paradise lost 1&2

8/17/2019 Paradise Lost 1&2

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Book 1

1: Of Mans First Disobedience, and the Fruit

2: Of that Forbidden Tree, whose mortal tast

3: Brought Death into the World, and all our woe,4: With loss of EDEN, till one greater Man5: Restore us, and regain the blissful Seat,

6: Sing ea!"nl# Muse, that on the secret to$7: Of OREB, or of S%N&%, didst ins$ire8: That She$herd, who first taught the chosen Seed,

9: %n the Beginning how the ea!"ns and Earth10: Rose out of '&OS( Or if S%ON ill11:

Delight thee more, and S%)O&"S Broo* that flow"d12: Fast b# the Oracle of +od % thence13: %n!o*e th# aid to m# ad!entrous Song,14: That with no middle flight intends to soar

15: &bo!e th" &ON%&N Mount, while it $ursues

16: Things unattem$ted #et in -rose or Rhime.17: &nd chiefl# Thou O S$irit, that dost $refer18: Before all Tem$les th" u$right heart and $ure,

19: %nstruct me, for Thou *now"st Thou from the first20:

Wast $resent, and with might# wings outs$read21: Do!e/li*e satst brooding on the !ast &b#ss

22: &nd mad"st it $regnant( What in me is dar*23: %llumine, what is low raise and su$$ort24: That to the highth of this great &rgument

25: % ma# assert th" Eternal -ro!idence,

26: &nd 0ustifie the wa#es of +od to men.

27: Sa# first, for ea!"n hides nothing from th# !iew28: Nor the dee$ Tract of ell, sa# first what cause29: Mo!"d our +rand -arents in that ha$$# State,

30: Fa!our"d of ea!"n so highl#, to fall off31: From their 'reator, and transgress his Will32: For one restraint, )ords of the World besides1

33: Who first seduc"d them to that fowl re!olt1

34: Th" infernal Ser$ent he it was, whose guile35: Stird u$ with En!# and Re!enge, decei!"d36: The Mother of Man*inde, what time his -ride


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37: ad cast him out from ea!"n, with all his ost

38: Of Rebel &ngels, b# whose aid as$iring39: To set himself in +lor# abo!e his -eers,40: e trusted to ha!e e2ual"d the most igh,

41: %f he o$$os"d and with ambitious aim42:

&gainst the Throne and Monarch# of +od43: Rais"d im$ious War in ea!"n and Battel $roud

44: With !ain attem$t. im the &lmight# -ower45: urld headlong flaming from th" Ethereal S*ie46: With hideous ruine and combustion down

47: To bottomless $erdition, there to dwell

48: %n &damantine 'hains and $enal Fire,49: Who durst defie th" Omni$otent to &rms.50: Nine times the S$ace that measures Da# and Night

51: To mortal men, he with his horrid crew52: )a# !an2uisht, rowling in the fier# +ulfe53: 'onfounded though immortal( But his doom

54: Reser!"d him to more wrath for now the thought55: Both of lost ha$$iness and lasting $ain56: Torments him round he throws his baleful e#es

57: That witness"d huge affliction and disma#

58: Mi3t with obdurate $ride and stedfast hate(59: &t once as far as &ngels *enn he !iews60: The dismal Situation waste and wilde,

61: & Dungeon horrible, on all sides round62: &s one great Furnace flam"d, #et from those flames63: No light, but rather dar*ness !isible

64: Ser!"d onl# to disco!er sights of woe,65: Regions of sorrow, doleful shades, where $eace66: &nd rest can ne!er dwell, ho$e ne!er comes

67: That comes to all but torture without end68: Still urges, and a fier# Deluge, fed69: With e!er/burning Sul$hur unconsum"d(

70: Such $lace Eternal 4ustice had $re$ar"d

71: For those rebellious, here their -rison ordain"d72: %n utter dar*ness, and their $ortion set73: &s far remo!"d from +od and light of ea!"n

74: &s from the 'enter thrice to th" utmost -ole.75: O how unli*e the $lace from whence the# fell576: There the com$anions of his fall, o"rewhelm"d

77: With Floods and Whirlwinds of tem$estuous fire,78: e soon discerns, and weltring b# his side

79: One ne3t himself in $ower, and ne3t in crime,


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80: )ong after *nown in -&)EST%NE, and nam"d

81: BEE)6EB7B. To whom th" &rch/Enem#,82: &nd thence in ea!"n call"d Satan, with bold words83: Brea*ing the horrid silence thus began.

84: %f thou beest he But O how fall"n5 how chang"d

85: From him, who in the ha$$# Realms of )ight86: 'loth"d with transcendent brightnes didst outshine87: M#riads though bright( %f he whom mutual league,

88: 7nited thoughts and counsels, e2ual ho$e,

89: &nd ha8ard in the +lorious Enter$ri8e,90: 4o#nd with me once, now miser# hath 0o#nd91: %n e2ual ruin( into what -it thou seest

92: From what highth fal"n, so much the stronger $ro!d93: e with his Thunder( and till then who *new94:

The force of those dire &rms1 #et not for those95: Nor what the -otent 9ictor in his rage96: 'an else inflict do % re$ent or change,97: Though chang"d in outward lustre that fi3t mind

98: &nd high disdain, from sence of in0ur"d merit,99: That with the mightiest rais"d me to contend,100: &nd to the fierce contention brought along

101: %nnumerable force of S$irits arm"d

102: That durst disli*e his reign, and me $referring,103: is utmost $ower with ad!erse $ower o$$os"d104: %n dubious Battel on the -lains of ea!"n,

105: &nd shoo* his throne. What though the field be lost1106: &ll is not lost the uncon2uerable Will,107: &nd stud# of re!enge, immortal hate,

108: &nd courage ne!er to submit or #ield(109: &nd what is else not to be o!ercome1110: That +lor# ne!er shall his wrath or might

111: E3tort from me. To bow and sue for grace

112: With su$$liant *nee, and deifie his $ower113: Who from the terrour of this &rm so late114: Doubted his Em$ire, that were low indeed,

115: That were an ignomin# and shame beneath116: This downfall since b# Fate the strength of +ods117: &nd this Em$#real substance cannot fail,

118: Since through e3$erience of this great e!ent119: %n &rms not worse, in foresight much ad!anc"t,120: We ma# with more successful ho$e resol!e

121: To wage b# force or guile eternal Warr

122: %rreconcileable, to our grand Foe,


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123: Who now trium$hs, and in th" e3cess of 0o#

124: Sole reigning holds the T#rann# of ea!"n.

125: So s$a*e th" &$ostate &ngel, though in $ain,126:

9aunting aloud, but rac*t with dee$ des$are(127: &nd him thus answer"d soon his bold 'om$eer.

128: O -rince, O 'hief of man# Throned -owers,

129: That led th" imbattelld Sera$him to Warr

130: 7nder th# conduct, and in dreadful deeds131: Fearless, endanger"d ea!"ns $er$etual :ing132: &nd $ut to $roof his high Su$remac#,

133: Whether u$held b# strength, or 'hance, or Fate,134: Too well % see and rue the dire e!ent,135:

That with sad o!erthrow and foul defeat136: ath lost us ea!"n, and all this might# ost137: %n horrible destruction laid thus low,138: &s far as +ods and ea!"nl# Essences

139: 'an -erish( for the mind and s$irit remains140: %n!incible, and !igour soon returns,141: Though all our +lor# e3tinct, and ha$$# state

142: ere swallow"d u$ in endless miser#.

143: But what if he our 'on2uerour, ;whom % now144: Of force belie!e &lmight#, since no less145: Then such could ha! ore$ow"rd such force as ours<

146: a!e left us this our s$irit and strength intire147: Strongl# to suffer and su$$ort our $ains,148: That we ma# so suffice his !engeful ire,

149: Or do him mightier ser!ice as his thralls150: B# right of Warr, what e"re his business be151: ere in the heart of ell to wor* in Fire,

152: Or do his Errands in the gloom# Dee$

153: What can it then a!ail though #et we feel154: Strength undiminisht, or eternal being155: To undergo eternal $unishment1

156: Whereto with s$eed# words th" &rch/fiend re$l#"d.

157: Fall"n 'herube, to be wea* is miserable158: Doing or Suffering( but of this be sure,159: To do ought good ne!er will be our tas*,

160: But e!er to do ill our sole delight,

161: &s being the contrar# to his high will


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162: Whom we resist. %f then his -ro!idence

163: Out of our e!il see* to bring forth good,164: Our labour must be to $er!ert that end,165: &nd out of good still to find means of e!il

166: Which oft times ma# succeed, so as $erha$s167:

Shall grie!e him, if % fail not, and disturb168: is inmost counsels from their destind aim.

169: But see the angr# 9ictor hath recall"d170: is Ministers of !engeance and $ursuit171: Bac* to the +ates of ea!"n( The Sul$hurous ail

172: Shot after us in storm, oreblown hath laid

173: The fier# Surge, that from the -reci$ice174: Of ea!"n recei!"d us falling, and the Thunder,

175: Wing"d with red )ightning and im$etuous rage,

176: -erha$s hath s$ent his shafts, and ceases now177: To bellow through the !ast and boundless Dee$.178: )et us not sli$ th" occasion, whether scorn,

179: Or satiate fur# #ield it from our Foe.180: Seest thou #on drear# -lain, forlorn and wilde,181: The seat of desolation, !o#d of light,

182: Sa!e what the glimmering of these li!id flames

183: 'asts $ale and dreadful1 Thither let us tend184: From off the tossing of these fier# wa!es,185: There rest, if an# rest can harbour there,

186: &nd reassembling our afflicted -owers,187: 'onsult how we ma# henceforth most offend188: Our Enem#, our own loss how re$air,

189: ow o!ercome this dire 'alamit#,190: What reinforcement we ma# gain from o$e,191: %f not what resolution from des$are.

192: Thus Satan tal*ing to his neerest Mate

193: With ead u$/lift abo!e the wa!e, and E#es

194: That s$ar*ling bla8"d, his other -arts besides195: -rone on the Flood, e3tended long and large196: )a# floating man# a rood, in bul* as huge

197: &s whom the Fables name of monstrous si8e,198: T%T&N%&N, or E&RT/BORN, that warr"d on 4O9E,199: BR%&R%OS or T=-ON, whom the Den

200: B# ancient T&RS7S held, or that Sea/beast201: )E9%&T&N, which +od of all his wor*s202: 'reated hugest that swim th" Ocean stream(

203: im ha$l# slumbring on the NORW&= foam

204: The -ilot of some small night/founder"d S*iff,


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205: Deeming some %sland, oft, as Sea/men tell,

206: With fi3ed &nchor in his s*al# rind

207: Moors b# his side under the )ee, while Night208:

%n!ests the Sea, and wished Morn dela#es(209: So stretcht out huge in length the &rch/fiend la#210: 'hain"d on the burning )a*e, nor e!er thence211: ad ris"n or hea!"d his head, but that the will

212: &nd high $ermission of all/ruling ea!en213: )eft him at large to his own dar* designs,214: That with reiterated crimes he might

215: ea$ on himself damnation, while he sought

216: E!il to others, and enrag"d might see217: ow all his malice ser!"d but to bring forth218: %nfinite goodness, grace and merc# shewn

219: On Man b# him seduc"t, but on himself220: Treble confusion, wrath and !engeance $our"d.221: Forthwith u$right he rears from off the -ool

222: is might# Stature on each hand the flames223: Dri!n bac*ward slo$e their $ointing s$ires, > rowld224: %n billows, lea!e i"th" midst a horrid 9ale.

225: Then with e3$anded wings he stears his flight

226: &loft, incumbent on the dus*# &ir227: That felt unusual weight, till on dr# )and228: e lights, if it were )and that e!er burn"d

229: With solid, as the )a*e with li2uid fire230: &nd such a$$ear"d in hue, as when the force231: Of subterranean wind trans$orts a ill

232: Torn from -E)OR7S, or the shatter"d side233: Of thundring &ETN&, whose combustible234: &nd fewel"d entrals thence concei!ing Fire,

235: Sublim"d with Mineral fur#, aid the Winds,236: &nd lea!e a singed bottom all in!ol!"d237: With stench and smoa*( Such resting found the sole

238: Of unblest feet. im followed his ne3t Mate,

239: Both glor#ing to ha!e sca$"t the ST=+%&N flood240: &s +ods, and b# their own reco!er"d strength,241: Not b# the sufferance of su$ernal -ower.

242: %s this the Region, this the Soil, the 'lime,

243: Said then the lost &rch &ngel, this the seat244: That we must change for ea!"n, this mournful gloom245: For that celestial light1 Be it so, since hee


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246: Who now is So!ran can dis$ose and bid

247: What shall be right( fardest from him is best248: Whom reason hath e2uald, force hath made su$ream249: &bo!e his e2uals. Farewel ha$$# Fields

250: Where 4o# for e!er dwells( ail horrours, hail251:

%nfernal world, and thou $rofoundest ell252: Recei!e th# new -ossessor( One who brings

253: & mind not to be chang"d b# -lace or Time.254: The mind is its own $lace, and in it self255: 'an ma*e a ea!"n of ell, a ell of ea!"n.

256: What matter where, if % be still the same,

257: &nd what % should be, all but less then hee258: Whom Thunder hath made greater1 ere at least259: We shall be free th" &lmight# hath not built

260: ere for his en!#, will not dri!e us hence(261: ere we ma# reign secure, and in m# cho#ce262:

To reign is worth ambition though in ell(263: Better to reign in ell, then ser!e in ea!"n.264: But wherefore let we then our faithful friends,265: Th" associates and co$artners of our loss

266: )#e thus astonisht on th" obli!ious -ool,267: &nd call them not to share with us their $art268: %n this unha$$# Mansion, or once more

269: With rallied &rms to tr# what ma# be #et

270: Regaind in ea!"n, or what more lost in ell1

271: So S&T&N s$a*e, and him BEE)6EB7B

272: Thus answer"d. )eader of those &rmies bright,273: Which but th" Omni$otent none could ha!e fo#ld,274: %f once the# hear that !o#ce, their li!eliest $ledge

275: Of ho$e in fears and dangers, heard so oft276: %n worst e3treams, and on the $erilous edge277: Of battel when it rag"d, in all assaults

278: Their surest signal, the# will soon resume

279: New courage and re!i!e, though now the# l#e280: +ro!eling and $rostrate on #on )a*e of Fire,281: &s we erewhile, astounded and ama8"d,

282: No wonder, fall"n such a $ernicious highth.

283: e scarce had ceas"t when the su$eriour Fiend284: Was mo!ing toward the shore his $onderous shield285: Ethereal tem$er, mass#, large and round,

286: Behind him cast the broad circumference

287: ung on his shoulders li*e the Moon, whose Orb


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288: Through O$tic +lass the T7S'&N &rtist !iews

289: &t E!"ning from the to$ of FESO)E,290: Or in 9&)D&RNO, to descr# new )ands,291: Ri!ers or Mountains in her s$ott# +lobe.

292: is S$ear, to e2ual which the tallest -ine293:

ewn on NORWE+%&N hills, to be the Mast294: Of some great &mmiral, were but a wand,

295: e wal*t with to su$$ort uneasie ste$s296: O!er the burning Marle, not li*e those ste$s297: On ea!ens &8ure, and the torrid 'lime

298: Smote on him sore besides, !aulted with Fire

299: Nathless he so endur"d, till on the Beach300: Of that inflamed Sea, he stood and call"d301: is )egions, &ngel Forms, who la# intrans"t

302: Thic* as &utumnal )ea!es that strow the Broo*s

303: %n 9&))OMBROS&, where th" ETR7R%&N shades304: igh o!erarch"t imbowr or scatterd sedge

305: &float, when with fierce Winds OR%ON arm"d306: ath !e3t the Red/Sea 'oast, whose wa!es orethrew307: B7S%R%S and his MEM-%&N 'hi!alrie,

308: 99hile with $erfidious hatred the# $ursu"d

309: The So0ourners of +OSEN, who beheld310: From the safe shore their floating 'ar*ases311: &nd bro*en 'hariot Wheels, so thic* bestrown

312: &b0ect and lost la# these, co!ering the Flood,313: 7nder ama8ement of their hideous change.314: e call"d so loud, that all the hollow Dee$

315: Of ell resounded. -rinces, -otentates,316: Warriers, the Flowr of ea!"n, once #ours, now lost,317: %f such astonishment as this can sie8e

318: Eternal s$irits or ha!e #e chos"n this $lace319: &fter the to#l of Battel to re$ose320: =our wearied !ertue, for the ease #ou find

321: To slumber here, as in the 9ales of ea!"n1

322: Or in this ab0ect $osture ha!e #e sworn323: To adore the 'on2uerour1 who now beholds324: 'herube and Sera$h rowling in the Flood

325: With scatter"d &rms and Ensigns, till anon326: is swift $ursuers from ea!"n +ates discern327: Th" ad!antage, and descending tread us down

328: Thus droo$ing, or with lin*ed Thunderbolts329: Transfi3 us to the bottom of this +ulfe.330: &wa*e, arise, or be for e!er fall"n.


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331: The# heard, and were abasht, and u$ the# s$rung

332: 7$on the wing, as when men wont to watch333: On dut#, slee$ing found b# whom the# dread,334: Rouse and bestir themsel!es ere well awa*e.

335: Nor did the# not $ercea!e the e!il $light336: %n which the# were, or the fierce $ains not feel337: =et to their +enerals 9o#ce the# soon obe#d

338: %nnumerable. &s when the $otent Rod339: Of &MR&MS Son in E+=-TS e!ill da#340: Wa!"d round the 'oast, u$ call"d a $itch# cloud

341: Of )O'7STS, war$ing on the Eastern Wind,

342: That ore the Realm of im$ious -&RO& hung343: )i*e Night, and dar*en"d all the )and of N%)E(344: So numberless were those bad &ngels seen

345: o!ering on wing under the 'o$e of ell346: "Twi3t u$$er, nether, and surrounding Fires347: Till, as a signal gi!"n, th" u$lifted S$ear

348: Of their great Sultan wa!ing to direct349: Thir course, in e!en ballance down the# light350: On the firm brimstone, and fill all the -lain

351: & multitude, li*e which the $o$ulous North

352: -our"d ne!er from her fro8en lo#ns, to $ass353: RENE or the D&N&W, when her barbarous Sons354: 'ame li*e a Deluge on the South, and s$read

355: Beneath +%BR&)T&R to the )=B%&N sands.356: Forthwith from e!er# S2uadron and each Band357: The eads and )eaders thither hast where stood

358: Their great 'ommander +odli*e sha$es and forms359: E3celling human, -rincel# Dignities,360: &nd -owers that earst in ea!en sat on Thrones

361: Though of their Names in hea!"nl# Records now362: Be no memorial, blotted out and ras"d363: B# thir Rebellion, from the Boo*s of )ife.

364: Nor had the# #et among the Sons of E9E

365: +ot them new Names, till wandring ore the Earth,366: Through +ods high sufferance for the tr#al of man,

367: B# falsities and l#es the greatest $art

368: Of Man*ind the# corru$ted to forsa*e369: +od their 'reator, and th" in!isible370: +lor# of him, that made them, to transform

371: Oft to the %mage of a Brute, adorn"d372: With ga# Religions full of -om$ and +old,373: &nd De!ils to adore for Deities(


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374: Then were the# *nown to men b# !arious Names,

375: &nd !arious %dols through the eathen World.376: Sa#, Muse, their Names then *nown, who first, who last,377: Rous"d from the slumber, on that fier# 'ouch,

378: &t thir great Em$erors call, as ne3t in worth379:

'ame singl# where he stood on the bare strand,380: While the $romiscuous croud stood #et aloof1

381: The chief were those who from the -it of ell382: Roaming to see* their $re# on earth, durst fi3383: Their Seats long after ne3t the Seat of +od,

384: Their &ltars b# his &ltar, +ods ador"d

385: &mong the Nations round, and durst abide386: 4EO9& thundring out of S%ON, thron"d387: Between the 'herubim #ea, often $lac"d

388: Within his Sanctuar# it self their Shrines,389: &bominations and with cursed things390:

is hol# Rites, and solemn Feasts $rofan"d,391: &nd with their dar*ness durst affront his light.392: First MO)O', horrid :ing besmear"d with blood393: Of human sacrifice, and $arents tears,

394: Though for the no#se of Drums and Timbrels loud395: Their childrens cries unheard, that $ast through fire396: To his grim %dol. im the &MMON%TE

397: Worshi$t in R&BB& and her watr# -lain,

398: %n &R+OB and in B&S&N, to the stream

399: Of utmost &RNON. Nor content with such400: &udacious neighbourhood, the wisest heart

401: Of SO)OMON he led b# fraud to build402: is Tem$le right against the Tem$le of +od403: On that o$$robrious ill, and made his +ro!e

404: The $leasant 9all# of %NNOM, TO-ET thence405: &nd blac* +EENN& call"d, the T#$e of ell.406: Ne3t 'EMOS, th" obscene dread of MO&BS Sons,

407: From &ROER to NEBO, and the wild

408: Of Southmost &B&R%M in ESEBON409: &nd ERON&%M, SEONS Realm, be#ond410: The flowr# Dale of S%BM& clad with 9ines,

411: &nd E)E&)E to th" &S-&)T%': -ool.412: -EOR his other Name, when he entic"d413: %SR&E) in S%TT%M on their march from N%)E

414: To do him wanton rites, which cost them woe.415: =et thence his lustful Orgies he enlarg"d416: E!en to that ill of scandal, b# the +ro!e

417: Of MO)O' homicide, lust hard b# hate

418: Till good 4OS%& dro!e them thence to ell.


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419: With these came the#, who from the bordring flood

420: Of old E7-R&TES to the Broo* that $arts421: E+=-T from S=R%&N ground, had general Names422: Of B&&)%M and &ST&ROT, those male,

423: These Feminine. For S$irits when the# $lease424:

'an either Se3 assume, or both so soft425: &nd uncom$ounded is their Essence $ure,

426: Not ti"d or manacl"d with 0o#nt or limb,427: Nor founded on the brittle strength of bones,428: )i*e cumbrous flesh but in what sha$e the# choose

429: Dilated or condens"t, bright or obscure,

430: 'an e3ecute their aerie $ur$oses,

431: &nd wor*s of lo!e or enmit# fulfill.432: For those the Race of %SR&E) oft forsoo*

433: Their li!ing strength, and unfre2uented left434: is righteous &ltar, bowing lowl# down435: To bestial +ods for which their heads as low

436: Bow"d down in Battel, sun* before the S$ear437: Of des$icable foes. With these in troo$438: 'ame &STORET, whom the -OEN%'%&NS call"d

439: &ST&RTE, ?ueen of ea!"n, with crescent orns

440: To whose bright %mage nightl# b# the Moon441: S%DON%&N 9irgins $aid their 9ows and Songs,442: %n S%ON also not unsung, where stood

443: er Tem$le on th" offensi!e Mountain, built444: B# that u3orious :ing, whose heart though large,445: Beguil"d b# fair %dolatresses, fell

446: To %dols foul. T&MM76 came ne3t behind,447: Whose annual wound in )EB&NON allur"d448: The S=R%&N Damsels to lament his fate

449: %n amorous ditt#es all a Summers da#,450: While smooth &DON%S from his nati!e Roc*451: Ran $ur$le to the Sea, su$$os"d with blood

452: Of T&MM76 #earl# wounded( the )o!e/tale

453: %nfected S%ONS daughters with li*e heat,454: Whose wanton $assions in the sacred -orch455: E6E:%E) saw, when b# the 9ision led

456: is e#e sur!a#"d the dar* %dolatries457: Of alienated 47D&. Ne3t came one458: Who mourn"d in earnest, when the 'a$ti!e &r*

459: Maim"d his brute %mage, head and hands lo$t off460: %n his own Tem$le, on the grunsel edge,461: Where he fell flat, and sham"d his Worshi$ers(

462: D&+ON his Name, Sea Monster, u$ward Man


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463: &nd downward Fish( #et had his Tem$le high464: Rear"d in &6OT7S, dreaded through the 'oast465: Of -&)EST%NE, in +&T and &S'&)ON,

466: &nd &''&RON and +&6&"s frontier bounds.467:

im follow"d R%MMON, whose delightful Seat468: Was fair D&M&S'7S, on the fertil Ban*s

469: Of &BB&N& and -&R-&R, lucid streams.470: e also against the house of +od was bold(471: & )e$er once he lost and gain"d a :ing,

472: &&6 his sottish 'on2uerour, whom he drew

473: +ods &ltar to dis$arage and dis$lace474: For one of S=R%&N mode, whereon to burn475: is odious offrings, and adore the +ods

476: Whom he had !an2uisht. &fter these a$$ear"d477: & crew who under Names of old Renown,478:

OS%R%S, %S%S, OR7S and their Train479: With monstrous sha$es and sorceries abus"d480: Fanatic E+=-T and her -riests, to see*481: Thir wandring +ods disguis"d in brutish forms

482: Rather then human. Nor did %SR&E) sca$e483: Th" infection when their borrow"d +old com$os"d484: The 'alf in OREB( and the Rebel :ing

485: Doubl"d that sin in BETE) and in D&N,

486: )i*"ning his Ma*er to the +ra8ed O3,487: 4EO9&, who in one Night when he $ass"d488: From E+=-T marching, e2ual"d with one stro*e

489: Both her first born and all her bleating +ods.490: BE)%&) came last, then whom a S$irit more lewd491: Fell not from ea!en, or more gross to lo!e

492: 9ice for it self( To him no Tem$le stood493: Or &ltar smoa*"d #et who more oft then hee494: %n Tem$les and at &ltars, when the -riest

495: Turns &theist, as did E)="S Sons, who fill"d

496: With lust and !iolence the house of +od.497: %n 'ourts and -alaces he also Reigns498: &nd in lu3urious 'ities, where the no#se

499: Of riot ascends abo!e thir loftiest Towrs,500: &nd in0ur# and outrage( &nd when Night501: Dar*ens the Streets, then wander forth the Sons

502: Of BE)%&), flown with insolence and wine.503: Witness the Streets of SODOM, and that night504: %n +%BE&, when hos$itable Dores

505: =ielded thir Matrons to $re!ent worse ra$e.

506: These were the $rime in order and in might


13/44

507: The rest were long to tell, though far renown"d,

508: Th" %ON%&N +ods, of 4&9&NS %ssue held509: +ods, #et confest later then ea!"n and Earth510: Thir boasted -arents T%T&N ea!"ns first born

511: With his enormous brood, and birthright seis"d512:

B# #ounger S&T7RN, he from mightier 4O9E513: is own and RE&"S Son li*e measure found

514: So 4O9E usur$ing reign"d( these first in 'REET515: &nd %D& *nown, thence on the Snow# to$516: Of cold O)=M-7S rul"d the middle &ir

517: Thir highest ea!"n or on the DE)-%&N 'liff,

518: Or in DODON&, and through all the bounds519: Of DOR%' )and or who with S&T7RN old520: Fled o!er &DR%& to th" ES-ER%&N Fields,

521: &nd ore the 'E)T%' roam"d the utmost %sles.522: &ll these and more came floc*ing but with loo*s523:

Down cast and dam$, #et such wherein a$$ear"d524: Obscure som glim$s of 0o#, to ha!e found thir chief525: Not in des$air, to ha!e found themsel!es not lost526: %n loss it self which on his count"nance cast

527: )i*e doubtful hue( but he his wonted $ride

528: Soon recollecting, with high words, that bore529: Semblance of worth not substance, gentl# rais"d530: Their fainted courage, and dis$el"d their fears.

531: Then strait commands that at the warli*e sound532: Of Trum$ets loud and 'larions be u$reard533: is might# Standard that $roud honour claim"d

534: &6&6E) as his right, a 'herube tall(535: Who forthwith from the glittering Staff unfurld536: Th" %m$erial Ensign, which full high ad!anc"t

537: Shon li*e a Meteor streaming to the Wind538: With +emms and +olden lustre rich imbla8"d,539: Sera$hic arms and Tro$hies( all the while

540: Sonorous mettal blowing Martial sounds(

541: &t which the uni!ersal ost u$sent542: & shout that tore ells 'onca!e, and be#ond543: Frighted the Reign of '&OS and old Night.

544: &ll in a moment through the gloom were seen545: Ten thousand Banners rise into the &ir546: With Orient 'olours wa!ing( with them rose

547: & Forrest huge of S$ears( and thronging elms548: &$$ear"d, and serried Shields in thic* arra#549: Of de$th immeasurable( &non the# mo!e

550: %n $erfect -&)&N@ to the Dorian mood

551: Of Flutes and soft Recorders such as rais"d


14/44

552: To highth of noblest tem$er ero"s old

553: &rming to Battel, and in stead of rage554: Deliberate !alour breath"d, firm and unmo!"d555: With dread of death to flight or foul retreat,

556: Nor wanting $ower to mitigate and swage557:

With solemn touches, troubl"d thoughts, and chase558: &nguish and doubt and fear and sorrow and $ain

559: From mortal or immortal minds. Thus the#560: Breathing united force with fi3ed thought561: Mo!"d on in silence to soft -i$es that charm"d

562: Thir $ainful ste$s o"re the burnt so#le and now

563: &d!anc"t in !iew the# stand, a horrid Front564: Of dreadful length and da8ling &rms, in guise565: Of Warriers old with order"d S$ear and Shield,

566: &waiting what command thir might# 'hief567: ad to im$ose( e through the armed Files568: Darts his e3$erienc"t e#e, and soon tra!erse

569: The whole Battalion !iews, thir order due,570: Thir !isages and stature as of +ods,571: Thir number last he summs. &nd now his heart

572: Distends with $ride, and hardning in his strength

573: +lories( For ne!er since created man,574: Met such imbodied force, as nam"d with these575: 'ould merit more then that small infantr#

576: Warr"d on b# 'ranes( though all the +iant brood577: Of -)E+R& with th" eroic Race were 0o#n"d578: That fought at TEB"S and %)%7M, on each side

579: Mi3t with au3iliar +ods and what resounds580: %n Fable or ROM&N'E of 7TERS Son581: Begirt with BR%T%S and &RMOR%' :nights

582: &nd all who since, Ba$ti8"d or %nfidel583: 4ousted in &S-R&MONT or MONT&)B&N,584: D&M&S'O, or M&RO''O, or TREB%SOND,

585: Or whom B%SERT& sent from &FR%' shore

586: When '&R)EM&%N with all his -eerage fell587: B# FONT&R&BB%&. Thus far these be#ond588: 'om$are of mortal $rowess, #et obser!"d

589: Thir dread 'ommander( he abo!e the rest590: %n sha$e and gesture $roudl# eminent

591: Stood li*e a Towr his form had #et not lost

592: &ll her Original brightness, nor a$$ear"d593: )ess then &rch &ngel ruind, and th" e3cess594: Of +lor# obscur"d( &s when the Sun new ris"n


15/44

595: )oo*s through the ori8ontal mist# &ir

596: Shorn of his Beams, or from behind the Moon597: %n dim Ecli$s disastrous twilight sheds598: On half the Nations, and with fear of change

599: -er$le3es Monarchs. Dar*"n"d so, #et shon600:

&bo!e them all th" &rch &ngel( but his face601: Dee$ scars of Thunder had intrencht, and care

602: Sat on his faded chee*, but under Browes603: Of dauntless courage, and considerate -ride604: Waiting re!enge( cruel his e#e, but cast

605: Signs of remorse and $assion to behold

606: The fellows of his crime, the followers rather607: ;Far other once beheld in bliss< condemn"d608: For e!er now to ha!e their lot in $ain,

609: Millions of S$irits for his fault amerc"t610: Of ea!"n, and from Eternal S$lendors flung611:

For his re!olt, #et faithfull how the# stood,612: Thir +lor# witherd. &s when ea!ens Fire613: ath scath"d the Forrest Oa*s, or Mountain -ines,614: With singed to$ their statel# growth though bare

615: Stands on the blasted eath. e now $re$ar"d616: To s$ea* whereat their doubl"d Ran*s the# bend617: From Wing to Wing, and half enclose him round

618: With all his -eers( attention held them mute.

619: Thrice he assa#d, and thrice in s$ite of scorn,620: Tears such as &ngels wee$, burst forth( at last621: Words interwo!e with sighs found out their wa#.

622: O M#riads of immortal S$irits, O -owers

623: Matchless, but with th" &lmight#, and that strife624: Was not inglorious, though th" e!ent was dire,625: &s this $lace testifies, and this dire change

626: ateful to utter( but what $ower of mind

627: Foreseeing or $resaging, from the De$th628: Of *nowledge $ast or $resent, could ha!e fear"d,629: ow such united force of +ods, how such

630: &s stood li*e these, could e!er *now re$ulse1631: For who can #et belee!e, though after loss,632: That all these $uissant )egions, whose e3ile

633: ath em$tied ea!"n, shall faile to re/ascend634: Self/rais"d, and re$ossess their nati!e seat.635: For me, be witness all the ost of ea!"n,

636: %f counsels different, or danger shun"d

637: B# me, ha!e lost our ho$es. But he who reigns


16/44

638: Monarch in ea!"n, till then as one secure

639: Sat on his Throne, u$held b# old re$ute,640: 'onsent or custome, and his Regal State641: -ut forth at full, but still his strength conceal"d,

642: Which tem$ted our attem$t, and wrought our fall.643:

enceforth his might we *now, and *now our own644: So as not either to $ro!o*e, or dread

645: New warr, $ro!o*"t our better $art remains646: To wor* in close design, b# fraud or guile647: What force effected not( that he no less

648: &t length from us ma# find, who o!ercomes

649: B# force, hath o!ercome but half his foe.650: S$ace ma# $roduce new Worlds whereof so rife651: There went a fame in ea!"n that he ere long

652: %ntended to create, and therein $lant653: & generation, whom his choice regard654:

Should fa!our e2ual to the Sons of ea!en(

655: Thither, if but to $rie, shall be $erha$s656: Our first eru$tion, thither or elsewhere(657: For this %nfernal -it shall ne!er hold

658: 'aelestial S$irits in Bondage, nor th" &b#sse

659: )ong under dar*ness co!er. But these thoughts660: Full 'ounsel must mature( -eace is des$aird,661: For who can thin* Submission1 Warr then, Warr

662: O$en or understood must be resol!"d.

663: e s$a*e( and to confirm his words, out/flew664: Millions of flaming swords, drawn from the thighs665: Of might# 'herubim the sudden bla8e

666: Far round illumin"d hell( highl# the# rag"d667: &gainst the ighest, and fierce with gras$ed arm"s668: 'lash"d on their sounding shields the din of war,

669: urling defiance toward the !ault of ea!"n.

670: There stood a ill not far whose griesl# to$

671: Belch"d fire and rowling smoa* the rest entire672: Shon with a glossie scurff, undoubted sign673: That in his womb was hid metallic Ore,

674: The wor* of Sul$hur. Thither wing"d with s$eed675: & numerous Brigad hasten"d. &s when bands676: Of -ioners with S$ade and -ic*a3e arm"d

677: Forerun the Ro#al 'am$, to trench a Field,

678: Or cast a Ram$art. M&MMON led them on,


17/44

679: M&MMON, the least erected S$irit that fell

680: From hea!"n, for e!"n in hea!"n his loo*s > thoughts681: Were alwa#s downward bent, admiring more682: The riches of ea!"ns $a!ement, trod"n +old,

683: Then aught di!ine or hol# else en0o#"d684:

%n !ision beatific( b# him first685: Men also, and b# his suggestion taught,

686: Ransac*"d the 'enter, and with im$ious hands

687: Rifl"d the bowels of thir mother Earth688: For Treasures better hid. Soon had his crew

689: O$"nd into the ill a s$acious wound

690: &nd dig"d out ribs of +old. )et none admire691: That riches grow in ell that so#le ma# best692: Deser!e the $retious bane. &nd here let those

693: Who boast in mortal things, and wondring tell694: Of B&BE), and the wor*s of MEM-%&N :ings,695: )earn how thir greatest Monuments of Fame,

696: &nd Strength and &rt are easil# outdone697: B# S$irits re$robate, and in an hour698: What in an age the# with incessant to#le

699: &nd hands innumerable scarce $erform

700: Nigh on the -lain in man# cells $re$ar"d,701: That underneath had !eins of li2uid fire702: Sluc"d from the )a*e, a second multitude

703: With wondrous &rt founded the massie Ore,704: Se!ering each *inde, and scum"d the Bullion dross(705: & third as soon had form"d within the ground

706: & !arious mould, and from the bo#ling cells707: B# strange con!e#ance fill"d each hollow noo*,708: &s in an Organ from one blast of wind

709: To man# a row of -i$es the sound/board breaths.710: &non out of the earth a Fabric* huge711: Rose li*e an E3halation, with the sound

712: Of Dulcet S#m$honies and !oices sweet,

713: Built li*e a Tem$le, where -%)&STERS round714: Were set, and Doric $illars o!erlaid715: With +olden &rchitra!e nor did there want

716: 'ornice or Free8e, with boss# Scul$tures gra!"n,717: The Roof was fretted +old. Not B&B%)ON,718: Nor great &)'&%RO such magnificence

719: E2ual"d in all thir glories, to inshrine720: BE)7S or SER&-%S thir +ods, or seat721: Thir :ings, when &E+=-T with &SS=R%& stro!e


18/44

722: %n wealth and lu3urie. Th" ascending $ile

723: Stood fi3t her statel# highth, and strait the dores724: O$"ning thir bra8en foulds disco!er wide725: Within, her am$le s$aces, o"re the smooth

726: &nd le!el $a!ement( from the arched roof727:

-endant b# suttle Magic man# a row728: Of Starr# )am$s and bla8ing 'ressets fed

729: With Na$htha and &S-&)T7S #eilded light730: &s from a s*#. The hast# multitude731: &dmiring enter"d, and the wor* some $raise

732: &nd some the &rchitect( his hand was *nown

733: %n ea!"n b# man# a Towred structure high,734: Where Sce$ter"d &ngels held thir residence,735: &nd sat as -rinces, whom the su$reme :ing

736: E3alted to such $ower, and ga!e to rule,737: Each in his erarchie, the Orders bright.738:

Nor was his name unheard or unador"d739: %n ancient +reece and in &7SON%&N land740: Men call"d him M7)'%BER and how he fell741: From ea!"n, the# fabl"d, thrown b# angr# 4O9E

742: Sheer o"re the 'hr#stal Battlements( from Morn743: To Noon he fell, from Noon to dew# E!e,744: & Summers da# and with the setting Sun

745: Dro$t from the 6enith li*e a falling Star,

746: On )EMNOS th" &E+&E&N %le( thus the# relate,747: Erring for he with this rebellious rout748: Fell long before nor aught a!ail"d him now

749: To ha!e built in ea!"n high Towrs nor did he sca$e750: B# all his Engins, but was headlong sent

751: With his industrious crew to build in hell.

752: Mean while the winged aralds b# command753: Of So!ran $ower, with awful 'eremon#754: &nd Trum$ets sound throughout the ost $roclaim

755: & solemn 'ouncel forthwith to be held

756: &t -&ND&EMON%7M, the high 'a$ital757: Of Satan and his -eers( thir summons call"d758: From e!er# and Band s2uared Regiment

759: B# $lace or choice the worthiest the# anon760: With hundreds and with thousands troo$ing came761: &ttended( all access was throng"d, the +ates

762: &nd -orches wide, but chief the s$acious all763: ;Though li*e a co!er"d field, where 'ham$ions bold764: Wont ride in arm"d, and at the Soldans chair

765: Defi"d the best of -anim chi!alr#

766: To mortal combat or carreer with )ance


19/44

767: Thic* swarm"d, both on the ground and in the air,

768: Brusht with the hiss of russling wings. &s Bees769: %n s$ring time, when the Sun with Taurus rides,770: -oure forth thir $o$ulous #outh about the i!e

771: %n clusters the# among fresh dews and flowers772:

Flie to and fro, or on the smoothed -lan*,773: The suburb of thir Straw/built 'ittadel,

774: New rub"d with Baume, e3$atiate and confer775: Thir State affairs. So thic* the aerie crowd776: Swarm"d and were straitn"d till the Signal gi!"n,

777: Behold a wonder5 the# but now who seemd

778: %n bigness to sur$ass Earths +iant Sons779: Now less then smallest Dwarfs, in narrow room780: Throng numberless, li*e that -igmean Race

781: Be#ond the %ND%&N Mount, or Faerie El!es,782: Whose midnight Re!els, b# a Forrest side

783: Or Fountain fome belated -easant sees,

784: Or dreams he sees, while o!er head the Moon

785: Sits &rbitress, and neerer to the Earth

786: Wheels her $ale course, the# on thir mirth > dance

787: %ntent, with 0ocond Music charm his ear

788: &t once with 0o# and fear his heart rebounds.

789: Thus incor$oreal S$irits to smallest forms

790: Reduc"d thir sha$es immense, and were at large,

791: Though without number still amidst the all792: Of that infernal 'ourt. But far within

793: &nd in thir own dimensions li*e themsel!es

794: The great Sera$hic )ords and 'herubim

795: %n close recess and secret concla!e sat

796: & thousand Dem#/+ods on golden seat"s,

797: Fre2uent and full. &fter short silence then

798: &nd summons read, the great consult began.

Book 2

1: igh on a Throne of Ro#al State, which far2: Outshon the wealth of ORM7S and of %ND,


20/44

3: Or where the gorgeous East with richest hand

4: Showrs on her :ings B&RB&R%' -earl > +old,5: Satan e3alted sat, b# merit rais"d6: To that bad eminence and from des$air

7: Thus high u$lifted be#ond ho$e, as$ires8:

Be#ond thus high, insatiate to $ursue9: 9ain Warr with ea!"n, and b# success untaught

10: is $roud imaginations thus dis$laid.

11: -owers and Dominions, Deities of ea!"n,

12: For since no dee$ within her gulf can hold13: %mmortal !igor, though o$$rest and fall"n,14: % gi!e not ea!"n for lost. From this descent

15: 'elestial !ertues rising, will a$$ear16: More glorious and more dread then from no fall,17:

&nd trust themsel!es to fear no second fate(

18: Mee though 0ust right, and the fi3t )aws of ea!"n19: Did first create #our )eader, ne3t, free choice,20: With what besides, in 'ounsel or in Fight,

21: ath bin achie!d of merit, #et this loss

22: Thus farr at least reco!er"d, hath much more23: Establisht in a safe unen!ied Throne24: =eilded with full consent. The ha$$ier state

25: %n ea!"n, which follows dignit#, might draw26: En!# from each inferior but who here27: Will en!# whom the highest $lace e3$oses

28: Formost to stand against the Thunderers aime29: =our bulwar*, and condemns to greatest share30: Of endless $ain1 where there is then no good

31: For which to stri!e, no strife can grow u$ there32: From Faction for none sure will claim in hell33: -recedence, none, whose $ortion is so small

34: Of $resent $ain, that with ambitious mind

35: Will co!et more. With this ad!antage then36: To union, and firm Faith, and firm accord,37: More then can be in ea!"n, we now return

38: To claim our 0ust inheritance of old,39: Surer to $ros$er then $ros$erit#40: 'ould ha!e assur"d us and b# what best wa#,

41: Whether of o$en Warr or co!ert guile,42: We now debate who can ad!ise, ma# s$ea*.

43: e ceas"d, and ne3t him MO)O', Sce$ter"d :ing


21/44

44: Stood u$, the strongest and the fiercest S$irit

45: That fought in ea!"n now fiercer b# des$air(46: is trust was with th" Eternal to be deem"d47: E2ual in strength, and rather then be less

48: 'ar"d not to be at all with that care lost49:

Went all his fear( of +od, or ell, or worse

50: e rec*d not, and these words thereafter s$a*e.

51: M# sentence is for o$en Warr( Of Wiles,

52: More une3$ert, % boast not( them let those

53: 'ontri!e who need, or when the# need, not now.54: For while the# sit contri!ing, shall the rest,55: Millions that stand in &rms, and longing wait

56: The Signal to ascend, sit lingring here57: ea!"ns fugiti!es, and for thir dwelling $lace58: &cce$t this dar* o$$robrious Den of shame,

59: The -rison of his T#rann# who Reigns60: B# our dela#1 no, let us rather choose61: &rm"d with ell flames and fur# all at once

62: O"re ea!"ns high Towrs to force resistless wa#,

63: Turning our Tortures into horrid &rms64: &gainst the Torturer when to meet the noise65: Of his &lmight# Engin he shall hear

66: %nfernal Thunder, and for )ightning see67: Blac* fire and horror shot with e2ual rage68: &mong his &ngels and his Throne it self

69: Mi3t with T&RT&RE&N Sul$hur, and strange fire,70: is own in!ented Torments. But $erha$s71: The wa# seems difficult and stee$ to scale

72: With u$right wing against a higher foe.73: )et such bethin* them, if the slee$# drench74: Of that forgetful )a*e benumme not still,

75: That in our $ro$er motion we ascend

76: 7$ to our nati!e seat( descent and fall77: To us is ad!erse. Who but felt of late78: When the fierce Foe hung on our bro*"n Rear

79: %nsulting, and $ursu"d us through the Dee$,80: With what com$ulsion and laborious flight81: We sun* thus low1 Th" ascent is easie then

82: Th" e!ent is fear"d should we again $ro!o*e83: Our stronger, some worse wa# his wrath ma# find84: To our destruction( if there be in ell


22/44

85: Fear to be worse destro#"d( what can be worse

86: Then to dwell here, dri!"n out from bliss, condemn"d87: %n this abhorred dee$ to utter woe88: Where $ain of une3tinguishable fire

89: Must e3ercise us without ho$e of end90:

The 9assals of his anger, when the Scourge91: %ne3orabl#, and the torturing houre

92: 'alls us to -enance1 More destro#"d then thus93: We should be 2uite abolisht and e3$ire.94: What fear we then1 what doubt we to incense

95: is utmost ire1 which to the highth enrag"d,

96: Will either 2uite consume us, and reduce97: To nothing this essential, ha$$ier farr98: Then miserable to ha!e eternal being(

99: Or if our substance be indeed Di!ine,100: &nd cannot cease to be, we are at worst101:

On this side nothing and b# $roof we feel102: Our $ower sufficient to disturb his ea!"n,103: &nd with $er$etual inrodes to &llarme,104: Though inaccessible, his fatal Throne(

105: Which if not 9ictor# is #et Re!enge.

106: e ended frowning, and his loo* denounc"d

107: Des$erate re!enge, and Battel dangerous108: To less then +ods. On th" other side u$ rose109: BE)%&), in act more graceful and humane

110: & fairer $erson lost not ea!"n he seemd111: For dignit# com$os"d and high e3$loit(112: But all was false and hollow though his Tongue

113: Dro$t Manna, and could ma*e the worse a$$ear

114: The better reason, to $er$le3 and dash115: Maturest 'ounsels( for his thoughts were low

116: To !ice industrious, but to Nobler deeds

117: Timorous and slothful( #et he $leas"d the eare,118: &nd with $erswasi!e accent thus began.

119: % should be much for o$en Warr, O -eers,120: &s not behind in hate if what was urg"d

121: Main reason to $erswade immediate Warr,122: Did not disswade me most, and seem to cast123: Ominous con0ecture on the whole success(

124: When he who most e3cels in fact of &rms,

125: %n what he counsels and in what e3cels


23/44

126: Mistrustful, grounds his courage on des$air

127: &nd utter dissolution, as the sco$e128: Of all his aim, after some dire re!enge.129: First, what Re!enge1 the Towrs of ea!"n are fill"d

130: With &rmed watch, that render all access131:

%m$regnable oft on the bordering Dee$132: Encam$ thir )egions, or with obscure wing

133: Scout farr and wide into the Realm of night,134: Scorning sur$ri8e. Or could we brea* our wa#135: B# force, and at our heels all ell should rise

136: With blac*est %nsurrection, to confound

137: ea!"ns $urest )ight, #et our great Enemie138: &ll incorru$tible would on his Throne139: Sit un$olluted, and th" Ethereal mould

140: %nca$able of stain would soon e3$el141: er mischief, and $urge off the baser fire142:

9ictorious. Thus re$uls"d, our final ho$e143: %s flat des$air( we must e3as$erate144: Th" &lmight# 9ictor to s$end all his rage,145: &nd that must end us, that must be our cure,

146: To be no more sad cure for who would loose,

147: Though full of $ain, this intellectual being,148: Those thoughts that wander through Eternit#,149: To $erish rather, swallowd u$ and lost

150: %n the wide womb of uncreated night,151: De!oid of sense and motion1 and who *nows,152: )et this be good, whether our angr# Foe

153: 'an gi!e it, or will e!er1 how he can154: %s doubtful that he ne!er will is sure.155: Will he, so wise, let loose at once his ire,

156: Beli*e through im$otence, or unaware,157: To gi!e his Enemies thir wish, and end158: Them in his anger, whom his anger sa!es

159: To $unish endless1 wherefore cease we then1

160: Sa# the# who counsel Warr, we are decreed,161: Reser!"d and destin"d to Eternal woe162: Whate!er doing, what can we suffer more,

163: What can we suffer worse1 is this then worst,164: Thus sitting, thus consulting, thus in &rms1165: What when we fled amain, $ursu"d and stroo*

166: With ea!"ns afflicting Thunder, and besought167: The Dee$ to shelter us1 this ell then seem"d168: & refuge from those wounds( or when we la#

169: 'hain"d on the burning )a*e1 that sure was worse.

170: What if the breath that *indl"d those grim fires


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171: &wa*"d should blow them into se!enfold rage

172: &nd $lunge us in the Flames1 or from abo!e173: Should intermitted !engeance &rme again174: is red right hand to $lague us1 what if all

175: er stores were o$"n"d, and this Firmament176:

Of ell should s$out her 'ataracts of Fire,177: %m$endent horrors, threatning hideous fall

178: One da# u$on our heads while we $erha$s179: Designing or e3horting glorious Warr,180: 'aught in a fierie Tem$est shall be hurl"d

181: Each on his roc* transfi3t, the s$ort and $re#

182: Of rac*ing whirlwinds, or for e!er sun*183: 7nder #on bo#ling Ocean, wra$t in 'hains184: There to con!erse with e!erlasting groans,

185: 7nres$ited, un$itied, unre$ree!d,186: &ges of ho$eless end this would be worse.187: Warr therefore, o$en or conceal"d, ali*e

188: M# !oice disswades for what can force or guile189: With him, or who decei!e his mind, whose e#e190: 9iews all things at one !iew1 he from hea!"ns highth

191: &ll these our motions !ain, sees and derides

192: Not more &lmight# to resist our might193: Then wise to frustrate all our $lots and wiles.194: Shall we then li!e thus !ile, the race of ea!"n

195: Thus tram$l"d, thus e3$ell"d to suffer here196: 'hains > these Torments1 better these then worse197: B# m# ad!ice since fate ine!itable

198: Subdues us, and Omni$otent Decree,199: The 9ictors will. To suffer, as to doe,200: Our strength is e2ual, nor the )aw un0ust

201: That so ordains( this was at first resol!"d,202: %f we were wise, against so great a foe203: 'ontending, and so doubtful what might fall.

204: % laugh, when those who at the S$ear are bold

205: &nd !ent"rous, if that fail them, shrin* and fear206: What #et the# *now must follow, to endure207: E3ile, or ignomin#, or bonds, or $ain,

208: The sentence of thir 'on2uerour( This is now209: Our doom which if we can sustain and bear,

210: Our Su$ream Foe in time ma# much remit

211: is anger, and $erha$s thus farr remo!"d212: Not mind us not offending, satisfi"d213: With what is $unish"t whence these raging fires


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214: Will slac*"n, if his breath stir not thir flames.

215: Our $urer essence then will o!ercome216: Thir no3ious !a$our, or enur"d not feel,217: Or chang"d at length, and to the $lace conformd

218: %n tem$er and in nature, will recei!e219:

Familiar the fierce heat, and !oid of $ain220: This horror will grow milde, this dar*ness light,

221: Besides what ho$e the ne!er/ending flight222: Of future da#s ma# bring, what chance, what change223: Worth waiting, since our $resent lot a$$eers

224: For ha$$# though but ill, for ill not worst,

225: %f we $rocure not to our sel!es more woe.

226: Thus BE)%&) with words cloath"d in reasons garb227: 'ounsel"d ignoble ease, and $eaceful sloath,228:

Not $eace( and after him thus M&MMON s$a*e.

229: Either to disinthrone the :ing of ea!"n

230: We warr, if warr be best, or to regain231: Our own right lost( him to unthrone we then232: Ma# ho$e, when e!erlasting Fate shall #eild

233: To fic*le 'hance, and '&OS 0udge the strife(

234: The former !ain to ho$e argues as !ain235: The latter( for what $lace can be for us236: Within ea!"ns bound, unless ea!"ns )ord su$ream

237: We o!er$ower1 Su$$ose he should relent238: &nd $ublish +race to all, on $romise made239: Of new Sub0ection with what e#es could we

240: Stand in his $resence humble, and recei!e241: Strict )aws im$os"d, to celebrate his Throne

242: With warbl"d #mns, and to his +odhead sing

243: Forc"t alleluiah"s while he )ordl# sits

244: Our en!ied So!ran, and his &ltar breathes245: &mbrosial Odours and &mbrosial Flowers,246: Our ser!ile offerings. This must be our tas*

247: %n ea!"n, this our delight how wearisom248: Eternit# so s$ent in worshi$ $aid249: To whom we hate. )et us not then $ursue

250: B# force im$ossible, b# lea!e obtain"d251: 7nacce$table, though in ea!"n, our state252: Of s$lendid !assalage, but rather see*

253: Our own good from our sel!es, and from our own

254: )i!e to our sel!es, though in this !ast recess,


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255: Free, and to none accountable, $referring

256: ard libert# before the easie #o*e257: Of ser!ile -om$. Our greatness will a$$ear258: Then most cons$icuous, when great things of small,

259: 7seful of hurtful, $ros$erous of ad!erse260:

We can create, and in what $lace so e"re261: Thri!e under e!il, and wor* ease out of $ain

262: Through labour and endurance. This dee$ world263: Of dar*ness do we dread1 ow oft amidst264: Thic* clouds and dar* doth ea!"ns all/ruling Sire

265: 'hoose to reside, his +lor# unobscur"d,

266: &nd with the Ma0est# of dar*ness round267: 'o!ers his Throne from whence dee$ thunders roar268: Must"ring thir rage, and ea!"n resembles ell1

269: &s he our Dar*ness, cannot we his )ight270: %mitate when we $lease1 This Desart soile271:

Wants not her hidden lustre, +emms and +old272: Nor want we s*ill or art, from whence to raise273: Magnificence and what can ea!"n shew more1

274: Our torments also ma# in length of time

275: Become our Elements, these $iercing Fires

276: &s soft as now se!ere, our tem$er chang"d277: %nto their tem$er which must needs remo!e278: The sensible of $ain. &ll things in!ite

279: To $eaceful 'ounsels, and the settl"d State280: Of order, how in safet# best we ma#281: 'om$ose our $resent e!ils, with regard

282: Of what we are and where, dismissing 2uite283: &ll thoughts of Warr( #e ha!e what % ad!ise.

284: e scarce had finisht, when such murmur filld285: Th" &ssembl#, as when hollow Roc*s retain

286: The sound of blustring winds, which all night long

287: ad rous"d the Sea, now with hoarse cadence lull288: Sea/faring men orewatcht, whose Bar* b# chance289: Or -innace anchors in a cragg# Ba#

290: &fter the Tem$est( Such a$$lause was heard291: &s M&MMON ended, and his Sentence $leas"d,292: &d!ising $eace( for such another Field

293: The# dreaded worse then ell( so much the fear294: Of Thunder and the Sword of M%'&E)295: Wrought still within them and no less desire

296: To found this nether Em$ire, which might rise

297: B# $ollic#, and long $rocess of time,


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298: %n emulation o$$osite to ea!"n.

299: Which when BEE)6EB7B $ercei!"d, then whom,300: S&T&N e3ce$t, none higher sat, with gra!e301: &s$ect he rose, and in his rising seem"d

302: & -illar of State dee$ on his Front engra!en303:

Deliberation sat and $ublic* care304: &nd -rincel# counsel in his face #et shon,

305: Ma0estic* though in ruin( sage he stood

306: With &T)&NTE&N shoulders fit to bear307: The weight of mightiest Monarchies his loo*

308: Drew audience and attention still as Night

309: Or Summers Noon/tide air, while thus he s$a*e.

310: Thrones and im$erial -owers, off/s$ring of hea!"n,311: Ethereal 9ertues or these Titles now312: Must we renounce, and changing stile be call"d

313: -rinces of ell1 for so the $o$ular !ote314: %nclines, here to continue, and build u$ here315: & growing Em$ire doubtless while we dream,

316: &nd *now not that the :ing of ea!"n hath doom"d

317: This $lace our dungeon, not our safe retreat318: Be#ond his -otent arm, to li!e e3em$t319: From ea!"ns high 0urisdiction, in new )eague

320: Banded against his Throne, but to remaine321: %n strictest bondage, though thus far remo!"d,322: 7nder th" ine!itable curb, reser!"d

323: is ca$ti!e multitude( For he, be sure,324: %n highth or de$th, still first and last will Reign325: Sole :ing, and of his :ingdom loose no $art

326: B# our re!olt, but o!er ell e3tend327: is Em$ire, and with %ron Sce$ter rule328: 7s here, as with his +olden those in ea!"n.

329: What sit we then $ro0ecting -eace and Warr1

330: Warr hath determin"d us, and foild with loss331: %rre$arable tearms of $eace #et none332: 9outsaf"t or sought for what $eace will be gi!"n

333: To us ensla!"d, but custod# se!ere,334: &nd stri$es, and arbitrar# $unishment335: %nflicted1 and what $eace can we return,

336: But to our $ower hostilit# and hate,337: 7ntam"d reluctance, and re!enge though slow,

338: =et e!er $lotting how the 'on2uerour least


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339: Ma# rea$ his con2uest, and ma# least re0o#ce

340: %n doing what we most in suffering feel1341: Nor will occasion want, nor shall we need342: With dangerous e3$edition to in!ade

343: ea!"n, whose high walls fear no assault or Siege,344:

Or ambush from the Dee$. What if we find345: Some easier enter$ri8e1 There is a $lace

346: ;%f ancient and $ro$hetic fame in ea!"n347: Err not< another World, the ha$$# seat348: Of som new Race call"d M&N, about this time

349: To be created li*e to us, though less

350: %n $ower and e3cellence, but fa!our"d more351: Of him who rules abo!e so was his will352: -ronounc"d among the +ods, and b# an Oath,

353: That shoo* ea!"ns whol circumference, confirm"d.354: Thither let us bend all our thoughts, to learn355:

What creatures there inhabit, of what mould,356: Or substance, how endu"d, and what thir -ower,357: &nd where thir wea*ness, how attem$ted best,358: B# force or suttlet#( Though ea!"n be shut,

359: &nd ea!"ns high &rbitrator sit secure360: %n his own strength, this $lace ma# l#e e3$os"d361: The utmost border of his :ingdom, left

362: To their defence who hold it( here $erha$s

363: Som ad!antagious act ma# be achie!"d364: B# sudden onset, either with ell fire365: To waste his whole 'reation, or $ossess

366: &ll as our own, and dri!e as we were dri!en,367: The $unie habitants, or if not dri!e,368: Seduce them to our -art#, that thir +od

369: Ma# $ro!e thir foe, and with re$enting hand

370: &bolish his own wor*s. This would sur$ass371: 'ommon re!enge, and interru$t his 0o#

372: %n our 'onfusion, and our 4o# u$raise

373: %n his disturbance when his darling Sons374: url"d headlong to $arta*e with us, shall curse375: Thir frail Originals, and faded bliss,

376: Faded so soon. &d!ise if this be worth377: &ttem$ting, or to sit in dar*ness here378: atching !ain Em$ires. Thus BEE)6EB7B

379: -leaded his de!ilish 'ounsel, first de!is"d380: B# S&T&N, and in $art $ro$os"d( for whence,381: But from the &uthor of all ill could S$ring

382: So dee$ a malice, to confound the race

383: Of man*ind in one root, and Earth with ell


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384: To mingle and in!ol!e, done all to s$ite

385: The great 'reatour1 But thir s$ite still ser!es386: is glor# to augment. The bold design387: -leas"d highl# those infernal States, and 0o#

388: S$ar*l"d in all thir e#es with full assent389:

The# !ote( whereat his s$eech he thus renews.

390: Well ha!e #e 0udg"d, well ended long debate,391: S#nod of +ods, and li*e to what #e are,

392: +reat things resol!"d which from the lowest dee$

393: Will once more lift us u$, in s$ight of Fate,394: Neerer our ancient Seat $erha$s in !iew395: Of those bright confines, whence with neighbouring &rms

396: &nd o$$ortune e3cursion we ma# chance397: Re/enter ea!"n or else in some milde 6one398:

Dwell not un!isited of ea!"ns fair )ight399: Secure, and at the brightning Orient beam400: -urge off this gloom the soft delicious &ir,401: To heal the scarr of these corrosi!e Fires

402: Shall breath her balme. But first whom shall we send

403: %n search of this new world, whom shall we find404: Sufficient1 who shall tem$t with wandring feet405: The dar* unbottom"d infinite &b#ss

406: &nd through the $al$able obscure find out407: is uncouth wa#, or s$read his aerie flight408: 7$born with indefatigable wings

409: O!er the !ast abru$t, ere he arri!e410: The ha$$# %le what strength, what art can then411: Suffice, or what e!asion bear him safe

412: Through the strict Senteries and Stations thic*413: Of &ngels watching round1 ere he had need414: &ll circums$ection, and we now no less

415: 'hoice in our suffrage for on whom we send,

416: The weight of all and our last ho$e relies.

417: This said, he sat and e3$ectation held418: is loo* sus$ence, awaiting who a$$eer"d419: To second, or o$$ose, or underta*e

420: The $erilous attem$t( but all sat mute,421: -ondering the danger with dee$ thoughts > each422: %n others count"nance red his own disma#

423: &stonisht( none among the choice and $rime

424: Of those ea!"n/warring 'ham$ions could be found


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425: So hardie as to $roffer or acce$t

426: &lone the dreadful !o#age till at last427: S&T&N, whom now transcendent glor# rais"d428: &bo!e his fellows, with Monarchal $ride

429: 'onscious of highest worth, unmo!"d thus s$a*e.

430: O -rogen# of ea!"n, Em$#real Thrones,431: With reason hath dee$ silence and demurr432: Seis"d us, though undismaid( long is the wa#

433: &nd hard, that out of ell leads u$ to )ight

434: Our $rison strong, this huge con!e3 of Fire,435: Outrageous to de!our, immures us round436: Ninefold, and gates of burning &damant

437: Barr"d o!er us $rohibit all egress.438: These $ast, if an# $ass, the !oid $rofound439: Of unessential Night recei!es him ne3t

440: Wide ga$ing, and with utter loss of being441: Threatens him, $lung"d in that aborti!e gulf.442: %f thence he sca$e into what e!er world,

443: Or un*nown Region, what remains him less

444: Then un*nown dangers and as hard esca$e.445: But % should ill become this Throne, O -eers,446: &nd this %m$erial So!"rant#, adorn"d

447: With s$lendor, arm"d with $ower, if aught $ro$os"d448: &nd 0udg"d of $ublic moment, in the sha$e449: Of difficult# or danger could deterre

450: Me from attem$ting. Wherefore do % assume451: These Ro#alties, and not refuse to Reign,452: Refusing to acce$t as great a share

453: Of ha8ard as of honour, due ali*e454: To him who Reigns, and so much to him due455: Of ha8ard more, as he abo!e the rest

456: igh honourd sits1 +o therfore might# $owers,

457: Terror of ea!"n, though fall"n intend at home,458: While here shall be our home, what best ma# ease459: The $resent miser#, and render ell

460: More tollerable if there be cure or charm461: To res$ite or decei!e, or slac* the $ain462: Of this ill Mansion( intermit no watch

463: &gainst a wa*eful Foe, while % abroad464: Through all the coasts of dar* destruction see*465: Deli!erance for us all( this enter$ri8e


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466: None shall $arta*e with me. Thus sa#ing rose467: The Monarch, and $re!ented all re$l#,468: -rudent, least from his resolution rais"d

469: Others among the chief might offer now470:

;'ertain to be refus"d< what erst the# feard471: &nd so refus"d might in o$inion stand

472: is ri!als, winning chea$ the high re$ute473: Which he through ha8ard huge must earn. But the#474: Dreaded not more th" ad!enture then his !oice

475: Forbidding and at once with him the# rose

476: Thir rising all at once was as the sound477: Of Thunder heard remote. Towards him the# bend478: With awful re!erence $rone and as a +od

479: E3toll him e2ual to the highest in ea!"n(480: Nor fail"d the# to e3$ress how much the# $rais"d,481:

That for the general safet# he des$is"d482: is own( for neither do the S$irits damn"d483: )oose all thir !ertue least bad men should boast484: Thir s$ecious deeds on earth, which glor# e3cites,

485: Or close ambition !arnisht o"re with 8eal.486: Thus the# thir doubtful consultations dar*487: Ended re0o#cing in thir matchless 'hief(

488: &s when from mountain to$s the dus*# clouds

489: &scending, while the North wind slee$s, o"res$read490: ea!"ns chearful face, the lowring Element491: Scowls ore the dar*"nd lants*i$ Snow, or showre

492: %f chance the radiant Sun with farewell sweet493: E3tend his e!"ning beam, the fields re!i!e,494: The birds thir notes renew, and bleating herds

495: &ttest thir 0o#, that hill and !alle# rings.496: O shame to men5 De!il with De!il damn"d497: Firm concord holds, men onel# disagree

498: Of 'reatures rational, though under ho$e

499: Of hea!enl# +race( and +od $roclaiming $eace,500: =et li!e in hatred, enmitie, and strife501: &mong themsel!es, and le!ie cruel warres,

502: Wasting the Earth, each other to destro#(503: &s if ;which might induce us to accord<504: Man had not hellish foes anow besides,

505: That da# and night for his destruction waite.

506: The ST=+%&N 'ouncel thus dissol!"d and forth

507: %n order came the grand infernal -eers,


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508: Midst came thir might# -aramount, and seemd

509: &lone th" &ntagonist of ea!"n, nor less510: Then ells dread Em$erour with $om$ Su$ream,511: &nd +od/li*e imitated State him round

512: & +lobe of fierie Sera$him inclos"d513:

With bright imbla8onrie, and horrent &rms.514: Then of thir Session ended the# bid cr#

515: With Trum$ets regal sound the great result(516: Toward the four winds four s$eed# 'herubim517: -ut to thir mouths the sounding &lch#mie

518: B# aralds !oice e3$lain"d( the hollow &b#ss

519: eard farr and wide, and all the host of ell520: With deafning shout, return"d them loud acclaim.521: Thence more at ease thir minds and somwhat rais"d

522: B# false $resum$tuous ho$e, the ranged $owers523: Disband, and wandring, each his se!eral wa#524:

-ursues, as inclination or sad choice525: )eads him $er$le3t, where he ma# li*eliest find526: Truce to his restless thoughts, and entertain527: The ir*some hours, till his great 'hief return.

528: -art on the -lain, or in the &ir sublime529: 7$on the wing, or in swift race contend,

530: &s at th" Ol#m$ian +ames or -=T%&N fields531: -art curb thir fierie Steeds, or shun the +oal

532: With ra$id wheels, or fronted Brigads form.533: &s when to warn $roud 'ities warr a$$ears534: Wag"d in the troubl"d S*ie, and &rmies rush

535: To Battel in the 'louds, before each 9an536: -ric forth the &erie :nights, and couch thir s$ears537: Till thic*est )egions close with feats of &rms

538: From either end of ea!"n the wel*in burns.539: Others with !ast T=-OE&N rage more fell540: Rend u$ both Roc*s and ills, and ride the &ir

541: %n whirlwind ell scarce holds the wilde u$roar.

542: &s when &)'%DES from OE&)%& 'rown"d543: With con2uest, felt th" en!enom"d robe, and tore544: Through $ain u$ b# the roots TESS&)%&N -ines,

545: &nd )%'&S from the to$ of OET& threw546: %nto th" E7BO%' Sea. Others more milde,547: Retreated in a silent !alle#, sing

548: With notes &ngelical to man# a ar$549: Thir own eroic deeds and ha$less fall550: B# doom of Battel and com$lain that Fate

551: Free 9ertue should enthrall to Force or 'hance.

552: Thir song was $artial, but the harmon#


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553: ;What could it less when S$irits immortal sing1<

554: Sus$ended ell, and too* with ra!ishment555: The thronging audience. %n discourse more sweet556: ;For Elo2uence the Soul, Song charms the Sense,<

557: Others a$art sat on a ill retir"d,558:

%n thoughts more ele!ate, and reason"d high559: Of -ro!idence, Fore*nowledge, Will, and Fate,

560: Fi3t Fate, free will, fore*nowledge absolute,561: &nd found no end, in wandring ma8es lost.

562: Of good and e!il much the# argu"d then,

563: Of ha$$iness and final miser#,

564: -assion and &$athie, and glor# and shame,565: 9ain wisdom all, and false -hiloso$hie(566: =et with a $leasing sorcerie could charm

567: -ain for a while or anguish, and e3cite568: Fallacious ho$e, or arm th" obdured brest569: With stubborn $atience as with tri$le steel.

570: &nother $art in S2uadrons and gross Bands,571: On bold ad!enture to disco!er wide572: That dismal world, if an# 'lime $erha$s

573: Might #eild them easier habitation, bend

574: Four wa#s thir fl#ing March, along the Ban*s575: Of four infernal Ri!ers that disgorge576: %nto the burning )a*e thir baleful streams

577: &bhorred ST=@ the flood of deadl# hate,578: Sad &'ERON of sorrow, blac* and dee$579: 'O'=T7S, nam"d of lamentation loud

580: eard on the ruful stream fierce -)E+ETON581: Whose wa!es of torrent fire inflame with rage.582: Farr off from these a slow and silent stream,

583: )ETE the Ri!er of Obli!ion roules584: er watrie )ab#rinth, whereof who drin*s,585: Forthwith his former state and being forgets,

586: Forgets both 0o# and grief, $leasure and $ain.

587: Be#ond this flood a fro8en 'ontinent588: )ies dar* and wilde, beat with $er$etual storms589: Of Whirlwind and dire ail, which on firm land

590: Thaws not, but gathers hea$, and ruin seems591: Of ancient $ile all else dee$ snow and ice,592: & gulf $rofound as that SERBON%&N Bog

593: Betwi3t D&M%&T& and mount '&S%7S old,

594: Where &rmies whole ha!e sun*( the $arching &ir595: Burns frore, and cold $erforms th" effect of Fire.


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596: Thither b# har$#/footed Furies hail"d,

597: &t certain re!olutions all the damn"d598: &re brought( and feel b# turns the bitter change599: Of fierce e3treams, e3treams b# change more fierce,

600: From Beds of raging Fire to star!e in %ce601:

Thir soft Ethereal warmth, and there to $ine602: %mmo!able, infi3t, and fro8en round,

603: -eriods of time, thence hurried bac* to fire.604: The# ferr# o!er this )ETE&N Sound605: Both to and fro, thir sorrow to augment,

606: &nd wish and struggle, as the# $ass, to reach

607: The tem$ting stream, with one small dro$ to loose608: %n sweet forgetfulness all $ain and woe,609: &ll in one moment, and so neer the brin*

610: But fate withstands, and to o$$ose th" attem$t611: MED7S& with +OR+ON%&N terror guards612:

The Ford, and of it self the water flies613: &ll taste of li!ing wight, as once it fled614: The li$ of T&NT&)7S. Thus ro!ing on615: %n confus"d march forlorn, th" ad!entrous Bands

616: With shuddring horror $ale, and e#es agast617: 9iew"d first thir lamentable lot, and found618: No rest( through man# a dar* and drearie 9aile

619: The# $ass"d, and man# a Region dolorous,

620: O"re man# a Fro8en, man# a Fierie &l$e,621: Roc*s, 'a!es, )a*es, Fens, Bogs, Dens, and shades of death,622: & 7ni!erse of death, which +od b# curse

623: 'reated e!il, for e!il onl# good,624: Where all life dies, death li!es, and nature breeds,625: -er!erse, all monstrous, all $rodigious things,

626: &bominable, inutterable, and worse627: Then Fables #et ha!e feign"d, or fear concei!"d,628: +OR+ONS and =DR&"S, and '%MER&"S dire.

629: Mean while the &d!ersar# of +od and Man,630: S&T&N with thoughts inflam"d of highest design,

631: -uts on swift wings, and toward the +ates of ell632: E3$lores his solitar# flight som times633: e scours the right hand coast, som times the left,

634: Now sha!es with le!el wing the Dee$, then soares635: 7$ to the fier# conca!e touring high.636: &s when farr off at Sea a Fleet descri"d

637: angs in the 'louds, b# &E?7%NO'T%&) Winds

638: 'lose sailing from BEN+&)&, or the %les


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639: Of TERN&TE and T%DORE, whence Merchants bring

640: Thir s$icie Drugs( the# on the trading Flood641: Through the wide ET%O-%&N to the 'a$e642: -l# stemming nightl# toward the -ole. So seem"d

643: Farr off the fl#ing Fiend( at last a$$eer644:

ell bounds high reaching to the horrid Roof,645: &nd thrice threefold the +ates three folds were Brass

646: Three %ron, three of &damantine Roc*,647: %m$enitrable, im$al"d with circling fire,648: =et unconsum"d. Before the +ates there sat

649: On either side a formidable sha$e

650: The one seem"d Woman to the waste, and fair,651: But ended foul in man# a scal# fould652: 9oluminous and !ast, a Ser$ent arm"d

653: With mortal sting( about her middle round654: & cr# of ell ounds ne!er ceasing bar*"d655:

With wide 'ERBERE&N mouths full loud, and rung656: & hideous -eal( #et, when the# list, would cree$,657: %f aught disturb"d thir no#se, into her woomb,

658: &nd *ennel there, #et there still bar*"d and howl"d

659: Within unseen. Farr less abhorrd then these

660: 9e3"d S'=))& bathing in the Sea that $arts661: '&)&BR%& from the hoarce TR%N&'R%&N shore(662: Nor uglier follow the Night/ag, when call"d

663: %n secret, riding through the &ir she comes664: )ur"d with the smell of infant blood, to dance665: With )&-)&ND Witches, while the labouring Moon

666: Ecli$ses at thir charms. The other sha$e,667: %f sha$e it might be call"d that sha$e had none668: Distinguishable in member, 0o#nt, or limb,

669: Or substance might be call"d that shadow seem"d,670: For each seem"d either blac* it stood as Night,671: Fierce as ten Furies, terrible as ell,

672: &nd shoo* a dreadful Dart what seem"d his head

673: The li*eness of a :ingl# 'rown had on.674: S&T&N was now at hand, and from his seat675: The Monster mo!ing onward came as fast,

676: With horrid strides, ell trembled as he strode.677: Th" undaunted Fiend what this might be admir"d,678: &dmir"d, not fear"d +od and his Son e3ce$t,

679: 'reated thing naught !allu"d he nor shun"d680: &nd with disdainful loo* thus first began.

681: Whence and what art thou, e3ecrable sha$e,


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682: That dar"st, though grim and terrible, ad!ance

683: Th# miscreated Front athwart m# wa#684: To #onder +ates1 through them % mean to $ass,685: That be assur"d, without lea!e as*t of thee(

686: Retire, or taste th# foll#, and learn b# $roof,687:

ell/born, not to contend with S$irits of ea!"n.

688: To whom the +oblin full of wrauth re$l#"d,689: &rt thou that Traitor &ngel, art thou hee,

690: Who first bro*e $eace in ea!"n and Faith, till then

691: 7nbro*"n, and in $roud rebellious &rms692: Drew after him the third $art of ea!"ns Sons693: 'on0ur"d against the highest, for which both Thou

694: &nd the# outcast from +od, are here condemn"d695: To waste Eternal daies in woe and $ain1696: &nd rec*"n"st thou th# self with S$irits of ea!"n,

697: ell/doomd, and breath"st defiance here and scorn,698: Where % reign :ing, and to enrage thee more,699: Th# :ing and )ord1 Bac* to th# $unishment,

700: False fugiti!e, and to th# s$eed add wings,

701: )east with a whi$ of Scor$ions % $ursue702: Th# lingring, or with one stro*e of this Dart703: Strange horror seise thee, and $angs unfelt before.

704: So s$a*e the grieslie terrour, and in sha$e,

705: So s$ea*ing and so threatning, grew ten fold706: More dreadful and deform( on th" other side707: %ncenc"t with indignation S&T&N stood

708: 7nterrifi"d, and li*e a 'omet burn"d,709: That fires the length of O-%7'7S huge710: %n th" &rtic* S*#, and from his horrid hair

711: Sha*es -estilence and Warr. Each at the ead

712: )e!el"d his deadl# aime thir fatall hands713: No second stro*e intend, and such a frown714: Each cast at th" other, as when two blac* 'louds

715: With ea!"ns &rtiller# fraught, come rattling on716: O!er the '&S-%&N, then stand front to front717: o!"ring a s$ace, till Winds the signal blow

718: To 0o#n thir dar* Encounter in mid air(719: So frownd the might# 'ombatants, that ell720: +rew dar*er at thir frown, so matcht the# stood

721: For ne!er but once more was either li*e


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722: To meet so great a foe( and now great deeds723: ad been achie!"d, whereof all ell had rung,724: ad not the Sna*ie Sorceress that sat

725: Fast b# ell +ate, and *e$t the fatal :e#,726:

Ris"n, and with hideous outcr# rush"d between.

727: O Father, what intends th# hand, she cr#"d,728: &gainst th# onl# Son1 What fur# O Son,

729: -ossesses thee to bend that mortal Dart

730: &gainst th# Fathers head1 and *now"st for whom731: For him who sits abo!e and laughs the while732: &t thee ordain"d his drudge, to e3ecute

733: What e"re his wrath, which he calls 4ustice, bids,734: is wrath which one da# will destro# #e both.

735: She s$a*e, and at her words the hellish -est736: Forbore, then these to her S&T&N return"d(

737: So strange th# outcr#, and th# words so strange

738: Thou inter$osest, that m# sudden hand

739: -re!ented s$ares to tell thee #et b# deeds740: What it intends till first % *now of thee,741: What thing thou art, thus double/form"d, and wh#

742: %n this infernal 9aile first met thou call"st743: Me Father, and that Fantasm call"st m# Son1744: % *now thee not, nor e!er saw till now

745: Sight more detestable then him and thee.

746: T" whom thus the -ortress of ell +ate re$l#"d

747: ast thou forgot me then, and do % seem748: Now in thine e#e so foul, once deemd so fair749: %n ea!"n, when at th" &ssembl#, and in sight

750: Of all the Sera$him with thee combin"d751: %n bold cons$irac# against ea!"ns :ing,752: &ll on a sudden miserable $ain

753: Sur$ris"d thee, dim thine e#es, and di88ie swumm

754: %n dar*ness, while th# head flames thic* and fast755: Threw forth, till on the left side o$"ning wide,

756: )i*est to thee in sha$e and count"nance bright,

757: Then shining hea!"nl# fair, a +oddess arm"d


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758: Out of th# head % s$rung( ama8ement seis"d

759: &ll th" ost of ea!"n bac* the# recoild affraid760: &t first, and call"d me S%N, and for a Sign761: -ortentous held me but familiar grown,

762: % $leas"d, and with attracti!e graces won763:

The most a!erse, thee chiefl#, who full oft764: Th# self in me th# $erfect image !iewing

765: Becam"st enamour"d, and such 0o# thou too*"st766: With me in secret, that m# womb concei!"d767: & growing burden. Mean while Warr arose,

768: &nd fields were fought in ea!"n wherein remaind

769: ;For what could else< to our &lmight# Foe770: 'leer 9ictor#, to our $art loss and rout771: Through all the Em$#rean( down the# fell

772: Dri!"n headlong from the -itch of ea!en, down773: %nto this Dee$, and in the general fall774:

% also at which time this $owerful :e#775: %nto m# hand was gi!"n, with charge to *ee$776: These +ates for e!er shut, which none can $ass777: Without m# o$"ning. -ensi!e here % sat

778: &lone, but long % sat not, till m# womb779: -regnant b# thee, and now e3cessi!e grown780: -rodigious motion felt and rueful throes.

781: &t last this odious offs$ring whom thou seest

782: Thine own begotten, brea*ing !iolent wa#783: Tore through m# entrails, that with fear and $ain784: Distorted, all m# nether sha$e thus grew

785: Transform"d( but he m# inbred enemie

786: Forth issu"d, brandishing his fatal Dart787: Made to destro#( % fled, and cr#"d out DE&T

788: ell trembl"d at the hideous Name, and sigh"d789: From all her 'a!es, and bac* resounded DE&T.790: % fled, but he $ursu"d ;though more, it seems,

791: %nflam"d with lust then rage< and swifter far,

792: Me o!ertoo* his mother all dismaid,793: &nd in embraces forcible and foule794: %ngendring with me, of that ra$e begot

795: These #elling Monsters that with ceasless cr#796: Surround me, as thou sawst, hourl# concei!"d797: &nd hourl# born, with sorrow infinite

798: To me, for when the# list into the womb799: That bred them the# return, and howle and gnaw800: M# Bowels, their re$ast then bursting forth

801: &fresh with conscious terrours !e3 me round,

802: That rest or intermission none % find.


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803: Before mine e#es in o$$osition sits

804: +rim DE&T m# Son and foe, who sets them on,805: &nd me his -arent would full soon de!our806: For want of other $re#, but that he *nows

807: is end with mine in!ol!d and *nows that %808:

Should $ro!e a bitter Morsel, and his bane,809: When e!er that shall be so Fate $ronounc"d.

810: But thou O Father, % forewarn thee, shun811: is deadl# arrow neither !ainl# ho$e812: To be in!ulnerable in those bright &rms,

813: Though tem$er"d hea!"nl#, for that mortal dint,

814: Sa!e he who reigns abo!e, none can resist.

815: She finish"d, and the suttle Fiend his lore816: Soon learnd, now milder, and thus answerd smooth.817:

Dear Daughter, since thou claim"st me for th# Sire,

818: &nd m# fair Son here showst me, the dear $ledge819: Of dalliance had with thee in ea!"n, and 0o#s820: Then sweet, now sad to mention, through dire change

821: Befalln us unforeseen, unthought of, *now

822: % come no enemie, but to set free823: From out this dar* and dismal house of $ain,824: Both him and thee, and all the hea!"nl# ost

825: Of S$irits that in our 0ust $retenses arm"d826: Fell with us from on high( from them % go827: This uncouth errand sole, and one for all

828: M# self e3$ose, with lonel# ste$s to tread829: Th" unfounded dee$, > through the !oid immense830: To search with wandring 2uest a $lace foretold

831: Should be, and, b# concurring signs, ere now832: 'reated !ast and round, a $lace of bliss833: %n the -ourlieues of ea!"n, and therein $lac"t

834: & race of u$start 'reatures, to su$$l#

835: -erha$s our !acant room, though more remo!"d,836: )east ea!"n surcharg"d with $otent multitude837: Might ha$ to mo!e new broiles( Be this or aught

838: Then this more secret now design"d, % haste839: To *now, and this once *nown, shall soon return,840: &nd bring #e to the $lace where Thou and Death

841: Shall dwell at ease, and u$ and down unseen842: Wing silentl# the bu3om &ir, imbalm"d843: With odours there #e shall be fed and fill"d

844: %mmeasurabl#, all things shall be #our $re#.

845: e ceas"d, for both seemd highl# $leasd, and Death


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846: +rinnd horrible a gastl# smile, to hear

847: is famine should be fill"d, and blest his mawe848: Destin"d to that good hour( no less re0o#c"d849: is mother bad, and thus bes$a*e her Sire.

850: The *e# of this infernal -it b# due,851: &nd b# command of ea!"ns all/$owerful :ing

852: % *ee$, b# him forbidden to unloc*853: These &damantine +ates against all force854: Death read# stands to inter$ose his dart,

855: Fearless to be o"rematcht b# li!ing might.

856: But what ow % to his commands abo!e857: Who hates me, and hath hither thrust me down858: %nto this gloom of T&RT&R7S $rofound,

859: To sit in hateful Office here confin"d,860: %nhabitant of ea!"n, and hea!"nlie/born,861: ere in $er$etual agonie and $ain,

862: With terrors and with clamors com$asst round863: Of mine own brood, that on m# bowels feed(864: Thou art m# Father, thou m# &uthor, thou

865: M# being ga!"st me whom should % obe#

866: But thee, whom follow1 thou wilt bring me soon867: To that new world of light and bliss, among868: The +ods who li!e at ease, where % shall Reign

869: &t th# right hand !olu$tuous, as beseems870: Th# daughter and th# darling, without end.

871: Thus sa#ing, from her side the fatal :e#,872: Sad instrument of all our woe, she too*

873: &nd towards the +ate rouling her bestial train,874: Forthwith the huge -orcullis high u$ drew,875: Which but her self not all the ST=+%&N $owers

876: 'ould once ha!e mo!"d then in the *e#/hole turns

877: Th" intricate wards, and e!er# Bolt and Bar878: Of massie %ron or sollid Roc* with ease879: 7nfast"ns( on a sudden o$"n flie

880: With im$etuous recoile and 0arring sound881: Th" infernal dores, and on thir hinges great

882: arsh Thunder, that the lowest bottom shoo*

883: Of EREB7S. She o$"nd, but to shut884: E3cel"d her $ower the +ates wide o$"n stood,885: That with e3tended wings a Bannerd ost


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886: 7nder s$read Ensigns marching might $ass through

887: With orse and 'hariots ran*t in loose arra#888: So wide the# stood, and li*e a Furnace mouth889: 'ast forth redounding smoa* and rudd# flame.

890: Before thir e#es in sudden !iew a$$ear891:

The secrets of the hoarie dee$, a dar*892: %llimitable Ocean without bound,

893: Without dimension, where length, breadth, and highth,894: &nd time and $lace are lost where eldest Night895: &nd '&OS, &ncestors of Nature, hold

896: Eternal &N&R'%E, amidst the noise

897: Of endless warrs and b# confusion stand.898: For hot, cold, moist, and dr#, four 'ham$ions fierce899: Stri!e here for Maistrie, and to Battel bring

900: Thir embr#on &toms the# around the flag901: Of each his faction, in thir se!eral 'lanns,902:

)ight/arm"d or hea!#, shar$, smooth, swift or slow,903: Swarm $o$ulous, unnumber"d as the Sands904: Of B&R'& or '=RENE"S torrid soil,905: )e!ied to side with warring Winds, and $oise

906: Thir lighter wings. To whom these most adhere,907: ee rules a moment '&OS 7m$ire sits,908: &nd b# decision more imbroiles the fra#

909: B# which he Reigns( ne3t him high &rbiter

910: '&N'E go!erns all. %nto t

paradise lost 1&2

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