By our revolt; but over Hell extend His empire, and with iron sceptre rule Us here, as with his golden those in Heaven. War hath determined us, and foil'd with loss 330 Vouchsafed or sought; for what peace will be given Io us enslaved, but custody severe, And stripes, and arbitrary punishment Inflicted? and what peace can we return, 335 But to our power hostility and hate, Untamed reluctance, and revenge though slow May reap his conquest, and may least rejoice In doing what we most in suffering feel? 340 With dangerous expedition to invade Heaven, whose high walls fear no assault nor siege, Or ambush from the deep. What if we find Some easier enterprise? There is a place (If ancient and prophetic fame in Heaven 345 Err not,) another world, the happy seat Of some new race call'd Man, about this time In power and excellence, but favour'd more 350 Of Him who rules above; so was his will Pronounced among the Gods, and by an oath, That shook Heaven's whole circumference, confirm'd. 355 By force or subtlety. Though Heaven be shut, In his own strength, this place may lie exposed, 360 The utmost border of his kingdom, left To their defence who hold it: Here perhaps Some advantageous act may be achieved By sudden onset; either with Hell fire To waste his whole creation, or possess 365 All as our own, and drive, as we were driven, Seduce them to our party, that their God May prove their foe, and with repenting hand 370 In our confusion, and our joy upraise In his disturbance; when his darling sons, Hurl'd headlong to partake with us, shall curse Their frail original, and faded bliss, 375 Faded so soon. Advise, if this be worth Attempting, or to sit in darkness here By Satan, and in part proposed: For whence, 380 Of mankind in one root, and Earth with Hell The great Creator? But their spite still serves 385 His glory to augment. The bold design Pleased highly those infernal States, and joy Sparkled in all their eyes; with full assent They vote whereat his speech he thus renews. Well have ye judged, well ended long debate, 390 Synod of Gods! and, like to what ye are, Great things resolved, which, from the lowest deep, Will once more lift us up, in spite of fate, Nearer our ancient seat; perhaps in view [arms Of those bright confines, whence, with neighbouring And opportune excursion, we may chance 396 400 Shall breathe her balm. But first whom shall we send And through the palpable obscure find out 405 Over the vast abrupt, ere he arrive The happy isle ? What strength, what art can then Suffice, or what evasion bear him safe 411 Through the strict senteries and stations thick Of Angels watching round? Here he had need All circumspection; and we now no less Choice in our suffrage; for on whom we send, 415 The weight of all, and our last hope, relies. 420 Pondering the danger with deep thought; and each In other's countenance read his own dismay, Astonish'd: None among the choice and prime Of those heaven-warring champions could be found 425 Alone, the dreadful voyage; till at last Satan, whom now transcendent glory raised Above his fellows, with monarchal pride, Conscious of highest worth, unmoved thus spake. O Progeny of Heaven, empyreal Thiones! 430 With reason hath deep silence and demur 435 Wide gaping, and with utter loss of being 440 Or unknown region, what remains him less 445 To him who reigns, and so much to him due 455 High honour'd sits? Go, therefore, mighty Powers, Terror of Heaven, though fallen! intend at home, While here shall be our home, what best may ease The present misery, and render Hell More tolerable; if there be cure or charm 460 To respite, or deceive, or slack the pain Of this ill mansion: intermit no watch Against a wakeful Foe, while I abroad Through all the coasts of dark destruction seek 465 None shall partake with me. Thus saying rose Prudent, lest, from his resolution raised, 470 But they His rivals; winning cheap the high repute 475 Of thunder heard remote. Towards him they bend With awful reverence prone; and as a God Extol him equal to the Highest in Heaven: Nor fail'd they to express how much they praised 180 That for the general safety he despised His own For neither do the Spirits damn'd Lose all their virtue; lest bad men should boast Their specious deeds on earth, which glory excites, Or close ambition, varaish'd o'er with zeal. 485 490 495 Firm concord holds; men only disagree Of creatures rational, though under hope Of heavenly grace: and, God proclaiming peace, Yet live in hatred, enmity, and strife 500 Among themselves, and levy cruel wars, Wasting the earth, each other to destroy : As if (which might induce us to accord) Man had not hellish foes enow besides, That, day and night, for his destruction wait. 505 The Stygian council thus dissolved; and forth In order came the grand infernal Peers: Midst came their mighty Paramount, and seem'd Alone the Antagonist of Heaven, nor less Than Hell's dread Emperor, with pomp supreme 510 And Godlike imitated state him round A globe of fiery Seraphim enclosed With bright emblazonry and horrent arms. 515 |