F Mans First Disobedience, and the FruitOf that Forbidden Tree, whose mortal tastBrought Death into the World, and all our woe,With loss of Eden, till one greater ManRestore us, and regain the blissful Seat,Sing, Heav'nly Muse, that on the secret topOf Oreb, or of Sinai, didst inspireThat Shepherd, who first taught the chosen Seed,In the Beginning how the Heav'ns and EarthRose out of Chaos: Or if Sion Hill10Delight thee more, and Siloa's Brook that flow'dFast by the Oracle of God; I thenceInvoke thy aid to my adventrous Song,That with no middle flight intends to soarAbove th' Aonian Mount, while it pursuesThings unattempted yet in Prose or Rhime.And chiefly Thou O Spirit, that dost preferBefore all Temples th' upright heart and pure,Instruct me, for Thou know'st; Thou from the firstWast present, and with mighty wings outspread 20Dove-like satst brooding on the vast AbyssAnd mad'st it pregnant: What in me is darkIllumine, what is low raise and support;That to the highth of this great ArgumentI may assert th' Eternal Providence,And justifie the wayes of God to men.Say first, for Heav'n hides nothing from thy viewNor the deep Tract of Hell, say first what causeMov'd our Grand Parents in that happy State,Favour'd of Heav'n so highly, to fall off 30From their Creator, and transgress his WillFor one restraint, Lords of the World besides?Who first seduc'd them to that fowl revolt?Th' infernal Serpent; he it was, whose guileStird up with Envy and Revenge, deceiv'dThe Mother of Mankinde, what time his PrideHad cast him out from Heav'n, with all his HostOf Rebel Angels, by whose aid aspiringTo set himself in Glory above his Peers,He trusted to have equal'd the most High, 40If he oppos'd, and with ambitious aimAgainst the Throne and Monarchy of GodRais'd impious War in Heav'n and Battel proudWith vain attempt. Him the Almighty PowerHurld headlong flaming from th' Ethereal SkieWith hideous ruine and combustion downTo bottomless perdition, there to dwellIn Adamantine Chains and penal Fire,Who durst defie th' Omnipotent to Arms.Nine times the Space that measures Day and Night50To mortal men, he with his horrid crewLay vanquisht, rowling in the fiery GulfeConfounded though immortal: But his doomReserv'd him to more wrath; for now the thoughtBoth of lost happiness and lasting painTorments him; round he throws his baleful eyesThat witness'd huge affliction and dismayMixt with obdurate pride and stedfast hate:At once as far as Angels kenn he viewsThe dismal Situation waste and wilde,60A Dungeon horrible, on all sides roundAs one great Furnace flam'd, yet from those flamesNo light, but rather darkness visibleServ'd only to discover sights of woe,Regions of sorrow, doleful shades, where peaceAnd rest can never dwell, hope never comesThat comes to all; but torture without endStill urges, and a fiery Deluge, fedWith ever-burning Sulphur unconsum'd:Such place Eternal Justice has prepar'd70For those rebellious, here their Prison ordain'dIn utter darkness, and their portion setAs far remov'd from God and light of Heav'nAs from the Center thrice to th' utmost Pole.O how unlike the place from whence they fell!There the companions of his fall, o'rewhelm'dWith Floods and Whirlwinds of tempestuous fire,He soon discerns, and weltring by his sideOne 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 might110Extort from me. To bow and sue for graceWith suppliant knee, and deifie his powerWho from the terrour of this Arm so lateDoubted his Empire, that were low indeed,That were an ignominy and shame beneathThis downfall; since by Fate the strength of GodsAnd this Empyreal substance cannot fail,Since through experience of this great eventIn Arms not worse, in foresight much advanc't,We may with more successful hope resolve120To wage by force or guile eternal WarrIrreconcileable, to our grand Foe,Who now triumphs, and in th'excess of joySole reigning holds the Tyranny of Heav'nSo spake th'Apostate Angel, though in pain,Vaunting aloud, but rackt with deep despare:And him thus answer'd soon his bold Compeer.O Prince, O Chief of many Throned Powers,That led th' imbattelld Seraphim to WarrUnder thy conduct, and in dreadful deeds130Fearless, endanger'd Heav'ns perpetual King;And put to proof his high Supremacy,Whether upheld by strength, or Chance, or Fate,Too well I see and rue the dire event,That with sad overthrow and foul defeatHath lost us Heav'n, and all this mighty HostIn horrible destruction laid thus low,As far as Gods and Heav'nly EssencesCan Perish: for the mind and spirit remainsInvincible, and vigour soon returns,Though all our Glory extinct, and happy state140Here swallow'd up in endless misery.But what if he our Conqueror, (whom I nowOf source believe Almighty, since no lessThe such could hav orepow'rd such force as ours)Have left us this our spirit and strength intireStrongly to suffer and support our pains,That we may so suffice his vengeful ire,Or do him mightier sevice as his thrallsBy right of Warr, what e're his business be150Her in the heart of Hell to work in Fire,Or do his Errands in the gloomy Deep;What can it then avail though yet we feelStrength undiminisht, or eternal beingTo undergo eternal punishment?Whereto with speedy words th' Arch-fiend reply'd.Fall'n Cherube, to be weak is miserableDoing or Suffering: but of this be sure,To do ought good never will be our task,But ever to do ill our sole delight,160As being the contrary to his high willWhom we resist. If then his ProvidenceOut of our evil seek to bring forth good,Our labour must be to pervert that end,And out of good still to find means of evil;Which oft times may succeed, so as perhapsShall grieve him, if I fail not, and disturbHis inmost counsels from their destind aim.But see the angry Victor hath recall'dHis Ministers of vengeance and pursuit170Back to the Gates of Heav'n: The Sulphurous HailShot after us in storm, oreblown hath laidThe fiery Surge, that from the PrecipiceOf Heav'n reciev'd us falling, and the Thunder,Wing'd with red Lightning and impetuous rage,Perhaps hath spent his shafts, and ceases nowTo bellow through the vast and boundless Deep.Let us not flip th' occasion, whether scorn,Or satiate fury yield it from our Foe.Seest thou yon dreary Plain, forlorn and wilde,180The feat of desolation, voyd of light,Save what the glimmering of these livid flamesCasts pale and dreadful? Thither let us tendFrom off the tossing of these fiery waves,There rest, if any rest can harbour there,And reassembling our afflicted Powers,Consult how we may henceforth most offendOur Enemy, our own loss how repair,How overcome this dire Calamity,What reinforcement we may gain from Hope,190If not what resolution from despare.Thus Satan talking to his neerest MateWith head up-lift above the wave, and EyesThat sparking blaz'd, his other Parts besidesProne on the Flood, extended long and largeLay floating many a rood, in bulk as hugeAs whom the Fables name of monstrous size,Titanian, or Earth-born, that warr'd on Jove,Briarios or Typhon, whom the DenBy ancient Tarsus held, or that Sea-beast200Leviathan, which God of all his worksCreate hugest that swim th' Ocean stream:Him haply slumbring on the Norway foamThe Pilot of some small night-founder'd SkiffDeeming some Island, of, As Sea-men tell,With fixed Anchor in his skaly rindMoors by his side under the Lee, while NightInvests the Sea, and wished Morn delayes:So stretcht out huge in length the Arch-fiend layChain'd on the burning Lake, nor ever thences210Had ris'n or heav'd his head, but that the willand high permission of all-ruling HeavenLeft him at large to his own dark designs,That with reiterated crimes he mightHeap on himself damnation, while he soughtEvil to others, and enrag'd might seeHoe all his malice serv'd but to bring forthInfinite goodness, grace and mercy shewnOn Man by him seduc't but on himselfTreble confusion, wrath and vengeance pour'd.220Forthwith upright he rears from off the PoolHis mighty Stature; on each hand the flamesDrivn backward slope their pointing spires, & rowldIn billows, leave i'th' midst a horrid Vale.The with expanded wings he stears his flightAloft, incumbent on the dusky AirThat felt unusual wight, till on dry LandHe lights, if it were Land that ever burn'dWith solid, as the Lake with liquid fire;And such appear'd in hue, as when the force230of subterranean wind transports a HillTorn from Pelorus, or the shatter'd sideof thundring Ætna, whose combustibleAnd fewel'd entrals thence conceiving Fire,Sublim'd with Mineral fury, aid the Winds,and leave a singed bottom all involv'dWith stench and smoak: Such resting found the soleOf unblest feet. Him followed his next Mate,Both glorying to have scap't the Stygian floodAs Gods, and by their own recover'd strength, 240Not by the sufferance of supernal Power.Is this the Region, this the Soil, the Clime,Said then the lost Arch Angel, this the seatThat we must change for Heav'n, this mournful gloomFor that celestial light? Be it so, since hee Who now is Sovran can dispose and bidWhat shall be right: fardest from him is bestWhom reason hath equald, force hath made supreamAbove his equals. Farewel happy Fields Where Joy for ever dwells: Hail horrours, hail 250Infernal world, and thou profoundest HellReceive thy new Possessor: One who bringsA mind not to be chang'd by Place or Time.The mind is its own place, and in it selfCan make a Heav'n of Hell, a Hell of Heav'n.What matter where, if I be still the same,And what I should be, all but less then heeWhom Thunder hath made greater? Here at leastWe shall be free; th' Almighty hath not builtHere for his envy, will not drive us hence: 260Here we may reign secure, and in my choyceTo reign is worth ambition though in Hell:Better to reign in Hell, then serve in Heav'n.But wherefore let we then our faithful friends,Th' associates and copartners of our lossLye thus astonisht on th' oblivious Pool,And call them not to share with us their partIn this unhappy Mansion, or once moreWith rallied Arms to try what may be yetRegaind in Heav'n, or what more lost in Hell? 270So Satan spake, and him BëëlzebubThus answer'd. Leader of those Armies bright,Which but th' Omnipotent none could have foyld,If once they hear that voyce, their liveliest pledgeOf hope in fears and dangers, heard so oftIn worst extreams, and on the perilous edgeOf battel when it rag'd, in all assaultsTheir surest signal, they will soon resumeNew courage and revive, though now they lyeGroveling and prostrate on yon Lake of Fire, 280As we erewhile, astounded and amaz'd,No wonder, fall'n such a pernicious highth.He scarce had ceas't when the superiour FiendWas moving toward the shore; his ponderous shieldEthereal temper, massy, large and round,Behind him cast; the broad circumferenceHung on his shoulders like the Moon, whose OrbThrough Optic Glass the Tuscan Artist viewsAt Ev'ning from the top of Fesole,Or in Valdarno, to descry new Lands, 290Rivers or Mountains in her spotty Globe.His Spear, to equal which the tallest PineHewn on Norwegian hills, to be the MastOf some great Ammiral, were but a wand,He walkt with to support uneasie stepsOver the burning Marie, not like those stepsOn Heavens Azure, and the torrid ClimeSmote on him sore besides, vaulted with Fire;Nathless he so endur'd, till on the BeachOf that inflamed Sea, he stood and call'd 300His Legions, Angel Forms, who lay intrans'tThick as Autumnal Leaves that strow the BrooksIn Vallombrosa, where th' Etrurian shadesHigh overarch't imbowr; or scatterd sedgeAfloat, when with fierce Winds Orion arm'dHath vext the Red-Sea Coast, whose waves ore-threwBusiris and his Memphian Chivalrie,While with perfidious hatred they pursu'dThe Sojourners of Goshen, who beheldFrom the safe shore their floating Carkases 310And broken Chariot Wheels, so thick bestrownAbject and lost lay these, covering the Flood,Under amazement of their hideous change.He call'd so loud, that all the hollow DeepOf Hell resounded. Princes, Potentates,Warriers, the Flowr of Heav'n, once yours, now lost,If such astonishment as this can siezeEternal spirit ; or have ye chos'n this placeAfter the toyl of Battel to reposeYour wearied vertue, for the ease you find 320To slumber here, as in the Vales of Heav'n?Or in this abject posture have ye swornTo adore the Conquerour? who now beholdsCherube and Seraph rowling in the FloodWith scatter'd Arms and Ensigns, till anonHis swift pursuers from Heav'n Gates discernTh' advantage, and descending tread us downThus drooping, or with linked ThunderboltsTransfix us to the bottom of this Gulfe.Awake, arise, or be for ever fall'n. 330They heard, and were abasht, and up they sprungUpon the wing, as when men wont to watchOn duty, sleeping found by whom they dread,Rouse and bestir themselves ere well awake.Nor did they not perceave the evil plight In which they were, or the fierce pains not feel; Yet to their Generals Voyce they soon obeyd Innumerable. As when the potent Rod Of Amrams Son in Egypts evill day Wav'd round the Coast, up call'd a pitchy cloud 340Of Locusts, warping on the Eastern Wind, That ore the Realm of impious Pharaoh hung Like Night, and darken'd all the Land of Nile:So numberless were those bad Angels seen Hovering on wing under the Cope of Hell 'Twixt upper, nether, and surrounding Fires; Till, as a signal giv'n, th' uplifted Spear Of their great Sultan waving to direct Their course, in even ballance down they light On the firm brimstone, and fill all the Plain; 350A multitude, like which the populous North Pour'd never from her frozen loyns, to pass Rhene or the Danaw, when her barbarous Sons Came like a Deluge on the South, and spread Beneath Gibraltar to the Lybian sands. Forthwith from every Squadron and each Band The Heads and Leaders thither hast where stood Their great Commander; Godlike shapes and sorms Exeelling human, Princely Dignities, And Powers that earst in Heaven sat on Thrones; 360Though of their Names in heavenly Records now Be no memorial, blotted out and ras'd By thir Rebellion, from the Books of Life. Nor had they yet among the Sons of EveGot them new Names, till wandring ore the Earth, Through Gods high sufferance for the tryal of man,By falsities and lyes the greatest part Of Mankind they corrupted to forsake God their Creator, and th' invisible Glory of him, that made them, to transform 370Oft to the Image of a Brute, adorn'd With gay Religions full of Pomp and Gold, And Devils to adore for Deities: Then were they known to men by various Names, And various Idols through the Heathen World. Say, Muse, their Names then known, who first, who last, Rous'd from the slumber, on that fiery Couch, At their great Emperors call, as next in worth Came singly where he stood on the bare strand, While the promiscuous croud stood yet aloof? 380The chief were those who from the Pit of Hell Roaming to seek their prey on earth, durst fix Their Seats long after next the Seat of God, Their Altars by his Altar, Gods ador'd Among the Nations round, and durst abide Jehovah thundring out of Sion, thron'd Between the Cherubim; yea, often plac'd Within his Sanctuary it self their Shrines, Abominations; and with cursed things His holy Rites and solemn Feasts profan'd, 390And with their darkness durst affront his light. First Moloch, horrid King besmear'd with blood Of human sacrifice, and parents tears, Though for the noyse of Drums and Timbrels loud Their childrens cries unheard, that past through fire To his grim Idol. Him the AmmoniteWorshipt in Rabba and her watry Plain, In Argob and in Basan, to the streamOf utmost Arnon. Nor content with such Audacious neighbourhood, the wisest heart 400Of Solomon he led by fraud to build His Temple right against the Temple of God On that opprobrious Hill, and made his Grove The pleasant Vally of Hinnom, Tophet thence And black Gehenna call'd, the Type of Hell. Next Chemos, th' ob'cene dread of Moabs Sons, From Aroer to Nebo, and the wild Of Southmo't Abarim; in HesebonAnd Heronaim, Seons Realm, beyond The flowry Dale of Sibma clad with Vines, 410And Eleale to th' Asphaltick Pool. Peor his other Name, when he entic'd Israel in Sittim on their march from NileTo do him wanton rites, which cost them woe. Yet thence his lustful Orgies he enlarg'd Even to that Hill of scandal, by the Grove Of Moloch homicide, lust hard by hate; Till good Josiah drove them thence to Hell. With these came they, who from the bordring flood Of old Euphrates to the Brook that parts 420Egypt from Syrian ground, had general Names Of Baalim and Ashtaroth, those male, These Feminine. For Spirits when they please Can either Sex assume, or both; so soft And uncompounded is their Essence pure, Not ti'd or manacl'd with joynt or limb, Nor founded on the brittle strength of bones, Like cumbrous flesh; but in what shape they choose Dilated or condens't, bright or obscure, Can execute their aerie purposes, 430And works of love or enmity fulfil. For those the Race of Israel oft forsook Their living strength, and unfrequented left His righteous Altar, bowing lowly down To bestial Gods; for which their heads as low Bow'd down in Battel, sunk before the Spear Of despicable foes. With these in troop Came Astoreth, whom the Phœnicians called Astarte, Queen of Heav'n, with crescent Horns; To whose bright Image nightly by the Moon 440Sidonian Virgins paid their Vows and Songs; In Sion also not unsung, where stood Her Temple on th' offensive Mountain, built By that uxorious King, whose heart though large, Beguil'd by fair Idolatresses, fell To Idols foul. Thammuz came next behind, Whose annual wound in Lebanon allur'd The Syrian Damsels to lament his fate In amorous dittyes all a Summers day,While smooth Adonis from his native Rock 450Ran purple to the Sea, suppos'd with blood Of Thammuz yearly wounded: the Love-tale Infected Sions daughters with like heat, Whose wanton passions in the sacred Porch Ezekiel saw, when by the Vision led His eye survay'd the dark Idolatries Of alienated Judah. Next came one Who mourn'd in earnest, when the Captive Ark Maim'd his brute Image, head and hands lopt off, In his own Temple, on the grunsel edge, 460Where he fell flat, and sham'd his Worshipers: Dagon his Name, Sea Monster, upward ManAnd downward Fish: yet had his Temple high Rear'd in Azotus, dreaded through the Coast Of Palestine, in Gath and Ascalon, And Accaron and Gaza's frontier bounds. Him follow'd Rimmon, whose delightful Seat Was fair Damascus, on the fertil Banks Of Abbana and Pharphar, lucid streams. He also against the house of God was bold: 470A Leper once he lost and gain'd a King, Ahaz his sottish Conquerour, whom he drew Gods Altar to disparage and displace For one of Syrian mode, whereon to burn His odious offrings, and adore the Gods Whom he had vanquisht. After these appear'd A crew who under Names of old Renown, Osiris, Isis, Orus, and their Train With monstrous shapes and sorceries abus'd Fanatic Egypt and her Priests, to seek 480Thir wandring Gods disguis'd in brutish forms Rather than human. Nor did Israel scape Th' infection when their borrow'd Gold compos'd The Calf in Oreb: and the Rebel King Doubl'd that sin in Bethel and in Dan, Lik'ning his Maker to the Grazed Ox, Jehovah, who in one Night when he pass'd From Egypt marching, equal'd with one stroke Both her first born and all her bleating Gods. Belial came last, then whom a Spirit more lewd 490Fell not from Heaven, or more gross to love Vice for it self: To him no Temple stood Or Altar smoak'd; yet who more oft than hee In Temples and at Altars, when the PriestTurns Atheist, as did Ely's sons, who fill'd With lust and violence the house of God. In Courts and Palaces he also Reigns And in luxurious Cities, where the noyse Of riot ascends above thir loftiest Towrs, And injury and outrage: And, when Night Darkens the Streets, then wander forth the Sons 500Of Belial, flown with insolence and wine. Witness the Streets of Sodom, and that night In Gibeah, when the hospitable Dores Yielded thir Matrons to prevent worse rape. These were the prime in order and in might; The rest were long to tell, though far renown'd, Th' Ionian Gods, of Javans Issue held Gods, yet confest later than Heav'n and Earth Thir boasted Parents; Titan, Heav'ns first born 510With his enormous brood, and birthright seis'd By younger Saturn, he from mightier JoveHis own and Rhea's Son like measure found; So Jove usurping reign'd: these first in CreetAnd Ida known, thence on the Snowy top Of cold Olympus rul'd the middle Air Thir highest Heav'n; or on the Delphian Cliff, Or in Dodona, and through all the bounds Of Doric Land; or who with Saturn old Fled over Adria to th' Hesperian Fields, 520And ore the Celtic roam'd the utmost Isles. All these and more came flocking; but with looks Down cast and damp, yet such wherein appear'd Obscure som glimps of joy, to have found thir chief Not in despair, to have found themselves not lost In loss it self; which on his count'nance castLike doubtful hue: but he his wonted pride Soon recollecting, with high words, that bore Semblance of worth not substance, gently rais'd Their fainted courage, and dispel'd their fears. 530Then strait commands that at the warlike sound Of Trumpets loud and Clarions be upreard His mighty Standard; that proud honour claim'd Azazel as his right, a Cherube tall: Who forthwith from the glittering Staff unfurld Th' Imperial Ensign, which full high advanc't Shon like a Meteor streaming to the Wind With Gemms and Golden lustre rich imblaz'd, Seraphic arms and Trophies: all the while Sonorous mettal blowing Martial sounds: 540At which the universal Host upsent A shout that tore Hells Concave, and beyond Frighted the Reign of Chaos and old Night. All in a moment through the gloom were seen Ten thousand Banners rise into the Air With Orient Colours waving: with them rose A Forrest huge of Spears: and thronging Helms Appear'd, and serried Shields in thick array Of depth immeasurable: Anon they move In perfect Phalanx to the Dorian mood 550Of Flutes and soft Recorders; such as rais'd To highth of noblest temper Hero's old Arming to Battel, and in stead of rage Deliberate valour breath'd, firm and unmov'd With dread of death to flight or foul retreat, Nor wanting power to mitigate and swage With solemn touches, troubl'd thoughts, and chase Anguish and doubt and fear and sorrow and painFrom mortal or immortal minds. Thus they Breathing united force with fixed thought 560Mov'd on in silence to soft Pipes that charm'd Thir painful steps o'ere the burnt soyle; and now Advanc't in view they stand, a horrid Front Of dreadful length and dazzling Arms, in guise Of Warriors old with order'd Spear and Shield, Awaiting what command thir mighty Chief Had to impose: He through the armed Files Darts his experienc't eye, and soon traverse The whole Battalion views, thir order due, Thir visages and stature as of Gods, 570Thir number last he summs. And now his heart Distends with pride, and, hardning in his strength Glories: For never since created man, Met such imbodied force, as nam'd with these Could merit more than that small infantry Warr'd on by Cranes: though all the Giant brood Of Phlegra with th' Heroic Race were joyn'd That fought at Theb's and Ilium, on each side Mixt with auxiliar Gods; and what resounds In Fable or Romance of Uthers Son 580Begirt with British and Armoric Knights; And all who since, Baptiz'd or Infidel Jousted in Aspramont or Montalban, Damasco, or Marocco, or Trebisond, Or whom Biserta sent from Afric shore When Charlemain with all his Peerage fell By Fontarabbia. Thus far these beyond Compare of mortal prowess, yet observ'd Thir dread Commander: he above the rest In shape and gesture proudly eminent 590Stood like a Towr; His form had yet not lost All her Original brightness, nor appear'd Less than Arch Angel ruined, and th' excess Of Glory obscur'd: As when the Sun new ris'n Looks through the Horizontal misty Air Shorn of his Beams, or from behind the Moon In dim Eclips disastrous twilight sheds On half the Nations, and with fear of change Perplexes Monarchs. Dark'n'd so, yet shon Above them all th' Arch Angel: but his face 600Deep scars of Thunder had intrencht, and care Sat on his faded cheek, but under Browes Of dauntless courage, and considerate Pride Waiting revenge: cruel his eye, but cast Signs of remorse and passion to behold The fellows of his crime, the followers rather (Far other once beheld in bliss), condemn'd For ever now to have their lot in pain, Millions of Spirits for his fault amerc't Of Heav'n, and from Eternal Splendors flung 610For his revolt, yet faithfull how they stood, Thir Glory witherd. As when Heavens Fire Hath scath'd the Forrest Oaks, or Mountain Pines, With singed top their stately growth though bare Stands on the blasted Heath. He now prepar'd To speak; whereat their doubl'd Ranks they bend From Wing to Wing, and half enclose him round With all his Peers: attention held them mute. Thrice he assayed, and thrice in spite of scorn, Tears such as Angels weep, burst forth: at last 620Words interwove with sighs found out their way. O Myriads of immortal Spirits, O PowersMatchless, but with th' Almighthy, and that strifeWas not inglorious, though th' event was dire,As this place testifies, and this dire changeHateful to utter: but what power of mindForeseeing or presaging, from the DepthOf knowledge past or present, could have fear'd,How such united force of Gods, how suchAs stood like these, could ever know repulse? 630For who can yet beleeve, though after loss,That all these puissant Legions, whose exileHath emptied Heav'n, shall faile to re-ascendSelf-rais'd, and repossess their native seat.For me, be witness all the Host of Heav'n,If counsels different, or danger shun'dBy me, have lost our hopes. But he who reignsMonarch in Heav'n, till then as one secureSat on his Throne, upheld by old repute,Consent or custome, and his Regal State 640Put forth at full, but still his strength conceal'd,Which tempted our attempt, and wrought our fall.Henceforth his might we know, and know our ownSo as not either to provoke, or dreadNew warr, provok't; our better part remainsTo work in close design, by fraud or guile,What force effected not: that he no lessAt length from us may find, who overcomesBy force, hath overcome but half his foe.Space may produce new Worlds; whereof so rife 650There went a fame in Heav'n that he ere longIntended to create, and therein plantA generation, whom his choice regardShould favour equal to the Sons of Heaven:Thither, if but to prie, shall be perhapsOur first eruption, thither or elsewhere:For this Infernal Pit shall never holdCælestial Spirits in Bondage, nor th' AbysseLong under darkness cover. But these thoughtsFull Counsel must mature: Peace is despaird, 660For who can think Submission? Warr then, WarrOpen or understood must be resolv'd.He spake: and, to confirm his words, out-flewMillions of flaming swords, drawn from the thighsOf mighty Cherubim; the 'udden blazeFar round illumin'd hell: highly they rag'dAgainst the Highest, and fierce with grasped arm'sClash'd on their sounding shields the din of war,Hurling defiance toward the vault of Heav'n.There stood a Hill not far whose griesly top 670Belch'd fire and rolling smoak; the rest entireShon with a glossie scurff, undoubted signThat in his womb was hid metallic Ore,The work of Sulphur. Thither wing'd with speedA numerous Brigad hasten'd As when bandsOf Pioners with Spade and Pickaxe arm'dForerun the Royal Camp, to trench a Field,Or cast a Rampart. Mammon led them on,Mammon, the least erected Spirit that fellFrom heav'n, for ev'n in heav'n his looks & thoughts 680Were always downward bent, admiring moreThe riches of Heav'ns pavement, trod'n Gold,Than aught divine or holy else enjoy'dIn vision beatific: by him firstMen also, and by his suggestion taught,Ransack'd the Center, and with impious handsRifl'd the bowels of thir mother EarthFor Treasures better hid. Soon had his crewOp'nd into the Hill a spacious woundAnd dig'd out ribs of Gold. Let none admire 690That riches grow in Hell; that soyle may bestDeserve the pretious bane. And here let thoseWho boast in mortal things, and wondring tellOf Babel, and the works of Memphian Kings,Learn how their greatest Monuments of Fame,And Strength and Art, are easily outdoneBy Spirits reprobate, and in an hourWhat in an age they with incessant toyleAnd hands innumerable scarce perform.Nigh on the Plain in many cells prepar'd, 700That underneath had veins of liquid fireSluc'd from the Lake, a second multitudeWith wondrous Art founded the massie Ore,Severing each kinde, and scum'd the Bullion dross:A third as soon had form'd within the groundA various mould, and from the boyling cellsBy strange conveyance fill'd each hollow nook,As in an Organ from one blast of windTo many a row of Pipes the sound-board breaths.A non out of the earth a Fabrick huge 710Rose like an Exhalation, with the soundOf Dulcet Symphonies and voices sweet,Built like a Temple, where Pilasters roundWere set, and Doric pillars overlaidWith Golden Architrave; nor did there wantCornice or Freeze, with bossy Sculptures grav'n,The Roof was fretted Gold. Not Babilon,Nor great Alcairosuch magnificenceEqual'd in all thir glories, to inshrineBelus or Serapis thir Gods, or seat 720Thir Kings, when Ægypt with AssyriastroveIn wealth and luxurie. Th' ascending pileStood fixt her stately highth, and strait the doresOp'ning thir brazen foulds discover wideWithin, her ample spaces, o're the smoothAnd level pavement: from the arched roofPendent by suttle Magic many a rowOf Starry Lamps and blazing Cressets fedWith Naphtha and Asphaltus yeilded lightAs from a sky. The hasty multitude 730Admiring enter'd, and the work some praiseAnd some the Architect: his hand was knownIn Heav'n by many a Towred structure high,Where Scepter'd Angels held their residence,And sat as Princes, whom the supreme KingExalted to such power, and gave to rule,Each in his Herarchie, the Orders bright.Nor was his name unheard or unador'dIn ancient Greece; and in Ausonian landMen call'd him Mulciber; and how he fell 740From Heav'n, they fabl'd, thrown by angry JoveSheer o're the Chrystal Battlements: from MornTo Noon he fell, from Noon to dewy Eve,A Summers day; and with the setting SunDropt from the Zenith like a falling Star,On Lemnos th' Ægæan Ile: thus they relate,Erring; for he with this rebellious routFell long before; nor aught avail'd him nowTo have built in Heav'n high Towrs; nor did he scapeBy all his Engins, but was headlong sent 750With his industrious crew, to build in hell.Mean while the winged Haralds by commandOf Sovran power, with awful CeremonyAnd Trumpets sound throughout the Host proclaimA solemn Councel forthwith to be heldAt Pandæmonium, the high CapitalOf Satan and his Peers: thir summons call'dFrom every and Band squared RegimentBy place or choice the worthiest; they anonWith hundreds and with thousands trooping came 760Attended: all access was throng'd, the GatesAnd Porches wide, but chief the spacious Hall(Though like a cover'd field, where Champions boldWont ride in arm'd, and at the Soldans chairDefi'd the best of Panim chivalryTo mortal combat or carreer with Lance)Thick swarm'd, both on the ground and in the air,Brusht with the hiss of russling wings. As BeesIn spring time, when the Sun with Taurus rides,Poure forth thir populous youth about the Hive 770In clusters; they among fresh dews and flowersFlie to and fro, or on the smoothed Plank,The suburb of thir Straw-built Cittadel,New rub'd with Baume, expatiate, and conferTheir State affairs. So thick the aerie crowdSwarm'd and were straitn'd; till the Signal giv'n,Behold a wonder! they but now who seemedIn bigness to surpass Earths Giant SonsNow less than smallest Dwarfs, in narrow roomThrong numberless, like that Pigmean Race 780Beyond the Indian Mount, or Faerie Elves,Whose midnight Revels, by a Forrest sideOr Fountain some belated Peasant sees, Or dreams he sees, while over head the Moon Sits Arbitress, and neerer to the Earth Wheels her pale course, they on thir mirth & dance Intent, with jocond Music charm his ear; At once with joy and fear his heart rebounds. Thus incorporeal Spirits to smallest forms Reduc’d their shapes immense, and were at large, 790Though without number still amidst the Hall Of that infernal Court. But far within And in thir own dimensions like themselves The great Seraphic Lords and Cherubim In close recess and secret conclave sat A thousand Demy-Gods on golden seat's, Frequent and full. After short silence then And summons read, the great consult began.
_-_Headpiece.png)
F Mans First Disobedience, and the FruitOf that Forbidden Tree, whose mortal tastBrought Death into the World, and all our woe,With loss of Eden, till one greater ManRestore us, and regain the blissful Seat,Sing, Heav'nly Muse, that on the secret topOf Oreb, or of Sinai, didst inspireThat Shepherd, who first taught the chosen Seed,In the Beginning how the Heav'ns and EarthRose out of Chaos: Or if Sion Hill10Delight thee more, and Siloa's Brook that flow'dFast by the Oracle of God; I thenceInvoke thy aid to my adventrous Song,That with no middle flight intends to soar Above th' Aonian Mount, while it pursuesThings unattempted yet in Prose or Rhime.And chiefly Thou O Spirit, that dost preferBefore all Temples th' upright heart and pure,Instruct me, for Thou know'st; Thou from the firstWast present, and with mighty wings outspread 20Dove-like satst brooding on the vast AbyssAnd mad'st it pregnant: What in me is darkIllumine, what is low raise and support;That to the highth of this great ArgumentI may assert th' Eternal Providence,And justifie the wayes of God to men. Say first, for Heav'n hides nothing from thy viewNor the deep Tract of Hell, say first what causeMov'd our Grand Parents in that happy State,Favour'd of Heav'n so highly, to fall off 30From their Creator, and transgress his WillFor one restraint, Lords of the World besides?Who first seduc'd them to that fowl revolt?Th' infernal Serpent; he it was, whose guileStird up with Envy and Revenge, deceiv'dThe Mother of Mankinde, what time his PrideHad cast him out from Heav'n, with all his HostOf Rebel Angels, by whose aid aspiringTo set himself in Glory above his Peers,He trusted to have equal'd the most High, 40If he oppos'd, and with ambitious aimAgainst the Throne and Monarchy of GodRais'd impious War in Heav'n and Battel proudWith vain attempt. Him the Almighty PowerHurld headlong flaming from th' Ethereal SkieWith hideous ruine and combustion down To bottomless perdition, there to dwellIn Adamantine Chains and penal Fire,Who durst defie th' Omnipotent to Arms.Nine times the Space that measures Day and Night50To mortal men, he with his horrid crewLay vanquisht, rowling in the fiery GulfeConfounded though immortal: But his doomReserv'd him to more wrath; for now the thoughtBoth of lost happiness and lasting painTorments him; round he throws his baleful eyesThat witness'd huge affliction and dismayMixt with obdurate pride and stedfast hate:At once as far as Angels kenn he viewsThe dismal Situation waste and wilde,60A Dungeon horrible, on all sides roundAs one great Furnace flam'd, yet from those flamesNo light, but rather darkness visibleServ'd only to discover sights of woe,Regions of sorrow, doleful shades, where peaceAnd rest can never dwell, hope never comesThat comes to all; but torture without endStill urges, and a fiery Deluge, fedWith ever-burning Sulphur unconsum'd:Such place Eternal Justice has prepar'd70For those rebellious, here their Prison ordain'dIn utter darkness, and their portion setAs far remov'd from God and light of Heav'nAs from the Center thrice to th' utmost Pole.O how unlike the place from whence they fell!There the companions of his fall, o'rewhelm'dWith Floods and Whirlwinds of tempestuous fire,He soon discerns, and weltring by his side 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 from me. To bow and sue for graceWith suppliant knee, and deifie his powerWho from the terrour of this Arm so lateDoubted his Empire, that were low indeed,That were an ignominy and shame beneathThis downfall; since by Fate the strength of GodsAnd this Empyreal substance cannot fail,Since through experience of this great eventIn Arms not worse, in foresight much advanc't,We may with more successful hope resolve120To wage by force or guile eternal WarrIrreconcileable, to our grand Foe,Who now triumphs, and in th'excess of joySole reigning holds the Tyranny of Heav'n So spake th'Apostate Angel, though in pain,Vaunting aloud, but rackt with deep despare:And him thus answer'd soon his bold Compeer. O Prince, O Chief of many Throned Powers,That led th' imbattelld Seraphim to WarrUnder thy conduct, and in dreadful deeds130Fearless, endanger'd Heav'ns perpetual King;And put to proof his high Supremacy,Whether upheld by strength, or Chance, or Fate,Too well I see and rue the dire event,That with sad overthrow and foul defeatHath lost us Heav'n, and all this mighty HostIn horrible destruction laid thus low,As far as Gods and Heav'nly EssencesCan Perish: for the mind and spirit remainsInvincible, and vigour soon returns,Though all our Glory extinct, and happy state140Here swallow'd up in endless misery. But what if he our Conqueror, (whom I nowOf source believe Almighty, since no lessThe such could hav orepow'rd such force as ours)Have left us this our spirit and strength intireStrongly to suffer and support our pains,That we may so suffice his vengeful ire,Or do him mightier sevice as his thrallsBy right of Warr, what e're his business be150Her in the heart of Hell to work in Fire,Or do his Errands in the gloomy Deep;What can it then avail though yet we feelStrength undiminisht, or eternal beingTo undergo eternal punishment?Whereto with speedy words th' Arch-fiend reply'd. Fall'n Cherube, to be weak is miserableDoing or Suffering: but of this be sure,To do ought good never will be our task,But ever to do ill our sole delight,160As being the contrary to his high willWhom we resist. If then his ProvidenceOut of our evil seek to bring forth good,Our labour must be to pervert that end,And out of good still to find means of evil;Which oft times may succeed, so as perhapsShall grieve him, if I fail not, and disturbHis inmost counsels from their destind aim.But see the angry Victor hath recall'dHis Ministers of vengeance and pursuit170Back to the Gates of Heav'n: The Sulphurous HailShot after us in storm, oreblown hath laidThe fiery Surge, that from the PrecipiceOf Heav'n reciev'd us falling, and the Thunder, Wing'd with red Lightning and impetuous rage,Perhaps hath spent his shafts, and ceases nowTo bellow through the vast and boundless Deep.Let us not flip th' occasion, whether scorn,Or satiate fury yield it from our Foe.Seest thou yon dreary Plain, forlorn and wilde,180The feat of desolation, voyd of light,Save what the glimmering of these livid flamesCasts pale and dreadful? Thither let us tendFrom off the tossing of these fiery waves,There rest, if any rest can harbour there,And reassembling our afflicted Powers,Consult how we may henceforth most offendOur Enemy, our own loss how repair,How overcome this dire Calamity,What reinforcement we may gain from Hope,190If not what resolution from despare. Thus Satan talking to his neerest MateWith head up-lift above the wave, and EyesThat sparking blaz'd, his other Parts besidesProne on the Flood, extended long and largeLay floating many a rood, in bulk as hugeAs whom the Fables name of monstrous size,Titanian, or Earth-born, that warr'd on Jove,Briarios or Typhon, whom the DenBy ancient Tarsus held, or that Sea-beast200Leviathan, which God of all his worksCreate hugest that swim th' Ocean stream:Him haply slumbring on the Norway foamThe Pilot of some small night-founder'd SkiffDeeming some Island, of, As Sea-men tell,With fixed Anchor in his skaly rind Moors by his side under the Lee, while NightInvests the Sea, and wished Morn delayes:So stretcht out huge in length the Arch-fiend layChain'd on the burning Lake, nor ever thences210Had ris'n or heav'd his head, but that the willand high permission of all-ruling HeavenLeft him at large to his own dark designs,That with reiterated crimes he mightHeap on himself damnation, while he soughtEvil to others, and enrag'd might seeHoe all his malice serv'd but to bring forthInfinite goodness, grace and mercy shewnOn Man by him seduc't but on himselfTreble confusion, wrath and vengeance pour'd.220Forthwith upright he rears from off the PoolHis mighty Stature; on each hand the flamesDrivn backward slope their pointing spires, & rowldIn billows, leave i'th' midst a horrid Vale.The with expanded wings he stears his flightAloft, incumbent on the dusky AirThat felt unusual wight, till on dry LandHe lights, if it were Land that ever burn'dWith solid, as the Lake with liquid fire;And such appear'd in hue, as when the force230of subterranean wind transports a HillTorn from Pelorus, or the shatter'd sideof thundring Ætna, whose combustibleAnd fewel'd entrals thence conceiving Fire,Sublim'd with Mineral fury, aid the Winds,and leave a singed bottom all involv'dWith stench and smoak: Such resting found the soleOf unblest feet. Him followed his next Mate, Both glorying to have scap't the Stygian floodAs Gods, and by their own recover'd strength, 240Not by the sufferance of supernal Power. Is this the Region, this the Soil, the Clime,Said then the lost Arch Angel, this the seatThat we must change for Heav'n, this mournful gloomFor that celestial light? Be it so, since hee Who now is Sovran can dispose and bidWhat shall be right: fardest from him is bestWhom reason hath equald, force hath made supreamAbove his equals. Farewel happy Fields Where Joy for ever dwells: Hail horrours, hail 250Infernal world, and thou profoundest HellReceive thy new Possessor: One who bringsA mind not to be chang'd by Place or Time.The mind is its own place, and in it selfCan make a Heav'n of Hell, a Hell of Heav'n.What matter where, if I be still the same,And what I should be, all but less then heeWhom Thunder hath made greater? Here at leastWe shall be free; th' Almighty hath not builtHere for his envy, will not drive us hence: 260 Here we may reign secure, and in my choyceTo reign is worth ambition though in Hell:Better to reign in Hell, then serve in Heav'n.But wherefore let we then our faithful friends,Th' associates and copartners of our lossLye thus astonisht on th' oblivious Pool,And call them not to share with us their partIn this unhappy Mansion, or once moreWith rallied Arms to try what may be yetRegaind in Heav'n, or what more lost in Hell? 270 So Satan spake, and him BëëlzebubThus answer'd. Leader of those Armies bright,Which but th' Omnipotent none could have foyld,If once they hear that voyce, their liveliest pledgeOf hope in fears and dangers, heard so oftIn worst extreams, and on the perilous edgeOf battel when it rag'd, in all assaultsTheir surest signal, they will soon resumeNew courage and revive, though now they lyeGroveling and prostrate on yon Lake of Fire, 280As we erewhile, astounded and amaz'd,No wonder, fall'n such a pernicious highth. He scarce had ceas't when the superiour FiendWas moving toward the shore; his ponderous shieldEthereal temper, massy, large and round,Behind him cast; the broad circumferenceHung on his shoulders like the Moon, whose OrbThrough Optic Glass the Tuscan Artist viewsAt Ev'ning from the top of Fesole,Or in Valdarno, to descry new Lands, 290Rivers or Mountains in her spotty Globe.His Spear, to equal which the tallest PineHewn on Norwegian hills, to be the MastOf some great Ammiral, were but a wand,He walkt with to support uneasie stepsOver the burning Marie, not like those stepsOn Heavens Azure, and the torrid ClimeSmote on him sore besides, vaulted with Fire;Nathless he so endur'd, till on the BeachOf that inflamed Sea, he stood and call'd 300His Legions, Angel Forms, who lay intrans'tThick as Autumnal Leaves that strow the Brooks In Vallombrosa, where th' Etrurian shadesHigh overarch't imbowr; or scatterd sedgeAfloat, when with fierce Winds Orion arm'dHath vext the Red-Sea Coast, whose waves ore-threwBusiris and his Memphian Chivalrie, While with perfidious hatred they pursu'dThe Sojourners of Goshen, who beheldFrom the safe shore their floating Carkases 310And broken Chariot Wheels, so thick bestrownAbject and lost lay these, covering the Flood,Under amazement of their hideous change.He call'd so loud, that all the hollow DeepOf Hell resounded. Princes, Potentates,Warriers, the Flowr of Heav'n, once yours, now lost,If such astonishment as this can siezeEternal spirit ; or have ye chos'n this placeAfter the toyl of Battel to reposeYour wearied vertue, for the ease you find 320To slumber here, as in the Vales of Heav'n?Or in this abject posture have ye swornTo adore the Conquerour? who now beholdsCherube and Seraph rowling in the FloodWith scatter'd Arms and Ensigns, till anonHis swift pursuers from Heav'n Gates discernTh' advantage, and descending tread us downThus drooping, or with linked ThunderboltsTransfix us to the bottom of this Gulfe.Awake, arise, or be for ever fall'n. 330 They heard, and were abasht, and up they sprungUpon the wing, as when men wont to watchOn duty, sleeping found by whom they dread,Rouse and bestir themselves ere well awake. Nor did they not perceave the evil plight In which they were, or the fierce pains not feel; Yet to their Generals Voyce they soon obeyd Innumerable. As when the potent Rod Of Amrams Son in Egypts evill day Wav'd round the Coast, up call'd a pitchy cloud 340 Of Locusts, warping on the Eastern Wind, That ore the Realm of impious Pharaoh hung Like Night, and darken'd all the Land of Nile:So numberless were those bad Angels seen Hovering on wing under the Cope of Hell 'Twixt upper, nether, and surrounding Fires; Till, as a signal giv'n, th' uplifted Spear Of their great Sultan waving to direct Their course, in even ballance down they light On the firm brimstone, and fill all the Plain; 350 A multitude, like which the populous North Pour'd never from her frozen loyns, to pass Rhene or the Danaw, when her barbarous Sons Came like a Deluge on the South, and spread Beneath Gibraltar to the Lybian sands. Forthwith from every Squadron and each Band The Heads and Leaders thither hast where stood Their great Commander; Godlike shapes and sorms Exeelling human, Princely Dignities, And Powers that earst in Heaven sat on Thrones; 360Though of their Names in heavenly Records now Be no memorial, blotted out and ras'd By thir Rebellion, from the Books of Life. Nor had they yet among the Sons of Eve Got them new Names, till wandring ore the Earth, Through Gods high sufferance for the tryal of man, By falsities and lyes the greatest part Of Mankind they corrupted to forsake God their Creator, and th' invisible Glory of him, that made them, to transform 370Oft to the Image of a Brute, adorn'd With gay Religions full of Pomp and Gold, And Devils to adore for Deities: Then were they known to men by various Names, And various Idols through the Heathen World. Say, Muse, their Names then known, who first, who last, Rous'd from the slumber, on that fiery Couch, At their great Emperors call, as next in worth Came singly where he stood on the bare strand, While the promiscuous croud stood yet aloof? 380The chief were those who from the Pit of Hell Roaming to seek their prey on earth, durst fix Their Seats long after next the Seat of God, Their Altars by his Altar, Gods ador'd Among the Nations round, and durst abide Jehovah thundring out of Sion, thron'd Between the Cherubim; yea, often plac'd Within his Sanctuary it self their Shrines, Abominations; and with cursed things His holy Rites and solemn Feasts profan'd, 390 And with their darkness durst affront his light. First Moloch, horrid King besmear'd with blood Of human sacrifice, and parents tears, Though for the noyse of Drums and Timbrels loud Their childrens cries unheard, that past through fire To his grim Idol. Him the Ammonite Worshipt in Rabba and her watry Plain, In Argob and in Basan, to the stream Of utmost Arnon. Nor content with such Audacious neighbourhood, the wisest heart 400 Of Solomon he led by fraud to build His Temple right against the Temple of God On that opprobrious Hill, and made his Grove The pleasant Vally of Hinnom, Tophet thence And black Gehenna call'd, the Type of Hell. Next Chemos, th' ob'cene dread of Moabs Sons, From Aroer to Nebo, and the wild Of Southmo't Abarim; in Hesebon And Heronaim, Seons Realm, beyond The flowry Dale of Sibma clad with Vines, 410 And Eleale to th' Asphaltick Pool. Peor his other Name, when he entic'd Israel in Sittim on their march from Nile To do him wanton rites, which cost them woe. Yet thence his lustful Orgies he enlarg'd Even to that Hill of scandal, by the Grove Of Moloch homicide, lust hard by hate; Till good Josiah drove them thence to Hell. With these came they, who from the bordring flood Of old Euphrates to the Brook that parts 420 Egypt from Syrian ground, had general Names Of Baalim and Ashtaroth, those male, These Feminine. For Spirits when they please Can either Sex assume, or both; so soft And uncompounded is their Essence pure, Not ti'd or manacl'd with joynt or limb, Nor founded on the brittle strength of bones, Like cumbrous flesh; but in what shape they choose Dilated or condens't, bright or obscure, Can execute their aerie purposes, 430 And works of love or enmity fulfil. For those the Race of Israel oft forsook Their living strength, and unfrequented left His righteous Altar, bowing lowly down To bestial Gods; for which their heads as low Bow'd down in Battel, sunk before the Spear Of despicable foes. With these in troop Came Astoreth, whom the Phœnicians called Astarte, Queen of Heav'n, with crescent Horns; To whose bright Image nightly by the Moon 440Sidonian Virgins paid their Vows and Songs; In Sion also not unsung, where stood Her Temple on th' offensive Mountain, built By that uxorious King, whose heart though large, Beguil'd by fair Idolatresses, fell To Idols foul. Thammuz came next behind, Whose annual wound in Lebanon allur'd The Syrian Damsels to lament his fate In amorous dittyes all a Summers day,While smooth Adonis from his native Rock 450Ran purple to the Sea, suppos'd with blood Of Thammuz yearly wounded: the Love-tale Infected Sions daughters with like heat, Whose wanton passions in the sacred Porch Ezekiel saw, when by the Vision led His eye survay'd the dark Idolatries Of alienated Judah. Next came one Who mourn'd in earnest, when the Captive Ark Maim'd his brute Image, head and hands lopt off, In his own Temple, on the grunsel edge, 460Where he fell flat, and sham'd his Worshipers: Dagon his Name, Sea Monster, upward Man And downward Fish: yet had his Temple high Rear'd in Azotus, dreaded through the Coast Of Palestine, in Gath and Ascalon, And Accaron and Gaza's frontier bounds. Him follow'd Rimmon, whose delightful Seat Was fair Damascus, on the fertil Banks Of Abbana and Pharphar, lucid streams. He also against the house of God was bold: 470A Leper once he lost and gain'd a King, Ahaz his sottish Conquerour, whom he drew Gods Altar to disparage and displace For one of Syrian mode, whereon to burn His odious offrings, and adore the Gods Whom he had vanquisht. After these appear'd A crew who under Names of old Renown, Osiris, Isis, Orus, and their Train With monstrous shapes and sorceries abus'd Fanatic Egypt and her Priests, to seek 480 Thir wandring Gods disguis'd in brutish forms Rather than human. Nor did Israel scape Th' infection when their borrow'd Gold compos'd The Calf in Oreb: and the Rebel King Doubl'd that sin in Bethel and in Dan, Lik'ning his Maker to the Grazed Ox, Jehovah, who in one Night when he pass'd From Egypt marching, equal'd with one stroke Both her first born and all her bleating Gods. Belial came last, then whom a Spirit more lewd 490 Fell not from Heaven, or more gross to love Vice for it self: To him no Temple stood Or Altar smoak'd; yet who more oft than hee In Temples and at Altars, when the Priest Turns Atheist, as did Ely's sons, who fill'd With lust and violence the house of God. In Courts and Palaces he also Reigns And in luxurious Cities, where the noyse Of riot ascends above thir loftiest Towrs, And injury and outrage: And, when Night Darkens the Streets, then wander forth the Sons 500Of Belial, flown with insolence and wine. Witness the Streets of Sodom, and that night In Gibeah, when the hospitable Dores Yielded thir Matrons to prevent worse rape. These were the prime in order and in might; The rest were long to tell, though far renown'd, Th' Ionian Gods, of Javans Issue held Gods, yet confest later than Heav'n and Earth Thir boasted Parents; Titan, Heav'ns first born 510With his enormous brood, and birthright seis'd By younger Saturn, he from mightier Jove His own and Rhea's Son like measure found; So Jove usurping reign'd: these first in Creet And Ida known, thence on the Snowy top Of cold Olympus rul'd the middle Air Thir highest Heav'n; or on the Delphian Cliff, Or in Dodona, and through all the bounds Of Doric Land; or who with Saturn old Fled over Adria to th' Hesperian Fields, 520 And ore the Celtic roam'd the utmost Isles. All these and more came flocking; but with looks Down cast and damp, yet such wherein appear'd Obscure som glimps of joy, to have found thir chief Not in despair, to have found themselves not lost In loss it self; which on his count'nance cast Like doubtful hue: but he his wonted pride Soon recollecting, with high words, that bore Semblance of worth not substance, gently rais'd Their fainted courage, and dispel'd their fears. 530 Then strait commands that at the warlike sound Of Trumpets loud and Clarions be upreard His mighty Standard; that proud honour claim'd Azazel as his right, a Cherube tall: Who forthwith from the glittering Staff unfurld Th' Imperial Ensign, which full high advanc't Shon like a Meteor streaming to the Wind With Gemms and Golden lustre rich imblaz'd, Seraphic arms and Trophies: all the while Sonorous mettal blowing Martial sounds: 540 At which the universal Host upsent A shout that tore Hells Concave, and beyond Frighted the Reign of Chaos and old Night. All in a moment through the gloom were seen Ten thousand Banners rise into the Air With Orient Colours waving: with them rose A Forrest huge of Spears: and thronging Helms Appear'd, and serried Shields in thick array Of depth immeasurable: Anon they move In perfect Phalanx to the Dorian mood 550Of Flutes and soft Recorders; such as rais'd To highth of noblest temper Hero's old Arming to Battel, and in stead of rage Deliberate valour breath'd, firm and unmov'd With dread of death to flight or foul retreat, Nor wanting power to mitigate and swage With solemn touches, troubl'd thoughts, and chase Anguish and doubt and fear and sorrow and pain From mortal or immortal minds. Thus they Breathing united force with fixed thought 560Mov'd on in silence to soft Pipes that charm'd Thir painful steps o'ere the burnt soyle; and now Advanc't in view they stand, a horrid Front Of dreadful length and dazzling Arms, in guise Of Warriors old with order'd Spear and Shield, Awaiting what command thir mighty Chief Had to impose: He through the armed Files Darts his experienc't eye, and soon traverse The whole Battalion views, thir order due, Thir visages and stature as of Gods, 570 Thir number last he summs. And now his heart Distends with pride, and, hardning in his strength Glories: For never since created man, Met such imbodied force, as nam'd with these Could merit more than that small infantry Warr'd on by Cranes: though all the Giant brood Of Phlegra with th' Heroic Race were joyn'd That fought at Theb's and Ilium, on each side Mixt with auxiliar Gods; and what resounds In Fable or Romance of Uthers Son 580Begirt with British and Armoric Knights; And all who since, Baptiz'd or Infidel Jousted in Aspramont or Montalban, Damasco, or Marocco, or Trebisond, Or whom Biserta sent from Afric shore When Charlemain with all his Peerage fell By Fontarabbia. Thus far these beyond Compare of mortal prowess, yet observ'd Thir dread Commander: he above the rest In shape and gesture proudly eminent 590 Stood like a Towr; His form had yet not lost All her Original brightness, nor appear'd Less than Arch Angel ruined, and th' excess Of Glory obscur'd: As when the Sun new ris'n Looks through the Horizontal misty Air Shorn of his Beams, or from behind the Moon In dim Eclips disastrous twilight sheds On half the Nations, and with fear of change Perplexes Monarchs. Dark'n'd so, yet shon Above them all th' Arch Angel: but his face 600Deep scars of Thunder had intrencht, and care Sat on his faded cheek, but under Browes Of dauntless courage, and considerate Pride Waiting revenge: cruel his eye, but cast Signs of remorse and passion to behold The fellows of his crime, the followers rather (Far other once beheld in bliss), condemn'd For ever now to have their lot in pain, Millions of Spirits for his fault amerc't Of Heav'n, and from Eternal Splendors flung 610For his revolt, yet faithfull how they stood, Thir Glory witherd. As when Heavens Fire Hath scath'd the Forrest Oaks, or Mountain Pines, With singed top their stately growth though bare Stands on the blasted Heath. He now prepar'd To speak; whereat their doubl'd Ranks they bend From Wing to Wing, and half enclose him round With all his Peers: attention held them mute. Thrice he assayed, and thrice in spite of scorn, Tears such as Angels weep, burst forth: at last 620Words interwove with sighs found out their way. O Myriads of immortal Spirits, O Powers Matchless, but with th' Almighthy, and that strifeWas not inglorious, though th' event was dire,As this place testifies, and this dire changeHateful to utter: but what power of mindForeseeing or presaging, from the DepthOf knowledge past or present, could have fear'd,How such united force of Gods, how suchAs stood like these, could ever know repulse? 630For who can yet beleeve, though after loss,That all these puissant Legions, whose exileHath emptied Heav'n, shall faile to re-ascendSelf-rais'd, and repossess their native seat.For me, be witness all the Host of Heav'n,If counsels different, or danger shun'dBy me, have lost our hopes. But he who reignsMonarch in Heav'n, till then as one secureSat on his Throne, upheld by old repute,Consent or custome, and his Regal State 640Put forth at full, but still his strength conceal'd,Which tempted our attempt, and wrought our fall.Henceforth his might we know, and know our ownSo as not either to provoke, or dreadNew warr, provok't; our better part remainsTo work in close design, by fraud or guile,What force effected not: that he no lessAt length from us may find, who overcomesBy force, hath overcome but half his foe.Space may produce new Worlds; whereof so rife 650There went a fame in Heav'n that he ere longIntended to create, and therein plantA generation, whom his choice regardShould favour equal to the Sons of Heaven: Thither, if but to prie, shall be perhapsOur first eruption, thither or elsewhere:For this Infernal Pit shall never holdCælestial Spirits in Bondage, nor th' AbysseLong under darkness cover. But these thoughtsFull Counsel must mature: Peace is despaird, 660For who can think Submission? Warr then, WarrOpen or understood must be resolv'd. He spake: and, to confirm his words, out-flewMillions of flaming swords, drawn from the thighsOf mighty Cherubim; the 'udden blazeFar round illumin'd hell: highly they rag'dAgainst the Highest, and fierce with grasped arm'sClash'd on their sounding shields the din of war,Hurling defiance toward the vault of Heav'n. There stood a Hill not far whose griesly top 670Belch'd fire and rolling smoak; the rest entireShon with a glossie scurff, undoubted signThat in his womb was hid metallic Ore,The work of Sulphur. Thither wing'd with speedA numerous Brigad hasten'd As when bandsOf Pioners with Spade and Pickaxe arm'dForerun the Royal Camp, to trench a Field,Or cast a Rampart. Mammon led them on,Mammon, the least erected Spirit that fellFrom heav'n, for ev'n in heav'n his looks & thoughts 680Were always downward bent, admiring moreThe riches of Heav'ns pavement, trod'n Gold,Than aught divine or holy else enjoy'dIn vision beatific: by him firstMen also, and by his suggestion taught,Ransack'd the Center, and with impious hands Rifl'd the bowels of thir mother EarthFor Treasures better hid. Soon had his crewOp'nd into the Hill a spacious woundAnd dig'd out ribs of Gold. Let none admire 690That riches grow in Hell; that soyle may bestDeserve the pretious bane. And here let thoseWho boast in mortal things, and wondring tellOf Babel, and the works of Memphian Kings,Learn how their greatest Monuments of Fame,And Strength and Art, are easily outdoneBy Spirits reprobate, and in an hourWhat in an age they with incessant toyleAnd hands innumerable scarce perform.Nigh on the Plain in many cells prepar'd, 700That underneath had veins of liquid fireSluc'd from the Lake, a second multitudeWith wondrous Art founded the massie Ore,Severing each kinde, and scum'd the Bullion dross:A third as soon had form'd within the groundA various mould, and from the boyling cellsBy strange conveyance fill'd each hollow nook,As in an Organ from one blast of windTo many a row of Pipes the sound-board breaths.A non out of the earth a Fabrick huge 710Rose like an Exhalation, with the soundOf Dulcet Symphonies and voices sweet,Built like a Temple, where Pilasters roundWere set, and Doric pillars overlaidWith Golden Architrave; nor did there wantCornice or Freeze, with bossy Sculptures grav'n,The Roof was fretted Gold. Not Babilon,Nor great Alcairo such magnificence Equal'd in all thir glories, to inshrineBelus or Serapis thir Gods, or seat 720Thir Kings, when Ægypt with Assyria stroveIn wealth and luxurie. Th' ascending pileStood fixt her stately highth, and strait the doresOp'ning thir brazen foulds discover wideWithin, her ample spaces, o're the smoothAnd level pavement: from the arched roofPendent by suttle Magic many a rowOf Starry Lamps and blazing Cressets fedWith Naphtha and Asphaltus yeilded lightAs from a sky. The hasty multitude 730Admiring enter'd, and the work some praiseAnd some the Architect: his hand was knownIn Heav'n by many a Towred structure high,Where Scepter'd Angels held their residence,And sat as Princes, whom the supreme KingExalted to such power, and gave to rule,Each in his Herarchie, the Orders bright.Nor was his name unheard or unador'dIn ancient Greece; and in Ausonian landMen call'd him Mulciber; and how he fell 740From Heav'n, they fabl'd, thrown by angry JoveSheer o're the Chrystal Battlements: from MornTo Noon he fell, from Noon to dewy Eve,A Summers day; and with the setting SunDropt from the Zenith like a falling Star,On Lemnos th' Ægæan Ile: thus they relate,Erring; for he with this rebellious routFell long before; nor aught avail'd him nowTo have built in Heav'n high Towrs; nor did he scapeBy all his Engins, but was headlong sent 750 With his industrious crew, to build in hell.Mean while the winged Haralds by commandOf Sovran power, with awful CeremonyAnd Trumpets sound throughout the Host proclaimA solemn Councel forthwith to be heldAt Pandæmonium, the high CapitalOf Satan and his Peers: thir summons call'dFrom every and Band squared RegimentBy place or choice the worthiest; they anonWith hundreds and with thousands trooping came 760Attended: all access was throng'd, the GatesAnd Porches wide, but chief the spacious Hall(Though like a cover'd field, where Champions boldWont ride in arm'd, and at the Soldans chairDefi'd the best of Panim chivalryTo mortal combat or carreer with Lance)Thick swarm'd, both on the ground and in the air,Brusht with the hiss of russling wings. As BeesIn spring time, when the Sun with Taurus rides,Poure forth thir populous youth about the Hive 770In clusters; they among fresh dews and flowersFlie to and fro, or on the smoothed Plank,The suburb of thir Straw-built Cittadel,New rub'd with Baume, expatiate, and conferTheir State affairs. So thick the aerie crowdSwarm'd and were straitn'd; till the Signal giv'n,Behold a wonder! they but now who seemedIn bigness to surpass Earths Giant SonsNow less than smallest Dwarfs, in narrow roomThrong numberless, like that Pigmean Race 780Beyond the Indian Mount, or Faerie Elves,Whose midnight Revels, by a Forrest side Or Fountain some belated Peasant sees, Or dreams he sees, while over head the Moon Sits Arbitress, and neerer to the Earth Wheels her pale course, they on thir mirth & dance Intent, with jocond Music charm his ear; At once with joy and fear his heart rebounds. Thus incorporeal Spirits to smallest forms Reduc’d their shapes immense, and were at large, 790Though without number still amidst the Hall Of that infernal Court. But far within And in thir own dimensions like themselves The great Seraphic Lords and Cherubim In close recess and secret conclave sat A thousand Demy-Gods on golden seat's, Frequent and full. After short silence then And summons read, the great consult began.