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| <div align="center">'''This is Anarchopedia in English [eng.anarchopedia.org]'''</div> | | <div align="center">'''This is Anarchopedia in English [eng.anarchopedia.org]'''</div> |
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− | ! align="center" style="font: 125% 'Verdana', sans-serif;" | A Milton's Encyclopedia | + | ! align="center" style="font: 125% 'Verdana', sans-serif;" | A People's Encyclopedia |
| |- | | |- |
| | style="font: 95% 'Verdana', sans-serif;" align="justify"| | | | style="font: 95% 'Verdana', sans-serif;" align="justify"| |
− | <div style="float: right;"> | + | {{Welcome to Anarchopedia}} |
− | Of Mans First Disobedience, and the Fruit
| + | <div style="float: right;"><small>[{{SERVER}}{{localurl:Template:Welcome to Anarchopedia|action=edit}} edit]</small></div> |
− | Of that Forbidden Tree, whose mortal tast
| + | |
− | Brought Death into the World, and all our woe,
| + | |
− | With loss of EDEN, till one greater Man
| + | |
− | Restore us, and regain the blissful Seat,
| + | |
− | Sing Heav'nly Muse, that on the secret top
| + | |
− | Of OREB, or of SINAI, didst inspire
| + | |
− | That Shepherd, who first taught the chosen Seed,
| + | |
− | In the Beginning how the Heav'ns and Earth
| + | |
− | Rose out of CHAOS: Or if SION Hill
| + | |
− | Delight thee more, and SILOA'S Brook that flow'd
| + | |
− | Fast by the Oracle of God; I thence
| + | |
− | Invoke thy aid to my adventrous Song,
| + | |
− | That with no middle flight intends to soar
| + | |
− | Above th' AONIAN Mount, while it pursues
| + | |
− | Things unattempted yet in Prose or Rhime.
| + | |
− | And chiefly Thou O Spirit, that dost prefer
| + | |
− | Before all Temples th' upright heart and pure,
| + | |
− | Instruct me, for Thou know'st; Thou from the first
| + | |
− | Wast present, and with mighty wings outspread
| + | |
− | Dove-like satst brooding on the vast Abyss
| + | |
− | And mad'st it pregnant: What in me is dark
| + | |
− | Illumine, what is low raise and support;
| + | |
− | That to the highth of this great Argument
| + | |
− | I may assert th' Eternal Providence,
| + | |
− | And justifie the wayes of God to men.
| + | |
− | | + | |
− | Say first, for Heav'n hides nothing from thy view
| + | |
− | Nor the deep Tract of Hell, say first what cause
| + | |
− | Mov'd our Grand Parents in that happy State,
| + | |
− | Favour'd of Heav'n so highly, to fall off
| + | |
− | From their Creator, and transgress his Will
| + | |
− | For one restraint, Lords of the World besides?
| + | |
− | Who first seduc'd them to that fowl revolt?
| + | |
− | Th' infernal Serpent; he it was, whose guile
| + | |
− | Stird up with Envy and Revenge, deceiv'd
| + | |
− | The Mother of Mankinde, what time his Pride
| + | |
− | Had cast him out from Heav'n, with all his Host
| + | |
− | Of Rebel Angels, by whose aid aspiring
| + | |
− | To set himself in Glory above his Peers,
| + | |
− | He trusted to have equal'd the most High,
| + | |
− | If he oppos'd; and with ambitious aim
| + | |
− | Against the Throne and Monarchy of God
| + | |
− | Rais'd impious War in Heav'n and Battel proud
| + | |
− | With vain attempt. Him the Almighty Power
| + | |
− | Hurld headlong flaming from th' Ethereal Skie
| + | |
− | With hideous ruine and combustion down
| + | |
− | To bottomless perdition, there to dwell
| + | |
− | In Adamantine Chains and penal Fire,
| + | |
− | Who durst defie th' Omnipotent to Arms.
| + | |
− | Nine times the Space that measures Day and Night
| + | |
− | To mortal men, he with his horrid crew
| + | |
− | Lay vanquisht, rowling in the fiery Gulfe
| + | |
− | Confounded though immortal: But his doom
| + | |
− | Reserv'd him to more wrath; for now the thought
| + | |
− | Both of lost happiness and lasting pain
| + | |
− | Torments him; round he throws his baleful eyes
| + | |
− | That witness'd huge affliction and dismay
| + | |
− | Mixt with obdurate pride and stedfast hate:
| + | |
− | At once as far as Angels kenn he views
| + | |
− | The dismal Situation waste and wilde,
| + | |
− | A Dungeon horrible, on all sides round
| + | |
− | As one great Furnace flam'd, yet from those flames
| + | |
− | No light, but rather darkness visible
| + | |
− | Serv'd only to discover sights of woe,
| + | |
− | Regions of sorrow, doleful shades, where peace
| + | |
− | And rest can never dwell, hope never comes
| + | |
− | That comes to all; but torture without end
| + | |
− | Still urges, and a fiery Deluge, fed
| + | |
− | With ever-burning Sulphur unconsum'd:
| + | |
− | Such place Eternal Justice had prepar'd
| + | |
− | For those rebellious, here their Prison ordain'd
| + | |
− | In utter darkness, and their portion set
| + | |
− | As far remov'd from God and light of Heav'n
| + | |
− | As 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'd
| + | |
− | With 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'd
| + | |
− | BEELZEBUB. To whom th' Arch-Enemy,
| + | |
− | And thence in Heav'n call'd Satan, with bold words
| + | |
− | Breaking the horrid silence thus began.
| + | |
− | | + | |
− | If thou beest he; But O how fall'n! how chang'd
| + | |
− | From him, who in the happy Realms of Light
| + | |
− | Cloth'd with transcendent brightnes didst outshine
| + | |
− | Myriads 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 joynd
| + | |
− | In equal ruin: into what Pit thou seest
| + | |
− | From what highth fal'n, so much the stronger provd
| + | |
− | He with his Thunder: and till then who knew
| + | |
− | The force of those dire Arms? yet not for those
| + | |
− | Nor what the Potent Victor in his rage
| + | |
− | Can else inflict do I repent or change,
| + | |
− | Though chang'd in outward lustre; that fixt mind
| + | |
− | And high disdain, from sence of injur'd merit,
| + | |
− | That with the mightiest rais'd me to contend,
| + | |
− | And to the fierce contention brought along
| + | |
− | Innumerable force of Spirits arm'd
| + | |
− | That durst dislike his reign, and me preferring,
| + | |
− | His utmost power with adverse power oppos'd
| + | |
− | In 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 might
| + | |
− | Extort from me. To bow and sue for grace
| + | |
− | With suppliant knee, and deifie his power
| + | |
− | Who from the terrour of this Arm so late
| + | |
− | Doubted his Empire, that were low indeed,
| + | |
− | That were an ignominy and shame beneath
| + | |
− | This downfall; since by Fate the strength of Gods
| + | |
− | And this Empyreal substance cannot fail,
| + | |
− | Since through experience of this great event
| + | |
− | In Arms not worse, in foresight much advanc't,
| + | |
− | We may with more successful hope resolve
| + | |
− | To wage by force or guile eternal Warr
| + | |
− | Irreconcileable, to our grand Foe,
| + | |
− | Who now triumphs, and in th' excess of joy
| + | |
− | Sole 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 Warr
| + | |
− | Under thy conduct, and in dreadful deeds
| + | |
− | Fearless, 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 defeat
| + | |
− | Hath lost us Heav'n, and all this mighty Host
| + | |
− | In horrible destruction laid thus low,
| + | |
− | As far as Gods and Heav'nly Essences
| + | |
− | Can Perish: for the mind and spirit remains
| + | |
− | Invincible, and vigour soon returns,
| + | |
− | Though all our Glory extinct, and happy state
| + | |
− | Here swallow'd up in endless misery.
| + | |
− | But what if he our Conquerour, (whom I now
| + | |
− | Of force believe Almighty, since no less
| + | |
− | Then such could hav orepow'rd such force as ours)
| + | |
− | Have left us this our spirit and strength intire
| + | |
− | Strongly to suffer and support our pains,
| + | |
− | That we may so suffice his vengeful ire,
| + | |
− | Or do him mightier service as his thralls
| + | |
− | By right of Warr, what e're his business be
| + | |
− | Here 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 feel
| + | |
− | Strength undiminisht, or eternal being
| + | |
− | To undergo eternal punishment?
| + | |
− | Whereto with speedy words th' Arch-fiend reply'd.
| + | |
− | | + | |
− | Fall'n Cherube, to be weak is miserable
| + | |
− | Doing or Suffering: but of this be sure,
| + | |
− | To do ought good never will be our task,
| + | |
− | But ever to do ill our sole delight,
| + | |
− | As being the contrary to his high will
| + | |
− | Whom we resist. If then his Providence
| + | |
− | Out 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 perhaps
| + | |
− | Shall grieve him, if I fail not, and disturb
| + | |
− | His inmost counsels from their destind aim.
| + | |
− | But see the angry Victor hath recall'd
| + | |
− | His Ministers of vengeance and pursuit
| + | |
− | Back to the Gates of Heav'n: The Sulphurous Hail
| + | |
− | Shot after us in storm, oreblown hath laid
| + | |
− | The fiery Surge, that from the Precipice
| + | |
− | Of Heav'n receiv'd us falling, and the Thunder,
| + | |
− | Wing'd with red Lightning and impetuous rage,
| + | |
− | Perhaps hath spent his shafts, and ceases now
| + | |
− | To bellow through the vast and boundless Deep.
| + | |
− | Let us not slip th' occasion, whether scorn,
| + | |
− | Or satiate fury yield it from our Foe.
| + | |
− | Seest thou yon dreary Plain, forlorn and wilde,
| + | |
− | The seat of desolation, voyd of light,
| + | |
− | Save what the glimmering of these livid flames
| + | |
− | Casts pale and dreadful? Thither let us tend
| + | |
− | From 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 offend
| + | |
− | Our Enemy, our own loss how repair,
| + | |
− | How overcome this dire Calamity,
| + | |
− | What reinforcement we may gain from Hope,
| + | |
− | If not what resolution from despare.
| + | |
− | | + | |
− | Thus Satan talking to his neerest Mate
| + | |
− | With Head up-lift above the wave, and Eyes
| + | |
− | That sparkling blaz'd, his other Parts besides
| + | |
− | Prone on the Flood, extended long and large
| + | |
− | Lay floating many a rood, in bulk as huge
| + | |
− | As whom the Fables name of monstrous size,
| + | |
− | TITANIAN, or EARTH-BORN, that warr'd on JOVE,
| + | |
− | BRIARIOS or TYPHON, whom the Den
| + | |
− | By ancient TARSUS held, or that Sea-beast
| + | |
− | LEVIATHAN, which God of all his works
| + | |
− | Created hugest that swim th' Ocean stream:
| + | |
− | Him haply slumbring on the NORWAY foam
| + | |
− | The Pilot of some small night-founder'd Skiff,
| + | |
− | Deeming some Island, oft, as Sea-men tell,
| + | |
− | With fixed Anchor in his skaly rind
| + | |
− | Moors by his side under the Lee, while Night
| + | |
− | Invests the Sea, and wished Morn delayes:
| + | |
− | So stretcht out huge in length the Arch-fiend lay
| + | |
− | Chain'd on the burning Lake, nor ever thence
| + | |
− | Had ris'n or heav'd his head, but that the will
| + | |
− | And high permission of all-ruling Heaven
| + | |
− | Left him at large to his own dark designs,
| + | |
− | That with reiterated crimes he might
| + | |
− | Heap on himself damnation, while he sought
| + | |
− | Evil to others, and enrag'd might see
| + | |
− | How all his malice serv'd but to bring forth
| + | |
− | Infinite goodness, grace and mercy shewn
| + | |
− | On Man by him seduc't, but on himself
| + | |
− | Treble confusion, wrath and vengeance pour'd.
| + | |
− | Forthwith upright he rears from off the Pool
| + | |
− | His mighty Stature; on each hand the flames
| + | |
− | Drivn backward slope their pointing spires, & rowld
| + | |
− | In billows, leave i'th' midst a horrid Vale.
| + | |
− | Then with expanded wings he stears his flight
| + | |
− | Aloft, incumbent on the dusky Air
| + | |
− | That felt unusual weight, till on dry Land
| + | |
− | He lights, if it were Land that ever burn'd
| + | |
− | With solid, as the Lake with liquid fire;
| + | |
− | And such appear'd in hue, as when the force
| + | |
− | Of subterranean wind transports a Hill
| + | |
− | Torn from PELORUS, or the shatter'd side
| + | |
− | Of thundring AETNA, whose combustible
| + | |
− | And fewel'd entrals thence conceiving Fire,
| + | |
− | Sublim'd with Mineral fury, aid the Winds,
| + | |
− | And leave a singed bottom all involv'd
| + | |
− | With stench and smoak: Such resting found the sole
| + | |
− | Of unblest feet. Him followed his next Mate,
| + | |
− | Both glorying to have scap't the STYGIAN flood
| + | |
− | As Gods, and by their own recover'd strength,
| + | |
− | Not by the sufferance of supernal Power.
| + | |
− | | + | |
− | Is this the Region, this the Soil, the Clime,
| + | |
− | Said then the lost Arch Angel, this the seat
| + | |
− | That we must change for Heav'n, this mournful gloom
| + | |
− | For that celestial light? Be it so, since hee
| + | |
− | Who now is Sovran can dispose and bid
| + | |
− | What shall be right: fardest from him is best
| + | |
− | Whom reason hath equald, force hath made supream
| + | |
− | Above his equals. Farewel happy Fields
| + | |
− | Where Joy for ever dwells: Hail horrours, hail
| + | |
− | Infernal world, and thou profoundest Hell
| + | |
− | Receive thy new Possessor: One who brings
| + | |
− | A mind not to be chang'd by Place or Time.
| + | |
− | The mind is its own place, and in it self
| + | |
− | Can 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 hee
| + | |
− | Whom Thunder hath made greater? Here at least
| + | |
− | We shall be free; th' Almighty hath not built
| + | |
− | Here for his envy, will not drive us hence:
| + | |
− | Here we may reign secure, and in my choyce
| + | |
− | To 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 loss
| + | |
− | Lye thus astonisht on th' oblivious Pool,
| + | |
− | And call them not to share with us their part
| + | |
− | In this unhappy Mansion, or once more
| + | |
− | With rallied Arms to try what may be yet
| + | |
− | Regaind in Heav'n, or what more lost in Hell?
| + | |
− | | + | |
− | So SATAN spake, and him BEELZEBUB
| + | |
− | Thus answer'd. Leader of those Armies bright,
| + | |
− | Which but th' Omnipotent none could have foyld,
| + | |
− | If once they hear that voyce, their liveliest pledge
| + | |
− | Of hope in fears and dangers, heard so oft
| + | |
− | In worst extreams, and on the perilous edge
| + | |
− | Of battel when it rag'd, in all assaults
| + | |
− | Their surest signal, they will soon resume
| + | |
− | New courage and revive, though now they lye
| + | |
− | Groveling and prostrate on yon Lake of Fire,
| + | |
− | As we erewhile, astounded and amaz'd,
| + | |
− | No wonder, fall'n such a pernicious highth.
| + | |
− | | + | |
− | He scarce had ceas't when the superiour Fiend
| + | |
− | Was moving toward the shore; his ponderous shield
| + | |
− | Ethereal temper, massy, large and round,
| + | |
− | Behind him cast; the broad circumference
| + | |
− | Hung on his shoulders like the Moon, whose Orb
| + | |
− | Through Optic Glass the TUSCAN Artist views
| + | |
− | At Ev'ning from the top of FESOLE,
| + | |
− | Or in VALDARNO, to descry new Lands,
| + | |
− | Rivers or Mountains in her spotty Globe.
| + | |
− | His Spear, to equal which the tallest Pine
| + | |
− | Hewn on NORWEGIAN hills, to be the Mast
| + | |
− | Of some great Ammiral, were but a wand,
| + | |
− | He walkt with to support uneasie steps
| + | |
− | Over the burning Marle, not like those steps
| + | |
− | On Heavens Azure, and the torrid Clime
| + | |
− | Smote on him sore besides, vaulted with Fire;
| + | |
− | Nathless he so endur'd, till on the Beach
| + | |
− | Of that inflamed Sea, he stood and call'd
| + | |
− | His Legions, Angel Forms, who lay intrans't
| + | |
− | Thick as Autumnal Leaves that strow the Brooks
| + | |
− | In VALLOMBROSA, where th' ETRURIAN shades
| + | |
− | High overarch't imbowr; or scatterd sedge
| + | |
− | Afloat, when with fierce Winds ORION arm'd
| + | |
− | Hath vext the Red-Sea Coast, whose waves orethrew
| + | |
− | BUSIRIS and his MEMPHIAN Chivalrie,
| + | |
− | VVhile with perfidious hatred they pursu'd
| + | |
− | The Sojourners of GOSHEN, who beheld
| + | |
− | From the safe shore their floating Carkases
| + | |
− | And broken Chariot Wheels, so thick bestrown
| + | |
− | Abject and lost lay these, covering the Flood,
| + | |
− | Under amazement of their hideous change.
| + | |
− | He call'd so loud, that all the hollow Deep
| + | |
− | Of Hell resounded. Princes, Potentates,
| + | |
− | Warriers, the Flowr of Heav'n, once yours, now lost,
| + | |
− | If such astonishment as this can sieze
| + | |
− | Eternal spirits; or have ye chos'n this place
| + | |
− | After the toyl of Battel to repose
| + | |
− | Your wearied vertue, for the ease you find
| + | |
− | To slumber here, as in the Vales of Heav'n?
| + | |
− | Or in this abject posture have ye sworn
| + | |
− | To adore the Conquerour? who now beholds
| + | |
− | Cherube and Seraph rowling in the Flood
| + | |
− | With scatter'd Arms and Ensigns, till anon
| + | |
− | His swift pursuers from Heav'n Gates discern
| + | |
− | Th' advantage, and descending tread us down
| + | |
− | Thus drooping, or with linked Thunderbolts
| + | |
− | Transfix us to the bottom of this Gulfe.
| + | |
− | Awake, arise, or be for ever fall'n.
| + | |
− | | + | |
− | They heard, and were abasht, and up they sprung
| + | |
− | Upon the wing, as when men wont to watch
| + | |
− | On 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
| + | |
− | Of LOCUSTS, warping on the Eastern Wind,
| + | |
− | That ore the Realm of impious PHAROAH 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
| + | |
− | Thir course, in even ballance down they light
| + | |
− | On the firm brimstone, and fill all the Plain;
| + | |
− | 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 forms
| + | |
− | Excelling human, Princely Dignities,
| + | |
− | And Powers that earst in Heaven sat on Thrones;
| + | |
− | Though of their Names in heav'nly 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
| + | |
− | Oft 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 thir great Emperors call, as next in worth
| + | |
− | Came singly where he stood on the bare strand,
| + | |
− | While the promiscuous croud stood yet aloof?
| + | |
− | The 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,
| + | |
− | 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
| + | |
− | 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' obscene dread of MOABS Sons,
| + | |
− | From AROER to NEBO, and the wild
| + | |
− | Of Southmost ABARIM; in HESEBON
| + | |
− | And HERONAIM, SEONS Realm, beyond
| + | |
− | The flowry Dale of SIBMA clad with Vines,
| + | |
− | 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
| + | |
− | 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,
| + | |
− | And works of love or enmity fulfill.
| + | |
− | 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 PHOENICIANS call'd
| + | |
− | ASTARTE, Queen of Heav'n, with crescent Horns;
| + | |
− | To whose bright Image nightly by the Moon
| + | |
− | SIDONIAN 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
| + | |
− | Ran 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,
| + | |
− | Where 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:
| + | |
− | A 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
| + | |
− | Thir wandring Gods disguis'd in brutish forms
| + | |
− | Rather then 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
| + | |
− | 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 then 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
| + | |
− | Of BELIAL, flown with insolence and wine.
| + | |
− | Witness the Streets of SODOM, and that night
| + | |
− | In GIBEAH, when 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 then Heav'n and Earth
| + | |
− | Thir boasted Parents; TITAN Heav'ns first born
| + | |
− | With 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,
| + | |
− | 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.
| + | |
− | 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:
| + | |
− | 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
| + | |
− | Of 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
| + | |
− | Mov'd on in silence to soft Pipes that charm'd
| + | |
− | Thir painful steps o're the burnt soyle; and now
| + | |
− | Advanc't in view they stand, a horrid Front
| + | |
− | Of dreadful length and dazling Arms, in guise
| + | |
− | Of Warriers 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,
| + | |
− | 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 then 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
| + | |
− | Begirt 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
| + | |
− | Stood like a Towr; his form had yet not lost
| + | |
− | All her Original brightness, nor appear'd
| + | |
− | Less then Arch Angel ruind, 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
| + | |
− | Deep 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
| + | |
− | For 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 assayd, and thrice in spite of scorn,
| + | |
− | Tears such as Angels weep, burst forth: at last
| + | |
− | Words interwove with sighs found out their way.
| + | |
− | | + | |
− | O Myriads of immortal Spirits, O Powers
| + | |
− | Matchless, but with th' Almighty, and that strife
| + | |
− | Was not inglorious, though th' event was dire,
| + | |
− | As this place testifies, and this dire change
| + | |
− | Hateful to utter: but what power of mind
| + | |
− | Foreseeing or presaging, from the Depth
| + | |
− | Of knowledge past or present, could have fear'd,
| + | |
− | How such united force of Gods, how such
| + | |
− | As stood like these, could ever know repulse?
| + | |
− | For who can yet beleeve, though after loss,
| + | |
− | That all these puissant Legions, whose exile
| + | |
− | Hath emptied Heav'n, shall faile to re-ascend
| + | |
− | Self-rais'd, and repossess their native seat.
| + | |
− | For me, be witness all the Host of Heav'n,
| + | |
− | If counsels different, or danger shun'd
| + | |
− | By me, have lost our hopes. But he who reigns
| + | |
− | Monarch in Heav'n, till then as one secure
| + | |
− | Sat on his Throne, upheld by old repute,
| + | |
− | Consent or custome, and his Regal State
| + | |
− | Put 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 own
| + | |
− | So as not either to provoke, or dread
| + | |
− | New warr, provok't; our better part remains
| + | |
− | To work in close design, by fraud or guile
| + | |
− | What force effected not: that he no less
| + | |
− | At length from us may find, who overcomes
| + | |
− | By force, hath overcome but half his foe.
| + | |
− | Space may produce new Worlds; whereof so rife
| + | |
− | There went a fame in Heav'n that he ere long
| + | |
− | Intended to create, and therein plant
| + | |
− | A generation, whom his choice regard
| + | |
− | Should favour equal to the Sons of Heaven:
| + | |
− | Thither, if but to prie, shall be perhaps
| + | |
− | Our first eruption, thither or elsewhere:
| + | |
− | For this Infernal Pit shall never hold
| + | |
− | Caelestial Spirits in Bondage, nor th' Abysse
| + | |
− | Long under darkness cover. But these thoughts
| + | |
− | Full Counsel must mature: Peace is despaird,
| + | |
− | For who can think Submission? Warr then, Warr
| + | |
− | Open or understood must be resolv'd.
| + | |
− | | + | |
− | He spake: and to confirm his words, out-flew
| + | |
− | Millions of flaming swords, drawn from the thighs
| + | |
− | Of mighty Cherubim; the sudden blaze
| + | |
− | Far round illumin'd hell: highly they rag'd
| + | |
− | Against the Highest, and fierce with grasped arm's
| + | |
− | Clash'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
| + | |
− | Belch'd fire and rowling smoak; the rest entire
| + | |
− | Shon with a glossie scurff, undoubted sign
| + | |
− | That in his womb was hid metallic Ore,
| + | |
− | The work of Sulphur. Thither wing'd with speed
| + | |
− | A numerous Brigad hasten'd. As when bands
| + | |
− | Of Pioners with Spade and Pickaxe arm'd
| + | |
− | Forerun the Royal Camp, to trench a Field,
| + | |
− | Or cast a Rampart. MAMMON led them on,
| + | |
− | MAMMON, the least erected Spirit that fell
| + | |
− | From heav'n, for ev'n in heav'n his looks & thoughts
| + | |
− | Were always downward bent, admiring more
| + | |
− | The riches of Heav'ns pavement, trod'n Gold,
| + | |
− | Then aught divine or holy else enjoy'd
| + | |
− | In vision beatific: by him first
| + | |
− | Men also, and by his suggestion taught,
| + | |
− | Ransack'd the Center, and with impious hands
| + | |
− | Rifl'd the bowels of thir mother Earth
| + | |
− | For Treasures better hid. Soon had his crew
| + | |
− | Op'nd into the Hill a spacious wound
| + | |
− | And dig'd out ribs of Gold. Let none admire
| + | |
− | That riches grow in Hell; that soyle may best
| + | |
− | Deserve the pretious bane. And here let those
| + | |
− | Who boast in mortal things, and wondring tell
| + | |
− | Of BABEL, and the works of MEMPHIAN Kings,
| + | |
− | Learn how thir greatest Monuments of Fame,
| + | |
− | And Strength and Art are easily outdone
| + | |
− | By Spirits reprobate, and in an hour
| + | |
− | What in an age they with incessant toyle
| + | |
− | And hands innumerable scarce perform
| + | |
− | Nigh on the Plain in many cells prepar'd,
| + | |
− | That underneath had veins of liquid fire
| + | |
− | Sluc'd from the Lake, a second multitude
| + | |
− | With wondrous Art founded the massie Ore,
| + | |
− | Severing each kinde, and scum'd the Bullion dross:
| + | |
− | A third as soon had form'd within the ground
| + | |
− | A various mould, and from the boyling cells
| + | |
− | By strange conveyance fill'd each hollow nook,
| + | |
− | As in an Organ from one blast of wind
| + | |
− | To many a row of Pipes the sound-board breaths.
| + | |
− | Anon out of the earth a Fabrick huge
| + | |
− | Rose like an Exhalation, with the sound
| + | |
− | Of Dulcet Symphonies and voices sweet,
| + | |
− | Built like a Temple, where PILASTERS round
| + | |
− | Were set, and Doric pillars overlaid
| + | |
− | With Golden Architrave; nor did there want
| + | |
− | Cornice 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 inshrine
| + | |
− | BELUS or SERAPIS thir Gods, or seat
| + | |
− | Thir Kings, when AEGYPT with ASSYRIA strove
| + | |
− | In wealth and luxurie. Th' ascending pile
| + | |
− | Stood fixt her stately highth, and strait the dores
| + | |
− | Op'ning thir brazen foulds discover wide
| + | |
− | Within, her ample spaces, o're the smooth
| + | |
− | And level pavement: from the arched roof
| + | |
− | Pendant by suttle Magic many a row
| + | |
− | Of Starry Lamps and blazing Cressets fed
| + | |
− | With Naphtha and ASPHALTUS yeilded light
| + | |
− | As from a sky. The hasty multitude
| + | |
− | Admiring enter'd, and the work some praise
| + | |
− | And some the Architect: his hand was known
| + | |
− | In Heav'n by many a Towred structure high,
| + | |
− | Where Scepter'd Angels held thir residence,
| + | |
− | And sat as Princes, whom the supreme King
| + | |
− | Exalted to such power, and gave to rule,
| + | |
− | Each in his Herarchie, the Orders bright.
| + | |
− | Nor was his name unheard or unador'd
| + | |
− | In ancient Greece; and in AUSONIAN land
| + | |
− | Men call'd him MULCIBER; and how he fell
| + | |
− | From Heav'n, they fabl'd, thrown by angry JOVE
| + | |
− | Sheer o're the Chrystal Battlements: from Morn
| + | |
− | To Noon he fell, from Noon to dewy Eve,
| + | |
− | A Summers day; and with the setting Sun
| + | |
− | Dropt from the Zenith like a falling Star,
| + | |
− | On LEMNOS th' AEGAEAN Ile: thus they relate,
| + | |
− | Erring; for he with this rebellious rout
| + | |
− | Fell long before; nor aught avail'd him now
| + | |
− | To have built in Heav'n high Towrs; nor did he scape
| + | |
− | By all his Engins, but was headlong sent
| + | |
− | With his industrious crew to build in hell.
| + | |
− | Mean while the winged Haralds by command
| + | |
− | Of Sovran power, with awful Ceremony
| + | |
− | And Trumpets sound throughout the Host proclaim
| + | |
− | A solemn Councel forthwith to be held
| + | |
− | At PANDAEMONIUM, the high Capital
| + | |
− | Of Satan and his Peers: thir summons call'd
| + | |
− | From every and Band squared Regiment
| + | |
− | By place or choice the worthiest; they anon
| + | |
− | With hundreds and with thousands trooping came
| + | |
− | Attended: all access was throng'd, the Gates
| + | |
− | And Porches wide, but chief the spacious Hall
| + | |
− | (Though like a cover'd field, where Champions bold
| + | |
− | Wont ride in arm'd, and at the Soldans chair
| + | |
− | Defi'd the best of Panim chivalry
| + | |
− | To 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 Bees
| + | |
− | In spring time, when the Sun with Taurus rides,
| + | |
− | Poure forth thir populous youth about the Hive
| + | |
− | In clusters; they among fresh dews and flowers
| + | |
− | Flie to and fro, or on the smoothed Plank,
| + | |
− | The suburb of thir Straw-built Cittadel,
| + | |
− | New rub'd with Baume, expatiate and confer
| + | |
− | Thir State affairs. So thick the aerie crowd
| + | |
− | Swarm'd and were straitn'd; till the Signal giv'n,
| + | |
− | Behold a wonder! they but now who seemd
| + | |
− | In bigness to surpass Earths Giant Sons
| + | |
− | Now less then smallest Dwarfs, in narrow room
| + | |
− | Throng numberless, like that Pigmean Race
| + | |
− | Beyond the INDIAN Mount, or Faerie Elves,
| + | |
− | Whose midnight Revels, by a Forrest side
| + | |
− | Or Fountain fome 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 thir shapes immense, and were at large,
| + | |
− | Though 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.
| + | |
− | | + | |
− | Chapter three, here it is...
| + | |
− | | + | |
− | HAil holy light, ofspring of Heav'n first-born,
| + | |
− | Or of th' Eternal Coeternal beam
| + | |
− | May I express thee unblam'd? since God is light,
| + | |
− | And never but in unapproached light
| + | |
− | Dwelt from Eternitie, dwelt then in thee,
| + | |
− | Bright effluence of bright essence increate.
| + | |
− | Or hear'st thou rather pure Ethereal stream,
| + | |
− | Whose Fountain who shall tell? before the Sun,
| + | |
− | Before the Heavens thou wert, and at the voice
| + | |
− | Of God, as with a Mantle didst invest
| + | |
− | The rising world of waters dark and deep,
| + | |
− | Won from the void and formless infinite.
| + | |
− | Thee I re-visit now with bolder wing,
| + | |
− | Escap't the STYGIAN Pool, though long detain'd
| + | |
− | In that obscure sojourn, while in my flight
| + | |
− | Through utter and through middle darkness borne
| + | |
− | With other notes then to th' ORPHEAN Lyre
| + | |
− | I sung of CHAOS and ETERNAL NIGHT,
| + | |
− | Taught by the heav'nly Muse to venture down
| + | |
− | The dark descent, and up to reascend,
| + | |
− | Though hard and rare: thee I revisit safe,
| + | |
− | And feel thy sovran vital Lamp; but thou
| + | |
− | Revisit'st not these eyes, that rowle in vain
| + | |
− | To find thy piercing ray, and find no dawn;
| + | |
− | So thick a drop serene hath quencht thir Orbs,
| + | |
− | Or dim suffusion veild. Yet not the more
| + | |
− | Cease I to wander where the Muses haunt
| + | |
− | Cleer Spring, or shadie Grove, or Sunnie Hill,
| + | |
− | Smit with the love of sacred song; but chief
| + | |
− | Thee SION and the flowrie Brooks beneath
| + | |
− | That wash thy hallowd feet, and warbling flow,
| + | |
− | Nightly I visit: nor somtimes forget
| + | |
− | Those other two equal'd with me in Fate,
| + | |
− | So were I equal'd with them in renown,
| + | |
− | Blind THAMYRIS and blind MAEONIDES,
| + | |
− | And TIRESIAS and PHINEUS Prophets old.
| + | |
− | Then feed on thoughts, that voluntarie move
| + | |
− | Harmonious numbers; as the wakeful Bird
| + | |
− | Sings darkling, and in shadiest Covert hid
| + | |
− | Tunes her nocturnal Note. Thus with the Year
| + | |
− | Seasons return, but not to me returns
| + | |
− | Day, or the sweet approach of Ev'n or Morn,
| + | |
− | Or sight of vernal bloom, or Summers Rose,
| + | |
− | Or flocks, or herds, or human face divine;
| + | |
− | But cloud in stead, and ever-during dark
| + | |
− | Surrounds me, from the chearful waies of men
| + | |
− | Cut off, and for the book of knowledg fair
| + | |
− | Presented with a Universal blanc
| + | |
− | Of Natures works to mee expung'd and ras'd,
| + | |
− | And wisdome at one entrance quite shut out.
| + | |
− | So much the rather thou Celestial light
| + | |
− | Shine inward, and the mind through all her powers
| + | |
− | Irradiate, there plant eyes, all mist from thence
| + | |
− | Purge and disperse, that I may see and tell
| + | |
− | Of things invisible to mortal sight.
| + | |
− | | + | |
− | Now had the Almighty Father from above,
| + | |
− | From the pure Empyrean where he sits
| + | |
− | High Thron'd above all highth, bent down his eye,
| + | |
− | His own works and their works at once to view:
| + | |
− | About him all the Sanctities of Heaven
| + | |
− | Stood thick as Starrs, and from his sight receiv'd
| + | |
− | Beatitude past utterance; on his right
| + | |
− | The radiant image of his Glory sat,
| + | |
− | His onely Son; On Earth he first beheld
| + | |
− | Our two first Parents, yet the onely two
| + | |
− | Of mankind, in the happie Garden plac't,
| + | |
− | Reaping immortal fruits of joy and love,
| + | |
− | Uninterrupted joy, unrivald love
| + | |
− | In blissful solitude; he then survey'd
| + | |
− | Hell and the Gulf between, and SATAN there
| + | |
− | Coasting the wall of Heav'n on this side Night
| + | |
− | In the dun Air sublime, and ready now
| + | |
− | To stoop with wearied wings, and willing feet
| + | |
− | On the bare outside of this World, that seem'd
| + | |
− | Firm land imbosom'd without Firmament,
| + | |
− | Uncertain which, in Ocean or in Air.
| + | |
− | Him God beholding from his prospect high,
| + | |
− | Wherein past, present, future he beholds,
| + | |
− | Thus to his onely Son foreseeing spake.
| + | |
− | | + | |
− | Onely begotten Son, seest thou what rage
| + | |
− | Transports our adversarie, whom no bounds
| + | |
− | Prescrib'd, no barrs of Hell, nor all the chains
| + | |
− | Heapt on him there, nor yet the main Abyss
| + | |
− | Wide interrupt can hold; so bent he seems
| + | |
− | On desperat revenge, that shall redound
| + | |
− | Upon his own rebellious head. And now
| + | |
− | Through all restraint broke loose he wings his way
| + | |
− | Not farr off Heav'n, in the Precincts of light,
| + | |
− | Directly towards the new created World,
| + | |
− | And Man there plac't, with purpose to assay
| + | |
− | If him by force he can destroy, or worse,
| + | |
− | By som false guile pervert; and shall pervert;
| + | |
− | For man will heark'n to his glozing lyes,
| + | |
− | And easily transgress the sole Command,
| + | |
− | Sole pledge of his obedience: So will fall
| + | |
− | Hee and his faithless Progenie: whose fault?
| + | |
− | Whose but his own? ingrate, he had of mee
| + | |
− | All he could have; I made him just and right,
| + | |
− | Sufficient to have stood, though free to fall.
| + | |
− | Such I created all th' Ethereal Powers
| + | |
− | And Spirits, both them who stood & them who faild;
| + | |
− | Freely they stood who stood, and fell who fell.
| + | |
− | Not free, what proof could they have givn sincere
| + | |
− | Of true allegiance, constant Faith or Love,
| + | |
− | Where onely what they needs must do, appeard,
| + | |
− | Not what they would? what praise could they receive?
| + | |
− | What pleasure I from such obedience paid,
| + | |
− | When Will and Reason (Reason also is choice)
| + | |
− | Useless and vain, of freedom both despoild,
| + | |
− | Made passive both, had servd necessitie,
| + | |
− | Not mee. They therefore as to right belongd,
| + | |
− | So were created, nor can justly accuse
| + | |
− | Thir maker, or thir making, or thir Fate;
| + | |
− | As if Predestination over-rul'd
| + | |
− | Thir will, dispos'd by absolute Decree
| + | |
− | Or high foreknowledge; they themselves decreed
| + | |
− | Thir own revolt, not I: if I foreknew,
| + | |
− | Foreknowledge had no influence on their fault,
| + | |
− | Which had no less prov'd certain unforeknown.
| + | |
− | So without least impulse or shadow of Fate,
| + | |
− | Or aught by me immutablie foreseen,
| + | |
− | They trespass, Authors to themselves in all
| + | |
− | Both what they judge and what they choose; for so
| + | |
− | I formd them free, and free they must remain,
| + | |
− | Till they enthrall themselves: I else must change
| + | |
− | Thir nature, and revoke the high Decree
| + | |
− | Unchangeable, Eternal, which ordain'd
| + | |
− | Thir freedom, they themselves ordain'd thir fall.
| + | |
− | The first sort by thir own suggestion fell,
| + | |
− | Self-tempted, self-deprav'd: Man falls deceiv'd
| + | |
− | By the other first: Man therefore shall find grace,
| + | |
− | The other none: in Mercy and Justice both,
| + | |
− | Through Heav'n and Earth, so shall my glorie excel,
| + | |
− | But Mercy first and last shall brightest shine.
| + | |
− | | + | |
− | Thus while God spake, ambrosial fragrance fill'd
| + | |
− | All Heav'n, and in the blessed Spirits elect
| + | |
− | Sense of new joy ineffable diffus'd:
| + | |
− | Beyond compare the Son of God was seen
| + | |
− | Most glorious, in him all his Father shon
| + | |
− | Substantially express'd, and in his face
| + | |
− | Divine compassion visibly appeerd,
| + | |
− | Love without end, and without measure Grace,
| + | |
− | Which uttering thus he to his Father spake.
| + | |
− | | + | |
− | O Father, gracious was that word which clos'd
| + | |
− | Thy sovran sentence, that Man should find grace;
| + | |
− | For which both Heav'n and Earth shall high extoll
| + | |
− | Thy praises, with th' innumerable sound
| + | |
− | Of Hymns and sacred Songs, wherewith thy Throne
| + | |
− | Encompass'd shall resound thee ever blest.
| + | |
− | For should Man finally be lost, should Man
| + | |
− | Thy creature late so lov'd, thy youngest Son
| + | |
− | Fall circumvented thus by fraud, though joynd
| + | |
− | With his own folly? that be from thee farr,
| + | |
− | That farr be from thee, Father, who art Judge
| + | |
− | Of all things made, and judgest onely right.
| + | |
− | Or shall the Adversarie thus obtain
| + | |
− | His end, and frustrate thine, shall he fulfill
| + | |
− | His malice, and thy goodness bring to naught,
| + | |
− | Or proud return though to his heavier doom,
| + | |
− | Yet with revenge accomplish't and to Hell
| + | |
− | Draw after him the whole Race of mankind,
| + | |
− | By him corrupted? or wilt thou thy self
| + | |
− | Abolish thy Creation, and unmake,
| + | |
− | For him, what for thy glorie thou hast made?
| + | |
− | So should thy goodness and thy greatness both
| + | |
− | Be questiond and blaspheam'd without defence.
| + | |
− | | + | |
− | To whom the great Creatour thus reply'd.
| + | |
− | O Son, in whom my Soul hath chief delight,
| + | |
− | Son of my bosom, Son who art alone
| + | |
− | My word, my wisdom, and effectual might,
| + | |
− | All hast thou spok'n as my thoughts are, all
| + | |
− | As my Eternal purpose hath decreed:
| + | |
− | Man shall not quite be lost, but sav'd who will,
| + | |
− | Yet not of will in him, but grace in me
| + | |
− | Freely voutsaft; once more I will renew
| + | |
− | His lapsed powers, though forfeit and enthrall'd
| + | |
− | By sin to foul exorbitant desires;
| + | |
− | Upheld by me, yet once more he shall stand
| + | |
− | On even ground against his mortal foe,
| + | |
− | By me upheld, that he may know how frail
| + | |
− | His fall'n condition is, and to me ow
| + | |
− | All his deliv'rance, and to none but me.
| + | |
− | Some I have chosen of peculiar grace
| + | |
− | Elect above the rest; so is my will:
| + | |
− | The rest shall hear me call, and oft be warnd
| + | |
− | Thir sinful state, and to appease betimes
| + | |
− | Th' incensed Deitie, while offerd grace
| + | |
− | Invites; for I will cleer thir senses dark,
| + | |
− | What may suffice, and soft'n stonie hearts
| + | |
− | To pray, repent, and bring obedience due.
| + | |
− | To prayer, repentance, and obedience due,
| + | |
− | Though but endevord with sincere intent,
| + | |
− | Mine eare shall not be slow, mine eye not shut.
| + | |
− | And I will place within them as a guide
| + | |
− | My Umpire CONSCIENCE, whom if they will hear,
| + | |
− | Light after light well us'd they shall attain,
| + | |
− | And to the end persisting, safe arrive.
| + | |
− | This my long sufferance and my day of grace
| + | |
− | They who neglect and scorn, shall never taste;
| + | |
− | But hard be hard'nd, blind be blinded more,
| + | |
− | That they may stumble on, and deeper fall;
| + | |
− | And none but such from mercy I exclude.
| + | |
− | But yet all is not don; Man disobeying,
| + | |
− | Disloyal breaks his fealtie, and sinns
| + | |
− | Against the high Supremacie of Heav'n,
| + | |
− | Affecting God-head, and so loosing all,
| + | |
− | To expiate his Treason hath naught left,
| + | |
− | But to destruction sacred and devote,
| + | |
− | He with his whole posteritie must die,
| + | |
− | Die hee or Justice must; unless for him
| + | |
− | Som other able, and as willing, pay
| + | |
− | The rigid satisfaction, death for death.
| + | |
− | Say Heav'nly Powers, where shall we find such love,
| + | |
− | Which of ye will be mortal to redeem
| + | |
− | Mans mortal crime, and just th' unjust to save,
| + | |
− | Dwels in all Heaven charitie so deare?
| + | |
− | | + | |
− | He ask'd, but all the Heav'nly Quire stood mute,
| + | |
− | And silence was in Heav'n: on mans behalf
| + | |
− | Patron or Intercessor none appeerd,
| + | |
− | Much less that durst upon his own head draw
| + | |
− | The deadly forfeiture, and ransom set.
| + | |
− | And now without redemption all mankind
| + | |
− | Must have bin lost, adjudg'd to Death and Hell
| + | |
− | By doom severe, had not the Son of God,
| + | |
− | In whom the fulness dwels of love divine,
| + | |
− | His dearest mediation thus renewd.
| + | |
− | | + | |
− | Father, thy word is past, man shall find grace;
| + | |
− | And shall grace not find means, that finds her way,
| + | |
− | The speediest of thy winged messengers,
| + | |
− | To visit all thy creatures, and to all
| + | |
− | Comes unprevented, unimplor'd, unsought,
| + | |
− | Happie for man, so coming; he her aide
| + | |
− | Can never seek, once dead in sins and lost;
| + | |
− | Attonement for himself or offering meet,
| + | |
− | Indebted and undon, hath none to bring:
| + | |
− | Behold mee then, mee for him, life for life
| + | |
− | I offer, on mee let thine anger fall;
| + | |
− | Account mee man; I for his sake will leave
| + | |
− | Thy bosom, and this glorie next to thee
| + | |
− | Freely put off, and for him lastly die
| + | |
− | Well pleas'd, on me let Death wreck all his rage;
| + | |
− | Under his gloomie power I shall not long
| + | |
− | Lie vanquisht; thou hast givn me to possess
| + | |
− | Life in my self for ever, by thee I live,
| + | |
− | Though now to Death I yeild, and am his due
| + | |
− | All that of me can die, yet that debt paid,
| + | |
− | Thou wilt not leave me in the loathsom grave
| + | |
− | His prey, nor suffer my unspotted Soule
| + | |
− | For ever with corruption there to dwell;
| + | |
− | But I shall rise Victorious, and subdue
| + | |
− | My Vanquisher, spoild of his vanted spoile;
| + | |
− | Death his deaths wound shall then receive, & stoop
| + | |
− | Inglorious, of his mortall sting disarm'd.
| + | |
− | I through the ample Air in Triumph high
| + | |
− | Shall lead Hell Captive maugre Hell, and show
| + | |
− | The powers of darkness bound. Thou at the sight
| + | |
− | Pleas'd, out of Heaven shalt look down and smile,
| + | |
− | While by thee rais'd I ruin all my Foes,
| + | |
− | Death last, and with his Carcass glut the Grave:
| + | |
− | Then with the multitude of my redeemd
| + | |
− | Shall enter Heaven long absent, and returne,
| + | |
− | Father, to see thy face, wherein no cloud
| + | |
− | Of anger shall remain, but peace assur'd,
| + | |
− | And reconcilement; wrauth shall be no more
| + | |
− | Thenceforth, but in thy presence Joy entire.
| + | |
− | | + | |
− | His words here ended, but his meek aspect
| + | |
− | Silent yet spake, and breath'd immortal love
| + | |
− | To mortal men, above which only shon
| + | |
− | Filial obedience: as a sacrifice
| + | |
− | Glad to be offer'd, he attends the will
| + | |
− | Of his great Father. Admiration seis'd
| + | |
− | All Heav'n, what this might mean, & whither tend
| + | |
− | Wondring; but soon th' Almighty thus reply'd:
| + | |
− | | + | |
− | O thou in Heav'n and Earth the only peace
| + | |
− | Found out for mankind under wrauth, O thou
| + | |
− | My sole complacence! well thou know'st how dear,
| + | |
− | To me are all my works, nor Man the least
| + | |
− | Though last created, that for him I spare
| + | |
− | Thee from my bosom and right hand, to save,
| + | |
− | By loosing thee a while, the whole Race lost.
| + | |
− | Thou therefore whom thou only canst redeeme,
| + | |
− | Thir Nature also to thy Nature joyne;
| + | |
− | And be thy self Man among men on Earth,
| + | |
− | Made flesh, when time shall be, of Virgin seed,
| + | |
− | By wondrous birth: Be thou in ADAMS room
| + | |
− | The Head of all mankind, though ADAMS Son.
| + | |
− | As in him perish all men, so in thee
| + | |
− | As from a second root shall be restor'd,
| + | |
− | As many as are restor'd, without thee none.
| + | |
− | His crime makes guiltie all his Sons, thy merit
| + | |
− | Imputed shall absolve them who renounce
| + | |
− | Thir own both righteous and unrighteous deeds,
| + | |
− | And live in thee transplanted, and from thee
| + | |
− | Receive new life. So Man, as is most just,
| + | |
− | Shall satisfie for Man, be judg'd and die,
| + | |
− | And dying rise, and rising with him raise
| + | |
− | His Brethren, ransomd with his own dear life.
| + | |
− | So Heav'nly love shal outdoo Hellish hate,
| + | |
− | Giving to death, and dying to redeeme,
| + | |
− | So dearly to redeem what Hellish hate
| + | |
− | So easily destroy'd, and still destroyes
| + | |
− | In those who, when they may, accept not grace.
| + | |
− | Nor shalt thou by descending to assume
| + | |
− | Mans Nature, less'n or degrade thine owne.
| + | |
− | Because thou hast, though Thron'd in highest bliss
| + | |
− | Equal to God, and equally enjoying
| + | |
− | God-like fruition, quitted all to save
| + | |
− | A World from utter loss, and hast been found
| + | |
− | By Merit more then Birthright Son of God,
| + | |
− | Found worthiest to be so by being Good,
| + | |
− | Farr more then Great or High; because in thee
| + | |
− | Love hath abounded more then Glory abounds,
| + | |
− | Therefore thy Humiliation shall exalt
| + | |
− | With thee thy Manhood also to this Throne;
| + | |
− | Here shalt thou sit incarnate, here shalt Reigne
| + | |
− | Both God and Man, Son both of God and Man,
| + | |
− | Anointed universal King; all Power
| + | |
− | I give thee, reign for ever, and assume
| + | |
− | Thy Merits; under thee as Head Supream
| + | |
− | Thrones, Princedoms, Powers, Dominions I reduce:
| + | |
− | All knees to thee shall bow, of them that bide
| + | |
− | In Heaven, or Earth, or under Earth in Hell;
| + | |
− | When thou attended gloriously from Heav'n
| + | |
− | Shalt in the Skie appeer, and from thee send
| + | |
− | The summoning Arch-Angels to proclaime
| + | |
− | Thy dread Tribunal: forthwith from all Windes
| + | |
− | The living, and forthwith the cited dead
| + | |
− | Of all past Ages to the general Doom
| + | |
− | Shall hast'n, such a peal shall rouse thir sleep.
| + | |
− | Then all thy Saints assembl'd, thou shalt judge
| + | |
− | Bad men and Angels, they arraignd shall sink
| + | |
− | Beneath thy Sentence; Hell, her numbers full,
| + | |
− | Thenceforth shall be for ever shut. Mean while
| + | |
− | The World shall burn, and from her ashes spring
| + | |
− | New Heav'n and Earth, wherein the just shall dwell
| + | |
− | And after all thir tribulations long
| + | |
− | See golden days, fruitful of golden deeds,
| + | |
− | With Joy and Love triumphing, and fair Truth.
| + | |
− | Then thou thy regal Scepter shalt lay by,
| + | |
− | For regal Scepter then no more shall need,
| + | |
− | God shall be All in All. But all ye Gods,
| + | |
− | Adore him, who to compass all this dies,
| + | |
− | Adore the Son, and honour him as mee.
| + | |
− | | + | |
− | No sooner had th' Almighty ceas't, but all
| + | |
− | The multitude of Angels with a shout
| + | |
− | Loud as from numbers without number, sweet
| + | |
− | As from blest voices, uttering joy, Heav'n rung
| + | |
− | With Jubilee, and loud Hosanna's fill'd
| + | |
− | Th' eternal Regions: lowly reverent
| + | |
− | Towards either Throne they bow, & to the ground
| + | |
− | With solemn adoration down they cast
| + | |
− | Thir Crowns inwove with Amarant and Gold,
| + | |
− | Immortal Amarant, a Flour which once
| + | |
− | In Paradise, fast by the Tree of Life
| + | |
− | Began to bloom, but soon for mans offence
| + | |
− | To Heav'n remov'd where first it grew, there grows,
| + | |
− | And flours aloft shading the Fount of Life,
| + | |
− | And where the river of Bliss through midst of Heavn
| + | |
− | Rowls o're ELISIAN Flours her Amber stream;
| + | |
− | With these that never fade the Spirits Elect
| + | |
− | Bind thir resplendent locks inwreath'd with beams,
| + | |
− | Now in loose Garlands thick thrown off, the bright
| + | |
− | Pavement that like a Sea of Jasper shon
| + | |
− | Impurpl'd with Celestial Roses smil'd.
| + | |
− | Then Crown'd again thir gold'n Harps they took,
| + | |
− | Harps ever tun'd, that glittering by their side
| + | |
− | Like Quivers hung, and with Praeamble sweet
| + | |
− | Of charming symphonie they introduce
| + | |
− | Thir sacred Song, and waken raptures high;
| + | |
− | No voice exempt, no voice but well could joine
| + | |
− | Melodious part, such concord is in Heav'n.
| + | |
− | | + | |
− | Thee Father first they sung Omnipotent,
| + | |
− | Immutable, Immortal, Infinite,
| + | |
− | Eternal King; thee Author of all being,
| + | |
− | Fountain of Light, thy self invisible
| + | |
− | Amidst the glorious brightness where thou sit'st
| + | |
− | Thron'd inaccessible, but when thou shad'st
| + | |
− | The full blaze of thy beams, and through a cloud
| + | |
− | Drawn round about thee like a radiant Shrine,
| + | |
− | Dark with excessive bright thy skirts appeer,
| + | |
− | Yet dazle Heav'n, that brightest Seraphim
| + | |
− | Approach not, but with both wings veil thir eyes.
| + | |
− | Thee next they sang of all Creation first,
| + | |
− | Begotten Son, Divine Similitude,
| + | |
− | In whose conspicuous count'nance, without cloud
| + | |
− | Made visible, th' Almighty Father shines,
| + | |
− | Whom else no Creature can behold; on thee
| + | |
− | Impresst the effulgence of his Glorie abides,
| + | |
− | Transfus'd on thee his ample Spirit rests.
| + | |
− | Hee Heav'n of Heavens and all the Powers therein
| + | |
− | By thee created, and by thee threw down
| + | |
− | Th' aspiring Dominations: thou that day
| + | |
− | Thy Fathers dreadful Thunder didst not spare,
| + | |
− | Nor stop thy flaming Chariot wheels, that shook
| + | |
− | Heav'ns everlasting Frame, while o're the necks
| + | |
− | Thou drov'st of warring Angels disarraid.
| + | |
− | Back from pursuit thy Powers with loud acclaime
| + | |
− | Thee only extold, Son of thy Fathers might,
| + | |
− | To execute fierce vengeance on his foes,
| + | |
− | Not so on Man; him through their malice fall'n,
| + | |
− | Father of Mercie and Grace, thou didst not doome
| + | |
− | So strictly, but much more to pitie encline:
| + | |
− | No sooner did thy dear and onely Son
| + | |
− | Perceive thee purpos'd not to doom frail Man
| + | |
− | So strictly, but much more to pitie enclin'd,
| + | |
− | He to appease thy wrauth, and end the strife
| + | |
− | Of Mercy and Justice in thy face discern'd,
| + | |
− | Regardless of the Bliss wherein hee sat
| + | |
− | Second to thee, offerd himself to die
| + | |
− | For mans offence. O unexampl'd love,
| + | |
− | Love no where to be found less then Divine!
| + | |
− | Hail Son of God, Saviour of Men, thy Name
| + | |
− | Shall be the copious matter of my Song
| + | |
− | Henceforth, and never shall my Harp thy praise
| + | |
− | Forget, nor from thy Fathers praise disjoine.
| + | |
− | | + | |
− | Thus they in Heav'n, above the starry Sphear,
| + | |
− | Thir happie hours in joy and hymning spent.
| + | |
− | Mean while upon the firm opacous Globe
| + | |
− | Of this round World, whose first convex divides
| + | |
− | The luminous inferior Orbs, enclos'd
| + | |
− | From CHAOS and th' inroad of Darkness old,
| + | |
− | SATAN alighted walks: a Globe farr off
| + | |
− | It seem'd, now seems a boundless Continent
| + | |
− | Dark, waste, and wild, under the frown of Night
| + | |
− | Starless expos'd, and ever-threatning storms
| + | |
− | Of CHAOS blustring round, inclement skie;
| + | |
− | Save on that side which from the wall of Heav'n
| + | |
− | Though distant farr som small reflection gaines
| + | |
− | Of glimmering air less vext with tempest loud:
| + | |
− | Here walk'd the Fiend at large in spacious field.
| + | |
− | As when a Vultur on IMAUS bred,
| + | |
− | Whose snowie ridge the roving TARTAR bounds,
| + | |
− | Dislodging from a Region scarce of prey
| + | |
− | To gorge the flesh of Lambs or yeanling Kids
| + | |
− | On Hills where Flocks are fed, flies toward the Springs
| + | |
− | Of GANGES or HYDASPES, INDIAN streams;
| + | |
− | But in his way lights on the barren plaines
| + | |
− | Of SERICANA, where CHINESES drive
| + | |
− | With Sails and Wind thir canie Waggons light:
| + | |
− | So on this windie Sea of Land, the Fiend
| + | |
− | Walk'd up and down alone bent on his prey,
| + | |
− | Alone, for other Creature in this place
| + | |
− | Living or liveless to be found was none,
| + | |
− | None yet, but store hereafter from the earth
| + | |
− | Up hither like Aereal vapours flew
| + | |
− | Of all things transitorie and vain, when Sin
| + | |
− | With vanity had filld the works of men:
| + | |
− | Both all things vain, and all who in vain things
| + | |
− | Built thir fond hopes of Glorie or lasting fame,
| + | |
− | Or happiness in this or th' other life;
| + | |
− | All who have thir reward on Earth, the fruits
| + | |
− | Of painful Superstition and blind Zeal,
| + | |
− | Naught seeking but the praise of men, here find
| + | |
− | Fit retribution, emptie as thir deeds;
| + | |
− | All th' unaccomplisht works of Natures hand,
| + | |
− | Abortive, monstrous, or unkindly mixt,
| + | |
− | Dissolvd on earth, fleet hither, and in vain,
| + | |
− | Till final dissolution, wander here,
| + | |
− | Not in the neighbouring Moon, as some have dreamd;
| + | |
− | Those argent Fields more likely habitants,
| + | |
− | Translated Saints, or middle Spirits hold
| + | |
− | Betwixt th' Angelical and Human kinde:
| + | |
− | Hither of ill-joynd Sons and Daughters born
| + | |
− | First from the ancient World those Giants came
| + | |
− | With many a vain exploit, though then renownd:
| + | |
− | The builders next of BABEL on the Plain
| + | |
− | Of SENNAAR, and still with vain designe
| + | |
− | New BABELS, had they wherewithall, would build:
| + | |
− | Others came single; hee who to be deemd
| + | |
− | A God, leap'd fondly into AETNA flames,
| + | |
− | EMPEDOCLES, and hee who to enjoy
| + | |
− | PLATO'S ELYSIUM, leap'd into the Sea,
| + | |
− | CLEOMBROTUS, and many more too long,
| + | |
− | Embryo's and Idiots, Eremits and Friers
| + | |
− | White, Black and Grey, with all thir trumperie.
| + | |
− | Here Pilgrims roam, that stray'd so farr to seek
| + | |
− | In GOLGOTHA him dead, who lives in Heav'n;
| + | |
− | And they who to be sure of Paradise
| + | |
− | Dying put on the weeds of DOMINIC,
| + | |
− | Or in FRANCISCAN think to pass disguis'd;
| + | |
− | They pass the Planets seven, and pass the fixt,
| + | |
− | And that Crystalline Sphear whose ballance weighs
| + | |
− | The Trepidation talkt, and that first mov'd;
| + | |
− | And now Saint PETER at Heav'ns Wicket seems
| + | |
− | To wait them with his Keys, and now at foot
| + | |
− | Of Heav'ns ascent they lift thir Feet, when loe
| + | |
− | A violent cross wind from either Coast
| + | |
− | Blows them transverse ten thousand Leagues awry
| + | |
− | Into the devious Air; then might ye see
| + | |
− | Cowles, Hoods and Habits with thir wearers tost
| + | |
− | And flutterd into Raggs, then Reliques, Beads,
| + | |
− | Indulgences, Dispenses, Pardons, Bulls,
| + | |
− | The sport of Winds: all these upwhirld aloft
| + | |
− | Fly o're the backside of the World farr off
| + | |
− | Into a LIMBO large and broad, since calld
| + | |
− | The Paradise of Fools, to few unknown
| + | |
− | Long after, now unpeopl'd, and untrod;
| + | |
− | All this dark Globe the Fiend found as he pass'd,
| + | |
− | And long he wanderd, till at last a gleame
| + | |
− | Of dawning light turnd thither-ward in haste
| + | |
− | His travell'd steps; farr distant hee descries
| + | |
− | Ascending by degrees magnificent
| + | |
− | Up to the wall of Heaven a Structure high,
| + | |
− | At top whereof, but farr more rich appeerd
| + | |
− | The work as of a Kingly Palace Gate
| + | |
− | With Frontispice of Diamond and Gold
| + | |
− | Imbellisht, thick with sparkling orient Gemmes
| + | |
− | The Portal shon, inimitable on Earth
| + | |
− | By Model, or by shading Pencil drawn.
| + | |
− | The Stairs were such as whereon JACOB saw
| + | |
− | Angels ascending and descending, bands
| + | |
− | Of Guardians bright, when he from ESAU fled
| + | |
− | To PADAN-ARAM in the field of LUZ,
| + | |
− | Dreaming by night under the open Skie,
| + | |
− | And waking cri'd, This is the Gate of Heav'n.
| + | |
− | Each Stair mysteriously was meant, nor stood
| + | |
− | There alwaies, but drawn up to Heav'n somtimes
| + | |
− | Viewless, and underneath a bright Sea flow'd
| + | |
− | Of Jasper, or of liquid Pearle, whereon
| + | |
− | Who after came from Earth, sayling arriv'd,
| + | |
− | Wafted by Angels, or flew o're the Lake
| + | |
− | Rapt in a Chariot drawn by fiery Steeds.
| + | |
− | The Stairs were then let down, whether to dare
| + | |
− | The Fiend by easie ascent, or aggravate
| + | |
− | His sad exclusion from the dores of Bliss.
| + | |
− | Direct against which op'nd from beneath,
| + | |
− | Just o're the blissful seat of Paradise,
| + | |
− | A passage down to th' Earth, a passage wide,
| + | |
− | Wider by farr then that of after-times
| + | |
− | Over Mount SION, and, though that were large,
| + | |
− | Over the PROMIS'D LAND to God so dear,
| + | |
− | By which, to visit oft those happy Tribes,
| + | |
− | On high behests his Angels to and fro
| + | |
− | Pass'd frequent, and his eye with choice regard
| + | |
− | From PANEAS the fount of JORDANS flood
| + | |
− | To BEERSABA, where the HOLY LAND
| + | |
− | Borders on AEGYPT and the ARABIAN shoare;
| + | |
− | So wide the op'ning seemd, where bounds were set
| + | |
− | To darkness, such as bound the Ocean wave.
| + | |
− | SATAN from hence now on the lower stair
| + | |
− | That scal'd by steps of Gold to Heav'n Gate
| + | |
− | Looks down with wonder at the sudden view
| + | |
− | Of all this World at once. As when a Scout
| + | |
− | Through dark and desart wayes with peril gone
| + | |
− | All night; at last by break of chearful dawne
| + | |
− | Obtains the brow of some high-climbing Hill,
| + | |
− | Which to his eye discovers unaware
| + | |
− | The goodly prospect of some forein land
| + | |
− | First-seen, or some renownd Metropolis
| + | |
− | With glistering Spires and Pinnacles adornd,
| + | |
− | Which now the Rising Sun guilds with his beams.
| + | |
− | Such wonder seis'd, though after Heaven seen,
| + | |
− | The Spirit maligne, but much more envy seis'd
| + | |
− | At sight of all this World beheld so faire.
| + | |
− | Round he surveys, and well might, where he stood
| + | |
− | So high above the circling Canopie
| + | |
− | Of Nights extended shade; from Eastern Point
| + | |
− | Of LIBRA to the fleecie Starr that bears
| + | |
− | ANDROMEDA farr off ATLANTICK Seas
| + | |
− | Beyond th' HORIZON; then from Pole to Pole
| + | |
− | He views in bredth, and without longer pause
| + | |
− | Down right into the Worlds first Region throws
| + | |
− | His flight precipitant, and windes with ease
| + | |
− | Through the pure marble Air his oblique way
| + | |
− | Amongst innumerable Starrs, that shon
| + | |
− | Stars distant, but nigh hand seemd other Worlds,
| + | |
− | Or other Worlds they seemd, or happy Iles,
| + | |
− | Like those HESPERIAN Gardens fam'd of old,
| + | |
− | Fortunate Fields, and Groves and flourie Vales,
| + | |
− | Thrice happy Iles, but who dwelt happy there
| + | |
− | He stayd not to enquire: above them all
| + | |
− | The golden Sun in splendor likest Heaven
| + | |
− | Allur'd his eye: Thither his course he bends
| + | |
− | Through the calm Firmament; but up or downe
| + | |
− | By center, or eccentric, hard to tell,
| + | |
− | Or Longitude, where the great Luminarie
| + | |
− | Alooff the vulgar Constellations thick,
| + | |
− | That from his Lordly eye keep distance due,
| + | |
− | Dispenses Light from farr; they as they move
| + | |
− | Thir Sarry dance in numbers that compute
| + | |
− | Days, months, and years, towards his all-chearing Lamp
| + | |
− | Turn swift their various motions, or are turnd
| + | |
− | By his Magnetic beam, that gently warms
| + | |
− | The Univers, and to each inward part
| + | |
− | With gentle penetration, though unseen,
| + | |
− | Shoots invisible vertue even to the deep:
| + | |
− | So wondrously was set his Station bright.
| + | |
− | There lands the Fiend, a spot like which perhaps
| + | |
− | Astronomer in the Sun's lucent Orbe
| + | |
− | Through his glaz'd Optic Tube yet never saw.
| + | |
− | The place he found beyond expression bright,
| + | |
− | Compar'd with aught on Earth, Medal or Stone;
| + | |
− | Not all parts like, but all alike informd
| + | |
− | Which radiant light, as glowing Iron with fire;
| + | |
− | If mettal, part seemd Gold, part Silver cleer;
| + | |
− | If stone, Carbuncle most or Chrysolite,
| + | |
− | Rubie or Topaz, to the Twelve that shon
| + | |
− | In AARONS Brest-plate, and a stone besides
| + | |
− | Imagind rather oft then elsewhere seen,
| + | |
− | That stone, or like to that which here below
| + | |
− | Philosophers in vain so long have sought,
| + | |
− | In vain, though by thir powerful Art they binde
| + | |
− | Volatil HERMES, and call up unbound
| + | |
− | In various shapes old PROTEUS from the Sea,
| + | |
− | Draind through a Limbec to his Native forme.
| + | |
− | What wonder then if fields and regions here
| + | |
− | Breathe forth ELIXIR pure, and Rivers run
| + | |
− | Potable Gold, when with one vertuous touch
| + | |
− | Th' Arch-chimic Sun so farr from us remote
| + | |
− | Produces with Terrestrial Humor mixt
| + | |
− | Here in the dark so many precious things
| + | |
− | Of colour glorious and effect so rare?
| + | |
− | Here matter new to gaze the Devil met
| + | |
− | Undazl'd, farr and wide his eye commands,
| + | |
− | For sight no obstacle found here, nor shade,
| + | |
− | But all Sun-shine, as when his Beams at Noon
| + | |
− | Culminate from th' AEQUATOR, as they now
| + | |
− | Shot upward still direct, whence no way round
| + | |
− | Shadow from body opaque can fall, and the Aire,
| + | |
− | No where so cleer, sharp'nd his visual ray
| + | |
− | To objects distant farr, whereby he soon
| + | |
− | Saw within kenn a glorious Angel stand,
| + | |
− | The same whom JOHN saw also in the Sun:
| + | |
− | His back was turnd, but not his brightness hid;
| + | |
− | Of beaming sunnie Raies, a golden tiar
| + | |
− | Circl'd his Head, nor less his Locks behind
| + | |
− | Illustrious on his Shoulders fledge with wings
| + | |
− | Lay waving round; on som great charge imploy'd
| + | |
− | Hee seemd, or fixt in cogitation deep.
| + | |
− | Glad was the Spirit impure as now in hope
| + | |
− | To find who might direct his wandring flight
| + | |
− | To Paradise the happie seat of Man,
| + | |
− | His journies end and our beginning woe.
| + | |
− | But first he casts to change his proper shape,
| + | |
− | Which else might work him danger or delay:
| + | |
− | And now a stripling Cherube he appeers,
| + | |
− | Not of the prime, yet such as in his face
| + | |
− | Youth smil'd Celestial, and to every Limb
| + | |
− | Sutable grace diffus'd, so well he feignd;
| + | |
− | Under a Coronet his flowing haire
| + | |
− | In curles on either cheek plaid, wings he wore
| + | |
− | Of many a colourd plume sprinkl'd with Gold,
| + | |
− | His habit fit for speed succinct, and held
| + | |
− | Before his decent steps a Silver wand.
| + | |
− | He drew not nigh unheard, the Angel bright,
| + | |
− | Ere he drew nigh, his radiant visage turnd,
| + | |
− | Admonisht by his eare, and strait was known
| + | |
− | Th' Arch-Angel URIEL, one of the seav'n
| + | |
− | Who in Gods presence, neerest to his Throne
| + | |
− | Stand ready at command, and are his Eyes
| + | |
− | That run through all the Heav'ns, or down to th' Earth
| + | |
− | Bear his swift errands over moist and dry,
| + | |
− | O're Sea and Land: him SATAN thus accostes;
| + | |
− | | + | |
− | URIEL, for thou of those seav'n Spirits that stand
| + | |
− | In sight of God's high Throne, gloriously bright,
| + | |
− | The first art wont his great authentic will
| + | |
− | Interpreter through highest Heav'n to bring,
| + | |
− | Where all his Sons thy Embassie attend;
| + | |
− | And here art likeliest by supream decree
| + | |
− | Like honour to obtain, and as his Eye
| + | |
− | To visit oft this new Creation round;
| + | |
− | Unspeakable desire to see, and know
| + | |
− | All these his wondrous works, but chiefly Man,
| + | |
− | His chief delight and favour, him for whom
| + | |
− | All these his works so wondrous he ordaind,
| + | |
− | Hath brought me from the Quires of Cherubim
| + | |
− | Alone thus wandring. Brightest Seraph tell
| + | |
− | In which of all these shining Orbes hath Man
| + | |
− | His fixed seat, or fixed seat hath none,
| + | |
− | But all these shining Orbes his choice to dwell;
| + | |
− | That I may find him, and with secret gaze,
| + | |
− | Or open admiration him behold
| + | |
− | On whom the great Creator hath bestowd
| + | |
− | Worlds, and on whom hath all these graces powrd;
| + | |
− | That both in him and all things, as is meet,
| + | |
− | The Universal Maker we may praise;
| + | |
− | Who justly hath drivn out his Rebell Foes
| + | |
− | To deepest Hell, and to repair that loss
| + | |
− | Created this new happie Race of Men
| + | |
− | To serve him better: wise are all his wayes.
| + | |
− | | + | |
− | So spake the false dissembler unperceivd;
| + | |
− | For neither Man nor Angel can discern
| + | |
− | Hypocrisie, the only evil that walks
| + | |
− | Invisible, except to God alone,
| + | |
− | By his permissive will, through Heav'n and Earth:
| + | |
− | And oft though wisdom wake, suspicion sleeps
| + | |
− | At wisdoms Gate, and to simplicitie
| + | |
− | Resigns her charge, while goodness thinks no ill
| + | |
− | Where no ill seems: Which now for once beguil'd
| + | |
− | URIEL, though Regent of the Sun, and held
| + | |
− | The sharpest sighted Spirit of all in Heav'n;
| + | |
− | Who to the fraudulent Impostor foule
| + | |
− | In his uprightness answer thus returnd.
| + | |
− | Faire Angel, thy desire which tends to know
| + | |
− | The works of God, thereby to glorifie
| + | |
− | The great Work-Maister, leads to no excess
| + | |
− | That reaches blame, but rather merits praise
| + | |
− | The more it seems excess, that led thee hither
| + | |
− | From thy Empyreal Mansion thus alone,
| + | |
− | To witness with thine eyes what some perhaps
| + | |
− | Contented with report heare onely in heav'n:
| + | |
− | For wonderful indeed are all his works,
| + | |
− | Pleasant to know, and worthiest to be all
| + | |
− | Had in remembrance alwayes with delight;
| + | |
− | But what created mind can comprehend
| + | |
− | Thir number, or the wisdom infinite
| + | |
− | That brought them forth, but hid thir causes deep.
| + | |
− | I saw when at his Word the formless Mass,
| + | |
− | This worlds material mould, came to a heap:
| + | |
− | Confusion heard his voice, and wilde uproar
| + | |
− | Stood rul'd, stood vast infinitude confin'd;
| + | |
− | Till at his second bidding darkness fled,
| + | |
− | Light shon, and order from disorder sprung:
| + | |
− | Swift to thir several Quarters hasted then
| + | |
− | The cumbrous Elements, Earth, Flood, Aire, Fire,
| + | |
− | And this Ethereal quintessence of Heav'n
| + | |
− | Flew upward, spirited with various forms,
| + | |
− | That rowld orbicular, and turnd to Starrs
| + | |
− | Numberless, as thou seest, and how they move;
| + | |
− | Each had his place appointed, each his course,
| + | |
− | The rest in circuit walles this Universe.
| + | |
− | Look downward on that Globe whose hither side
| + | |
− | With light from hence, though but reflected, shines;
| + | |
− | That place is Earth the seat of Man, that light
| + | |
− | His day, which else as th' other Hemisphere
| + | |
− | Night would invade, but there the neighbouring Moon
| + | |
− | (So call that opposite fair Starr) her aide
| + | |
− | Timely interposes, and her monthly round
| + | |
− | Still ending, still renewing, through mid Heav'n;
| + | |
− | With borrowd light her countenance triform
| + | |
− | Hence fills and empties to enlighten th' Earth,
| + | |
− | And in her pale dominion checks the night.
| + | |
− | That spot to which I point is PARADISE,
| + | |
− | ADAMS abode, those loftie shades his Bowre.
| + | |
− | Thy way thou canst not miss, me mine requires.
| + | |
− | | + | |
− | Thus said, he turnd, and SATAN bowing low,
| + | |
− | As to superior Spirits is wont in Heaven,
| + | |
− | Where honour due and reverence none neglects,
| + | |
− | Took leave, and toward the coast of Earth beneath,
| + | |
− | Down from th' Ecliptic, sped with hop'd success,
| + | |
− | Throws his steep flight with many an Aerie wheele,
| + | |
− | Nor staid, till on NIPHATES top he lights.
| + | |
− | | + | |
− | </div> | + | |
| |} | | |} |
− | | width="100%" valign="top" | | + | | width="50%" valign="top" | |
| {| cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" style="background-color:transparent;" | | {| cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" style="background-color:transparent;" |
− | ! align="center" style="font: 125% 'Verdana', sans-serif;"| The Next Chapter | + | ! align="center" style="font: 125% 'Verdana', sans-serif;"|Anarchist news |
| |- | | |- |
| | style="font: 95% 'Verdana', sans-serif;" align="justify"| | | | style="font: 95% 'Verdana', sans-serif;" align="justify"| |
− | <img src=http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/3/6/1/13619/13619-h/images/ljv5-5.jpg> | + | {{Anarchist news}} |
− | <div style="float: right;"> | + | <div style="float: right;"><small>[{{SERVER}}{{localurl:Template:Anarchist news|action=edit}} edit]</small></div> |
− | High on a Throne of Royal State, which far
| + | |- |
− | Outshon the wealth of ORMUS and of IND,
| + | ! align="center" style="font: 125% 'Verdana', sans-serif;" colspan="2"|Anarchoweb |
− | Or where the gorgeous East with richest hand
| + | |- valign="middle" |
− | Showrs on her Kings BARBARIC Pearl & Gold,
| + | | style="font: 95% 'Verdana', sans-serif;" align="left"| |
− | Satan exalted sat, by merit rais'd
| + | {{Anarchoweb}} |
− | To that bad eminence; and from despair
| + | <div style="float: right;"><small>[{{SERVER}}{{localurl:Template:Anarchoweb|action=edit}} edit]</small></div> |
− | Thus high uplifted beyond hope, aspires
| + | |- |
− | Beyond thus high, insatiate to pursue
| + | ! align="center" style="font: 125% 'Verdana', sans-serif;" colspan="2"|Featured article |
− | Vain Warr with Heav'n, and by success untaught
| + | |- valign="middle" |
− | His proud imaginations thus displaid.
| + | | style="font: 95% 'Verdana', sans-serif;"| |
| + | {{Featured article}} |
| + | <div style="float: right;"><small>[{{SERVER}}{{localurl:Template:Featured article|action=edit}} edit]</small></div> |
| + | |} |
| + | |} |
| | | |
− | Powers and Dominions, Deities of Heav'n,
| + | {| cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="background-color:transparent;" |
− | For since no deep within her gulf can hold
| + | | width="100%" valign="top"| |
− | Immortal vigor, though opprest and fall'n,
| + | {| cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" style="background-color:transparent;" |
− | I give not Heav'n for lost. From this descent
| + | ! align="center" style="font: 125% 'Verdana', sans-serif;" |Anarchopedia |
− | Celestial vertues rising, will appear
| + | |- |
− | More glorious and more dread then from no fall,
| + | | style="font: 95% 'Verdana', sans-serif;" align="justify"| |
− | And trust themselves to fear no second fate:
| + | {{Anarchopedia}} |
− | Mee though just right, and the fixt Laws of Heav'n
| + | <div style="float: right;"><small>[{{SERVER}}{{localurl:Template:Anarchopedia|action=edit}} edit]</small></div> |
− | Did first create your Leader, next, free choice,
| + | |} |
− | With what besides, in Counsel or in Fight,
| + | |} |
− | Hath bin achievd of merit, yet this loss
| + | |
− | Thus farr at least recover'd, hath much more
| + | |
− | Establisht in a safe unenvied Throne
| + | |
− | Yeilded with full consent. The happier state
| + | |
− | In Heav'n, which follows dignity, might draw
| + | |
− | Envy from each inferior; but who here
| + | |
− | Will envy whom the highest place exposes
| + | |
− | Formost to stand against the Thunderers aime
| + | |
− | Your bulwark, and condemns to greatest share
| + | |
− | Of endless pain? where there is then no good
| + | |
− | For which to strive, no strife can grow up there
| + | |
− | From Faction; for none sure will claim in hell
| + | |
− | Precedence, none, whose portion is so small
| + | |
− | Of present pain, that with ambitious mind
| + | |
− | Will covet more. With this advantage then
| + | |
− | To union, and firm Faith, and firm accord,
| + | |
− | More then can be in Heav'n, we now return
| + | |
− | To claim our just inheritance of old,
| + | |
− | Surer to prosper then prosperity
| + | |
− | Could have assur'd us; and by what best way,
| + | |
− | Whether of open Warr or covert guile,
| + | |
− | We now debate; who can advise, may speak.
| + | |
| | | |
− | He ceas'd, and next him MOLOC, Scepter'd King
| + | {| cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="background-color:transparent;" |
− | Stood up, the strongest and the fiercest Spirit
| + | | width="100%" valign="top"| |
− | That fought in Heav'n; now fiercer by despair:
| + | {| cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" style="background-color:transparent;" |
− | His trust was with th' Eternal to be deem'd
| + | ! align="center" style="font: 125% 'Verdana', sans-serif;"|Equipment for life |
− | Equal in strength, and rather then be less
| + | |- |
− | Car'd not to be at all; with that care lost
| + | | style="font: 95% 'Verdana', sans-serif;" align="justify"| |
− | Went all his fear: of God, or Hell, or worse
| + | {{Equipment for life}} |
− | He reckd not, and these words thereafter spake.
| + | <div style="float: right;"><small>[{{SERVER}}{{localurl:Template:Equipment for life|action=edit}} edit]</small></div> |
− | | + | |
− | My sentence is for open Warr: Of Wiles,
| + | |
− | More unexpert, I boast not: them let those
| + | |
− | Contrive who need, or when they need, not now.
| + | |
− | For while they sit contriving, shall the rest,
| + | |
− | Millions that stand in Arms, and longing wait
| + | |
− | The Signal to ascend, sit lingring here
| + | |
− | Heav'ns fugitives, and for thir dwelling place
| + | |
− | Accept this dark opprobrious Den of shame,
| + | |
− | The Prison of his Tyranny who Reigns
| + | |
− | By our delay? no, let us rather choose
| + | |
− | Arm'd with Hell flames and fury all at once
| + | |
− | O're Heav'ns high Towrs to force resistless way,
| + | |
− | Turning our Tortures into horrid Arms
| + | |
− | Against the Torturer; when to meet the noise
| + | |
− | Of his Almighty Engin he shall hear
| + | |
− | Infernal Thunder, and for Lightning see
| + | |
− | Black fire and horror shot with equal rage
| + | |
− | Among his Angels; and his Throne it self
| + | |
− | Mixt with TARTAREAN Sulphur, and strange fire,
| + | |
− | His own invented Torments. But perhaps
| + | |
− | The way seems difficult and steep to scale
| + | |
− | With upright wing against a higher foe.
| + | |
− | Let such bethink them, if the sleepy drench
| + | |
− | Of that forgetful Lake benumme not still,
| + | |
− | That in our proper motion we ascend
| + | |
− | Up to our native seat: descent and fall
| + | |
− | To us is adverse. Who but felt of late
| + | |
− | When the fierce Foe hung on our brok'n Rear
| + | |
− | Insulting, and pursu'd us through the Deep,
| + | |
− | With what compulsion and laborious flight
| + | |
− | We sunk thus low? Th' ascent is easie then;
| + | |
− | Th' event is fear'd; should we again provoke
| + | |
− | Our stronger, some worse way his wrath may find
| + | |
− | To our destruction: if there be in Hell
| + | |
− | Fear to be worse destroy'd: what can be worse
| + | |
− | Then to dwell here, driv'n out from bliss, condemn'd
| + | |
− | In this abhorred deep to utter woe;
| + | |
− | Where pain of unextinguishable fire
| + | |
− | Must exercise us without hope of end
| + | |
− | The Vassals of his anger, when the Scourge
| + | |
− | Inexorably, and the torturing houre
| + | |
− | Calls us to Penance? More destroy'd then thus
| + | |
− | We should be quite abolisht and expire.
| + | |
− | What fear we then? what doubt we to incense
| + | |
− | His utmost ire? which to the highth enrag'd,
| + | |
− | Will either quite consume us, and reduce
| + | |
− | To nothing this essential, happier farr
| + | |
− | Then miserable to have eternal being:
| + | |
− | Or if our substance be indeed Divine,
| + | |
− | And cannot cease to be, we are at worst
| + | |
− | On this side nothing; and by proof we feel
| + | |
− | Our power sufficient to disturb his Heav'n,
| + | |
− | And with perpetual inrodes to Allarme,
| + | |
− | Though inaccessible, his fatal Throne:
| + | |
− | Which if not Victory is yet Revenge.
| + | |
− | | + | |
− | He ended frowning, and his look denounc'd
| + | |
− | Desperate revenge, and Battel dangerous
| + | |
− | To less then Gods. On th' other side up rose
| + | |
− | BELIAL, in act more graceful and humane;
| + | |
− | A fairer person lost not Heav'n; he seemd
| + | |
− | For dignity compos'd and high exploit:
| + | |
− | But all was false and hollow; though his Tongue
| + | |
− | Dropt Manna, and could make the worse appear
| + | |
− | The better reason, to perplex and dash
| + | |
− | Maturest Counsels: for his thoughts were low;
| + | |
− | To vice industrious, but to Nobler deeds
| + | |
− | Timorous and slothful: yet he pleas'd the eare,
| + | |
− | And with perswasive accent thus began.
| + | |
− | | + | |
− | I should be much for open Warr, O Peers,
| + | |
− | As not behind in hate; if what was urg'd
| + | |
− | Main reason to perswade immediate Warr,
| + | |
− | Did not disswade me most, and seem to cast
| + | |
− | Ominous conjecture on the whole success:
| + | |
− | When he who most excels in fact of Arms,
| + | |
− | In what he counsels and in what excels
| + | |
− | Mistrustful, grounds his courage on despair
| + | |
− | And utter dissolution, as the scope
| + | |
− | Of all his aim, after some dire revenge.
| + | |
− | First, what Revenge? the Towrs of Heav'n are fill'd
| + | |
− | With Armed watch, that render all access
| + | |
− | Impregnable; oft on the bordering Deep
| + | |
− | Encamp thir Legions, or with obscure wing
| + | |
− | Scout farr and wide into the Realm of night,
| + | |
− | Scorning surprize. Or could we break our way
| + | |
− | By force, and at our heels all Hell should rise
| + | |
− | With blackest Insurrection, to confound
| + | |
− | Heav'ns purest Light, yet our great Enemie
| + | |
− | All incorruptible would on his Throne
| + | |
− | Sit unpolluted, and th' Ethereal mould
| + | |
− | Incapable of stain would soon expel
| + | |
− | Her mischief, and purge off the baser fire
| + | |
− | Victorious. Thus repuls'd, our final hope
| + | |
− | Is flat despair: we must exasperate
| + | |
− | Th' Almighty Victor to spend all his rage,
| + | |
− | And that must end us, that must be our cure,
| + | |
− | To be no more; sad cure; for who would loose,
| + | |
− | Though full of pain, this intellectual being,
| + | |
− | Those thoughts that wander through Eternity,
| + | |
− | To perish rather, swallowd up and lost
| + | |
− | In the wide womb of uncreated night,
| + | |
− | Devoid of sense and motion? and who knows,
| + | |
− | Let this be good, whether our angry Foe
| + | |
− | Can give it, or will ever? how he can
| + | |
− | Is doubtful; that he never will is sure.
| + | |
− | Will he, so wise, let loose at once his ire,
| + | |
− | Belike through impotence, or unaware,
| + | |
− | To give his Enemies thir wish, and end
| + | |
− | Them in his anger, whom his anger saves
| + | |
− | To punish endless? wherefore cease we then?
| + | |
− | Say they who counsel Warr, we are decreed,
| + | |
− | Reserv'd and destin'd to Eternal woe;
| + | |
− | Whatever doing, what can we suffer more,
| + | |
− | What can we suffer worse? is this then worst,
| + | |
− | Thus sitting, thus consulting, thus in Arms?
| + | |
− | What when we fled amain, pursu'd and strook
| + | |
− | With Heav'ns afflicting Thunder, and besought
| + | |
− | The Deep to shelter us? this Hell then seem'd
| + | |
− | A refuge from those wounds: or when we lay
| + | |
− | Chain'd on the burning Lake? that sure was worse.
| + | |
− | What if the breath that kindl'd those grim fires
| + | |
− | Awak'd should blow them into sevenfold rage
| + | |
− | And plunge us in the Flames? or from above
| + | |
− | Should intermitted vengeance Arme again
| + | |
− | His red right hand to plague us? what if all
| + | |
− | Her stores were op'n'd, and this Firmament
| + | |
− | Of Hell should spout her Cataracts of Fire,
| + | |
− | Impendent horrors, threatning hideous fall
| + | |
− | One day upon our heads; while we perhaps
| + | |
− | Designing or exhorting glorious Warr,
| + | |
− | Caught in a fierie Tempest shall be hurl'd
| + | |
− | Each on his rock transfixt, the sport and prey
| + | |
− | Of racking whirlwinds, or for ever sunk
| + | |
− | Under yon boyling Ocean, wrapt in Chains;
| + | |
− | There to converse with everlasting groans,
| + | |
− | Unrespited, unpitied, unrepreevd,
| + | |
− | Ages of hopeless end; this would be worse.
| + | |
− | Warr therefore, open or conceal'd, alike
| + | |
− | My voice disswades; for what can force or guile
| + | |
− | With him, or who deceive his mind, whose eye
| + | |
− | Views all things at one view? he from heav'ns highth
| + | |
− | All these our motions vain, sees and derides;
| + | |
− | Not more Almighty to resist our might
| + | |
− | Then wise to frustrate all our plots and wiles.
| + | |
− | Shall we then live thus vile, the race of Heav'n
| + | |
− | Thus trampl'd, thus expell'd to suffer here
| + | |
− | Chains & these Torments? better these then worse
| + | |
− | By my advice; since fate inevitable
| + | |
− | Subdues us, and Omnipotent Decree,
| + | |
− | The Victors will. To suffer, as to doe,
| + | |
− | Our strength is equal, nor the Law unjust
| + | |
− | That so ordains: this was at first resolv'd,
| + | |
− | If we were wise, against so great a foe
| + | |
− | Contending, and so doubtful what might fall.
| + | |
− | I laugh, when those who at the Spear are bold
| + | |
− | And vent'rous, if that fail them, shrink and fear
| + | |
− | What yet they know must follow, to endure
| + | |
− | Exile, or ignominy, or bonds, or pain,
| + | |
− | The sentence of thir Conquerour: This is now
| + | |
− | Our doom; which if we can sustain and bear,
| + | |
− | Our Supream Foe in time may much remit
| + | |
− | His anger, and perhaps thus farr remov'd
| + | |
− | Not mind us not offending, satisfi'd
| + | |
− | With what is punish't; whence these raging fires
| + | |
− | Will slack'n, if his breath stir not thir flames.
| + | |
− | Our purer essence then will overcome
| + | |
− | Thir noxious vapour, or enur'd not feel,
| + | |
− | Or chang'd at length, and to the place conformd
| + | |
− | In temper and in nature, will receive
| + | |
− | Familiar the fierce heat, and void of pain;
| + | |
− | This horror will grow milde, this darkness light,
| + | |
− | Besides what hope the never-ending flight
| + | |
− | Of future days may bring, what chance, what change
| + | |
− | Worth waiting, since our present lot appeers
| + | |
− | For happy though but ill, for ill not worst,
| + | |
− | If we procure not to our selves more woe.
| + | |
− | | + | |
− | Thus BELIAL with words cloath'd in reasons garb
| + | |
− | Counsel'd ignoble ease, and peaceful sloath,
| + | |
− | Not peace: and after him thus MAMMON spake.
| + | |
− | | + | |
− | Either to disinthrone the King of Heav'n
| + | |
− | We warr, if warr be best, or to regain
| + | |
− | Our own right lost: him to unthrone we then
| + | |
− | May hope, when everlasting Fate shall yeild
| + | |
− | To fickle Chance, and CHAOS judge the strife:
| + | |
− | The former vain to hope argues as vain
| + | |
− | The latter: for what place can be for us
| + | |
− | Within Heav'ns bound, unless Heav'ns Lord supream
| + | |
− | We overpower? Suppose he should relent
| + | |
− | And publish Grace to all, on promise made
| + | |
− | Of new Subjection; with what eyes could we
| + | |
− | Stand in his presence humble, and receive
| + | |
− | Strict Laws impos'd, to celebrate his Throne
| + | |
− | With warbl'd Hymns, and to his Godhead sing
| + | |
− | Forc't Halleluiah's; while he Lordly sits
| + | |
− | Our envied Sovran, and his Altar breathes
| + | |
− | Ambrosial Odours and Ambrosial Flowers,
| + | |
− | Our servile offerings. This must be our task
| + | |
− | In Heav'n, this our delight; how wearisom
| + | |
− | Eternity so spent in worship paid
| + | |
− | To whom we hate. Let us not then pursue
| + | |
− | By force impossible, by leave obtain'd
| + | |
− | Unacceptable, though in Heav'n, our state
| + | |
− | Of splendid vassalage, but rather seek
| + | |
− | Our own good from our selves, and from our own
| + | |
− | Live to our selves, though in this vast recess,
| + | |
− | Free, and to none accountable, preferring
| + | |
− | Hard liberty before the easie yoke
| + | |
− | Of servile Pomp. Our greatness will appear
| + | |
− | Then most conspicuous, when great things of small,
| + | |
− | Useful of hurtful, prosperous of adverse
| + | |
− | We can create, and in what place so e're
| + | |
− | Thrive under evil, and work ease out of pain
| + | |
− | Through labour and endurance. This deep world
| + | |
− | Of darkness do we dread? How oft amidst
| + | |
− | Thick clouds and dark doth Heav'ns all-ruling Sire
| + | |
− | Choose to reside, his Glory unobscur'd,
| + | |
− | And with the Majesty of darkness round
| + | |
− | Covers his Throne; from whence deep thunders roar
| + | |
− | Must'ring thir rage, and Heav'n resembles Hell?
| + | |
− | As he our Darkness, cannot we his Light
| + | |
− | Imitate when we please? This Desart soile
| + | |
− | Wants not her hidden lustre, Gemms and Gold;
| + | |
− | Nor want we skill or art, from whence to raise
| + | |
− | Magnificence; and what can Heav'n shew more?
| + | |
− | Our torments also may in length of time
| + | |
− | Become our Elements, these piercing Fires
| + | |
− | As soft as now severe, our temper chang'd
| + | |
− | Into their temper; which must needs remove
| + | |
− | The sensible of pain. All things invite
| + | |
− | To peaceful Counsels, and the settl'd State
| + | |
− | Of order, how in safety best we may
| + | |
− | Compose our present evils, with regard
| + | |
− | Of what we are and where, dismissing quite
| + | |
− | All thoughts of Warr: ye have what I advise.
| + | |
− | | + | |
− | He scarce had finisht, when such murmur filld
| + | |
− | Th' Assembly, as when hollow Rocks retain
| + | |
− | The sound of blustring winds, which all night long
| + | |
− | Had rous'd the Sea, now with hoarse cadence lull
| + | |
− | Sea-faring men orewatcht, whose Bark by chance
| + | |
− | Or Pinnace anchors in a craggy Bay
| + | |
− | After the Tempest: Such applause was heard
| + | |
− | As MAMMON ended, and his Sentence pleas'd,
| + | |
− | Advising peace: for such another Field
| + | |
− | They dreaded worse then Hell: so much the fear
| + | |
− | Of Thunder and the Sword of MICHAEL
| + | |
− | Wrought still within them; and no less desire
| + | |
− | To found this nether Empire, which might rise
| + | |
− | By pollicy, and long process of time,
| + | |
− | In emulation opposite to Heav'n.
| + | |
− | Which when BEELZEBUB perceiv'd, then whom,
| + | |
− | SATAN except, none higher sat, with grave
| + | |
− | Aspect he rose, and in his rising seem'd
| + | |
− | A Pillar of State; deep on his Front engraven
| + | |
− | Deliberation sat and publick care;
| + | |
− | And Princely counsel in his face yet shon,
| + | |
− | Majestick though in ruin: sage he stood
| + | |
− | With ATLANTEAN shoulders fit to bear
| + | |
− | The weight of mightiest Monarchies; his look
| + | |
− | Drew audience and attention still as Night
| + | |
− | Or Summers Noon-tide air, while thus he spake.
| + | |
− | | + | |
− | Thrones and imperial Powers, off-spring of heav'n,
| + | |
− | Ethereal Vertues; or these Titles now
| + | |
− | Must we renounce, and changing stile be call'd
| + | |
− | Princes of Hell? for so the popular vote
| + | |
− | Inclines, here to continue, and build up here
| + | |
− | A growing Empire; doubtless; while we dream,
| + | |
− | And know not that the King of Heav'n hath doom'd
| + | |
− | This place our dungeon, not our safe retreat
| + | |
− | Beyond his Potent arm, to live exempt
| + | |
− | From Heav'ns high jurisdiction, in new League
| + | |
− | Banded against his Throne, but to remaine
| + | |
− | In strictest bondage, though thus far remov'd,
| + | |
− | Under th' inevitable curb, reserv'd
| + | |
− | His captive multitude: For he, be sure,
| + | |
− | In highth or depth, still first and last will Reign
| + | |
− | Sole King, and of his Kingdom loose no part
| + | |
− | By our revolt, but over Hell extend
| + | |
− | His Empire, and with Iron Scepter rule
| + | |
− | Us here, as with his Golden those in Heav'n.
| + | |
− | What sit we then projecting Peace and Warr?
| + | |
− | Warr hath determin'd us, and foild with loss
| + | |
− | Irreparable; tearms of peace yet none
| + | |
− | Voutsaf't or sought; for what peace will be giv'n
| + | |
− | To us enslav'd, but custody severe,
| + | |
− | And stripes, and arbitrary punishment
| + | |
− | Inflicted? and what peace can we return,
| + | |
− | But to our power hostility and hate,
| + | |
− | Untam'd reluctance, and revenge though slow,
| + | |
− | Yet ever plotting how the Conquerour least
| + | |
− | May reap his conquest, and may least rejoyce
| + | |
− | In doing what we most in suffering feel?
| + | |
− | Nor will occasion want, nor shall we need
| + | |
− | With dangerous expedition to invade
| + | |
− | Heav'n, whose high walls fear no assault or Siege,
| + | |
− | Or ambush from the Deep. What if we find
| + | |
− | Some easier enterprize? There is a place
| + | |
− | (If ancient and prophetic fame in Heav'n
| + | |
− | Err not) another World, the happy seat
| + | |
− | Of som new Race call'd MAN, about this time
| + | |
− | To be created like to us, though less
| + | |
− | In power and excellence, but favour'd more
| + | |
− | Of him who rules above; so was his will
| + | |
− | Pronounc'd among the Gods, and by an Oath,
| + | |
− | That shook Heav'ns whol circumference, confirm'd.
| + | |
− | Thither let us bend all our thoughts, to learn
| + | |
− | What creatures there inhabit, of what mould,
| + | |
− | Or substance, how endu'd, and what thir Power,
| + | |
− | And where thir weakness, how attempted best,
| + | |
− | By force or suttlety: Though Heav'n be shut,
| + | |
− | And Heav'ns high Arbitrator sit secure
| + | |
− | In his own strength, this place may lye expos'd
| + | |
− | The utmost border of his Kingdom, left
| + | |
− | To their defence who hold it: here perhaps
| + | |
− | Som advantagious act may be achiev'd
| + | |
− | By sudden onset, either with Hell fire
| + | |
− | To waste his whole Creation, or possess
| + | |
− | All as our own, and drive as we were driven,
| + | |
− | The punie habitants, or if not drive,
| + | |
− | Seduce them to our Party, that thir God
| + | |
− | May prove thir foe, and with repenting hand
| + | |
− | Abolish his own works. This would surpass
| + | |
− | Common revenge, and interrupt his joy
| + | |
− | In our Confusion, and our Joy upraise
| + | |
− | In his disturbance; when his darling Sons
| + | |
− | Hurl'd headlong to partake with us, shall curse
| + | |
− | Thir frail Originals, and faded bliss,
| + | |
− | Faded so soon. Advise if this be worth
| + | |
− | Attempting, or to sit in darkness here
| + | |
− | Hatching vain Empires. Thus BEELZEBUB
| + | |
− | Pleaded his devilish Counsel, first devis'd
| + | |
− | By SATAN, and in part propos'd: for whence,
| + | |
− | But from the Author of all ill could Spring
| + | |
− | So deep a malice, to confound the race
| + | |
− | Of mankind in one root, and Earth with Hell
| + | |
− | To mingle and involve, done all to spite
| + | |
− | The great Creatour? But thir spite still serves
| + | |
− | His glory to augment. The bold design
| + | |
− | Pleas'd highly those infernal States, and joy
| + | |
− | Sparkl'd in all thir eyes; with full assent
| + | |
− | They vote: whereat his speech he thus renews.
| + | |
− | | + | |
− | Well have ye judg'd, well ended long debate,
| + | |
− | Synod of Gods, and like to what ye are,
| + | |
− | Great things resolv'd; which from the lowest deep
| + | |
− | Will once more lift us up, in spight of Fate,
| + | |
− | Neerer our ancient Seat; perhaps in view
| + | |
− | Of those bright confines, whence with neighbouring Arms
| + | |
− | And opportune excursion we may chance
| + | |
− | Re-enter Heav'n; or else in some milde Zone
| + | |
− | Dwell not unvisited of Heav'ns fair Light
| + | |
− | Secure, and at the brightning Orient beam
| + | |
− | Purge off this gloom; the soft delicious Air,
| + | |
− | To heal the scarr of these corrosive Fires
| + | |
− | Shall breath her balme. But first whom shall we send
| + | |
− | In search of this new world, whom shall we find
| + | |
− | Sufficient? who shall tempt with wandring feet
| + | |
− | The dark unbottom'd infinite Abyss
| + | |
− | And through the palpable obscure find out
| + | |
− | His uncouth way, or spread his aerie flight
| + | |
− | Upborn with indefatigable wings
| + | |
− | Over the vast abrupt, ere he arrive
| + | |
− | The happy Ile; what strength, what art can then
| + | |
− | Suffice, or what evasion bear him safe
| + | |
− | 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,
| + | |
− | The weight of all and our last hope relies.
| + | |
− | | + | |
− | This said, he sat; and expectation held
| + | |
− | His look suspence, awaiting who appeer'd
| + | |
− | To second, or oppose, or undertake
| + | |
− | The perilous attempt: but all sat mute,
| + | |
− | Pondering the danger with deep thoughts; & each
| + | |
− | In others count'nance red his own dismay
| + | |
− | Astonisht: none among the choice and prime
| + | |
− | Of those Heav'n-warring Champions could be found
| + | |
− | So hardie as to proffer or accept
| + | |
− | Alone the dreadful voyage; till at last
| + | |
− | SATAN, whom now transcendent glory rais'd
| + | |
− | Above his fellows, with Monarchal pride
| + | |
− | Conscious of highest worth, unmov'd thus spake.
| + | |
− | | + | |
− | O Progeny of Heav'n, Empyreal Thrones,
| + | |
− | With reason hath deep silence and demurr
| + | |
− | Seis'd us, though undismaid: long is the way
| + | |
− | And hard, that out of Hell leads up to Light;
| + | |
− | Our prison strong, this huge convex of Fire,
| + | |
− | Outrageous to devour, immures us round
| + | |
− | Ninefold, and gates of burning Adamant
| + | |
− | Barr'd over us prohibit all egress.
| + | |
− | These past, if any pass, the void profound
| + | |
− | Of unessential Night receives him next
| + | |
− | Wide gaping, and with utter loss of being
| + | |
− | Threatens him, plung'd in that abortive gulf.
| + | |
− | If thence he scape into what ever world,
| + | |
− | Or unknown Region, what remains him less
| + | |
− | Then unknown dangers and as hard escape.
| + | |
− | But I should ill become this Throne, O Peers,
| + | |
− | And this Imperial Sov'ranty, adorn'd
| + | |
− | With splendor, arm'd with power, if aught propos'd
| + | |
− | And judg'd of public moment, in the shape
| + | |
− | Of difficulty or danger could deterre
| + | |
− | Me from attempting. Wherefore do I assume
| + | |
− | These Royalties, and not refuse to Reign,
| + | |
− | Refusing to accept as great a share
| + | |
− | Of hazard as of honour, due alike
| + | |
− | To him who Reigns, and so much to him due
| + | |
− | Of hazard more, as he above the rest
| + | |
− | High honourd sits? Go therfore mighty powers,
| + | |
− | Terror of Heav'n, though fall'n; intend at home,
| + | |
− | While here shall be our home, what best may ease
| + | |
− | The present misery, and render Hell
| + | |
− | More tollerable; if there be cure or charm
| + | |
− | 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
| + | |
− | Deliverance for us all: this enterprize
| + | |
− | None shall partake with me. Thus saying rose
| + | |
− | The Monarch, and prevented all reply,
| + | |
− | Prudent, least from his resolution rais'd
| + | |
− | Others among the chief might offer now
| + | |
− | (Certain to be refus'd) what erst they feard;
| + | |
− | And so refus'd might in opinion stand
| + | |
− | His rivals, winning cheap the high repute
| + | |
− | Which he through hazard huge must earn. But they
| + | |
− | Dreaded not more th' adventure then his voice
| + | |
− | Forbidding; and at once with him they rose;
| + | |
− | Thir rising all at once was as the sound
| + | |
− | Of Thunder heard remote. Towards him they bend
| + | |
− | With awful reverence prone; and as a God
| + | |
− | Extoll him equal to the highest in Heav'n:
| + | |
− | Nor fail'd they to express how much they prais'd,
| + | |
− | That for the general safety he despis'd
| + | |
− | His own: for neither do the Spirits damn'd
| + | |
− | Loose all thir vertue; least bad men should boast
| + | |
− | Thir specious deeds on earth, which glory excites,
| + | |
− | Or close ambition varnisht o're with zeal.
| + | |
− | Thus they thir doubtful consultations dark
| + | |
− | Ended rejoycing in thir matchless Chief:
| + | |
− | As when from mountain tops the dusky clouds
| + | |
− | Ascending, while the North wind sleeps, o'respread
| + | |
− | Heav'ns chearful face, the lowring Element
| + | |
− | Scowls ore the dark'nd lantskip Snow, or showre;
| + | |
− | If chance the radiant Sun with farewell sweet
| + | |
− | Extend his ev'ning beam, the fields revive,
| + | |
− | The birds thir notes renew, and bleating herds
| + | |
− | Attest thir joy, that hill and valley rings.
| + | |
− | O shame to men! Devil with Devil damn'd
| + | |
− | Firm concord holds, men onely disagree
| + | |
− | Of Creatures rational, though under hope
| + | |
− | Of heavenly Grace: and God proclaiming peace,
| + | |
− | Yet live in hatred, enmitie, and strife
| + | |
− | Among themselves, and levie cruel warres,
| + | |
− | Wasting the Earth, each other to destroy:
| + | |
− | As if (which might induce us to accord)
| + | |
− | Man had not hellish foes anow besides,
| + | |
− | That day and night for his destruction waite.
| + | |
− | | + | |
− | The STYGIAN Councel thus dissolv'd; and forth
| + | |
− | In order came the grand infernal Peers,
| + | |
− | Midst came thir mighty Paramount, and seemd
| + | |
− | Alone th' Antagonist of Heav'n, nor less
| + | |
− | Then Hells dread Emperour with pomp Supream,
| + | |
− | And God-like imitated State; him round
| + | |
− | A Globe of fierie Seraphim inclos'd
| + | |
− | With bright imblazonrie, and horrent Arms.
| + | |
− | Then of thir Session ended they bid cry
| + | |
− | With Trumpets regal sound the great result:
| + | |
− | Toward the four winds four speedy Cherubim
| + | |
− | Put to thir mouths the sounding Alchymie
| + | |
− | By Haralds voice explain'd: the hollow Abyss
| + | |
− | Heard farr and wide, and all the host of Hell
| + | |
− | With deafning shout, return'd them loud acclaim.
| + | |
− | Thence more at ease thir minds and somwhat rais'd
| + | |
− | By false presumptuous hope, the ranged powers
| + | |
− | Disband, and wandring, each his several way
| + | |
− | Pursues, as inclination or sad choice
| + | |
− | Leads him perplext, where he may likeliest find
| + | |
− | Truce to his restless thoughts, and entertain
| + | |
− | The irksome hours, till his great Chief return.
| + | |
− | Part on the Plain, or in the Air sublime
| + | |
− | Upon the wing, or in swift race contend,
| + | |
− | As at th' Olympian Games or PYTHIAN fields;
| + | |
− | Part curb thir fierie Steeds, or shun the Goal
| + | |
− | With rapid wheels, or fronted Brigads form.
| + | |
− | As when to warn proud Cities warr appears
| + | |
− | Wag'd in the troubl'd Skie, and Armies rush
| + | |
− | To Battel in the Clouds, before each Van
| + | |
− | Pric forth the Aerie Knights, and couch thir spears
| + | |
− | Till thickest Legions close; with feats of Arms
| + | |
− | From either end of Heav'n the welkin burns.
| + | |
− | Others with vast TYPHOEAN rage more fell
| + | |
− | Rend up both Rocks and Hills, and ride the Air
| + | |
− | In whirlwind; Hell scarce holds the wilde uproar.
| + | |
− | As when ALCIDES from OEALIA Crown'd
| + | |
− | With conquest, felt th' envenom'd robe, and tore
| + | |
− | Through pain up by the roots THESSALIAN Pines,
| + | |
− | And LICHAS from the top of OETA threw
| + | |
− | Into th' EUBOIC Sea. Others more milde,
| + | |
− | Retreated in a silent valley, sing
| + | |
− | With notes Angelical to many a Harp
| + | |
− | Thir own Heroic deeds and hapless fall
| + | |
− | By doom of Battel; and complain that Fate
| + | |
− | Free Vertue should enthrall to Force or Chance.
| + | |
− | Thir song was partial, but the harmony
| + | |
− | (What could it less when Spirits immortal sing?)
| + | |
− | Suspended Hell, and took with ravishment
| + | |
− | The thronging audience. In discourse more sweet
| + | |
− | (For Eloquence the Soul, Song charms the Sense,)
| + | |
− | Others apart sat on a Hill retir'd,
| + | |
− | In thoughts more elevate, and reason'd high
| + | |
− | Of Providence, Foreknowledge, Will, and Fate,
| + | |
− | Fixt Fate, free will, foreknowledge absolute,
| + | |
− | And found no end, in wandring mazes lost.
| + | |
− | Of good and evil much they argu'd then,
| + | |
− | Of happiness and final misery,
| + | |
− | Passion and Apathie, and glory and shame,
| + | |
− | Vain wisdom all, and false Philosophie:
| + | |
− | Yet with a pleasing sorcerie could charm
| + | |
− | Pain for a while or anguish, and excite
| + | |
− | Fallacious hope, or arm th' obdured brest
| + | |
− | With stubborn patience as with triple steel.
| + | |
− | Another part in Squadrons and gross Bands,
| + | |
− | On bold adventure to discover wide
| + | |
− | That dismal world, if any Clime perhaps
| + | |
− | Might yeild them easier habitation, bend
| + | |
− | Four ways thir flying March, along the Banks
| + | |
− | Of four infernal Rivers that disgorge
| + | |
− | Into the burning Lake thir baleful streams;
| + | |
− | Abhorred STYX the flood of deadly hate,
| + | |
− | Sad ACHERON of sorrow, black and deep;
| + | |
− | COCYTUS, nam'd of lamentation loud
| + | |
− | Heard on the ruful stream; fierce PHLEGETON
| + | |
− | Whose waves of torrent fire inflame with rage.
| + | |
− | Farr off from these a slow and silent stream,
| + | |
− | LETHE the River of Oblivion roules
| + | |
− | Her watrie Labyrinth, whereof who drinks,
| + | |
− | Forthwith his former state and being forgets,
| + | |
− | Forgets both joy and grief, pleasure and pain.
| + | |
− | Beyond this flood a frozen Continent
| + | |
− | Lies dark and wilde, beat with perpetual storms
| + | |
− | Of Whirlwind and dire Hail, which on firm land
| + | |
− | Thaws not, but gathers heap, and ruin seems
| + | |
− | Of ancient pile; all else deep snow and ice,
| + | |
− | A gulf profound as that SERBONIAN Bog
| + | |
− | Betwixt DAMIATA and mount CASIUS old,
| + | |
− | Where Armies whole have sunk: the parching Air
| + | |
− | Burns frore, and cold performs th' effect of Fire.
| + | |
− | Thither by harpy-footed Furies hail'd,
| + | |
− | At certain revolutions all the damn'd
| + | |
− | Are brought: and feel by turns the bitter change
| + | |
− | Of fierce extreams, extreams by change more fierce,
| + | |
− | From Beds of raging Fire to starve in Ice
| + | |
− | Thir soft Ethereal warmth, and there to pine
| + | |
− | Immovable, infixt, and frozen round,
| + | |
− | Periods of time, thence hurried back to fire.
| + | |
− | They ferry over this LETHEAN Sound
| + | |
− | Both to and fro, thir sorrow to augment,
| + | |
− | And wish and struggle, as they pass, to reach
| + | |
− | The tempting stream, with one small drop to loose
| + | |
− | In sweet forgetfulness all pain and woe,
| + | |
− | All in one moment, and so neer the brink;
| + | |
− | But fate withstands, and to oppose th' attempt
| + | |
− | MEDUSA with GORGONIAN terror guards
| + | |
− | The Ford, and of it self the water flies
| + | |
− | All taste of living wight, as once it fled
| + | |
− | The lip of TANTALUS. Thus roving on
| + | |
− | In confus'd march forlorn, th' adventrous Bands
| + | |
− | With shuddring horror pale, and eyes agast
| + | |
− | View'd first thir lamentable lot, and found
| + | |
− | No rest: through many a dark and drearie Vaile
| + | |
− | They pass'd, and many a Region dolorous,
| + | |
− | O're many a Frozen, many a Fierie Alpe,
| + | |
− | Rocks, Caves, Lakes, Fens, Bogs, Dens, and shades of death,
| + | |
− | A Universe of death, which God by curse
| + | |
− | Created evil, for evil only good,
| + | |
− | Where all life dies, death lives, and nature breeds,
| + | |
− | Perverse, all monstrous, all prodigious things,
| + | |
− | Abominable, inutterable, and worse
| + | |
− | Then Fables yet have feign'd, or fear conceiv'd,
| + | |
− | GORGONS and HYDRA'S, and CHIMERA'S dire.
| + | |
− | | + | |
− | Mean while the Adversary of God and Man,
| + | |
− | SATAN with thoughts inflam'd of highest design,
| + | |
− | Puts on swift wings, and toward the Gates of Hell
| + | |
− | Explores his solitary flight; som times
| + | |
− | He scours the right hand coast, som times the left,
| + | |
− | Now shaves with level wing the Deep, then soares
| + | |
− | Up to the fiery concave touring high.
| + | |
− | As when farr off at Sea a Fleet descri'd
| + | |
− | Hangs in the Clouds, by AEQUINOCTIAL Winds
| + | |
− | Close sailing from BENGALA, or the Iles
| + | |
− | Of TERNATE and TIDORE, whence Merchants bring
| + | |
− | Thir spicie Drugs: they on the trading Flood
| + | |
− | Through the wide ETHIOPIAN to the Cape
| + | |
− | Ply stemming nightly toward the Pole. So seem'd
| + | |
− | Farr off the flying Fiend: at last appeer
| + | |
− | Hell bounds high reaching to the horrid Roof,
| + | |
− | And thrice threefold the Gates; three folds were Brass
| + | |
− | Three Iron, three of Adamantine Rock,
| + | |
− | Impenitrable, impal'd with circling fire,
| + | |
− | Yet unconsum'd. Before the Gates there sat
| + | |
− | On either side a formidable shape;
| + | |
− | The one seem'd Woman to the waste, and fair,
| + | |
− | But ended foul in many a scaly fould
| + | |
− | Voluminous and vast, a Serpent arm'd
| + | |
− | With mortal sting: about her middle round
| + | |
− | A cry of Hell Hounds never ceasing bark'd
| + | |
− | With wide CERBEREAN mouths full loud, and rung
| + | |
− | A hideous Peal: yet, when they list, would creep,
| + | |
− | If aught disturb'd thir noyse, into her woomb,
| + | |
− | And kennel there, yet there still bark'd and howl'd
| + | |
− | Within unseen. Farr less abhorrd then these
| + | |
− | Vex'd SCYLLA bathing in the Sea that parts
| + | |
− | CALABRIA from the hoarce TRINACRIAN shore:
| + | |
− | Nor uglier follow the Night-Hag, when call'd
| + | |
− | In secret, riding through the Air she comes
| + | |
− | Lur'd with the smell of infant blood, to dance
| + | |
− | With LAPLAND Witches, while the labouring Moon
| + | |
− | Eclipses at thir charms. The other shape,
| + | |
− | If shape it might be call'd that shape had none
| + | |
− | Distinguishable in member, joynt, or limb,
| + | |
− | Or substance might be call'd that shadow seem'd,
| + | |
− | For each seem'd either; black it stood as Night,
| + | |
− | Fierce as ten Furies, terrible as Hell,
| + | |
− | And shook a dreadful Dart; what seem'd his head
| + | |
− | The likeness of a Kingly Crown had on.
| + | |
− | SATAN was now at hand, and from his seat
| + | |
− | The Monster moving onward came as fast,
| + | |
− | With horrid strides, Hell trembled as he strode.
| + | |
− | Th' undaunted Fiend what this might be admir'd,
| + | |
− | Admir'd, not fear'd; God and his Son except,
| + | |
− | Created thing naught vallu'd he nor shun'd;
| + | |
− | And with disdainful look thus first began.
| + | |
− | | + | |
− | Whence and what art thou, execrable shape,
| + | |
− | That dar'st, though grim and terrible, advance
| + | |
− | Thy miscreated Front athwart my way
| + | |
− | To yonder Gates? through them I mean to pass,
| + | |
− | That be assur'd, without leave askt of thee:
| + | |
− | Retire, or taste thy folly, and learn by proof,
| + | |
− | Hell-born, not to contend with Spirits of Heav'n.
| + | |
− | | + | |
− | To whom the Goblin full of wrauth reply'd,
| + | |
− | Art thou that Traitor Angel, art thou hee,
| + | |
− | Who first broke peace in Heav'n and Faith, till then
| + | |
− | Unbrok'n, and in proud rebellious Arms
| + | |
− | Drew after him the third part of Heav'ns Sons
| + | |
− | Conjur'd against the highest, for which both Thou
| + | |
− | And they outcast from God, are here condemn'd
| + | |
− | To waste Eternal daies in woe and pain?
| + | |
− | And reck'n'st thou thy self with Spirits of Heav'n,
| + | |
− | Hell-doomd, and breath'st defiance here and scorn,
| + | |
− | Where I reign King, and to enrage thee more,
| + | |
− | Thy King and Lord? Back to thy punishment,
| + | |
− | False fugitive, and to thy speed add wings,
| + | |
− | Least with a whip of Scorpions I pursue
| + | |
− | Thy lingring, or with one stroke of this Dart
| + | |
− | Strange horror seise thee, and pangs unfelt before.
| + | |
− | | + | |
− | So spake the grieslie terrour, and in shape,
| + | |
− | So speaking and so threatning, grew ten fold
| + | |
− | More dreadful and deform: on th' other side
| + | |
− | Incenc't with indignation SATAN stood
| + | |
− | Unterrifi'd, and like a Comet burn'd,
| + | |
− | That fires the length of OPHIUCUS huge
| + | |
− | In th' Artick Sky, and from his horrid hair
| + | |
− | Shakes Pestilence and Warr. Each at the Head
| + | |
− | Level'd his deadly aime; thir fatall hands
| + | |
− | No second stroke intend, and such a frown
| + | |
− | Each cast at th' other, as when two black Clouds
| + | |
− | With Heav'ns Artillery fraught, come rattling on
| + | |
− | Over the CASPIAN, then stand front to front
| + | |
− | Hov'ring a space, till Winds the signal blow
| + | |
− | To joyn thir dark Encounter in mid air:
| + | |
− | So frownd the mighty Combatants, that Hell
| + | |
− | Grew darker at thir frown, so matcht they stood;
| + | |
− | For never but once more was either like
| + | |
− | To meet so great a foe: and now great deeds
| + | |
− | Had been achiev'd, whereof all Hell had rung,
| + | |
− | Had not the Snakie Sorceress that sat
| + | |
− | Fast by Hell Gate, and kept the fatal Key,
| + | |
− | Ris'n, and with hideous outcry rush'd between.
| + | |
− | | + | |
− | O Father, what intends thy hand, she cry'd,
| + | |
− | Against thy only Son? What fury O Son,
| + | |
− | Possesses thee to bend that mortal Dart
| + | |
− | Against thy Fathers head? and know'st for whom;
| + | |
− | For him who sits above and laughs the while
| + | |
− | At thee ordain'd his drudge, to execute
| + | |
− | What e're his wrath, which he calls Justice, bids,
| + | |
− | His wrath which one day will destroy ye both.
| + | |
− | | + | |
− | She spake, and at her words the hellish Pest
| + | |
− | Forbore, then these to her SATAN return'd:
| + | |
− | | + | |
− | So strange thy outcry, and thy words so strange
| + | |
− | Thou interposest, that my sudden hand
| + | |
− | Prevented spares to tell thee yet by deeds
| + | |
− | What it intends; till first I know of thee,
| + | |
− | What thing thou art, thus double-form'd, and why
| + | |
− | In this infernal Vaile first met thou call'st
| + | |
− | Me Father, and that Fantasm call'st my Son?
| + | |
− | I know thee not, nor ever saw till now
| + | |
− | Sight more detestable then him and thee.
| + | |
− | | + | |
− | T' whom thus the Portress of Hell Gate reply'd;
| + | |
− | Hast thou forgot me then, and do I seem
| + | |
− | Now in thine eye so foul, once deemd so fair
| + | |
− | In Heav'n, when at th' Assembly, and in sight
| + | |
− | Of all the Seraphim with thee combin'd
| + | |
− | In bold conspiracy against Heav'ns King,
| + | |
− | All on a sudden miserable pain
| + | |
− | Surpris'd thee, dim thine eyes, and dizzie swumm
| + | |
− | In darkness, while thy head flames thick and fast
| + | |
− | Threw forth, till on the left side op'ning wide,
| + | |
− | Likest to thee in shape and count'nance bright,
| + | |
− | Then shining heav'nly fair, a Goddess arm'd
| + | |
− | Out of thy head I sprung: amazement seis'd
| + | |
− | All th' Host of Heav'n; back they recoild affraid
| + | |
− | At first, and call'd me SIN, and for a Sign
| + | |
− | Portentous held me; but familiar grown,
| + | |
− | I pleas'd, and with attractive graces won
| + | |
− | The most averse, thee chiefly, who full oft
| + | |
− | Thy self in me thy perfect image viewing
| + | |
− | Becam'st enamour'd, and such joy thou took'st
| + | |
− | With me in secret, that my womb conceiv'd
| + | |
− | A growing burden. Mean while Warr arose,
| + | |
− | And fields were fought in Heav'n; wherein remaind
| + | |
− | (For what could else) to our Almighty Foe
| + | |
− | Cleer Victory, to our part loss and rout
| + | |
− | Through all the Empyrean: down they fell
| + | |
− | Driv'n headlong from the Pitch of Heaven, down
| + | |
− | Into this Deep, and in the general fall
| + | |
− | I also; at which time this powerful Key
| + | |
− | Into my hand was giv'n, with charge to keep
| + | |
− | These Gates for ever shut, which none can pass
| + | |
− | Without my op'ning. Pensive here I sat
| + | |
− | Alone, but long I sat not, till my womb
| + | |
− | Pregnant by thee, and now excessive grown
| + | |
− | Prodigious motion felt and rueful throes.
| + | |
− | At last this odious offspring whom thou seest
| + | |
− | Thine own begotten, breaking violent way
| + | |
− | Tore through my entrails, that with fear and pain
| + | |
− | Distorted, all my nether shape thus grew
| + | |
− | Transform'd: but he my inbred enemie
| + | |
− | Forth issu'd, brandishing his fatal Dart
| + | |
− | Made to destroy: I fled, and cry'd out DEATH;
| + | |
− | Hell trembl'd at the hideous Name, and sigh'd
| + | |
− | From all her Caves, and back resounded DEATH.
| + | |
− | I fled, but he pursu'd (though more, it seems,
| + | |
− | Inflam'd with lust then rage) and swifter far,
| + | |
− | Me overtook his mother all dismaid,
| + | |
− | And in embraces forcible and foule
| + | |
− | Ingendring with me, of that rape begot
| + | |
− | These yelling Monsters that with ceasless cry
| + | |
− | Surround me, as thou sawst, hourly conceiv'd
| + | |
− | And hourly born, with sorrow infinite
| + | |
− | To me, for when they list into the womb
| + | |
− | That bred them they return, and howle and gnaw
| + | |
− | My Bowels, their repast; then bursting forth
| + | |
− | Afresh with conscious terrours vex me round,
| + | |
− | That rest or intermission none I find.
| + | |
− | Before mine eyes in opposition sits
| + | |
− | Grim DEATH my Son and foe, who sets them on,
| + | |
− | And me his Parent would full soon devour
| + | |
− | For want of other prey, but that he knows
| + | |
− | His end with mine involvd; and knows that I
| + | |
− | Should prove a bitter Morsel, and his bane,
| + | |
− | When ever that shall be; so Fate pronounc'd.
| + | |
− | But thou O Father, I forewarn thee, shun
| + | |
− | His deadly arrow; neither vainly hope
| + | |
− | To be invulnerable in those bright Arms,
| + | |
− | Though temper'd heav'nly, for that mortal dint,
| + | |
− | Save he who reigns above, none can resist.
| + | |
− | | + | |
− | She finish'd, and the suttle Fiend his lore
| + | |
− | Soon learnd, now milder, and thus answerd smooth.
| + | |
− | Dear Daughter, since thou claim'st me for thy Sire,
| + | |
− | And my fair Son here showst me, the dear pledge
| + | |
− | Of dalliance had with thee in Heav'n, and joys
| + | |
− | Then sweet, now sad to mention, through dire change
| + | |
− | Befalln us unforeseen, unthought of, know
| + | |
− | I come no enemie, but to set free
| + | |
− | From out this dark and dismal house of pain,
| + | |
− | Both him and thee, and all the heav'nly Host
| + | |
− | Of Spirits that in our just pretenses arm'd
| + | |
− | Fell with us from on high: from them I go
| + | |
− | This uncouth errand sole, and one for all
| + | |
− | My self expose, with lonely steps to tread
| + | |
− | Th' unfounded deep, & through the void immense
| + | |
− | To search with wandring quest a place foretold
| + | |
− | Should be, and, by concurring signs, ere now
| + | |
− | Created vast and round, a place of bliss
| + | |
− | In the Pourlieues of Heav'n, and therein plac't
| + | |
− | A race of upstart Creatures, to supply
| + | |
− | Perhaps our vacant room, though more remov'd,
| + | |
− | Least Heav'n surcharg'd with potent multitude
| + | |
− | Might hap to move new broiles: Be this or aught
| + | |
− | Then this more secret now design'd, I haste
| + | |
− | To know, and this once known, shall soon return,
| + | |
− | And bring ye to the place where Thou and Death
| + | |
− | Shall dwell at ease, and up and down unseen
| + | |
− | Wing silently the buxom Air, imbalm'd
| + | |
− | With odours; there ye shall be fed and fill'd
| + | |
− | Immeasurably, all things shall be your prey.
| + | |
− | He ceas'd, for both seemd highly pleasd, and Death
| + | |
− | Grinnd horrible a gastly smile, to hear
| + | |
− | His famine should be fill'd, and blest his mawe
| + | |
− | Destin'd to that good hour: no less rejoyc'd
| + | |
− | His mother bad, and thus bespake her Sire.
| + | |
− | | + | |
− | The key of this infernal Pit by due,
| + | |
− | And by command of Heav'ns all-powerful King
| + | |
− | I keep, by him forbidden to unlock
| + | |
− | These Adamantine Gates; against all force
| + | |
− | Death ready stands to interpose his dart,
| + | |
− | Fearless to be o'rematcht by living might.
| + | |
− | But what ow I to his commands above
| + | |
− | Who hates me, and hath hither thrust me down
| + | |
− | Into this gloom of TARTARUS profound,
| + | |
− | To sit in hateful Office here confin'd,
| + | |
− | Inhabitant of Heav'n, and heav'nlie-born,
| + | |
− | Here in perpetual agonie and pain,
| + | |
− | With terrors and with clamors compasst round
| + | |
− | Of mine own brood, that on my bowels feed:
| + | |
− | Thou art my Father, thou my Author, thou
| + | |
− | My being gav'st me; whom should I obey
| + | |
− | But thee, whom follow? thou wilt bring me soon
| + | |
− | To that new world of light and bliss, among
| + | |
− | The Gods who live at ease, where I shall Reign
| + | |
− | At thy right hand voluptuous, as beseems
| + | |
− | Thy daughter and thy darling, without end.
| + | |
− | | + | |
− | Thus saying, from her side the fatal Key,
| + | |
− | Sad instrument of all our woe, she took;
| + | |
− | And towards the Gate rouling her bestial train,
| + | |
− | Forthwith the huge Porcullis high up drew,
| + | |
− | Which but her self not all the STYGIAN powers
| + | |
− | Could once have mov'd; then in the key-hole turns
| + | |
− | Th' intricate wards, and every Bolt and Bar
| + | |
− | Of massie Iron or sollid Rock with ease
| + | |
− | Unfast'ns: on a sudden op'n flie
| + | |
− | With impetuous recoile and jarring sound
| + | |
− | Th' infernal dores, and on thir hinges great
| + | |
− | Harsh Thunder, that the lowest bottom shook
| + | |
− | Of EREBUS. She op'nd, but to shut
| + | |
− | Excel'd her power; the Gates wide op'n stood,
| + | |
− | That with extended wings a Bannerd Host
| + | |
− | Under spread Ensigns marching might pass through
| + | |
− | With Horse and Chariots rankt in loose array;
| + | |
− | So wide they stood, and like a Furnace mouth
| + | |
− | Cast forth redounding smoak and ruddy flame.
| + | |
− | Before thir eyes in sudden view appear
| + | |
− | The secrets of the hoarie deep, a dark
| + | |
− | Illimitable Ocean without bound,
| + | |
− | Without dimension, where length, breadth, and highth,
| + | |
− | And time and place are lost; where eldest Night
| + | |
− | And CHAOS, Ancestors of Nature, hold
| + | |
− | Eternal ANARCHIE, amidst the noise
| + | |
− | Of endless warrs and by confusion stand.
| + | |
− | For hot, cold, moist, and dry, four Champions fierce
| + | |
− | Strive here for Maistrie, and to Battel bring
| + | |
− | Thir embryon Atoms; they around the flag
| + | |
− | Of each his faction, in thir several Clanns,
| + | |
− | Light-arm'd or heavy, sharp, smooth, swift or slow,
| + | |
− | Swarm populous, unnumber'd as the Sands
| + | |
− | Of BARCA or CYRENE'S torrid soil,
| + | |
− | Levied to side with warring Winds, and poise
| + | |
− | Thir lighter wings. To whom these most adhere,
| + | |
− | Hee rules a moment; CHAOS Umpire sits,
| + | |
− | And by decision more imbroiles the fray
| + | |
− | By which he Reigns: next him high Arbiter
| + | |
− | CHANCE governs all. Into this wilde Abyss,
| + | |
− | The Womb of nature and perhaps her Grave,
| + | |
− | Of neither Sea, nor Shore, nor Air, nor Fire,
| + | |
− | But all these in thir pregnant causes mixt
| + | |
− | Confus'dly, and which thus must ever fight,
| + | |
− | Unless th' Almighty Maker them ordain
| + | |
− | His dark materials to create more Worlds,
| + | |
− | Into this wilde Abyss the warie fiend
| + | |
− | Stood on the brink of Hell and look'd a while,
| + | |
− | Pondering his Voyage; for no narrow frith
| + | |
− | He had to cross. Nor was his eare less peal'd
| + | |
− | With noises loud and ruinous (to compare
| + | |
− | Great things with small) then when BELLONA storms,
| + | |
− | With all her battering Engines bent to rase
| + | |
− | Som Capital City, or less then if this frame
| + | |
− | Of Heav'n were falling, and these Elements
| + | |
− | In mutinie had from her Axle torn
| + | |
− | The stedfast Earth. At last his Sail-broad Vannes
| + | |
− | He spreads for flight, and in the surging smoak
| + | |
− | Uplifted spurns the ground, thence many a League
| + | |
− | As in a cloudy Chair ascending rides
| + | |
− | Audacious, but that seat soon failing, meets
| + | |
− | A vast vacuitie: all unawares
| + | |
− | Fluttring his pennons vain plumb down he drops
| + | |
− | Ten thousand fadom deep, and to this hour
| + | |
− | Down had been falling, had not by ill chance
| + | |
− | The strong rebuff of som tumultuous cloud
| + | |
− | Instinct with Fire and Nitre hurried him
| + | |
− | As many miles aloft: that furie stay'd,
| + | |
− | Quencht in a Boggie SYRTIS, neither Sea,
| + | |
− | Nor good dry Land: nigh founderd on he fares,
| + | |
− | Treading the crude consistence, half on foot,
| + | |
− | Half flying; behoves him now both Oare and Saile.
| + | |
− | As when a Gryfon through the Wilderness
| + | |
− | With winged course ore Hill or moarie Dale,
| + | |
− | Pursues the ARIMASPIAN, who by stelth
| + | |
− | Had from his wakeful custody purloind
| + | |
− | The guarded Gold: So eagerly the fiend
| + | |
− | Ore bog or steep, through strait, rough, dense, or rare,
| + | |
− | With head, hands, wings, or feet pursues his way,
| + | |
− | And swims or sinks, or wades, or creeps, or flyes:
| + | |
− | At length a universal hubbub wilde
| + | |
− | Of stunning sounds and voices all confus'd
| + | |
− | Born through the hollow dark assaults his eare
| + | |
− | With loudest vehemence: thither he plyes,
| + | |
− | Undaunted to meet there what ever power
| + | |
− | Or Spirit of the nethermost Abyss
| + | |
− | Might in that noise reside, of whom to ask
| + | |
− | Which way the neerest coast of darkness lyes
| + | |
− | Bordering on light; when strait behold the Throne
| + | |
− | Of CHAOS, and his dark Pavilion spread
| + | |
− | Wide on the wasteful Deep; with him Enthron'd
| + | |
− | Sat Sable-vested Night, eldest of things,
| + | |
− | The consort of his Reign; and by them stood
| + | |
− | ORCUS and ADES, and the dreaded name
| + | |
− | Of DEMOGORGON; Rumor next and Chance,
| + | |
− | And Tumult and Confusion all imbroild,
| + | |
− | And Discord with a thousand various mouths.
| + | |
− | | + | |
− | T' whom SATAN turning boldly, thus. Ye Powers
| + | |
− | And Spirits of this nethermost Abyss,
| + | |
− | CHAOS and ANCIENT NIGHT, I come no Spie,
| + | |
− | With purpose to explore or to disturb
| + | |
− | The secrets of your Realm, but by constraint
| + | |
− | Wandring this darksome desart, as my way
| + | |
− | Lies through your spacious Empire up to light,
| + | |
− | Alone, and without guide, half lost, I seek
| + | |
− | What readiest path leads where your gloomie bounds
| + | |
− | Confine with Heav'n; or if som other place
| + | |
− | From your Dominion won, th' Ethereal King
| + | |
− | Possesses lately, thither to arrive
| + | |
− | I travel this profound, direct my course;
| + | |
− | Directed, no mean recompence it brings
| + | |
− | To your behoof, if I that Region lost,
| + | |
− | All usurpation thence expell'd, reduce
| + | |
− | To her original darkness and your sway
| + | |
− | (Which is my present journey) and once more
| + | |
− | Erect the Standerd there of ANCIENT NIGHT;
| + | |
− | Yours be th' advantage all, mine the revenge.
| + | |
− | | + | |
− | Thus SATAN; and him thus the Anarch old
| + | |
− | With faultring speech and visage incompos'd
| + | |
− | Answer'd. I know thee, stranger, who thou art,
| + | |
− | That mighty leading Angel, who of late
| + | |
− | Made head against Heav'ns King, though overthrown.
| + | |
− | I saw and heard, for such a numerous host
| + | |
− | Fled not in silence through the frighted deep
| + | |
− | With ruin upon ruin, rout on rout,
| + | |
− | Confusion worse confounded; and Heav'n Gates
| + | |
− | Pourd out by millions her victorious Bands
| + | |
− | Pursuing. I upon my Frontieres here
| + | |
− | Keep residence; if all I can will serve,
| + | |
− | That little which is left so to defend
| + | |
− | Encroacht on still through our intestine broiles
| + | |
− | Weakning the Scepter of old Night: first Hell
| + | |
− | Your dungeon stretching far and wide beneath;
| + | |
− | Now lately Heaven and Earth, another World
| + | |
− | Hung ore my Realm, link'd in a golden Chain
| + | |
− | To that side Heav'n from whence your Legions fell:
| + | |
− | If that way be your walk, you have not farr;
| + | |
− | So much the neerer danger; goe and speed;
| + | |
− | Havock and spoil and ruin are my gain.
| + | |
− | | + | |
− | He ceas'd; and SATAN staid not to reply,
| + | |
− | But glad that now his Sea should find a shore,
| + | |
− | With fresh alacritie and force renew'd
| + | |
− | Springs upward like a Pyramid of fire
| + | |
− | Into the wilde expanse, and through the shock
| + | |
− | Of fighting Elements, on all sides round
| + | |
− | Environ'd wins his way; harder beset
| + | |
− | And more endanger'd, then when ARGO pass'd
| + | |
− | Through BOSPORUS betwixt the justling Rocks:
| + | |
− | Or when ULYSSES on the Larbord shunnd
| + | |
− | CHARYBDIS, and by th' other whirlpool steard.
| + | |
− | So he with difficulty and labour hard
| + | |
− | Mov'd on, with difficulty and labour hee;
| + | |
− | But hee once past, soon after when man fell,
| + | |
− | Strange alteration! Sin and Death amain
| + | |
− | Following his track, such was the will of Heav'n,
| + | |
− | Pav'd after him a broad and beat'n way
| + | |
− | Over the dark Abyss, whose boiling Gulf
| + | |
− | Tamely endur'd a Bridge of wondrous length
| + | |
− | From Hell continu'd reaching th' utmost Orbe
| + | |
− | Of this frail World; by which the Spirits perverse
| + | |
− | With easie intercourse pass to and fro
| + | |
− | To tempt or punish mortals, except whom
| + | |
− | God and good Angels guard by special grace.
| + | |
− | But now at last the sacred influence
| + | |
− | Of light appears, and from the walls of Heav'n
| + | |
− | Shoots farr into the bosom of dim Night
| + | |
− | A glimmering dawn; here Nature first begins
| + | |
− | Her fardest verge, and CHAOS to retire
| + | |
− | As from her outmost works a brok'n foe
| + | |
− | With tumult less and with less hostile din,
| + | |
− | That SATAN with less toil, and now with ease
| + | |
− | Wafts on the calmer wave by dubious light
| + | |
− | And like a weather-beaten Vessel holds
| + | |
− | Gladly the Port, though Shrouds and Tackle torn;
| + | |
− | Or in the emptier waste, resembling Air,
| + | |
− | Weighs his spread wings, at leasure to behold
| + | |
− | Farr off th' Empyreal Heav'n, extended wide
| + | |
− | In circuit, undetermind square or round,
| + | |
− | With Opal Towrs and Battlements adorn'd
| + | |
− | Of living Saphire, once his native Seat;
| + | |
− | And fast by hanging in a golden Chain
| + | |
− | This pendant world, in bigness as a Starr
| + | |
− | Of smallest Magnitude close by the Moon.
| + | |
− | Thither full fraught with mischievous revenge,
| + | |
− | Accurst, and in a cursed hour he hies.
| + | |
− | <img src=http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/3/6/1/13619/13619-h/images/ljv5-5.jpg> | + | |
− | | + | |
− | </div> | + | |
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| {{About Anarchopedia}} | | {{About Anarchopedia}} |
| <div style="float: right;"><small>[{{SERVER}}{{localurl:Template:About Anarchopedia|action=edit}} edit]</small></div> | | <div style="float: right;"><small>[{{SERVER}}{{localurl:Template:About Anarchopedia|action=edit}} edit]</small></div> |
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| + | {| cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" style="background-color:transparent;" |
| + | ! align="center" style="font: 125% 'Verdana', sans-serif;"|How to contribute |
| + | |- |
| + | | style="font: 95% 'Verdana', sans-serif;" align="justify"| |
| + | {{How to contribute}} |
| + | <div style="float: right;"><small>[{{SERVER}}{{localurl:Template:How to contribute|action=edit}} edit]</small></div> |
| + | |} |
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− | ----
| + | <div align="center" style="font: 125% 'Verdana', sans-serif;">Community ([[:m:|Meta Anarchopedia]])</div> |
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− | <img src=http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/3/6/1/13619/13619-h/images/ljv5-5.jpg>
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− | <div align="center" style="font: 125% 'Verdana', sans-serif;">Community</div> | + | |
| {| cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="background-color:transparent;" | | {| cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="background-color:transparent;" |
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| {| cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" style="background-color:transparent;" | | {| cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" style="background-color:transparent;" |
− | | style="font: 125% 'Verdana', sans-serif;" | <small>'''Anarchopedia in other languages'''</small> | + | | style="font: 125% 'Verdana', sans-serif;" | <small>Anarchopedia in other languages</small> |
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| | style="font: 95% 'Verdana', sans-serif;" align="justify"| | | | style="font: 95% 'Verdana', sans-serif;" align="justify"| |
− | <img src=http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/3/6/1/13619/13619-h/images/ljv5-5.jpg>
| + | {{Community}} |
| <div style="float: right;"><small>[{{SERVER}}{{localurl:Template:Community|action=edit}} edit]</small></div> | | <div style="float: right;"><small>[{{SERVER}}{{localurl:Template:Community|action=edit}} edit]</small></div> |
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− | | style="font: 125% 'Verdana', sans-serif;" |<small>Forum:
| + | | style="font: 125% 'Verdana', sans-serif;" |<small>Female and other future Sister Projects</small> |
− | *[http://yaaf.net YAAF]
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− | *[http://glug.yaaf.net GNU/Linux User Group]</small>
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− | |-
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− | | style="font: 125% 'Verdana', sans-serif;" |<small>Female and other future Sister projects</small> | + | |
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| | style="font: 95% 'Verdana', sans-serif;" align="justify"| | | | style="font: 95% 'Verdana', sans-serif;" align="justify"| |
− | {{SisterProject}} | + | {{sister projects}} |
− | <div style="float: right;"><small>[{{SERVER}}{{localurl:Template:SisterProject|action=edit}} edit]</small></div> | + | <div style="float: right;"><small>[{{SERVER}}{{localurl:Template:sister projects|action=edit}} edit]</small></div> |
| |} | | |} |
| |} | | |} |
− | <img src=http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/3/6/1/13619/13619-h/images/ljv5-5.jpg>
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| + | [[de:Hauptseite]] |
| + | [[es:Portada]] |
| + | [[fr:Accueil]] |
| + | [[hr:Main Page]] |
| + | [[id:Halaman Utama]] |
| + | [[it:Prima Pagina]] |
| + | [[pl:Strona główna]] |
| + | [[ru:Ð—Ð°Ð³Ð»Ð°Ð²Ð½Ð°Ñ Ñтраница]] |
| + | [[sr:Главна Ñтрана]] |
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