excellence, the power Which God hath in his mighty angels plac'd) Their arms away they threw, and to the hills (For earth hath this variety from Heav'n Of pleasure situate in hill and dale) Light as the lightning glimpse they ran, they flew, From their foundations loos'ning to and fro They pluck'd the seated hills with all their load, Rocks, waters, woods, and by the shaggy tops Up lifting bore them in their hands: Amaze, Be sure, and terror seiz'd the rebel Host, When coming towards them so dread they saw The bottom of the Mountains upward turn'd, Till on those cursed engines triple-row They saw them whelm'd, and all their confidence Under the weight of Mountains buried deep, Themselves invaded next, and on their heads Main promontories flung, which in the air Came shadowing, and oppressed whole legions arm'd, Their armour help'd their harm, crush't in and bruis'd Into their substance pent, which wrought them pain Implacable, and many a dolorous groan, Long strug'ling underneath, ere they could wind Out of such prison, though spirits of purest light, Purest at first, now gross by sinning grown. The rest in imitation to like arms Betook them, and the neighbouring hills uptore; So hills amid the air encounter'd hills Hurl'd to and fro with jaculation dire, That under ground, they fought in dismal shade; Infernal noise; war seem'd a civil game To this uproar; horrid confusion heaped Upon confusion rose: and now all Heav'n Had gone to wrack, with ruin overspread, Had not th' Almighty Father where he sits Shrin'd in his sanctuary of Heav'n secure, Consulting on the sum of things, foreseen This tumult, and permitted all, advis'd: That his great purpose he might so fulfil, To honour his Anointed Son aveng'd Upon his enemies, and to declare All power on him transferr'd: whence to his Son Th' assessor of his Throne he thus began.
Effulgence of my glory, Son belov'd, Son in whose face invisible is beheld Visibly, what by Deity I am, And in whose hand what by decree I do, Second Omnipotence, two days are past, Two days, as we compute the days of Heav'n, Since Michael and his Powers went forth to tame These disobedient; sore hath been their fight, As likeliest was, when two such foes met arm'd; For to themselves I left them, and thou know'st, Equal in their creation they were form'd, Save what sin hath impair'd, which yet hath wrought Insensibly, for I suspend their doom; Whence in perpetual fight they needs must last Endless, and no solution will be found: War wearied hath perform'd what war can do, And to disorder'd rage let loose the reins, With Mountains as with weapons arm'd, which makes Wild work in Heav'n, and dangerous to the main. Two days are therefore past, the third is thine; For thee I have ordain'd it, and thus far Have suffer'd, that the glory may be thine Of ending this great war, since none but Thou Can end it. Into thee such virtue and grace Immense I have transfus'd, that all may know In Heav'n and Hell thy power above compare, And this perverse Commotion govern'd thus, To manifest thee worthiest to be heir Of all things, to be heir and to be king By Sacred Unction, thy deserved right. Go then thou Mightiest in thy father's might, Ascend my chariot▪ guide the rapid wheels That shake Heav'n's basis, bring forth all my war, My bow and thunder, my Almighty arms Gird on, and sword upon thy puissant Thigh; Pursue these sons of Darkness, drive them out From all Heav'n's bounds into the utter deep: There let them learn, as likes them, to despise God and Messiah his anointed king.
He said, and on his Son with Rays direct Shone full, he all his Father full expressed Ineffably into his face receiv'd, And thus the filial Godhead answering spake.
O Father, O Supreme of heav'nly thrones, First, Highest, Holiest, Best, thou always seek'st To glorify thy Son, I always thee, As is most just; this I my glory account, My exaltation, and my whole delight, That thou in me well pleas'd, declar'st thy will Fulfill'd, which to fulfil is all my bliss. Sceptre and power, thy giving, I assume, And gladlier shall resign, when in the end Thou shalt be All in All, and I in thee For ever, and in me all whom thou lov'st: But whom thou hat'st, I hate, and can put on Thy terrors, as I put thy mildness on, Image of thee in all things; and shall soon, Arm'd with thy might, rid heav'n of these rebell'd, To their prepar'd ill mansion driven down To chains of darkness, and th' undying worm, That from thy just obedience could revolt, Whom to obey is happiness entire. Then shall thy saints unmixed, and from th' impure Far separate, circling thy holy Mount Unfeigned Hallelujahs to thee sing, Hymns of high praise, and I among them chief. So said, he o'er his sceptre bowing, rose From the right hand of glory where he sate, And the third sacred Morn began to shine Dawning through Heav'n: forth rush'd with whirlwind sound The chariot of Paternal Deity, Flashing thick flames, wheel within wheel undrawn, It self instinct with Spirit, but convoy'd By four Cherubic shapes, four faces each Had wondrous, as with stars their bodies all And wings were set with eyes, with eyes the wheels Of Beryl, and careering fires between; Over their heads a crystal firmament, Whereon a Sapphire Throne, inlaid with pure Amber, and colours of the showery arch. He in Celestial panoply all arm'd Of radiant Urim, work divinely wrought, Ascended, at his right hand victory Sate Eagle-wing'd, beside him hung his bow And quiver with three-bolted thunder stor'd, And from about him fierce Effusion roll'd Of smoke and bickering flame, and sparkles dire; Attended with ten thousand thousand saints, He onward came, far off his coming shone, And twenty thousand (I their number heard) Chariots of God, half on each hand were seen: He on the wings of cherub rode sublime On the Crystalline sky, in Sapphire Thron'd. Illustrious far and wide, but by his own First seen, them unexpected joy surpris'd, When the great ensign of Messiah blaz'd Aloft by angels born, his Sign in Heav'n: Under whose conduct Michael soon reduc'd His army, circumfus'd on either wing, Under their head embodied all in one. Before him power Divine his way prepar'd; At his command the uprooted hills retir'd Each to his place, they heard his voice and went Obsequious, Heav'n his wonted face renew'd, And with fresh Flowerets hill and valley smil'd. This saw his hapless foes but stood obdur'd, And to rebellious fight rallied their Powers Insensate, hope conceiving from despair. In heav'nly spirits could such perverseness dwell? But to convince the proud what Signs avail, Or wonders move th' obdurate to relent? They hardened more by what might most reclaim, Grieving to see his glory, at the sight Took envy, and aspiring to his height, Stood reimbattell'd fierce, by force or fraud Weening to prosper, and at length prevail Against God and Messiah, or to fall In universal ruin last, and now To final battle drew, disdaining flight, Or faint retreat; when the great Son of God To all his Host on either hand thus spake.
Stand still in bright array ye saints, here stand Ye angels arm'd, this day from battle rest; Faithful hath been your warfare, and of God Accepted, fearless in his righteous cause, And as ye have receiv'd, so have ye done Invincibly; but of this cursed crew The punishment to other hand belongs, Vengeance is his, or whose he sole appoints; Number to this day's work is not ordain'd Nor multitude, stand only and behold God's indignation on these Godless pour'd By me, not you but me they have despis'd, Yet envied; against me is all their rage, Because the Father, t' whom in Heav'n supreme Kingdom and power and glory appertains, Hath honour'd me according to his will. Therefore to me their doom he hath assign'd; That they may have their wish, to try with me In battle which the stronger proves, they all, Or I alone against them, since by strength They measure all, of other excellence Not emulous, nor care who them excels; Nor other strife with them do I vouchsafe.
So spake the Son, and into terror chang'd His count'nance too severe to be beheld And full of wrath bent on his enemies. At once the Four spread out their Starry wings With dreadful shade contiguous, and the Orbs Of his fierce chariot roll'd, as with the sound Of torrent floods, or of a numerous Host. He on his impious foes right onward drove, Gloomy as Night; under his burning wheels The steadfast Empyrean shook throughout, All but the Throne it self of God. Full soon Among them he arriv'd; in his right hand Grasping ten thousand Thunders, which he sent Before him, such as in their Souls infix'd Plagues; they astonished all resistance lost, All courage; down their idle weapons drop'd; O'er shields and Helms, and helmed heads he rode Of thrones and mighty Seraphim prostrate, That wished 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 four, 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 wither'd all their strength, And of their wonted vigour left them drain'd, Exhausted, spiritless, afflicted, fall'n. Yet half his strength he put not forth, but check'd His thunder in mid volley, for he meant Not to destroy, but root them out of Heav'n: The overthrown he rais'd, and as a herd Of goats or timorous flock together throng'd Drove them before him thunder-struck, pursu'd With terrors and with furies to the bounds And Crystal wall of Heav'n, which op'ning wide, Roll'd inward, and a spacious gap disclos'd Into the wasteful deep; the monstrous sight Struck them with horror backward, but far worse Urg'd them behind; headlong themselves they threw Down from the verge of Heav'n, Eternal wrath 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 days they fell; confounded Chaos roar'd, And felt tenfold confusion in their fall Through his wild Anarchy, so huge a rout Encumber'd him with ruin: Hell at last Yawning received them whole, and on them clos'd, Hell their fit habitation fraught with fire Unquenchable, the house of woe and pain. Disburden'd Heav'n rejoic'd, and soon repair'd Her mural breach, returning whence it roll'd. Sole victor from th' expulsion of his foes Messiah his triumphal chariot turn'd: To meet him all his saints, who silent stood Eye witnesses of his Almighty Acts, With Jubilee advanc'd; and as they went, Shaded with branching Palm, each order bright, Sung Triumph, and him sung Victorious king, Son, heir, 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 mighty Father Thron'd On high: who into glory him receiv'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 may'st beware By what is past, to thee I have reveal'd What might have else to human race been hid; The discord which befell, and war in Heav'n Among th' Angelic Powers, and the deep fall Of those too high aspiring, who rebell'd With Satan, he who envies now thy state, Who now is plotting how he may seduce Thee also from obedience, that with him Bereav'd of happiness thou may'st partake His punishment, Eternal misery; Which would be all his solace and revenge, As a despite done against the most High, Thee once to gain companion of his woe. But list'n not to his temptations, warn 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.