As one great furnace flam'd, yet from thofe flames No light, but rather darkness visible Serv'd only to discover fights of woe, Regions of forrow, doleful shades, where Peace 65 With ever-burning fulphur unconfum'd: For thofe rebellious, here their pris'on ordain'd 7 70 75 80 And thence in Heav'n call'd Satan, with bold words Breaking the horrid filence thus began. If thou beeft he; but O how fall'n! how chang'd From him, who in the happy realms of Light 85 Cloth'd with transcendent brightnefs didst outshine Myriads though bright! If he whom mutual league, United thoughts and counfels, equal hope And hazard in the glorious enterprise, Join'd with me once, now misery hath join'd 99 From what highth fall'n, fo much the stronger prov'd The force of those dire arms? yet not for those, Can elfe inflict, do I repent or change, 95 Though chang'd in outward luftre, that fix'd mind, That durft dislike his reign, and me preferring, ICQ His utmost pow'r with adverfe pow'r oppos'd In dubious battel on the plains of Heav'n, And shook his throne. What though the field be lost? All is not loft; th' unconquerable will, IC6 And study of revenge, immortal hate, Since through experience of this great event To wage by force or guile eternal war, Who now triumphs, and in th' excess of joy 120 So fpake th' apostate angel, though in pain, 125 Vaunting aloud, but rack'd with deep despair: And him thus anfwer'd foon his bold compeer. O Prince, O Chief of many throned powers, That led th' imbattel'd feraphim to war Under thy conduct, and in dreadful deeds Fearless, indanger'd Heav'n's perpetual King, 130 And put to proof his high fupremacy, Whether upheld by strength, or chance, or fate; 'Too well I fee and rue the dire event, That with fad overthrow and foul defeat 135 Hath loft us Heav'n, and all this mighty host As far as gods and heav'nly effences Can perish for the mind and spi'rit remains 140 Though all our glory' extinct, and happy state But what if he our Conqu'ror (whom I now 144 Than fuch could have o'erpow'r'd fuch force as ours) Have left us this our spi'rit and strength entire 150 Here in the heart of Hell to work in fire, What can it then avail, though yet we feel To undergo eternal punishment? 155 Whereto with speedy words th' Arch-fiend reply'd. Fall'n Cherub, to be weak is miferable Doing or fuffering: but of this be sure, 160 165 But fee the angry Victor hath recall'd His ministers of vengeance and pursuit 170 Back to the gates of Heav'n: the fulph'rous hail Shot after us in storm, o'erblown hath laid The fiery furge, that from the precipice Of Heav'n receiv'd us falling; and the thunder, Seeft thou yon dreary plain, forlorn and wild, 180 Save what the glimmering of these livid flames From off the toffing of these fiery waves, There reft, if any reft can harbour there, 185 And re-affembling our afflicted powers, Confult how we may henceforth most offend What reinforcement we may gain from hope, 190 Thus Satan talking to his nearest mate By ancient Tarfus held, or that fea-beast 195 200 |