Page:Paradise Lost (1667).djvu/28
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Book 1.
Paradise lost.
One next himself in power, and next in crime,Long after known in Palestine, and nam'd80Bëëlzebub. To whom th' Arch-Enemy,And thence in Heav'n called Satan, with bold wordsBreaking the horrid silence thus began. If thou beest he; But O how fall'n! how chang'dFrom him, who in the happy Realms of LightCloth'd with transcendent brightnes didst outshineMyriads though bright: If he whom mutual league,United thoughts and counsels, equal hope,And hazard in the Glorious Enterprize,Joynd with me once, now misery hath joynd90In equal ruin: into what Pit thou seestFrom what highth fal'n, so much the stronger provdHe with his Thunder: and till then who knewThe force of those dire Arms? yet not for thoseNor what the Potent Victor in his rageCan else inflict do I repent or change,Though chang'd in outward lustre; that fixt mindAnd high disdain, from sence of injur'd merit,That with the mightiest rais'd me to contend,And to the fierce contentions brought along100Innumerable force of Spirits arm'dThat durst dislike his reign, and, me preferring,His utmost power with adverse power oppos'dIn dubious Battel on the Plains of Heav'n,And shook his throne. What though the field be lost?All is not lost; the unconquerable Will,And study of revenge, immortal hate,And courage never to submit or yield:And what is else not to be overcome?That Glory never shall his wrath or might110
Extort