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PARADISE LOST.
^ iF®]iiao
IN TWELVE BOOKS
BY JOHN MILTON.
A NEW EDITION.
BOSTON: PUBLISHED BY PHILLIPS & SAMPSON.
122 WASHINGTON STREET.
1845.
(£>0
K^S
PARADISE LOST.
BOOK I.
The first Book proposes, first in brief, the whole subject, Man's dis- obedience, and the loss thereupon of Paradise wherein he was placed: Then touches the prime cause of bis Fall, tlie Serpent, or rather Satan in the Serpent; who. revolting from God, and drawing to his side many iegions of Angels, was, by the com mand of God, driven out of Heaven, with all his crew, into the great deep. Which action passed over, the Poem hastens into the midst of things, presenting Satan with his Angels now falling into Hell, described hero, not in the centre (for Heaven anil Earth may be supposed as yet not made, c^eriainly not yet accurs- ed.) but in a place of utter darkness fitlicst called Chaos: Here Satan with his Angels lying on the burning lake, thunderstruck and astonished, after a certain space recovers, as from confusion, calls up him who next in order and dignity lay by him; They confer of their miserable fall; Satan awakens all his legions, who lay till then in the same manner confounded. They rise; their numbers; array of battle; their chief leaders named, ac- cording to the idols known afterwards in Canaan and the coun- tries adjoining. To these Satan directs his speech, comforts them Avith hope yet of regaining Heavf^n, but tells them lastly of a new world and new kind of creature to be created, according to an ancient prophecy or report in Heaven ; for, that Angels v.ern long before this visible creation, was the opinion of many ancient Fatliers. To find out tlie truth of this prophecy, and rfhat to determine thereon, he refers to a full council. "What liis associates thence attempt. Pandemonium, tlie palace of Satan, rises, suddenly built out of the deep : The infernal peers there sit in council.
Of Man's first disobedience, and the fruit
Of that forbidden tree, whose mortal taste
Brought death into tlie world, and all our wee,
With loss of Eden, till one greater Man
Restore us, and regain the blissful seat, 5
Sing, hcaven'.y Muse, that on the secret top
Of Oreb, or of Sinai, didst inspire
T'liat shepherd, who first taught the chosen seed,
In the beginning how the Heavens and Earth
Rose out of Chaos : Or if Sihon hill 10
Delight thee more, and Siloa's brook that flow'd
Fast by the oracle of God ; I thence
Invoke thy aid to my adventurous song,
That wiUi no middle flight intends to soar
4 PARADISE LOST. b. i.
Above the Aoniaii mount, while it pursues 15
Things unattempted yet in prose or rhyme. And chiefly Thou, O Spirit, that dost prefer Before all temples the upright heart and pure, Instruct me, for Thou know'st , Thou from the first Wast present, and with mighty wings outspread 20 Dovelil^e sat'st brooding on the vast abyss, And madest it pregnant : What in me is dark, ] Illumine ; what is low, raise and support; That to the height of this great argument I may assert Eternal Providence, 25
And justify the ways of God to men.
Say first, for Heaven hides nothing from thy view, Nor the deep tract of Hell ; say first, what cause Moved our grand Parents, in tlmt happy state, Favour'd of Heaven so highly, to fall off 30
From their Creator, and transgress his will For one restraint, lords of the world besides .' Who first seduced them to that foul revolt .'' The infernal Serpent ; he it was, whose guile, Stirr'd up with envy and revenge, deceived 35
The mother of mankind, what time his pride Had cast him out from Heaven, witli 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, 40
If he opposed ; and, with ambitious aim Against the throne and monarchy of God, Raised impious war in Heaven, and battle proud, With vain attempt. Him the Almighty Power Hurl'd headlong flaming from tlie ethereal sky, 45 With hideous ruin and combustion, down To bottomless perdition ; there to dwell In adamantine chains and penal fire, Who dvLV^t defy the Omnipotent to arms. J^ine t'jTies the space that measures day and night 50 To m( rtal men, he with his horrid crew Lay vanquiah'd, rolling in tlie fiery gulf,
PARADISE LOST. 5
Confounded, though immortal : But his doom
Reserved him to more wrath ; for now the thought
Both of lost happiness, and lasting pain, 55
Torments him : round he throws his baleful eyes,
That witnessd huge afrliction and dismay
Mix'd with obdurate pride and steadfast hate
At once, as far as Angels ken, he views
The dismal situation waste and wild : 60
A dungeon horrible on all sides round
As one great furnace flamed ; yet from those flames
No light ; but rather darkness visible
Served only to discover sights of woe,
Regions of sorrow, doleful shades, where peace 65
And rest can never dwell ; hope never comes
That comes to all ; but torture without end
Still urges, and a iiery deluge, fed
With ever burning sulphur unconsumcd
Such place Eternal Justice had prepared 70
For those rebellious ; here their prison ordain'd
In utter darkness, and their portion set
As far removed from God and light of Heaven
As from the centre thrice to the utmost pole.
O. how unlike the place from whence they fell • 75
There the companions of his fall, o'erwhelm'd
With floods and whirlwinds of tempestuous fire,
He soon discerns ; and weltering by his side
One next himself in power, and next in crime,
Long after known in Palestine, and named 80
Betjlzebub. To whom the Archenemy,
And thence in Heaven call'd Satan, with bold words
Breaking the horrid silence, thus began.
If thou be he ; but O, how fallen ! how changed From him, who, in the happy realms of liglit, 85
Clothed with transcendent brightness, didst outshine Myriads though bright! If he whom mutual league, United thoughts and counsels, equal hope And hazard in the glorious enterprise, Jom'd with me once, now misery hath join'd 1^
■G PARADISE LOST b. i
In equal riain J Into what pit thou seest,
•From what height fallen ; so much the stronger proved
He with his thunder • and till then who knew
The force of those dire arms ? Yet not for those,
Nor v/hat the potent victor in his rage 95
Can else inflict, do I repent or change,
Though changed in outward lustre, that fix'd mind,
And high disdain from sense of injured merit,
That with the Mightiest raised me to contend.
And to the fierce contention brought along 100
innumerable force of Spirits arm'd.
That durst dislike his reign, and, me preferring,
His utmost power with adverse power opposed
In dubious battle on the plains of Heaven,
And shook his throne. What though the field be lost ?
All is not lost ; the unconquerable will, 106
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 110
Extort from me. To bow and sue for grace
With suppliant knee, and deify his power-,
Who from the terror of this arm so late
Doubted his empire ; that v/ere low indeed.
That were an ignominy, and shame beneath 115
This downfal : 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 advanced.
We may with more successful hope resolve 120
To wage, by force or guile, eternal war
Irreconcilable to our grand Foe,
Who now triumphs, and, in the excess of joy
Sole reigning, holds the tyranny of Heaven.
So spake the apostate Angel, though in pain, 125 Vaunting alcud, but rack'd with deep despair : And him thus answer 'd soon his bold compeer.
O Prince, O Chief of many throned Powe'-Sj
PARADISE LOST 7
That led the embattled Seraphim to war Under thy conduct, and in dreadful deeds 130
Fearless endanger'd Heaven's 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, 135
Hath lost us Heaven, and all this mighty host In horrible destruction laid thus low. As far as Gods and heavenly essences Can perish : for the mind and spirit remains Invincible, and vigour soon returns, 140
Though all our glory extinct, and happy state Here swallow'd up in endless misery. But what if he our Conqueror (whom I now Offeree believe Almighty, since no less Than such could have o'erpower'd such force as ours; Have left us this our spirit and strength entire 146 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 war, whate'er his business be, 150
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 undiminish'd, or eternal being, To undergo eternal punishment ? 155
Whereto with speedy words the Archfiend replied.
Fallen cherub ! to be weak is miserable. Doing or suffering : but of this be sure. To do aught good never will be our taskj But ever to do ill our sole delight, 160
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 E*ill to find means of evil ; 163
Which ofttimes mav succeed so as perhaps
8 PARADISE LOST. b i
Shall grieve him, if I fail not, and disturb
His inmost counsels from their destined aim.
But see ! the angry victor hath recall'd
His ministers of vengeance and pursuit 17Q
Back to the gates of Heaven : the sulphurous hail,
Sliot after us in storm, o'erblown, hath laid
The fiery surge, that from the precipice
Of Heaven received us falling ; and the thunder,
Wing'd v/ith red lightning and impetuous rage, 175
Perhaps hath spent Jiis shafts, and ceases now
To bellow through the vast and boundless deep
Let us not slip tlie occasion, whether scorn,
Or satiate fury, yield it from our Foe.
Seest tliou yon dreary plain, forlorn and wild, 180
The seat of desolation, void of light,
Save what the glimmering of these livid flames
Casts pale and dreadful ? Thitlicr let us tend
From off the tossing of these fiery waves ;
There rest, if any rest can harbour there ; 185
And, reassembling our affiicted 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 ; 190
ff not, what resolution from despair.
Thus Satan talking to his nearest mate With head uplift above the wave, and eyes That sparkling blazed ; his other parts besides Prone on the iiood, extended long and large, I9'i
Lay floating many a rood ; in bulk as huge As whom the fables name of monstrous size, Titanian, or Earth-born, that v/ar'd on Jove Briareos or Typbon, whom the den By ancient Tarsus held ; or that seabeast 201
Leviathan, which Crod of all his works Created hugest thai swmi the ocean stream : Him, haply, slumbering on the Norway foam The pilot of some small night-founder'd skifF
PARADISE LOST. 9
Deeming some island, oft, as seamen tell, 205
With fixed anchor in his scaly rind. Moors by his side under the lee, while night Invests the sea, and wished morn delays : So stretch'd out huge in length the Archfiend lay, Chain'd on tlie burning lake : nor ever thence 210 Had risen, or heaved his h^ad ; but that the will And high permission of all-ruling Heaven Left him at large to Jiis own dark designs ; That with reiterated crimes he might Heap on himself damnation, while he sought 215
Evil to others ; and, enraged, might see How all his malice served but to bring forth Infinite goodness, grace, and mercy, shown On Man by him seduced ; but on himself Treble confusion, wrath, and vengeance, pour'd. 220 Forthwith upright he rears from off the pool His mighty stature : on each hand the flames, Driven backward, slope their pointing spires, and roll'd In billows, leave i' the midst a horrid vale. Then with expanded wings he steers his flight 225 Aloft, incumbent on the dusky air, That felt unusual w^eight ; till on dry land He lights, if it were land that ever burn'd With solid, as tne lake with liquid fire : And such appear'd in hue, as when the forco 230
Of subterranean wind transports a hill Torn from Pelorus, or the shatter 'd side Of thundering ^tna, whose combustible And fuel'd entrails thence conceiving fire, Sublimed with minerai fury, aid the winds, 235
And leave a singed bottom all involved With stench and smoke : such resting found the sol© Of unbless'd feet. Him follow'd liis next mate : Both glorying to have scaped the Stygian flood As Gods, and by their own recovcr'd strength, 240 Not by the suflerance of supernal Power. Is tins tlie region, this tlie soil, the clime,
10 PARADISE LOST. b. i
Said then tlie losst Archangel, this the seat
That we must change for Heaven ; this mournful gloom
For that celestial light ? Be it so ! since he, 245
Who now is Sov'reign, can dispose and bid
What shall be right : furthest from him is best,
Whom reason hath equal'd, force hath made supreme
Above liis equals. Farewell, happy fields,
Where joy for ever dwells ! Hail horrors ! hail, 250
Infernal world ! And thou, profoundest Hell,
Receive thy new possessor ! one who brings
A mind not to be oiiangcd by place or time :
The mind is its own place, and in itself
Can make a Heaven of Hell, a Hell of Heaven. 255
What matter where, if I be still the same.
And what I should be ; all but less than he
Whom thunder hath made greater ^ Here at least
We shall be free ; the Almighty hath not built
Here for his envy ; will not drive us hence : 2C0
Here we may reign secure, and, in my choice,
To reign is worth ambition, though in Hell :
Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven !
But wherefore let we then our faithful friends,
The associates and copartners of our loss 265
Lie thus astonished on the oblivious pool.
And call them not to share with us their part
In this unhappy mansion ; or once more
With rallied arms to try Avhat may be yet
Regain'd in Heaven, or what more lost in Hell .'' 270
So Satan spake ; and him BeSlzebub Thus answer 'd. Leader of those armies bright. Which but the Omnipotent none could have foil'd ! If once they hear that voice, their liveliest pledge Of hope in fears and dangers, heard so oft 27&
In worst extremes, and on the perilous edge Of battle when it raged, in all assaults Their surest signal, they v/ill soon resume New courage and revive ; tliough now they lie Groveling and prostrate on yon lake of fire, 280
PARADISE LOST. 11
As we ercwliile, astounded and amazed : No wonder, fallen such a pernicious height.
He scarce had ceased, when the superior Fiend Was moving toward tlie shore : his ponderous shield, Ethereal temper, massy, large, and round, 285
Behind him cast ; the broad circumference Hung on his shoulders hke the moon, whose orb Through optic glass the Tuscan artist views At Evening from the top of i'esole, Or in Valdarno, to descry new lands, .290
Rivers, or mountains, in her spotty globe. His spear, to cental which the tallest pine Hewn on Norwe.frian hills, to be the mast Of some groat ammiral, wore but a v/and, He walk'd witb, to .support uneasy steps 2!^5
Over the burning uiarle, not like those steps On Heaven's azure ; and the torrid clime Smote on him sore besides, vaulted with fire : Nathless he so endured, till on the beach Of that inflamed sea he stood, and call'd 300
His legions. Angel forms, who lay entranced ThicJi as autumnal leaves that strow the brooks, In Vallambrcsa, Vi^here the Etrurian shades, High overarched, imbower ; or scattered sedge AH oat, when v/itli fierce winds Orion arm'd 305
Hsth vex'd the Red Seacoast, whose waves o'erthrew Busiris and his Ptlemphian chiva,lry, While with perfidious hatred thcj pursued The sojourners of Goshen, v%'ho beheld From the safe shore their floiiting carcasses 310
And broken chariot wheels: so thick bestrewn, Abject and lost lay these, covering the flood. Under amazement of their hideous change. He call'd so lovid. that all the hollow deep Of Hell resounded ! Princes, Potentates, 335
Warriors, the flower of Heaven! once yours, now lost, If such astonishment as this can seizo Eternal Spirits ; or have ye chosen this place
la PARADISE LOST. m. i
After the toil of battle to repose
Your wearied virtue, for the ease you find 320
To slumber here, as in the vales of Heaven ?
Or in this abject posture have ye sworn
To adore the Conqueror ! who now beholds
Cherub and Seraph rolling in the flood,
With scatter'd arms and ensigns ; till anon 325
His swift pursuers from Heaven gates discern
iThe advantage, and descending, tread us down
Thus drooping, or with linked thunderbolts
Transfix us to the bottom of this gulf.
Awake, arise, or be for ever fallen ! 330
They heard, and were abash'd, and up tiiey 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 perceive the evil plight 335
[n which they were, nor the fierce pains not feel ; f et to their General's voice they soon obey'd , Innumerable. As when the potent rod Of Amraiii's son, in Egypt's evil day, Waved round the coast, up call'd a pitch}'- cloud '340 Of locusts, warping on tlie eastern wind, That o'er the realm of impious Pharaoh hung Like night, and darken'd all the land of Nile So numberless were those bad Angels seen Hovering on wing under the cope of Hell, 345
'Twixt upper, nether, and surrounding fires ; Till, as a signal given, the uplifted spear Of their great Sultan, waving to direct Their course, in even balance down they light On the firm brimstone, and fill all the plain ; 350
A multitude, like which the populous North Pour'd never from her frozen loins, to pass Rhene or the Danaw, when her barbarous sons Came like a deluge on the South, and spread Beneath Gibraltar to the Libyan sands. 353
Forthwith from every squadron, and each band;
PARADISE LOST. 13
The heads and leaders thither haste where stood Their great Commander ; Godlike shapes, and forms Excelling human ; princely Dignities j And Powers that erst in Heaven sat on thrones ; 360 Though of their names in heavenly records now Be no memorial ; blotted out and rased By their rebellion from the bock of life. Nor had they yet among the sons of Eve 364
Got them new names ; till, wandering o'er the earth, Tlirough God's high sufferance for the trial of man, By falsities and lies the greatest part Of mankind they corrupted to forsake God their creator, and the invisible Glory of him that made them to transform 370
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. 375 Say, Pduse, their names then known ; who first, who last, Roused from the slumber, on that fisry couch. At their great Emperor's call, as next in worth Came singly where he stood on the bare strand, While the promiscuous crowd stood yet aloof. 380
The chief were those, who from the pit of Hel! Roaming to seek their prey on earth, durst fix Their seats long after next the seat of God, Their altars by his altar ; Gods adored Among the nations round : and durst abide 385
Jehovah thundering out of Sion, throned Between the cherubim ; yea, often placed Within his sanctuary itself their shrines, Abominations ; and with cursed things His holy rites and solemn feasts profaned, 390
And with their darkness durst affront his light. First, Moloch, horrid king, besmear'd with blood Of himian sacrifice, and parents' tears ; Though, for the noise of drums and timbrels loud, 2
14 PARADISE LOST. b. i.
Their children's cries unheard, that pass'd though fire,
To his grim idol. Him the Ammonite 396
Worship'd in Rabba and her watery plain,
In Argob and in Basan, to the stream
Of utmost Arnon ; Nor content with such
Audacious neighbourhood, the wisest heart 400
Of Solomon he led by fraud to build
His temple right against the temple of God
On that opprobrious hill : and made his grove
The pleasant valley of Hinnom, Tophet thence
And black Gehenna call'd, the type of Hell. 405
Next, Chemos, the obscene dread of Moab's sons,
From Aroer to Nebo, and the wild
Of southmost Abarim ; in Hesebon
And Horonaim, Seon's realm, beyond
The flowery dale of Sibma clad with vines ; 410
And Eleale to the Asphaltic pool.
Peor Jiis o^her name, when he enticed
Israel in Sittim, on their march from Nile,
To do him wanton rites, which cost them woe.
Yet thence his lustful orgies he enlarged 415
Even to that hill of scandal, by the grove
Of Moloch homicide j lust hard by hate ;
Till good Josiah drove them thence to Hell,
With these came they, who, from the bordering flood
Of old Euphrates to the brook that parts 420
Egypt from Syrian ground, had general names
Of Baalim and Ashtaroth ; those male.
These feminine ; For Spirits, when they please,
Can either sex assume, or both ; so soft
And uncompounded is their essence pure > 425
Not tied or manacled with joint or limb,
Nor founded on the brittle strength of bones,
Like cumbrous flesh ; but, in what shape they choose,
Dilated or condensed, bright or obscure,
Can execute their aery purposes, 430
And works of love or enmity fulfil.
For those the race of Israel oft forsook
PARADISE LOST. 15
Their Living Strength, and unfrequented left
His righteous altar, bowing lowly down
To bestial Gods ; for which their heads as low 435
Bow'd down in battle, sunk before the spear
Of despicable foes. With these in troop
Came Astoreth, whom the Phoenicians call'd
Astarte, queen of Heaven, with crescent horns
To whose bright image nightly by the moon 440
Sidonian virgins paid their vows and songs ;
In Sion also not unsung, where stood
Her temple on the offensive mountain, built
By that uxorious king, whose heart, though large,
Beguiled by fair idolatresses, fell 445
To idols foul. Thammuz came next behind,
Whose annual wound in Lebanon allured
The Syrian damsels to lament his fate
In amorous ditties all a summer's day ;
While smooth Adonis from his native rock 450
Ran purple to the sea, supposed with blood
Of Thammuz yearly wounded : the love tale
Infected Sion's daughters with like heat ;
Whose wanton passions in the sacred porch
Ezekiel saw, when, by the \nsion led, 455
His eye survey'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 lopp'd off
In his own temple, on the grunsel edge, 460
Where he fell flat, and shamed his worsliippers :
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, 465
And Accaron and Gaza's frontier bounds.
Him follow'd Rimmon, whose delightful seat
Was fair Damascus, on the fertile banks
Of Abbana and Pharphar, lucid streams.
He also against the house of God was bold • 470
16 PARADISE LOST b i.
A leper once he lost, and gain'd a king ;
Ahaz, his sottish conqueror, whom he drew
God's altar to disparage, and displace,
For one of Syrian mode, whereon to burn
His odious offerings, and adore the Gods 475
Whcm he had vanquish'd. After these appear'd
A crew, who, under names of old renown,
Osiris, Isis, Orus, and their train.
With monstrous shapes and sorceries abused
Fanatic Egypt, and her priests to seek 480
Their wandering Gods disguised in brutish forms
Rather than human. Nor did Israel scape
The infection, when their borrow'd gold composed
The calf in Oreb ; and the rebel king
Doubled that sin in Bethel and in Dan, 485
Likening his Maker to the grazed ox ;
Jehovah, wlio 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 camo last, than whom a Spirit more lewd 490
Fell not from Heaven, or more gross to love
Vice for itself: to him no temple stood
Or altar smoked : yet who more oft than he
In temples and at altars, when the priest
Turns atheist, as did Eli's sons, who fill'd 495
With lust and violence the house of God ?
In courts and palaces he also reigns,
And in luxurious cities, where the noise
Of riot ascends above their loftiest towers,
And injury and outrage : And when night 500
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 the hospitable door
Exposed a matron, to avoid worse rape. 50f
These were the prime in order, and in might ;
The rest were long to tell, though far renown'd,
The Ionian Gods, of Javan's issue ; held
PARADISE LOST 17
Gods, yet confess'd later than Heaven and Earth,
Their boasted parents : Titan, Heaven's first-born, 510
With his enormous brood, and birthright seized
By younger Saturn ; he from mightier Jove,
H's own and Rhea's son, hke measure found ;
So Jove usurping reign'd • these first in Crete
And Ida known, thence on the snowy top 515
Of cold Olympus ruled the middle air,
Their highest Heaven ; or on the Delphian cliff,
Or in Dodona, and through all the bounds
Of Doric land ; or who with Saturn old
Fled ovej: Adria to the Hesperian fields, 520
And o'er the Celtic roam'd the utmost isles.
All these and more came flocking ; but with looks Downcast and damp ; yet such wherein appear'd Obscure some glimpse of joy, to have found their Chief Not in despair, to have found themselves not lost 525 In loss itself: which on his countenance cast Lilte doubtful hue : but he, his wonted pride Soon recollecting, with high v/ords, that bore Semblance of worth, not substance, gently raised Their fainting courage, and dispell'd their fears. 530 Then straight commands, that at the warlike sound Of trumpets loud and clarions be uprear'd His mighty standard i that proud honour claim'd Azazel as his right, a Cherub tall ; Who forthwith from the glittering staff unfurl'd 535 The imperial ensign ; which, full high advanced, Shone like a meteor streaming to the wind, With gems and golden lustre rich emblazed. Seraphic arms and trophies ; all the while Sonorous metal blowing martial sounds: 540
At which the universal host up sent A shout, that tore Hell's 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 545
With orient colours waving ■ with them rose 2 *
18 PARADISE LOST. b. i.
A forest 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 550
Of flutes and soft recorders ; such as raised
To height of noblest temper heroes old
Arming to battle ; and instead of rage
Deliberate valour breathed, firm and unmoved
With dread of death to flight or foul retreat ; 555
Nor wanting power to mitigate and suage
With solemn touches troiibled 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, 5G0
Moved on in silence to soft pipes, that charm'd
Tlieir painful steps o'er the burnt soil : and now
Advanced in view they stand ; a horrid front
Of dreadful length and dazzling arms, in guise
Of warriors old with order'd spear and shield ; 505
Awaiting what command their mighty Chief
Had to impose : He through the armed files
Darts his experienced eye, and soon traverse
The whole battalion views ; their order due ;
Their visages and stature as of Gods ; 570
Their number last he sums. And now his heart
Distends with pride, and hardening in his strength
Glories : for never, since created man.
Mot such imbodied force, as named with these
Could merit more than that small infantry 575
Warr'd on by cranes ; though all the giant brood
Of Phlegra with the heroic race were join'd
That fought at Thebes and Ilium, on each side
Mix'd with auxiliar Gods ; and what resounds
In fable or romance of Uther's son 5b0
Begirt with British and Armoric knights ;
And all who since, baptized or infidel,
Jousted in Aspramont, or Montalban,
Damasco, or Marocco, or Trcbisond,
PARADISE LOST. 19
Or whom Biserta sent from Afric shore, 585
When Charlemain with all his peerage fell By Fontarabbia. Thus far these beyond Compare of mortal prowess, yet observed Their dread Commander ; he, above the rest In shape and gesture proudly eminent, 590
Stood like a tower : his form had yet not lost All her original brightness ; nor appear'd Less than Archangel ruin'd, and the excess Of glory obscured : as when the sun, new risen Looks through the horizontal misty air 595
Shorn of his beams ; or from behind the moon, Fn dim eclipse, disastrous twilight sheds On half the nations, and with fear of change Perplexes monarchs. Darken'd so, yet shone Above them all the Archangel : but his face 600
Deep scars of thunder had intrench "d ; and care Sat on his faded cheek, but under brows Of dauntless courage, and considerate pride Waiting revenge : cruel his eye, but cast Signs of remorse and passion, to behold G05
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 amerced Of Heaven, and from eternal splendours fltmg 610 For his revolt ; yet faithful how they stood, Their glory wither'd : as v/hen Heaven's fire Hath scathed the forest oaks, or mountain pine ; With singed top their stately growth, though bare, Stands on the blasted heath. He now prepared 615 To speak } whereat their doubled ranks they bend From wing to wing, and half enclose him round With all his peers : Attention held them mute. Thrice he essay "d, and thrice, in spite of scorn, Tears, such as Angels weep, burst forth : at last 620 Words, interwove with sighs, found out their way. O Myriads of immortal Spirits ! O Powers
20 PARADISE LOST. b. i.
Matchless, but with the Almiglity! and that, strife
Was not inglorious, though the event was dire,
As this placo testiiies, and this dire change 625
Hateful to utter : but what pov/er 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 r' 630
For who can yet believe, though after loss,
That ail these puissant legions, whose exile
Math emptied Heaven, shall fail to reascend
yclf-raii5ed, and repossess their native seat ?
For me, be v/itness all the host of Heaven, 635
If counsels different, or dangers shunn'd
By me have lost our hopes. But he, who reigns
Monarch in Heaven, till then as one secure
Sat on his throne, upheld by old repute.
Consent or custom ; and h'is regal state 640
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 war, provoked : our better part remains 645
To work in close design, by fraud or guile,
What force effected not : that he no less
At length from us may find, v,'ho overcomes
By force, hath overcome but half his foe.
Space may produce nev/ worlds ; whereof so rife 650
There went a fame in Heaven that he ero 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 pry, shall be perhaps 655
Our first eruption ; thither or elsewhere :
For this infernal pit shall never hold
Celestiai. Spirits in bondage, nor the abyss
Long under darkness cover. But these thoughts
Fall counsel must mature • Peace is despair'd ; 660
PARADISE LOST. 21
For who can think submission ? War then, War Open or understood must be resolved.
He spake : and, to confirm his words, out flew Millions of flaming swords, drawn from the thighs Of mighty Cherubim ; the sudden blaze 665
Far round illumined hell : Highly they raged Against the Highest, and fierce with grasped arms Clash'd on their sounding sliields the din of war, Hurling defiance toward the vault of heaven.
There stood a hill not far, whose grisly top 670
Belch'd fire and rolling smoke ; the rest entire \
Shone with a glossy scurf; tmdoubted sign That in his womb was hid metallic ore. The work of sulphur. Thither, wing'd with speed, A numerous brigade hasten'd : as when bands 675 Of pioneers, 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 [thoughts From Heaven ; for e'en in Heaven his looks and Were always dovvmward bent, admiring more 681
The riches of Heaven's pavement, trodden gold, Than ought divine or holy else enjoy'd In vision beatific : by him first
Men also, and by his suggestion taught, 685
Ransack'd the centre, and with impious hands Rifled the bowels of their mother Earth For treasures, better hid. Soon had his crew Dpen'd into the hill a spacious wound, \nd digg'd out ribs of gold. Let none admire 690 That riches grow in Hell ; that soil may best Deserve the precious bane. And here let those, Who boast in mortal things, and wondering tell Of Babel, and the works of Memphian kings. Learn how their greatest monuments of fame, 695 And strength, and art, are easily outdone By Spirits reprobate, and in an hour. What in an age they with incessant toil
22 PARADISE LOST. b i.
And hands innumerable scarce perform.
Nigh on the plain, in many cells prepared, 700
That underneath had veins of liquid fire
Sluiced from the lake, a second multitude
With wondrous art founded the massy ore,
Severing each kind, and scumm'd the bullion dross .
A third as soon ]iad form'd within the ground 705
A various mould, and from the boiling cells
By strange conveyance filfd each hollow nook ;
As in an organ, from one blast of wind,
To many a row of pipes the soundboard breathes.
Anon, out of the earth, a fabric huge 710
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 715
Cornice or frieze, with bossy sculptures graven;
The roof was fretted gold. Not Babylon,
Nor great AJcairo, such magnificence
Equal'd in all their glories, to enshrine
Bclu? or Ecrapis, their Gods ; or seat 720
Their kings, when Egypt with Assyria strove
In wealth and luxury. The ascending pile
Stood fix'd her stately height ; and straight the doors,
Opening their brazen folds, discover, wide
Within, her ample spaces, o'er the smooth 725
And level pavement : from the arched roof
Pendant by subtle magic, many a row
Of starry lamps and blazen cressets, fed
With Naphtha and Asphaltus, yielded light
As from a sky. The hasty multitude 730
Admiring enter'd ; and the v^^ork some praise.
And some the architect : his hand was known
In Heaven by many a tower'd structure high.
Where sceptred Angels held their residence.
And sat as princes : whom the supreme King 735
Exalted to such power, and gave to rule.
PARADISE LOST. 23
Each in his hierarchy, the orders bright. Nor was his name unheard, or unadored, In ancient Greece ; and in Ausonian land Men call'd him Mulciber ; and how he fell 740
From Heaven they fabled, thrown by angry Jovo Sheer o'er the crystal battlements : from morn To noon he fell, from noon to dewy eve, A summer's day ; and with the setting sun Dropp'd from the zenith like a falling star, 745
On Leranos the ^gean isle : thus they relate, Erring ; for he with liis rebellious rout Fell long before ; nor aught avail'd him now To have built in Heaven high towers ; nor did he scape By all his engines, but was headlong sent 750
With his industrious crew to build in Hell.
Meanwhile the winged heralds, by command Of sovereign power, with awful ceremony And trumpet's sound, throughout the host proclaim A solemn council, forchv/ith to be held 755
At Pandemonium ; the high capital Of Satan and liis peers : their summons call'd From every band and 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 7G1
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 Soldan's chair Defied the best of Panim chivalry 7G5
To mortal combat, or career with lance,) Thick swarm'd both on the ground and in the air Brush'd with the hiss of rustling wings. As bees In spring tim.e, when the sun with Taurus rides. Pour forth their populous youth about the hive 770 In clusters ; they among fresh dews and flowers Fly to and fro, or on the smoothed plank, The suburb of their strawbuilt citadel. New rubb'd with balm, expatiate and confer
24 PARADiSE LOST. b. i.
Their state affairs. So thick the aery crowd 775
Swarm'd and were straiten'd 5 till, the signal given
Behold a wonder ! They but now who seem'd
In bigness to surpass Earth's giant sons,
Now less than sinallest dwarfs, in narrow room
Throng numberless, like that Pygmean race 780
Beyond the Indian mount : or fairy elves,
Whose midnight revels, by a forest side
Or fountain, some belated peasant sees
Or dreams he sees, while overhead the moon
Sits arbitress, and nearer to the earth 785
Wheels her pale coua-se ; they, on their mirth and danco
Intent, with jocund music charm his ear ;
At once with joy and fear his heart rebounds.
Thus incorporeal Spirits to smallest forms
Reduced their shapes immense, and were at largo^ 790
Though without number still, amidst the hall
Of that infernal court. But far within.
And in their own dimensions, like themselves,
The great Seraphic Lords and Cherubim
In close recess and secret conclave sat ; 795
A thousand Demi-gods on golden seats,
Frequent and full. After short silence then,
And summons read, the great consult began
PARADISE LOST.
BOOK II.
The consultation begun, Satan debates whether another battle b« to be hazarded for the recovery of Heaven ; Some advise it, others dissuade: A third proposal is preferred, mentioned beibreby Sa- tan, to search the truth of that prophecy or tradition in Heaven concerning another world, and anotiier kind of creature equal or not much inferior #b themselves, about this time to be created* Their doubt, who shall be sent on this difficult search; Satan their chief underta' es alone tlie voyage, is honoured and applaud- ed. The council tJius ended, tlie rest betake them several ways, and to several employments, as their inclin;i.tions lead them, to entertain the time til! Satan return. He passes on his journey to Hell gates: finds them shut, and who sat there to guard them: by whom at length they are opened, and discover to him the great gulf l)etween Hell and Heaven ; with what di-fliculty he passes through, directed by Chaos, the Power of tliat place, to the sight of this new world which he sought.
High on a throne of royal state, which far
Outshone the wealth of Ormus and of Ind,
Or where the gorgeous East with richest hand
Showers on her kings barbaric pearl and gold,
Satan exalted sat, by merit raised 5
To that bad eminence : and, from despair
Thus high uplifted beyond hope, aspires
Beyond thus high : insatiate to pursue
Vam war with Heaven ; and, by success, untaught,
His proud imaginations thus display'd. 10
Powers and Dominions, Deities of Heaven ! For since no deep within her gulf can hold Immortal vigour, though onpress'd and fallen, I give not Heaven for lost. From this descent Celestial virtues rising will appear 15
More glorious and more dread than from no fall. And trust themselves to fear no second fete. Me though just right and the fix'd laws of Heaven Did first create your Leader ; next, free choice, With what besides, in counsel or in fight, 20
Hath been achieved of merit ; yet thia loss,
ci
26 PARADISE LOST. b. ri
Thus far at least recover'd, hath much more
Estabhsh'd in a safe unenvied throne,
Yielded with full consent. The happier state
In heaven, which follows dignity, might draw 25
Envy from each inferior ; but who here
Will envy whom the highest place exposes
Foremost to stand against the Thunderer's aim,
Your bulwark, and condemns to greatest share
Of endless pain ? Where there is then no good 30
For which to strive, no strife can grdw up there
From faction ; for none sure will clakn in Hell
Precedence ; none, whose portion is so small
Of present pain, that with ambitious mind
Will covet more. With this advantage then 35
To union, and firm faith, and firm accord,
More than can be in Heaven, we now return
To claim our just inheritance of old,
Surer to prosper than prosperity
Could have assured us ; and, by what best way, 40
Whether of open war, or covert guile.
We now debate : Who can advise may speak.
He ceased : and next to him Moloch, sceptred king, Stood up, the strongest and the fiercest Spirit That fought in Heaven, now fiercer by despair : 45 His trust was with the Eternal to be deem'd Equal in strength ; and rather than be less Cared not to be at all ; with that care lost Went all his fear : of God, or Hell, or worse, He reck'd not ; and these words thereafter spake. 50
My sentence is for open war : 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 55
The signal to ascend, sit lingering here Heaven's fugitives, and for their dwelling place Accept this dark opprobrious den of shame, The prison of his tyranny who reigns
PARADISE LOST. 27
By our delay ? No ! let us rather choose 60
Arm'd with Hell flames and fury, all at once,
O'er Heaven's high towers to force resistless way,
Turning our tortures into horrid arms
Against the Torturer ; when to meet the noise
Of his Almighty engine he shall hear 65
Infernal thunder ; and, for lightning, see
Black fire and horror shot with equal rage
Among his Angels ; and his throne itself
Mix'd with Tartarean sulphur and strange fire,
His own invented torments. But perhaps 70
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 benumb not still.
That in our proper motion we ascend 76
Up to our native seat : Descent and fall
To us IS adverse. Who but felt of late,
When the fierce Foe huno; on our broken rear
Insulting, and pursued us through the deep,
With what compulsion and laborious flight 80
We sunk thus low ? The ascent is easy then ; ^
The event is fear'd ; should we again provoke
Our stronger, some worse way his ^vrath may find
To our destruction ; if there be in Hell
Fear to be worse destroy'd : What can be worse 85
That to dwell here, driven 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 90
Inexorably, and the torturing hour
Calls us to penance ! JNIore destroy'd than thus,
We should be quite abolish'd, and expire.
What fear we then ? what doubt we to incense
His utmost ire ? which, to the height enraged, 95
Will either quite consume us, and reduce
To nothing this essential ; happier far
28 PARADISE LOST. b. ii.
Than miserable to have eternal being •
Or if our substance be indeed divine,
And cannot cease to be, we are at worst 100
On this side nothing ; and by proof we feel
Our power sufficient to disturb his heaven,
And with perpetual inroads to alarm,
Though inaccessible, his fatal throne •
Which, if not victory, is yet revenge. 105
He ended frowning, and his look denounced Desperate revenge, and battle dangerous To less than Gods. On the otlier side uprose Belial, in act more graceful and humane : A fairer person lost not Heaven ; he seem'd 110
For dignity composed, and high exploit : But all was false and hollow ; though his tongue Dropp'd manna, and could make the worse appear The better reason, to perplex and dash Maturest counsels : for his thoughts were low 115 To vice industrious, but to nobler deeds Timorous and slothful : yet he pleased the car, And with };. i^uasive accent thus began. * I should ha much for open war, O Peers, As not behind in hate ; if vv^hat was urged 120
Main reason to persuade immediate war Did not dissuade 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, 125
Mistrustful, grounds his courage on despair And utter dissiolution, as the scope Of all his aim, after some dire revenge. First, wliat revenge ? The towers of Heaven are fiU'd With armed watch, that render all access 130
Impregnable : oft on the bordering deep Encamp their legions ; or, with obscure wing Scout far and wide into the realm of night, Scorning surprise. Or could we break our way By force, and at our heels all Hell should rise 135
PARADISE LOST. 29
With blackest insurrection, to confound Heaven's purest light ; yet our great Enemy, All incorruptible, would on his tlirone Sit unpolluted ; and the ethereal mould, Incapable of stain, would soon expel 140
Her mischief, and purge off the baser fire, Victorious. Thus repulsed, our final hope Is flat despair : We must exasperate The Almighty Victor to spend all his rage, And that must end us ; that must be our cure, 145 To be no more. Sad cure ! for who would lose, Though full of pain, this intellectual being. Those thoughts that wander through eternity To perish rather, swallow'd up and lost In the wido womb of uncreated night, ISC
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, 155
Belike through impotence, or unaware. To give his enemies their wish, and end Them in his anger, whom his anger saves To punish endless : Wherefore cease we then ? Say they who counsel war : we are decreed, 160
Reserved, and destined 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, pursued, and struck 165 With Heaven's 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 kindled those grim fires, 170 Awaked, should blow them into sevenfold rage, And plunge us in the flames ' or, from above, Should intermitted vengeance arm again 3*
30 PARADISE LOST. b. ir
His red right hand to plague us ? What if all
Her stores were open'd, and this firmament 175
Of Hell should spout her cataracts of firo,
Impendent horrors, threatening hideous fall
One day upon our heads ; while we perhaps
Designing or exhorting glorious war,
Caught in a fiery tempest, shall be huri'd 180
Each on his rock transfix'd, the sport and prey
Of wracking whirlwinds ; or for ever sunk
Under yon boiling ocean, wrapp'd in chains ;
There to converse with everlasting groans,
Unrespited, unpitied, unreprieved, 185
Ages of hopeless end ? This would be worse.
War therefore, open or conceal'd, alike
My voice dissuades ; for what can force or giule
With him, or who deceive his mind, whose eye
Views all things at one view ? He from Heaven's height
All these our motions vain sees and derides ; 191
Not more almighty to resist our might
Than wise to frustrate all our plots and wiles.
Shall we then live thus vile, the race of Heav3n
Thus trampled, thus expell'd to suffer here i95
Chains and these torments ? better these than worse,
By my advice ; since fate inevitable
Subdues us, and omnipotent decree,
The Victor's will To suffer, as to do,
Our strength is equal, nor the law unjust 200
That so ordains : This was at first resolved,
If we were wise, against so great a Foe
Contending, and so doubtful what might fall.
1 laugh, when those who at the spear are bold
And venturous, if that fail them, shrink and fear 205
What yet they know must follow, to endure
Exile, or ignominy, or bonds, or pain.
The sentence of their Conqueror : This is now
Our doom ; which if we can sustain and bear,
Our Supreme Foe in time may much remit 2m
His anger ; and perhaps, thus far removed
PARADISE LOST. 31
Not mind us not offending, satisfied
With what is punish'd ; whence these raging fires
Will slacken, if his breath stir not their flames.
Our purer essence then will overcome 215
Their noxious vapour ; or, inured, not feel ;
Or changed at length, and to the place conform'd
In temper and in nature, will receive
Familiar the fierce heat, and void of pain ;
This horror will grow mild, this darkness light ; 220
Besides what hope the never ending flight
Of future days may bring, what chance, what change
Worth waiting ; since our present lot appears
For happy though but ill, for ill not worst.
If we procure not to ourselves more woe. 225
Thus Belial, with words clothed in reason's garb, Counsel'd ignoble ease, and peaceful sloth, Not peace : And after him thus Mammon spake
Either to disenthrone the King of Heaven We war, if war be best, or to regain 230
Our own right lost : Him to unthrone we then May hope, when everlasting Fate shall yield 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 235
Within Heaven's bound, unless Heaven's Lord supreme 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 240
Strict laws imposed, to celebrate his throne With warbled hymns and to his Godhead sing Forced Hallelujahs : while he lordly sits Our envied Sov'reign, and his altar breathes Ambrosial odours and ambrosial flowers, 245
Our servile offerings ? This must be our task Cn Heaven, this our deli^rht ; how wearisome Eternity so spent, in worship paid To whom we h^-te ! Let us not then presume
32 PARADISE LOST. b. u
By force impossible, by leave obtain'd 250
Unaccbptable, though in Heaven, our state
Oi spkiidid vassalage ; but rather seek
Our own good from ourselves, and from our own
Live to ourselves, though in this vast recess,
Free, and to none accountable, preferring 255
Haia liberty before the easy 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 5 and in what place soe'er 2G0
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 Heaven's all-ruling Sire
Choose to reside, his glory unobscured, 2G5
And with the majesty of darkness round
Covers his throne ; from whence deep thunders roar
Mustering their rage, and Heaven resembles Hell ''
As he our darkness, cannot we his light
Imitate when we please ? This desert soil 270
Wants not her hidden lustre, gems and gold ;
Nor want we skill or art, from whence to raise
Magnificence ; and what can Heaven show more ?
Our torments also may in length of time
Become our elements ; these piercing fires 275
As soft as now severe, our temper changed
Into their temper ; which must needs remove
The sensible of pain. All things invite
To peaceful counsels, and the settled state
Of order, how in safety best we may 280
Compose our present evils, with regard
Of what we are, and where ; dismissing quite
All thoughts of war : Ye have what I advise.
He scarce had finish'd, when such murmur fill'd The assembly as when hollow rocks retain 285
The sound of blustering winds, which all night long Had roused the sea, now with hoarse cadence lull
PARADISE LOST. 33
Seafaring men o'erwatch'd, whose bark by chanco,
Or pinnace, anchors in a craggy bay
After the tempest : Such applause was heard 290
As Mammon ended, and his sentence pleased,
Advising peace : for such another field
They dreaded worse than Hell : so much the fear
Of thunder and the sword of Michaol
Wrought still within them ; and no less desire 295
To found this nether empire, which might rise
By policy, and long process of time,
In emulation opposite to Heaven.
Which when Beelzebub perceived, than w^hom
Satan except none higher sat, with gvave 300
Aspect he rose, and in his rising seem'd
A pillar of state ; deep on his front engraven
Deliberation sat, and public care ;
And princely counsel in his face yet shone,
Majestic though in ruin : sage he stood 305
With Atlantean shoulders fit to bare
The weight of mightiest monarchies ; his look
Drew audience and attention still as night
Or summer's noontide air, while thus he spake.
Thrones and Imperial Powers, OiTspring of Heaven, Ethereal Virtues ! or these titles now 311
Must we renounce, and, changing style, 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, 315 And know not that the King of Heaven hath doora'd This place our dungeon ; not our safe retreat Beyond his potent arm, to live exempt From Heaven's high jurisdiction, in new league Banded against his throne, but to remain 320
In strictest bondage, though thus far removed Under the inevitable curb, reserved His captive multitude : For he, be sure In height or depth, still first and last will reign Sole king, and of his kingdom lose no part 325
34 PARADISE LOST. b. ii.
By our revolt ; but over Hell extend
His empire, and with iron sceptre rule
Us here, as w^ith his golden those in Heaven.
What sit we then projecting peace and war ?
War hath determined us, and foil'd with loss 330
Irreparable ; terms of peace yet none
Vouchsafed or sought; for what peace will be given
lo us enslaved, but custody severe,
And stripes, and arbitrary punishment
Inflicted ? and what peace can we return, 335
But to our power hostility and hate.
Untamed reluctance, and revenge though slow
Yet ever plotting how the conqueror least
May reap his conquest, and may least rejoice
In doing what w^e most in suffering feel ? 340
Nor will occasion want, nor shall we need
With dangerous expedition to invade
Heaven, whose high walls fear no assault nor siege,
Or ambush from the deep. What if we find
Some easier enterprise .? There is a place 345
(If ancient and prophetic fame in Heaven
Err not,) another world, the happy seat
Of some new race call'd Man, about tliis time
To be created like to us, though less
In power and excellence, but favour'd more 350
Of Him who rules above ; so was his will
Pronounced among the Gods, and by an oath.
That shook Heaven's whole circumference, confirm'd.
Thither let us bend all our thoughts, to learn
What creatures there inhabit, of what mould, 35.5
Or substance, how endued, and what their power,
And where their weakness, how attempted best,
By force or subtlety. Though Heaven be shut,
And Heaven's high Arbitrator sit secure
In his own strength, this place may lie exposed, 360
The utmost border of his kingdom, left
To their defence wlio hold it : Here perhaps
Some advantageous act may be acliieved
PARADISE LOST. 35
By sudden onset ; either with Hell fire To waste his whole creation, or possess 305
All as our own, and drive, as we were driven, The puny habitants ; or. if not drive, Seduce them to our party, that their God May prove their foe, and with repenting hand Abolish his own works. This would surpass 370
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 Their frail original, and faded bliss, 375
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 devised By Satan, and in part proposed : For whence, 380 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 Creator ? But their spite still serves 385 His glory to augment. The bold design Pleased highly those infernal States, and joy Sparkled in all their eyes ; with full assent They vote : whereat his speech he thus renews .
Well have ye judged, well ended long debate, 390 Synod of Gods ! and, like to what ye are, Great things resolved, which, from the lowest deep. Will once more lift us up, in spite of fate. Nearer our ancient seat ; perhaps in view [arms
Of those bright confines, whence, with neighbouring And opportune excursion, we may chance 396
Reenter Heaven ; or else in some mild zone Dwell, not unvisited of Heaven's fair light, Secure ; and at the brightening orient beam Purge off this gloom : the soft delicious air, 400
To heal the scar of these corrosive fires,
30 PARADISE LOST. b. ii.
Shall breathe her balm. But first whom shall we send In search of this new world ? whom shall we find Sufficient ? who shall tempt with wandering feet The dark unbottora'd infinite abyss, 405
And through the palpable obscure find out Jhs uncouth way, or spreo.d his aery flight Upborne with indefatigable wings Over the vast abrupt, ere he arrive The happy isle ? What strength, what art can then Suffice, or what evasion bear him safe 411
Through the strict senteries and stations thick nf Angels watching round ? Here he had need All circumspection ; and we now no less Choice in our suffrage ; for on whom we send, 415 The weight of all, and our last hope, relies.
This said he sat ; and expectation held His look suspense, awaiting who appear'd To second, or oppose, or undertake The perilous attempt : but all sat mute, 420
Pondering the danger with deep thought ; and each In other's countenance read his own dismay, Astonish'd : None among the choice and prime Of those heaven-warring champions could be found So hardy as to proffer or accept, 425
Alone, the dreadful voyage ; till at last Satan, whom now transcendent glory raised Above his fellows, with monarchal pride, Conscious of Jiighest worth, unmoved thus spake .
O Progeny of Heaven, empyreal Thrones 1 430
With reason hath deep silence and demur Seized us, though undismay'd : Long is the ways And hard, that out of Hell leads up to light j Our prison strong ; this huge convex of fire, Outrageous to devour, immures us round 435
Ninefold ; and gates of burning adamant, Barr'd o^'^er us, prohibit all egress. These pass'd, if any pass, the void profound Of unessential Nijrht receives him next
PARADISE LOST. 37
Wide gaping, and with utter loss of being 440
Threatens liim, plunged in that abortive gulf. If thence ne scape into wliatever world, Or unknown region, what remains him less Than unknown dangers and as hard escape ? But I should ill become this throne, O Peers, 445
And this imperial sov'reignty, adorn'd With splendour, arm'd with power, if aught proposed And judged of public moment, in the shape Of difficulty or danger could deter Me from attempting. Wherefore do I assume 450 These royalties, and not refuse to reign, Refusing to accept as great a share Of hazard as of hont)ur, due alike To him who reigns, and so much to him due Of hazard more, as he above the rest 455
High honour'd sits ? Go, therefore, mighty Powers, Terror of Heaven, though fallen ! intend at home, While here shall be our home, what best may ease The present misery, and render Hell More tolerable ; if there be cure or charm 4G0
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 enterprise 4G5
None shall partake with me. Thus saying rose The Monarch, and prevented all reply ; Prudent, lest, from his resolution raised, Others among the chief might offer now (Certain to be refused) what erst they fear'd ; 470 And, so refused, might in opinion stand His rivals ; winning cheap the high repute Which he through hazard huge must earn. But thoy Dreaded not more the adventure than his voice Forbidding ; and at once with him thej'^ rose : 475
Their rising all at once was as the sound Of thunder heard remote. Towards him they bend 4
38 PARADISE LOST. b. n.
With awful reverence prone ; and as a God
Extol him equal to the Highest in Heaven :
Nor fail'd they to express how much they praised 480
That for ths general safety he despised
His own : For neither do the Spirits damn'd
Lose all their virtue ; lest bad men should boast
Their specious deeds on earth, which glory excites.
Or close ambition, varuish'd o'er with zeal. 485
Thus they their doubtful consultations dark
Ended, rejoicing in their matchless Chief:
As when from mountain tops the dusky clouds
Ascending, while the north wind sleeps, o'erspread*
Heaven's cheerful face, tlie lowering element 490
Scowls o'er the darken'd landscape snow or shower;
If chance the radiant sun with farewell sweet
Extend his evening beam, the fields revive,
The birds their notes renew, and bleating herds
Attest their joy. that hill and valley ring. 495
O shame to men ! Devil with Devil damn'd
Firm concord holds ; men only disagree
Of creatures rational, though under hope
Of heavenly grace : and, God proclaiming peace,
Yet live in hatred, enmity,, and strife 500
Among themselves, and levy cruel wars,
Wasting the earth, each other to destroy :
As if (which m.ight induce us to accord)
.Man had not hellish foes enow besides,
That, day and night, for his destruction wait. 505
The Stygian council thus dissolved; and forth In order came the grand infernal Peers : Midst came their might}^ Paramount, and seem'd Alone the Antagonist of Heaven, nor less Than HeU'o dread Emperor, with pomp supreme 510 And Godlike imitated state : him round A globe of fiery Seraphim enclosed With bright emblazonry and horrent arms. Then of their session ended they bid cry With trumpets' regal sound the great result : 615
PARADISE LOST. 89
Toward tJie four winds four speedy Cherubim
Put to their mouths the sounding alchemy,
By herald's voice explain'd ; the hollow abyss
Heard far and wide, and all the host of Hell
With deafening shout return'd them loud acclaim. 520
Thence more at ease their minds, and somewhat raised
By false presumptuovis hope, the ranged Powers
Disband ; and, wandering, each his several way
Pursues, as inclination or sad choice
Leads him perplex'd, where he may likeliest find 525
Trtice 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 the Olympian games or Pythian fields ; 530
Part curb their fiery steeds, or shun the goal
With rapid wheels, or fronted brigades form.
As when, to warn proud cities, war appears
Waged in the troubled sky, and armies rush
To battle in the clouds, before each van 535
Prick forth the aery knights, and couch their spears
Till thickest legions close ; with feats of arms
From either end of Heaven the welkin burns.
Others, with vast Typhocan rage more fell.
Rend up both rocks and hills, and ride the air 540
In whirlwind ; Hell scarce holds the Avild uproar.
As when Alcides, from OEchalia crown'd
With conquest, felt the envenom'd robe, and tore
Through pain up by the roots Thessalian pines ;
And Liclias from the top of CEta threw 545
Into the Euboic sea. Others more mild,
Retreated in a silent valley, sing
With notes angelical to many a harp
Their own heroic deeds and hapless fall
By doom of battle ; and complain that fate 550
Free virtue should enthral to force or chance.
Their song was partial ; but the harmony
(What could it less when spirits immortal sing ?)
40 PARADISE LOST. b. il
Suspended Hell, and took with ravishment
The thronging audience. In discourse more sweet
(For eloquence the soul, song charms the sense,) 556
Others apart sat on a hill retired,
In thoughts more elevate, and reason'd high
Of providence, foreknowledge, will, and fate ;
Fix'd fate, free will, foreknowledge absolute ; 560
And found no end, in wandering mazes lost.
Of good and evil much they argued then.
Of happiness and final miser}?',
Passion and apathy, and glory and shame j
Vain wisdom all, and false philosophy ! 565
Yet, with a pleasing sorcerj'^, could charm
Pain for a while or anguish, and exite
Fallacious hope, or arm the obdured breast
With stubborn patience, as with triple steel.
Another part, in squadrons and gross bands, 570
On bold adventure to discover wide
That dismal world, if any clime perhaps
Might yield them easier habitation, bend
Four ways their flying march, along the banks
Of four infernal rivers that disgorge 575
Into the burning lake their baleful streams ;
Abhorred Styx, the flood of deadly hate;
Sad Acheron, of sorrow, black and deep ;
Cocytus, named of lamentation loud
Heard on the rueful stream ; fierce Phlegethon, 580
Whose waves of torrent fire inflame with rage.
Far oft from these, a slow and silent stream,
I^ethe, the river of oblivion, rolls
Her Avatery labyrinth, whereof who drinks
Forthwith his former state and being forgets, 585
Forgets both joy and grief, pleasure and pain.
Beyond this flood a frozen continent
Lies dark and wild, beat with perpetual storms
Of whirlwind and dire hail, which on firm land
Thaws not, but gathers heap, and ruin seems 590
Of ancient pile ; or else deep snow and ice,
PARADISE LOST. 41
A o-ulf profound, as that Serbonian hog Betwixt Damiata and mount Casius old, Where aiinies whole have siink : The parching air Burns frore, and cold performs the effect of fire. 595 Thither by harpy-footed furies haled. At certain revolutions, all the damn'd Are brought ; and feel by turns the bitter change Of fierce extremes, extremes by change more fierce, From beds of raging fire, to starve in ice 600
Their soft ethereal warmth, and there to pine Immovable, infix'd, and frozen round, Periods of time, thence hurried back to fire. They ferry over this Lethean sound Both to and fro, their sorrow to augment, 605
And wish and struggle, as they pass, to reach The tempting stream, with one small drop to lose In sweet forget fulness all pain and woe, AIl in one moment, and so near the brink , But fate withstands, and to oppose the attempt CIO Medusa with Gorgonian terror guards The ford, and of itself the water flies All taste of living wight, as once it fled The lip of Tantalus. Thus roving on In confused march forlorn, the adventurous bands, 615 With shuddering horror pale, and eyes aghast, Vievi/^'d first their lamentable lot, and found No rest : through many a dark and dreary vale They pass'd, and many a region dolorous, O'er many a frozen, many a fiery Alp, 62(1
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, 625 Abominable, inutterable, and worse Than fables yet have feign'd, or fear conceived, Gorgons, and Hydras, and Chimeras dire. Meanwhile the adversary of God and Man
42 PARADISE LUST. b. ii
Satan, with IhouglitvS inflamed of highest design, 630
Puts on swift wings, and towards the gates of Hell
Explores his solitary flight : sometimes
He scours the right hand coast, sometimes the left ;
Now shaves with level wing the deep, then soars
Up to the fiery concave towering high. C35
As when far off" at sea a fleet descried
Hangs on the clouds, by equinoctial winds
Close sailing from Bengala, or the isles
Of Tcrnate and Tidore, whence merchants bring
Their spicy drugs ; they, on the trading flood, C40
Through the wide Ethiopian to the Cape,
Ply stemming nightly toward the pole : so seem'd
Far off the flying Fiend. At last appear
Hell bounds, high reaching to the horrid roof,
And thrice threefold the gates- three folds were brass,
Three iron, three of adamantine rock GIG
Impenetrable, impaled with circling fire,
Yet unconsumed. Before the gates there sat,
On either side a formidable shape :
The one seem'd woman to the Avaist, and fair j C50
But ended foul in many a scaly fold
Voluminous and vast ; a serpent arm'd
With mortal sting : About her middle round
A cry of Hellhounds never censing bark'd
With wide Cerberian mouths full loud, and rung 655
A hideous peal ; yet, when they list, would creep,
If aught disturb'd their noise, into her womb,
And kennel there ; yet there still bark'd and howl'd,
Within, unseen. Far less abhorr'd than these
Vex'd Scylla, bathing in the sea that parts GGO
Calabria from the hoarse Trinacrian shore ;
Nor uglier follow the night hag, when, call'd
In secret, riding through the air she comes,
Lured with the smell of infant blood, to dance
With Lapland witches, while the labouring moon 605
Eclipses ?t their charms. The other shape,
If shape it might be call'd that shapo had none
PARADISE LOST 43
Distinguishable in member, joint, or limb ; Or substance might be call'd that shadow seem'd. For each seem'd either ; black it stood as Night, 670 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 C75
With horrid strides ; Hell trembled as he strode. The undaunted Fiend what this might be admired ; Admired, not fear'd ; God and his Son except, Created thing nought valued he, nor shunn'd ; And with disdainful look thus first began : (i80
Whence and what art thou, execrable shape ! That darest, though grim and terrible, advance Thy miscreated front athwart my way. To yonder gates ? through them I mean to pass, That be assured, without leave ask'd of thee : 685
Retire or taste thy folly ; and learn by proof, Hell-born ! not to contend with Spirits of heaven.
To whom the Goblin full of wrath replied : Art thou that Traitor-Angel, art thou Pie Who first broke peace in Heaven, and faith, till then Unbroken ; and in proud rebellious arms 691
Drew after him the third part of Heaven's sons Conjured against the Highest ; for which both thou And they, outcast from God, are here condemn'd To waste eternal days in woe and pain ? 695
And reckon'st thou thyself with Spirits of Heaven, Hell-doom'd ! and breathest defiance here and scorn, Where I reign ki.ig ; and, to enrage thee more, Thy king and lord ? Back to thy punishment, False fugitive ! and to thy speed add wings ; 700
Lest with a whip of scorpions I pursue Thy lingering ; or with one stroke of this dart Strange horror seize thee, and pangs unfelt before.
So spake the grisly Terror, and in shape. So speaking and so threatening, grew tenfold 706
44 PARADISE LOST b. ii.
More dreadful and deform. On tlie other side,
Incensed with indignation, Satan stood
Unterrified ; and like a comet burn'd,-
That fires the length of Ophiuchus huge
In the arctic sky, and from his horrid hair 710
Shakes pestilence and war. Each at the head
Level'd his deadly aim ; their fatal hands
No second stroke intend ; and such a frown
Each cast at th' otiier, as when two black clouds,
With Heaven's artillery fraught, come rattling on 715
Over the Caspian ; then stand front to front.
Hovering a space, till winds the signal blow
To join their dark encounter in mid air :
So frown'd the mighty combatants that Hell
Grew darker at their frown : so match'd they stood ;
For never but once more was either like 721
To meet so great a foe : And now great deeds
Had been achieved, whereof all Hell had rung.
Had not the snaky Sorceress that sat
Fast by Hell-gate, and kept the fatal key, 725
Risen, and with hideous outcry rush'd between.
O Father ! what intends thy liand, she cried, Against thy only Son .'' What fury, O Son ! Possesses thee to bend that mortal dart Against thy father's liead .'' and know'st for whom , For him who sits above, and laughs the while 731
At thee ordain'd his drudge ; to execute Whate'er his wrath, which he calls justice, bids ? His wrath, which one day will destroy ye both !
Sae spake, and at her words the hellish Pest 735 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 740
W^hat thing thou art, thus double-form'd ; and why, In this infernal vale first met, thou call'st Mc Father, and that phantasm call'et my Son ••
PARADISE LOST. 45
I know thee not, nor ever saw till now
Sight more detestable than him and thee. 745
To whom thus the Portress of Hell-gate replied Hast thou forgot me then, and do I seem Now in thine eye so foul ? once deem'd so fair In Heaven, when at the assembly, and in sight Of all the Seraphim with thee combined 750
In bold conspiracy against Heaven's King, All on a sudden miserable pain Surprised thee, dim thine eyes, and dizzy swam In darkness, while thy head flames thick and fast Threw forth ; till, on the left side opening wide, 755 Likest to thee in shape and countenance bright Then shining heavenly fair, a goddess arm'd, Out of thy head I sprang ; Amazement seized All the host of Heaven ; back they recoil'd afraid At first, and call'd me Sin, and for a sign 7C0
Portentous held me ; but, familiar grown, I pleased, and with attractive graces won The most averse, thee cliiclly, who full oft Thyself in me thy perfect image viewing Becamest enamoured ; and such joy thou took'st 765 With me in secret that my womb conceived A growing burden. Meanwhile war arose, And fields were fought in Heaven ; Wherein remain'd (For what could else ?) to our Almighty Foe Clear victory ; to our part loss and rout, 770
Through all the empyrean ; down they fell Driven 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 given, with charge to keep 77«# These gates for ever shut, which none can pass Without my opening. 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. 780
At last this odious offspring whom thou seest,
4G PARADISE LOST. b ii.
Thine own begotten, breaking violent way
Tore through my entrails, that, with fear and pain
Distorted, all iny nether shape thus grew
Transform 'd : But he my inbred enemy 785
Forth issued, brandishing his fatal dart
Made to destroy ! I fled, and cried out Death !
Hell trembled at the hideous name, and sigh'd
From all her caves, and back resounded Death !
I fled } but he pursued (though more, it seems, 790
Inflamed with lust than rage,) and, swifter far,
Me overtook, his mother, all dismay'd ;
And, in embraces forcible and foul
Ingendering with me, of that rape begot
These yelling monsters that with ceaseless cry 795
Surround me, as thou saw'st : hourly conceived
And hourly born, with sorrow infinite
To me ; for, when they list, into the womb
That bred them they return, and howl and gnaw
My bowels, their repast ; then bursting forth 800
Afresh wit's conscious terrors 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 805
For want of other prey, but that he knows
His end with mine involved ; and knows that I
Should prove a bitter morsel, and his bane,
Whenever that shall be ; so Fate pronounced.
But thou, O Father ! I forewarn thee, shun 810
His deadly arrow ; neither vainly hope
To be invulnerable in those bright arms.
Though temper 'd heavenly ; for that mortal dint,
Save he who reigns above, none can resist.
She finish'd ; and the subtle Fiend his lore 815
Soon learn'd, now milder, and thus answer'd smooth Dear Daughter ! since thou claim'st me for thy sire And my fair son here show'st me, (the dear pledge Of dalliance had with thee in Heaven, and joys
PARADISE LOST 47
Then sv/eet, now sad to mention, through dire change Befallen us, unforeseen, unthought of) know, 821 I come no enemy, but to set free From out this dark and dismal house of pain Both him and thee, and ail the heavenly host Of Spirits, that, in our just pretences arm'd, 825
Fell with us from on high : From them I go This uncouth errand sole ; and one for all Myself expose, with lonely steps to tread The unfounded deep, and through the void immense To search with wandering quest a place foretold 830 Should be, and, by concurring signs, ere now Created vast and round, a place of bliss In the purlieas of Heaven, and therein placed A race of upstart creatures, to supply Perhaps our vacant room ; though more removed, 835 Lest Heaven, surcharged v/ith potent multitude, Might hap to move new broils. Be this or aught Than 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 840 Shall dwell at ease, and up and do\\m unseen Wing silently the buxom air, embalm'd With odours ; there ye shall be fed and fiU'd Immeasurably, all things sliall be your prey.
He ceased, for bothseem'd highly pleased ; and Death Grinn'd horrible a ghastly smile, to hear 846
His famine should be fill'd ; and bless'd his maw Destined to that good hour : No less rejoiced His mother bad, and thus bespake her sire •
The key of this infernal pit by due, 850
And by command of Heaven's 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'ermatch d by living might 855
But what owe I to his commands above Who hates me, and hath hither tlirust me down
48 PARADISE LOST. b. ii
Into this gloom of Tartarus profound,
To sit in hateful office here confined,
Inhabitant of Heaven, and heavenly born, 8G0
Here in perpetual agony and pain.
With terrors and with clamours compass'd round
Of mine own brood, that on my bowels feed?
Thou art my father, thou my author, thou
My being gavest me ; whom should I obey 865
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. 870
Thus saying, from her side the fatal key,
Sad instrument of all our woe, she took ;
And, toward the gate roiling her bestial train,
Forthwith the huge portcullis high updrew,
Which but herself, not all the Stygian Power's 875
Could once have moved ; then in the keyhole turns
The intricate wards, and every bolt and bar
Of massy iron or solid rock v/ith ease
Unfastens : On a sudden open fly
With impetuous recoil and jaring sound 880
The infernal doors, and on their hinges grate
Harsh thunder, that the lowest bottom shook
Of Erebus. She open'd, but to shut
Excell'd her power ; the gates wide open stood,
That with extended wings a banner'd host, 885
Under spread ensigns, marching, might pass through
With horse and chariots rank'd in loose array •
So wide they stood, and like a furnace mouth
Cast forth redounding smoke and ruddy flame.
Before their eyes in sudden view appear 890
The secrets of the hoary deep ; a dark
Illimitable ocean, without bound.
Without dimension ; where length, breadth, andheight,
And time, and place are lost ; where eldest Night
And Chaos, ancestors of Nature, hold 895
PARADISE LOST 4&
Eternal anarchy, amidst the noise Of endless wars, and by confusion stand. For hot, cold, moist, and dry, four champions fierce, Strive here for mastery, and to battle bring Their embryon atoms ; they around the flag 90&
Of each his faction, in their several clans, Light arm'd or heavy, sliarp, smooth, swift, or slow, Swarm populous, unnumber'd as the sands Of Barca or Gyrene's torrid soil,
Levied to side with warring winds, and poise 905
Their lighter wings. To whom these most adhere. He rules a moment : Chaos umpire sits. And by decision more embroils the fray. By which he reigns : Next him, high arbiter, Chance governs all. Into this wild abyss, 910
The womb of Nature and perhaps her grave, Of neither sea, nor shore, nor air, nor fire, But all these in their pregnant causes mix'd Confusedly, and which thus must ever fight, ^
Unless the Almighty Maker them ordain 915-
His dark materials to create more worlds ; Into this wild ab3^ss the wary Fiend Stood on the brinlc of Hell, and look'd awhile, Pondering his voyage ; for no narrow frith He had to cross. Nor was his ear less peal'd 920
With noises loud and ruinous (to compare Great things with small) than when Bellona storms, With all her battering engines bent to rase Some capital city ; or less than if this frame Of Heaven were falling, and these elements 925
In mutiny had from her axle torn The steadfast earth. At last his sail-broad vans He spreads for flight, and in the surging smoke Uplifted spurns the ground ; thence many a league, As in a cloudy chair, ascending rides 930
Audacious ; but, that seat soon failing, meets A vast vacuity : all unawares Fluttering his pennons vain, plumb down he drop8
50 PARADISE LOST. b. ii.
Ten thousand fathom deep } and to this hour
Down had been falling, had not by ill chance 935
The strong rebuff of some tumultuous cloud,
Instinct with fire and nitre, hurried him
As many miles aloft : that fury staid,
Quench'd in a boggy Syrtis, neither sea.
Nor good dry land : nigh founder'd on he fares, 940
Treading the crude consistence, half on foot.
Half flying ; behoves him now both oar and sail
As when a gryphon, through the wilderness
With winged course, o'er hill or moory dale
Pursues the Arimaspian, who by stealth 945
Had from his wakeful custody purloin'd
The guarded gold : So eagerly the Fiend
O'er 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 flies. 950
At length a universal hubbub wild
Of stunning sounds and voices all confused,
Borne through the hollow dark, assaults his ear
With loudest vehemence : thither he plies.
Undaunted to meet there whatever Power 955
Or Spirit of the nethermost abyss
Might in that noise reside, of whom to ask
Which way the nearest coast of darkness lies
Bordering on light ; when straight behold the throne
Of Chaos, and his dark pavilion spread 960
Wide on the wasteful deep ; with him enthroned
Sat sable-vested Night, eldest of things.
The consort of his reign ; and by them stood
Orcus and Hades, and the dreaded name
Of Demogorgon ; Rumour next and Chance, 965
And Tumult and Confusion all embroil'd.
And Discord with a thousand various mouths.
To v/hom Satan turning boldly, thus : Ye Powers And Spirits of this nethermost abyss, Chaos and ancient Night ! 1 come no spy, 970
With purpose to explore or to disturb
PARADISE LOST. 51
The secrets of your realm : but, by constraint Wandering this darksome desert, as my way Lies through your spacious empire up to light, Alone, and without guide, half lost, I seek 975
What readiest path leads wnere your gloomy bounds Confine with Heaven ; or if some other place, From your dominion won, the ethereal King Possesses lately, thither to arrive 1 travel this profound ; direct my course ; 980
Directed, no mean recompense 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 985 Erect the standard there of ancient Night ; Yours be the advantage all, mine the revenge ! Thus Satan ; and him thus the Anarch old, With faltering speech and visage incomposed, Answer'd: I know thee, stranger, who thou art, 990 That mighty leading Angel, v/ho of late Made head against Heaven's 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, 995
Confusion worse confounded ; and Heaven gates Pour'd out by millions her victorious bands Pursuing. I upon my frontiers here Keep residence ; if all I can will serve That little which is left so to defend, 1000
Encroach'd on still through your intestine broils Weakening the sceptre of old Night: first Hell, Your dungeon, stretching far and wide beneath ; Now lately Heaven, and Earth, another world, Hung o'er my realm, link'd in a golden chain 1005 To that side Heaven from whence your legions fell If that way be your walk, you have not far ; So much the nearer danger ; go, and speed J Havoc, and spoil, and ruin are my gain.
52 ^ PARADISE LOST. b. ii.
He ceased ; and Satan staid not to reply ; 1010
But, glad that now his sea should find a shore, With fresh alacrity, and force renew'd, Springs upwaKd, like a pyramid of fire, Into the wide expanse ; and, through the shock Of fighting elements, on all sides round 1015
Environ'd, wins his way ; harder beset And more endanger'd than when Argo pass'd Through Bosporus, betwixt the justling rocks : Or when Ulysses on the larboard shunn'd Charybdis, and by the other whirlpool steer'd. 1020 So he with difficulty and labour hard Moved on : with difficulty and labour he : But, he once pass'd, soon after, when man feH, Strange alteration ! Sin and Death amain Following his track, such was the will of Heaven, Paved after him a broad and beaten way 1026
Over the dark abyss, whose boiling gulf Tamely endured a bridge of wondrous length, From Hell continued, reaching the utmost orb Of this frail world ; by which the Spirits perverse With easy intercourse pass to and fio 1031
To tempt or punish mortals, except whom Crod and good Angels guard by special grace. But now at last the sacred influence Of light appears, and Irom the walls of Heaven 1035 Shoots far into the bosom of dim night A glimmering dawn ; Here Nature first begins Her furthest verge, and Chaos to retire As from her outmost works a broken foe With tumult less, and with less hostile din ; 1040
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, 1045
Weighs his spread wings, at leisure to behold ^ar ofFtlie empyreal Heaven, extended wid©
PARADISE LOST. V 53
In circuit, undetermined square or round, With opal towers and battlements adorn'd Of living sapphire, once his native seat; 1050
And fast by, hanging; in a golden chain, This pendent world, in bigness as a star Of smallest magnitude close by the moon. Thither, full fraught with mischievous revenge, Accursed, and in a cursed hour, he hies. 1055
5 *
PARADISE T;0ST BOOK III.
Eod, Bitting on his throne, sees Satan flying towards this world, then newly created; shows him to the Son, who sat at hrs right hand ; foretols the success of Satan in perverting mankind ; clears his own justice and wisdom from all imputation, having creat- ed Man free, and able enough to have withstood his tempter; yet declares his purpose of grace towards him, in regard he fell not of his own malice, as did Satan, but by him seduced. Tho Son of God renders praises to his Father for the manifestation of his gracious purpose towards Man: But God again declares, that grace cannot be extended towards Man without the satisfac- tion of divine justice : Man hath oflended the majesty of God by as- piring to Godhead, and, therefore, with a:ll his progeny, devoted to death, must die, unless some one can bo found sufficient to answer for his oftence, and undergo his punisluuent. The Son of God freely offers himself a ransom for Man: The Father ac- cepts him, ordains his incarnation, pronounces his exaltation above all names in Heaven and Earth; commands all the An- gels to adore him ; Tlioy obey, and hymning to their harps in full choir, celebrate the Father and the Son. Meanwhile Satan alights upon the bare convex of this world's outermost orb ; where wandering he first finds a place, since called tho Limbo of Vanity: What persons and things fiy tip thither; Thence comes to the gate of Heaven, described ascending by stairs, and the wa- ters above the firmament that flow about it: His passage thence to the orb of the sun ; he finds there Uriel, the regent of that orb> but first changes himself into tJie shape of a meaner Angel; and, pretending a zealous desire to behold the new creation, and Man •I'hom God had placed here, inquires of him the place of his habi> tation, and is directed : Alights first on mount Niphates.
Hail, holy Light, offspring of Heaven first-born,
Or of the Eternal coeternal beam,
May I express thee unblamed ? since God is ligUl,
And never but in unapproachcd light
Dwelt from eternity ; dwelt then in thee, b
Bright effluence of bright essence increate !
Or hear'st thou rather, pxive 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 10
The rising world of waters dark and deep
Won from tho void and forojiess infimto.
PARADISE LOST 55
Thee 1 revisit now with bolder wing, Escaped the Stygian pool, though long detain'd In that obscure sojourn, while in my flight lb
Through utter and through middle darkness borne, With other notes than to the Orphean lyre, I sung of Chaos and eternal Night ; Taught by the heavenly Mut^e to venture down The dark descent, and up to reascend, 20
Though hard and rare : thee I revisit safe, And feel thy sovereign vital lamp ; but thou Revisit'st not these eyes, that roll in vain To find thy piercing ray, and find no dawn ; So thick a drop serene hath quench'd their orbs, 23 Or dim suffusion veil'd. Yet not the more Cease 1 to wander where the Muses haunt Clear spring, or shady grove, or sunny liill, Smit with the love of sacred song ; but chief Thee, Sion, and the flowery brooks beneath, 3f>
That wash'd thy hallow'd feet, and warbling flow. Nightly I visit : nor sometimes forget Those other two equal'd with me m fate, So were I equal'd with them in renown ! Bhnd Thamyris, and blind Mseonides ; 35
And Tiresias, and Phineus, prophets old : Then feed on thoughts, tliat volunta;ry move Harmonious numbers ; as the wakeful bird Sings darkling, and in shadiest covert hid Tunes her nocturnal note. Thus with the year 40' Seasons return : but not to me returns Day, or tlie sweet approach of even or morn. Or sight of vernal bloom, or summer's rose, Or flocks, or herds, or human face divine ; But cloud instead, and everduring dark 45
Surrounds me, from the cheerful ways of men Cut off, and for the book of luiowledge fair Presented with a xmiversal blank Of natures works, to me expunged and rased, And wisdom at one entrance quite shut out. 50
56 PARADISE LOST. b. hi.
So much the rather thou, celestial Light,
Shine inward, and the niind 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. 55
Now had the Almighty Father from above, From the pure empyrean where he sits High throned above all height, bent down liis eye His own works and their works at once to view : About him all the Sanctities of Heaven 60
Stood thick as stars, and from his sight received Beatitude past utterance : on his right The radiant image of his glory sat, His only Son ; on earth he first beheld Our two first parents, yet the only two 65
Of mankind in the happy garden placed. Reaping immortal fruits of joy and love, Uninterrupted joy, unrival'd love. In blissful solitude ; he then survey'd Plell and the gulf between, and Satan there 70
Coasting the wall of Heaven 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 soemd Firm land imbosom'd, without firmament, 75
Uncertain which, in ocean or in air. Him God beholding from his prospect high, Wherein past, present, future he beholds, Thus to his only Son foreseeing spake :
Only begotten Son, seest thou what rage 80
Transports our Adversary ? v/hom no boxmds Prescribed, no bars of Hell, nor all the chains Heap'd on him there, nor yet the main abyss, Wide interrupt, can hold ; so bent he seems On desperate revenge, that shall redound 85
Upon his own rebellious head. And now, Through all restraint broke loose, he wings his way Not far off Heaven, in the precincts of light,
PARADISE LOST. 57
Directly towards the new created world,
And man there placed, with purpose to essay 90
If him by force he can destroy, or, worse,
By some false guile pervert ; and shall pervert j
For man will hearken to liis glossing lies.
And easily transgress the sole command,
Sole pledge of his obedience : So will fall 95
He and his faithless progeny : Whose fault ?
Whose but liis own ? Ingrate, he had of me
All he could have ; I made him just and right,
Sufficient to have stood, though free to fall.
Such I created all the ethereal Powers 100
And Spirits, both them who stood, and them who fail'd;
Freely they stood who stood, and fell who fell.
Not free, what proof could they have given sincere
Of true allegiance, constant faith, or love,
Where only what they needs must do appear'd, 10i>
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 despoiled.
Made passive both, had served necessity, 110
Not me ? They therefore, as to right belong'd,
So were created, nor can justly accuse
Their Maker, or their making, or their fate,
As if predestination overruled
Their will disposed by absolute decree 115
Or high forelcnowledge ; they themselves decreed
Their own revolt, not I ; if I foreknew.
Foreknowledge had no influence on their fault,
Which had no less proved certain unforeknown.
So without least impulse or shadow of fate, 120
Or aught by me immutably foreseen.
They trespass, authors to themselves in all
"Both what they judge and what they choose ; for so
I form'd them free ; and free they must remain,
Till they enthral themselves ; I else must change 125
Their nature, and revoke the high decree
58 PARADISE LOST. b. in
Unchangeable, eternal, which ordain'd Their freedom ; they themselves ordain'd their fall. The first sort by their own suggestion fell, Self-tempted, self-depraved : Man falls, deceived 130 By the other first : Man therefore shall find grace, The other none : In mercy and justice both, Through Heaven and Earth, so shall my glory excel ; But mercy, first and last, shall brightest shine.
Thus while God spake, ambrosial fragrance fiirdl35 All Heaven, and in the blessed Spirits elect Sense of new joy ineffable diffused. Beyond compare the Son of God was seen Most glorious ; in liim all his father shone Substantially express'd ; and in his face 140
Divine compassion visibly appear'd. Love without end, and without measure grace ; Which, uttering, thus he to his Father spake :
O Father, graciou.s was that word which closed 144 Thy sov'reign sentence, that man should find grace ; For which both Heaven and Earth shall high extol Thy praises, with the innumerable sound Of hynms and sacred songs, wherewith thy throne Encompass'd shall resound thee ever bless'd. For should Man finally be lost ? should Man, 150
Thy creature late so loved, thy youngest son, Fall circumvented thus by fraud, though join'd With his own folly ? That be from thee far, • That far be from thee. Father, who art judge Of all things made, and judgest only right. 155
Or shall the Adversary thus obtain His end, and frustrate thine ? shall he fulfil His malice, and thy goodness bring to nought ; Or proud return, though to his heavier doom, Yet with revenge accomphsh'd, and to Hell 160
Draw after him the whole race of mankind. By him corrupted ? or wilt thou thyself Abolish thy creation, and unmake For him, what for thy glory thou hast made
PARADISE LOST. 59
So should thy goodness and thy greatness both 165 Be question'd and blasphemed without defence.
To whom the great Creator thus rephed : O Son, in whom my soul hath chief delight, Son of my bosom, Sen who art alone My word, my wisdom, and effectual might, 170
All hast thou spoken as my thoughts are, all As ray eternal purpose hath decreed ; Man shall not quite be lost, but saved who will ; Yet not of will in him, but grace in me Freely vouchsafed ; once more I will renew 175
His lapsed powers, though forfeit, and enthrall'd By sin to foul exorbitant desires ; Upheld b}'^ me, yet once more he shall stand On even ground against his mortal foe ; By me upheld, that he may know how frail 180
His fallen condition is, and to me owe All his deUverance, 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 warn'd 185 Their sinful state, and to appease betimes The incensed Deity, while ofFer'd grace Invites ; for I will clear their senses dark, What may suffice, and soften stony hearts To pray, repent, and bring obedience due. 100
To prayer, repentance, and obedience due. Though but endeavour'd with sincere intent, Mine ear 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, 195 Light after light, well used, they sliall 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 harden'd, blind be blinded more, 200
That they may stumble on, and deeper fall ; And none but such from mercy I exclude.
CO PARADISL LOST b. iil
But yet all is not done ; Man disobeying,
Disloyal, breaks his fealty, and sins
Against the high supremacy of Heaven, 205
Affecting Godhead ; and, so losing all, ,
To expiate his treason hath nought left.
But to destruction sacred and devote,
He with his whole posterity must die ;
Die he or justice must : unless for him 210
Some other able, and as willing, pay
The rigid satisfliction, death for death.
Say, heavenly Powers, where shall we find such love?
Which of ye will be mortal, to redeem
Man's mortal crime, and just the unjust to save ? 215
Dwells in all Heaven charity so dear ?
He ask'd, but all the heavenly choir stood mute. And silence was in Heaven : On Man's behalf Patron or intercessor none appear'd. Much less that durst upon his own head draw 220 The deadly forfeiture and ransom set. And now without redemption all mankind Must have been lost, adjudged to Death and Hell By doom severe, liad not the Son of God, In whom the fulness dwells of love divine, 225
His dearest mediation thus renew'd :
Father, thy word is pass'd, 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 230
Comes unprevented, unimplored, unsought ? Happy for Man, so coming : he her aid Can never seek, once dead in sins, and lost j Atonement for himself, or offering meet, Indebted and undone, hath none to bring ; 235
Behold me then : me for him, life for life I offer ; on me let thine anger fall ; Account me Man. I for his sake will leave Thy bosom, and this glory next to theo Freely put off, and for him lastly die 240
PARADISE LOST CJ
Well pleased ; on me let Death wreak all nis rage j Under his gloomy power I shall not long Lie vanquished ; thou hast given me to possess Life in myself for ever ; by thee I live, Though noAv to Death I yield, and am his due 245 All that of me can die ; yet, that debt paid, Thou wilt not leave me in the loathsome grave His prey, nor suffer my unspotted soul For ever with corruption there to dwell ; But I shall rise victorious, and subdue 250
My vanquisher, spoil'd of his vaunted spoil ; Death his death's wound then shall receive, and stoop Inglorious, of his mortal sting disarm'd. 1 through the ample air in triumph high Shall lead Hell captive, maugre Hell, and show 255 The Powers of darkness bound. Thou, at the sight Pleased, out of Heaven shalt look down and smile j While, by thee raised, I ruin all my foes. Death last, and with his carcass glut the grave : Then, with the multitude of my redeem'd, 260
Shall enter Heaven, long absent, and return, Father, to see thy face, wherein no cloud Of anger shall remain, but peace assured And reconcilement ; wrath shall be no more Thenceforth, but in thy presence joy entire. 2^
His words here ended, but his meek aspect Silent yet spake, and breathed immortal love To mortal men, above which only shone Filial obedience : As a sacrifice
Glad to be oifer'd, he attends the will 270
Of his ^reat Father. Admiration seized All Heaven, what this might mean, and whither tend, Wondering ; but soon the Almighty thus replied ;
O thou in Heaven and Earth the only peace Found out for mankind under wrath ! O thou 275
My sole complacence ! well thou know'st how dear To mo are fill my works, nor Man the least. Though last created ; that for him I spare 6
62 PARADISE LOST. b. hi
Thee from my bosom and right hand, to save,
By loosing thee a while, the whole race lost. 280
Thou, therefore, whom thou only canst redeem,
Their nature also to thy nature join ;
And be thyself Man among men on earth.
Made flesh, when time shall be, of virgin seed,
By wondrous birth : Be thou in Adam's room 285
The head of all mankind, thoug-h Adam's son \
As in him perish all men, so in thee,
As from a second root, shall be restored
As many as are restored, without thee none.
His crime makes guilty all his sons ; thy merit, 29G
Imputed, shall absolve them who renounce
Their own both righteous and unrighteous deeds.
And live in tliee transplanted, and frcm thee
Receive new life. So Man, as is most just,
Shall satisfy for Man, be judged and die, 295
And dying rise, and rising with him raise
His brethren, ransom'd with his own dear life.
So heavenly love shall outdo hellish hate,
Giving to death, and dying to redeem ;
So dearly to redeem what hellish hate 300
So easily destroy'd, and still destroys
In those v/ho, when they may, accept not grace.
Nor shpJt thou, by descending to assume
Man's nature, lessen or degrade thine own.
Because thou hast, though throned in highest bliss 305
Equal to God, and equally enjoying
Godlike fruition, quitted all, to save
A v/orld from utter loss, and hast been found
By merit more than birthright Son of God,
Found worthiest to be so by being good, 310
Far more than great or high ; because in thee
Love hath abounded more than glory abeunds ;
Therefore thy humiliation shall exalt
With thee thy manhood also to this throne :
Here shalt thou sit incarnate, here shalt reign 315
Both God and Man, Son both of God antl Man,
PARADISE LOST. 63
Anointed universal king ; all power I give thee ; reign for ever, and assume Thy merits ; under thee, as head supreme, Thrones, Princedoms, Powers, Dominions I reduce : All knees to thee shall bow, of them that bide 321
In Heaven, or Earth, or under Earth in Hell When thou, attended gloriously from Heaven, Shalt in the sky appear, and from thee send The summoning Archangels to proclaim 325
Thy dread tribunal ; forthwith from all winds, The living, and forthwith the cited dead Of all past ages, to the general doom Shall hasten ; such a peal shall rouse their sleep. Then, all thy saints assembled, thou shalt judge 330 Bad Men and Angels ; they, arraign'd, shall sink Beneath thy sentence ; Hell, her numbers full, Thenceforth shall be for ever shut. Meanwliile The world shall burn, and from her ashes spring New Heaven and Earth, wherein the just shall dwell. And, after all their tribulations long, 336
See golden days fruitful of golden deeds, With joy and love triumphing, and fair truth. Then thou thy regal sceptre shalt lay by, For regal sceptre then no more shall need, 340
God shall be all in all. But, all ye Gods, Adore him, who to compass a.11 this dies ; Adore the Son, and honour him as me.
No sooner had the Almighty ceased, but all The multitude of Angels, v/ith a shout 345
Loud as from numbers without number, sweet As from bless'd voices, uttering joy, Heaven rung With jubilee, and loud Hosannas fill'd The eternal regions : Lowly revetent Towards either throne they bow, and to the ground With solemn adoration down they cast 351
Their crowns inwove with amarant and gold ; Immortal amarant, a flower which once In Paradise, fast by the tree of life,
64 PARADISE LOST. b. hi
Began to bloom ; but soon for man's offence 355
To Heaven removed, where first it grew, there grows;
And flowers aloft shading the fount of life,
And where the river of bliss through midst of Heaven
Rolls o'er Elysian flowers her amber stream ;
With these that never fade the Spirits elect 360
Bind their resplendent locks inwreathed with beams ;
Now in loose garlands thick thrown off, the bright
Pavement, that like a sea of jasper shone,
Impurpled with celestial roses smiled.
Then, crown' d again, their golden harps they took, 365
Harps ever tuned, that glittering by their side
Like quivers hung, and with preamble sweet
Of charming symphony they introduce
Their sacred song, and waken raptures high ;
No voice exempt, no voice but well could join 370
Melodious part, such concord is in Heaven.
Thee, Father, first they sung Omnipotent, Immutable, Immortal, Infinite, Eternal King ; the Author of all being, Fountain of light, thyself invisible 375
Amidst the glorious brightness where thou sit'st Throned 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 appear j 380 Yet dazzle Heaven, that brightest Seraphim Approach not, but with both wings veil their eyes. Thee next they sang of all creation first. Begotten Son, Divine Similitude, In whose conspicuous countenance, without cloud 3&> Made visible, the Almighty Father shines, Whom else no creature can behold ; on thee Impress'd the effulgence of his glory abides, Transfused on thee his ample Spirit rests. He Heaven of Heavens and all the Powers therem By thee created ; and by thee threw down 301
The aspiring Dominations • Thou that day
PARADISE LOST. 65
Thy Father's dreadful thunder didst not spare,
Nor stop thy flaming chariot wheels, that shook
Heaven's everlasting frame, while o'er the necks 305
Thou drovest of warring Angels disarray'd.
Back from pursuit thy Powers with loud acclaim
Thee only extoU'd, Son of thy Father's might,
To execute fierce vengeance on his foes,
Not so on Man : Him tiirough their malice fallen, 400
Father of mercy and grace, thou didst not doom
So strictly, but much more to pity incline •
No sooner did thy dear and only Son
Perceive thee purposed not to doom frail Man
So strictly, but much more to pity inclined, 405
He to appease thy wrath, and end the strife
Of mercy and justice in thy face discern'd,
Regardless of the bliss wherein he sat
Second to thee, offer 'd himself to die
For Man's offence. O unexampled love, 410
Love no where to be found less than Divine !
Hail, Son of God, Saviour of Men ! Thy name
Shall be the copious matter of my song
Henceforth, and never shall my heart thy praise
Forget, nor from thy Father's praise disjoin. 415
Thus they in Heaven, above the starry sphere, Their happy hours in joy and hymning spent. Meanwhile upon the firm opacous globe or this round world, whose first convex divides The luminous inferior orbs, enclosed 420
From Chaos and the inroad of Darkness old, Satan alighted walks : a globe far off It secm'd, now seems a boundless continent Dark, waste, and wild, under the frown of Night Starless exposed, and ever threatening storms 425 Of Chaos blustering round, inclement sky ; Save on that side which from the wall of Heaven. Though distant far, some small reflection gains Of glimmering air less vex'd with tempest loud : Here walk'd the Fiend at large in spacious field. 430
66 PARADISE LOST. b. hi
As when a vulture on Imaus bred,
Whose snowy 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 ; 436
J3ut in his way lights on the barren plains
Of Sericana, where Chineses drive
With sails and wind their cany waggons light .
So, on this windy sea of land, the Fiend 440
Walk'd up and down alone, bent on his pr«y ;
Alone, for other creature in this place,
Living or lifeless, to be found was Jione j
None yet, but store hereafter from the earth
Up hither like aerial vapours flew 445
Of all things transitory and vain, when sin
With vanity had flll'd the works of men :
Both all things vain, and all who on vain things
Built their fond hopes of glory or lasting fame.
Or happiness in this or the other life ; 450
All who have their reward on earth, the fruits
Of painful superstition and blind zeal,
Nought seeking but the praise of men, here find
Fit retribution, empty as their deeds ;
All the unaccomplish'd works of Nature's hand, 455
Abortive, monstrous, or unkindly mix'd,
Dissolved on earth, fleet hither, and in vain,
Till final dissolution, wander here ;
Not in the neighbouring moon as some have dream'd
Those argent fields more likely habitants, 460
Translated Saints, or middle Spirits hold
Betwixt the angelical and human kind.
Hither of ill join'd sons and daughters born
First from the ancient world those giants came
With many a vain exploit, though then renown'd : 465
The builders next of Babel on the plain
Of Sennaar, and still with vain design,
New Babels, had tliey wherewithal, would build
PARADISE LOST. 67
Others came single ; he who, to be deem'd A God, leap'd fondly into iEtna flames, 4T0
Empedocles ; and he who, to enjoy Plato's Elysium, leap'd into the sea, Cleombrotus ; and many more too long. Embryos, and idiots, eremites, and friars Wliite, black, and gray, with all their trumpery 475 Here pilgrims roam, that stray'd so far to seek In Golgotha him dead who lives in Heaven ; And they who, to be sure of Paradise, Dying, put on the weeds of Dominic, Or in Franciscan thinlc to pass disguised ; 480
They pass the planets seven, and pass the fix'd, And that crystalline sphere whose balance weighs The trepidation talk'd, and that first moved ; And now Saint Peter at Heaven's wicket seems To wait them with his keys, and now at foot 485
Of Heaven's ascent they lift their feet, when lo A violent cross-wind from either coast Blows them transverse, ten thousand leagues awry Into the devious air : Then might ye see Cowls, hoods, and habits, with their wearers, toss'd And flutter'd into rags ; then reUques, beads, 491
Indulgences, dispenses, pardons, balls. The sport of wmds : All these, up-whirl'd aloft, Fly o'er the backside of the world far off Into a Limbo large and broad, since call'd 495
The Paradise of Fools, to few unknown Long after, now unpeopled and untrod. All this dark globe the Fiend found as he pass'd, And long he wander'd, till at last a gleam Of dawning light turn'd thitherward in haste 500
His travel'd steps : far distant he descries Ascending by degrees magnificent Up to the wall of Heaven a structure high ; At top whereof, but far more rich, appear'd The work as of a kingly palace-gate, 505
With frontispiece of diamond and gold
^. TAilADiSE LOST. B. Ill
Embelliali'd ; thick with sparkling orient gems
The portal shone, inimitable on earth
By model, or by shading pencil drawn.
The stairs were such as whereon Jacob saw 510
Angels ascending and descending, bands
Of guardians bright, when he from Esau fled
To Padan-Aram, in the field of Lut:
Dreaming by night under the open sky,
And waking cried, Tlcis is the gate of Heaven. 515
Each stair mysteriously was meant, nor stood
There alwavs, but drawn up to Heaven sometimes
Viewless ; and underneath a bright sea flow'd
Of jasper, or of liquid pearl, whereon
Who after came from earth, sailing arrived 520
Wafted by Angels, or flew o'er the lake
Wrapp'd in a chariot drawn by fiery steeds.
The stairs were then let down, whether to dare
The Fiend by easy ascent, or aggravate
His sad exclusion from the doors of bliss : 525
Direct against which open'd from beneath,
Just o'er the blissful seat of Paradise,
A passage down to the Earth, a passage wide,
Wider by far than that of aftertimes
Over mount Sion, and, though that were large, 530
Over the Promised Land to God so dear ;
By y.'hich to visit oft those happy tribes.
On high behests his Angels to and fro
Pass'd freqvient, and liis eye with choice regard
From Pancas, the fount of Jordan's flood, 535
To Eecrsaba where the Holy Land
Borders on Egypt and the Arabian shore ;
So wide the opening seem'd, where bounds were set
To da/kness, such as bound the ocean wave
Satan from hence, now on the lower stair, 540
That scaled by steps of gold to Heaven-gate,
Looks down with wonder at the sudden view
Of all tills world at once. As when a scout.
Through dark nnd desert waj^s with peril gone
PARADISE LOST. 69
All night, at last by break of cheerful dawn 546
Obtains the brow of some high-climbing hill,
Which to his eye discovers unaware
The goodly prospect of some foreign land
First seen, or some renown'd metropolis
With glistering spires and pinnacles adorn'd, 550
Which now the rising sun gilds with his beams
Such wonder seized, though after Heaven seen,
The Spirit malign, but much more envy seized,
At sight of all this world beheld so fair.
Round he surveys (and well might, where he stood
So high above the circling canopy 550
Of night's extended shade,) from eastern point
Of Libra to the fleecy star that bears
Andromeda far off Atlantic seas
Beyond the horizon ; then from pole to polo 560
He views in breadth, and without longer pause
Down right into the world's first region throws
His flight precipitant, and winds with ease
Through the pure marble air his oblique way
Amongst innumerable stars, that shone 5G5
Stars distant, but nigh hand seem'd other worlds ;
Or other worlds they seemd, or happy isles,
Like those Hesperian gardens famed of old.
Fortunate fields, and groves, and flowery vales,
Thrice happy isles ; but who dwelt happy there 570
He staid not to inquire : Above them sjl
The golden sun, in splendour likest Heaven,
Allured his eye ; thither his course he bends
Through the calm firman\ent (but up or down,
By centre, or eccentric, hard to tell, 575
Or longitude,) where the great luminary
Aloof the vulgar constellations thick.
That from his lordly eye keep distance due,
Dispenses light from far } tney, as they move
Their starry dance in numbers that compute 580
Days, months, and years, towards his all cheering lamp
Turn swift their various motions, or are turn'd
70 PARADISE LOST. b. th
By his magnetic beam, that gently warms
Tlie universe, and to each inward part
With gentle penetration, though unseen, 585
Shoots invisible virtue even to the deep ;
So wondrously was set his station bright.
Their lands tlie Fiend, a spot like which perhaps
Astronomer in the sun's lucent orb
Through his glazed optic tube yet never saw. 590
The place he found beyond expression bright,
Compared with aught on earth, metal or stone j
Not all parts like, but all alike inform'd
With radient light, as glowing iron with fire ;
If metal, part seem'd gold, part silver clear ; 595
If stone, carbuncle most or crysolite,
Ruby or topaz, to the twelve that shone
In Aaron's breastplate, and a stone besides
Imagined rather oft, than elsewhere seen,
That stone, or like to that which here below 600
Philosophers in vain so long have sought,
In vain, though by their powerful art they bind
Volatile Hermes, and call up unbound
In various shapes old Proteus from the sea,
Drain'd through a limbeck to his native form. 605
What wonder then if fields and regions here
Breathe forth elixir pure, and rivers run
Portable gold, v>^hen with one virtuous touch
The archchemic sun, so far from us remote,
Produces, with terrestrial humour mix'd, 610
Plere in the dark so many precious things
Of colour glorious and effect so rare ?
Here matter new to gaze the Devil met
Undazzled ; far and wide his eye commands ,
For sight no obstacle found here, nor shade, 615
But all sunshin(!, as when his beams at noon
Culminate from the equator, as they now
Shot upward still direct, whence no way round
Shadow from body opaque can fall ; and the air,
No where so clear, sharpea'd his visual ray 620
PARADISE LOST. 71
To objects distant far, whereby he soon Saw within ken a glorious Angel stand, The same whom John saw also in the sun : His back was turn'd, but not his brightness hid; Of beaming sunny rays a golden tiar 625
Circled his head, nor less his locks behind Illustrious on his shoulders fledge with wings Lay waving round ; on some great charge employ He seem'd, or fix'd in cogitation deep. Glad was tlie Spirit impure, as now in hope C30
To find who might direct his wandering flight To Paradise, the happy seat of Man, His journey's end and our beginning woe. But first he casts to change his proper shap3, Which else might work him danger or delay : 635
And now a stripling Cherub he appears, Not of the prime, yet such as in his face Youth smiled celestial, and to every limb Suitable grace diffused, so well he feign'd : Under a coronet his flowing hair 640
In curls on either cheek play'd ; wings he wore Of many a colour'd plume, sprinkled 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, 645 Ere he drew nigh, his radiant visage turn'd, Admonish'd by his ear, and straight was known The Archangel Uriel, one of the seven Who in God's presence, nearest to his throne, Stand ready at command, and are his eyes 650
That run through all the Heavens, or down to the Earth Bear his swift errands over moist and dry, O'er sea and land : him Satan thus accosts :
Uriel, for thou of those seven Spirits that stand In sight of God's high throne, gloriously bright, 655 The first art wont his great authentic will, Interpreter through highest Heaven to bring. Where all his sons thy embassy attend ;
*m PARADISE LOST. b. lu.
And here art likeliest by supreme decree
Like honour to obtain, and as his eye 660
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 ordain'd, 665
Hath brought me from the choirs of Cherubim
Alone thus wandering. Brightest Seraph, teU
In which of all these shining orbs hath Man
His fixed seat, or fixed seat hath none.
But all these shining orbs his choice to dwell ; 670
That I may find him, and with secret gaze
Or open admiration liim behold,
On whom the great Creator hath bestowed
Worlds, and on whom hath all these graces potir'd ;
That both in him and all things, as is meet, 67b
The universal Maker we may praise ;
Who justly hath driven out his rebel foes
To deepest Hell, and, to repair that loss,
Created this new happy race of Men
To serve him better : Wise are all his ways. 680
So spake the false dissembler unperceived ; For neither Man nor Angtls can discern Hypocrisy, the only evil that walks Invisible, except to God alone, Ey his permissive will, through Heaven and Earth And oft, though Wisdom wake. Suspicion sleeps 6SG At Wisdom's gate, and to Simplicity Resigns her charge, while Goodness thinks no ill Where no ill seems ; which now for once beguiled Uriel, tliough regent of the sun, and held 690
Tlie sharpest sighted Spirit of all in Heaven ; Who to the fraudulent impostor foul. In his upriglitness, ansv/er thus return'd :
Fair Angel, thy desire, which tends to know ^
The works of God, tliereby to glorify 695
The great "Workmastcr, leads to no excess
PARADISE LOST. 73
That reaches blame, but rather merits praise
The more it seems excess, that led thee hither
From tiiy empyreal mansion thus alone.
To witness with thine eyes what some perhaps, 700
Contented with report, hear only in Heaven :
For wonderful indeed are all his works.
Pleasant to know, and worthiest to be all
Had in remembrance always with delight ;
But wliat creative mind can comprehend 705
Tlieir number, or the wisdom infinite
That brought them forth, but hid their causes deep
I saw when at his word the formless mass.
This world's material mould, came to a heap :
Confusion heard his voice, and wild uproar 710
Stood ruled, stood vast infinitude confined ;
Till at his second bidding darkness fled.
Light shone, and order from disorder sprung :
Swift to their several quarters hasted then
The cumbrous elements, earth, flood, air, fire ; 715
And this etherial quintessence of Heaven
Flew upward, spirited with various forms,
That roll'd orbicular, and turn'd to stars
Numberless, as thou seest, and how they move.
Each had his place appointed, each his course ; 720
The rest in circuit walls 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 the other hemisphere, 725
Night would invade ; but there the neighbouring moon
(So call that opposite fair star) her aid
Timely interposes, and her monthly roimd
Still ending, still renewing, through mid Heaven,
With borrow'd light her countenance triform 730
Hence fills and empties to enhghten the Earth,
Mm\ 'n he>r pale dominion checks the night.
Thiit spot, to which I point, is Paradise,
74 PARADISE LOST. b. ni
Adam's abode ; those lofty shades, his bower.
Thy way thou canst not miss, me mine requires. 735
Thus said, he turn'd ; 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 the ecliptic, sped with hoped success, 740 Throws his steep flight in many a;:j aery wheel ; Nor staid, till on Niphates' top he lights.
PARADISE LOST.
BOOK IV.
Satan, now in prospect of Eden, and nigh the place where ho must now attempt the bold enterprise which he undertook alono against God and Man, falls into many doul»ts with himself, and many passions, fear, envy, and despair ; but at length confirms himself in evil ; journeys on to Paradise, whose outward pros- pect and situation are described ; overleaps the bounds ; sits in the shape of a cormorant on the tree of life, as highest in the gar- den, to look about him. The garden described; Satan's first sight of Adam and Eve; his wonder at their excellent form and happy state, but with resolutiop. to work their fall ; overhears their discourse: thence gathers that the tree of knowledge was for- bidden them to eat of, under penalty of death ; and thereon in- tends to found his temptation by seducing thom to transgress: Then leaves them awhile to know further of their state by some other means. Meanwhile Uriel descending an a sunbeam warns Gabriel, who had in charge the gate of Paradise, that some evil Spirit had escaped the deep, and passed at noon by his sphere in the shape of a good Angel down to Paradise, discovered after by his furious gestures on the mount. Gabriel promises to find him ere morning. Night coming on, Adam and Eve discourse of going to their rest : Their bower described ; their evening wor- ship. Gabriel, drawing forth his bands of night-watch to walk the round of Paradise, appoints two strong Angels to Adam's bower, lest the evil Spirit should be there doing some harm to Adam or Eve sleeping: there they find him at the ear of Eve, tempting her in a dream, and bring him, though unwilling, to Gajjriel : by whom questioned, he scornfully answers ; prepares resistance ; but, hindered by a sign from Heaven, flies out of Pa- radise
O FOR that warning voice, which he who saw The Apocalypse, heard cry in Heaven aloud, Then when the Dragon, put to second rout, Came furious down to be revenged on men, Woe to the inhabitants on earth ! that now, 5
While time was, our first parents had been warn'd The coming of their secret foe, and scaped — Haply so scaped his mortal snare : For now Satan, now first inflamed with rage, came down, ■ftie tempter ere the accuser of mankind, 10
To wreak on innocent frail Man his loss Of that first battle, and his flight to Hell
76 PARADISE LOST. b. iv.
Yet, not rejoicing in ]iis speed, though bold
Far off and fearless, nor with cause to boast,
Begins his dire attempt ; which nigh the birth 15
Now rolling boils in his tumultuous breast,
And like a devilisli engine back recoils
Upon himself ; horror and doubt distract
His troubled thoughts, and from the bottom stir
The Hell within him ; for within him Hell 20
He brings, and round about him, nor from Hell
One step, no more than from himself, can fly
Ey change of place . Now conscience wakes despair
That slumber'd ; wakes the bitter memory
Of what he was, what is, and what must be 25
Worse ; of worse deeds worse sufferings must ensue.
Sometimes towards Eden, which now in his view
Lay pleasant, his grieved look he fixed sad ;
Sometimes towards Heaven, and the full-blazing sun,
Which now sat high in his meridian tower : 30
Then, much revolving, thus in sighs began :
O thou, that, witli surpassing glory crown'd, Look'st from thy sole dominion like the God Of this new world ; at whose sight all the stars Hide their diminish'd heads : to thee I call, 35
But with no friendly voice, and add thy name,
0 Sun ! to tell thee how I hate thy beams, That bring to my remembrance from what state
1 fell, how glorious once above thy sphere ;
Till pride and worse ambition threw me down 40
Warring in Heaven against Heaven's matchless King*
Ah, wherefore ! he deserved no such return
From me, whom he created what I Vi^^as
[n that bright eminence, and with his good
Upbraided none ; nor was his service hard. 45
What could be less than to afford him praise,
The easiest recompense, and pay him thanks, ^
How due ! yet all his good proved ill in me, ^
And wrought but malice • lifted up so high
I 'sdain'd subjection, and thought one step higher 50
PARADISE LOST. 77
Would set me highest, and in a moment quit
The debt immense of endless gratitude,
So burdensome still paying, still to owe :
Forgetful what from him I still received,
And understood not that a grateful mind 55
By owing owes not, but still pays, at once
Indebted and discharged ; what burden then ''
O, had his powerful destiny ordain'd
Me some inferior Angel, I had stood
Then happy ; no unbounded hope had raised 60
Ambition ! Yet why not ? some other Power
As great might have aspired, and me, though m«an,
Drawn to his part ; but other Powers as great
Fell not, but stand unshaken, from within
Or from without, to all temptations arm'd. 65
Hadst thou the same free will and power to stand ?
Thou hadst : whom hast liiou then or what to accuse,
But Heaven's free love dealt equally to all ?
Be then his love accursed, smce love or hate,
To me alike, it deals eternal woe. 70
Nay, cursed be thou ; since against his thy will
Chose freely what it now so justly rues.
Me miserable ! which way shall I fly
Infinite wrath and infinite despair ?
Which way I fly is Hell ; myself am Hell ; 75
And, in the lowest deep, a lower deep
Still threatning to devour me opens wide,
To which the Hell I suffer seems a Heaven.
O, then, at last relent : Is there no place
Left for repentance, none for pardon left ? 80
None left but by submission ; and that word
Disdain forbids me, and my dread of shame
Among the Spirits beneath, whom I seduced
"With other premises and other vaunts
Than to submit, boasting I could subdue 85
The Omnipotent. Ah me ! they little know
How dearly I abide that boast so vain,
Under what torments inwardly I groan,
78 PARADISE LOST. b. iv.
While they adore me on the throne of Hell.
With diadem and sceptre high advanced, 90
Tiie loAver still I fall, only supreme
In misery : Such joy ambition finds.
But say I could repent, and cculd obtain,
By act of grace, my former state ; how soon
W^ould height recal high thoughts, how soon unsay 95
What feign'd submission swore ? Ease would recant
Vows made in pain, as violent and void.
For never can true reconcilement grow,
Where wounds of deadly hate have pierced so deep :
Which vvould but lead me to a worse relapse 100
And heavier fall ; so should I purchase dear
Sliort interlnission bought v/ith double smart.
This knows my Punisher ; therefore as far
From granting he, as I from begging, peace ;
All hope excluded thus, behold, in stead 105
Of us outcast, exiled, his new delight,
Mankind created, and for him this world.
So farewell, hope ; and with hope farewell, fear;
Farewell, remorse! all good to me is lost;
Evil, be thou my good ; by thee at least 110
Divided empire with Heaven's King I hold,
By thee, and more than half perhaps will reign ;
As Man, ere long, and this new world shall know.
Thus while he spake, each passion dimm'd his face Thrice changed with pale, ire, envy, and despair ; 115 Which marr'd his borrow'd visage, and betray'd Him counterfeit, if any eye beheld. For heavenly minds from such distempers foul Are ever clear. Whereof he soon aware, Each perturbation smooth'd with outward calm, 120 Artificer of fraud ; and was the first That practised falsehood under saintly show, Deep malice to conceal, couch'd with revenge ; Yet not enough had practised to deceive Uriel once warn'd ; whose eye pursued him down 125 The way he went, and on the Assyrian mount
PARADISE LOST. 79
Saw him disfigured, more than could befal
Spirit of happy sort : His gestures fierce
He mark'd and mad demeanour, then alone,
As he supposed, all xmobserved, unseen. 130
So on he fares, and to the border comes
Of Eden, where delicious Paradise,
Now nearer, crowns with her enclosure green,
As with a rural mound, the champaign head
Of a steep wilderness, whose hairy sides 135
With thicket overgrown, grotesque and wild,
Access denied ; and overhead up grew
Insuperable height of loftiest shade,
Cedar, and pine, and fir, and branching palm,
A silvan scene ; and, as the ranks ascend 140
Shade above shade, a woody theatre
Of stateliest view. Yet higher than their tops
The verduous wall of Paradise up sprung :
Which to our general sire gave prospect large
Into his nether empire neighbouring round. 145
And higher than that wall a circling row
Of goodliest trees, loaden with fairest fruit,
Blossoms and fruits at once of golden hue
Appear'd, with gay enamel'd colours mix'd ;
On which the sun more glad impress'd his beams 150
Than on fair evening cloud or humid bow,
When God hath shower'd the earth ; so lovely seem'd
That landscape : and of pure now purer air
Meets his approach, and to the heart inspires
Vernal delight and joy, able to drive 155
All sadness but despair : Now gentle gales.
Fanning their odoriferous wings, dispense
Na,tive perfumes, and whisper whence they stole
Those balmy spoils. As when to them who sa,il
Beyond the Cape of Hope, and now are pass'd ^60
Mozambic, ofi'at sea north-east winds blow
Sabean odours from the spicy shore
Of Araby the bless'd ; with such delay
Well pleased they slack their course, and many a league
80 PARADISE LOST. b. iv
Clieer'd with the greatful smell old Ocean smiles : 165 So entertain'd those odorous sweets the Fiend, Who came their bane ; though with them better pleased Than Asmodcus with the fishy fume That drove him, though enamour'd, from the spouse Of Tobit's son, and v/ith a vengeance sent 173
From Media post to Egypt, there fast bound. Now to the ascent of that steep savage liill Satan had journey'd on, pensive and slow ; But further way found none, so thick entwined, As one continued brake, the undergrowth 175
Of shrubs and tangling bushes had perplex'd All path of man or beast that pass'd that way. One gate there only was, and that look'd east On the other side : which when the archfelon saw, Due entrance he disdain'd : and, in contempt, 180
At one slight bound high overleap'd all bound Of hill or highest wall, and sheer within Lights on his feet. As when a prowling wolf, Whom hunger drives to seek new haunt for prey, Watching where shepherds pen their flocks at eve 185 In hurdled cotes amid the field secure, Leaps o'er the fence with ease into the fold : Or as a thief, bent to unheard the cash Of some rich burgher, whose substantial doors, Cross-barr'd and bolted fast, fear no assault, 190
In at the window climbs, or o'er the tiles : So clomb this first grand thief into God's fold ; So since into his church lewd hirelings climb. Thence up he flew, and on the tree of life, The middle tree and highest there that grew, 195
Sat like a cormorant ; yet not true life Thereby regain'd, but sat devising death To them who lived ; nor on the virtue thought Of that lifegiving plant, but only used For prospect, what well used had been the pledge 200 Of immortality. So little knows Any, but God alone, to value right
PARADISE LOST. 81
The good before him, but perverts best things To worst abuse or to their meanest use. Beneath him with new wonder now he views, 205
To all delight of human sense exposed, In narrow room, Nature's whole wealth, yea more, A Heaven on Earth : For blissful Paradise Of God the garden was, by liim in the east Of Eden planted ; Eden stretch'd her line 210
From Auran eastward to the royal towers Of great Seleucia, built by Grecian kings, Or where the sons of Eden long before Dwelt in Telassar : In this pleasant soil His far more pleasant garden God ordain'dj 215
Out of the fertile ground he caused to grow All trees of noblest kind for sight, smell, taste , And all amid them stood the tree of life. High eminent, blooming ambrosial fruit Of vegetable gold ; and next to life, 220
Our death, the tree of knowledge, grew fast by, Knowledge of good bought dear by knowing ill. Southward through Eden went a river large, Nor changed his course, but through the shaggy Iiill Pass'd underneath ingulf 'd ; for God had thrown 225 That mountain as his garden mound high raised Upon the rapid current, which, through veins Of porous earth v/ith kindly thirst updrawn, R,ose a fresh fountain, and with many a rill VVater'd the garden ; thence united fell 230
Do^vn the steep glade, and met the nether flood. Which from his darksome passage now appears, And now, divided into four main streams. Runs diverse, w^andering many a famous realm And country, whereof here needs no account ; 235 But rather to tell how, if Art could tell, How from that sapphire fount the crisped brooks, Rolling on orient pearl and sands of gold, Witih mazy error under pendent shades Ran nectar, visiting each plant, and fed 240
82 PARADISE LOST. b. iv.
Flowers worthy of Paradise, which not nice Art
In beds and curious knots, but Nature boon
Pour'd forth profuse on hill, and dale, and plain,
Both where the morning sun first warmly smote
The open field, and where the unpierced shade 245
Imbrown'd the noontide bowers : Thus was this place
A happy rural seat of various view ;
Groves whose rich trees wept odorous gums and balm.
Others whose fruit, burnish 'd with golden rind,
Hung amiable, Hesperian fables true, 250
If true, here only, and of delicious taste :
Betwixt them lawns, or level downs, and flocks
Grazing the tender herb, were interposed,
Or palmy hillock ; or the flowery lap
Of some irriguous valley spread her store, 255
Flowers of all hue, and without thorn the rose :
Another side, umbrageous grots and caves
Of cool recess, o'er wliich the mantling vine
Lays forth her purple grape, and gently creeps
Luxuriant ; meanwhile murmuring waters fall 260
Down the slope hills, dispersed, or in a lalte,
That to the fringed bank with myrtle crown'd
Her crystal mirror holds, unite their streams.
The birds their choir apply; airs, vernal airs,
Breathing the smell of field and grove, attune 265
The trembling leaves, while universal Pan,
Knit with the Graces and the Hours in dance,
Led on the eternal Spring. Not that fair field
Of Enna, where Proserpine gathering flowers.
Herself a fairy flower, by gloomy Dis 270
Was gather'd, which cost Ceres all that pain
To seek her through the world ; nor that sweet grove
Of Daphne by Orontes, and the inspired
Castalian spring might with this Paradise
Of Eden strive ; nor that Nyseian isle 275
Girt with the river Triton, where old Cham,
Whom Gentiles Ammon call and Libyan Jove, ,
Hid Amalthea, and her florid son
PARADISE LOST. 83
Young Bacchus, from his stepdame Rhea's eye ;
Nor where Abassin kings their issue guard, 280
Mount Amara, though tliis oy some supposed
True Paradise under the Ethiop line
By Nihxs' head, enclosed with shining rock,
A whole day's journey high, but wide remote
From this Assyrian garden ; where the Fiend 285
Saw, undelighted, all delight, all kind
Of living creatures, new to sight, and strange.
Two of far nobler shape, erect and tall,
Godlike erect, with native hononr clad
In naked majesty, seem'd lords of all : 290
And worthy seem'd ; for in their looks divine
The image of their glorious Maker <*hone,
Truth, wisdom, sanctitude severe and pure
(Severe, but in true filial freedom placed,)
Whence true authority in men ; though both 295
Not equal, as their sex not equal seem'd >
For contemplation he and valour form'd ;
For softness she and sweet attractive grace ;
He for God only , she for God in him :
His fair large front and eye sublime declared 300
Absolute rule ; and hyacinthine locks
Round from his parted forelock manly hung
Clustering, but not beneath his shoulders broad :
She, as a veil, down to tlio slender waist
Her unadorned golden tresses wore 305
Dishevel'd, but in wanton ringlets waved
As the vine curls her tendrils, which implied
Subjection, but required with gentle sway,
And by her yielded, by him besu received ;
Yielded with coy submission, modest pride, 31Q
And sweet, reluctant, amorous delay.
Nor those mysterious parts were then conceal'd j
Then was not guilty shame, dishonest shame
Of nature's works, honour dishonourable,
Sin-bred : how have ye troubled all mankind 315
With shows instead, mere shows of seeming pure.
64 PARADISE LOST. , ». iv.
And banish'd from man's life his happiest life,
Simplicity and spotless innocence !
So pass'd they naked on, nor sliunn'd the sight
Of God or Angel ; for they thought no ill : 320
So hand in hand they pass'd, the lovliest pair,
That ever since in love's embraces met ;
Adam the goodliest man of men since born
His sons, the fairest of her daughters Eve.
Under a tuft of shade that on a green 325
Stood whispering soft, by a fresh fountain side
They sat them down ; and, after no more toil
Of their sweet gardening labour than sufficed
To recommend cool Zephyr, and made ease
More easy, Avholesome thirst and appetite 330
More grateful, to their supper fruits they fell j
Nectarine fruits which tne com.pliant boughs
Yielded them, sidelong as they sat recline
On the soft downy bank damask'd with flowers :
The savoury pulp they chew, and in the rind, 335
Still as they thirsted, scoop the brimming stream;
Nor gentle purpose, nor endearing smiles
"Wanted, nor youthful dalliance, as beseems
Fair couple, link'd in happy nuptial league,
A]one as they. About them frisking play'd 340
x^ll beasts of the earth, since wild, and of all chase
In wood or wilderness, forest or den ;
Sporting the lion ramp'd, and in his paw.
Dandled the kid ; bears, tigers, ounces, pards,
Gambol'd before them ; the unv/ieldy elephant. 345
To make them mirth, used all his might, and wreath'd
His lithe proboscis ; close the serpent sly,
Insinuating, wove with Gordian twine
His braided train, and of his fatal guile
Gave proof unlieeded ; others on the grass 350
Couch'd, and now fill'd with pasture gazing sat.
Or bedward ruminating ; for the sun.
Declined, was hasting now with prone career
To the ocean isles, and in the ascending scale
PARADISE LOST. 85
Of Heaven the stars that usher evenmg rose : 355 When Satan still in gaze, as first he stood, Scarce thus at length fail'd speech recover'd sad : O Hell ! w' liat do mine eyes with grief behold ! Into our room of bliss thus high advanced Creatures of other mould, earth-born perhaps, 360 Not Spirits, yet to heavenly Spirits bright Little inferior : whom my thoughts pursue With wonder, and could love, so lively shines In them divine resemblance, and such grace The hand that form'd them on their shape hath pour'd. Ah ! gentle pair, ye little think how nigh 3G6
Your change approaches, when all these delights Will vanish, and deliver ye to woe ; More woe, the more you tas.,e is now of joy ; Happy, but for so happy ill secured 370
Long to continue, and this high seat your Heaven 111 fenced for Heaven to keep out such a foe As now is enter "d ; yet no purposed foe To you, whom I could pity thus forlorn. Though I unpitied : League with you I seek, 375
And mutual amity, so straight, so close. That I with you must dwell, or you with me Henceforth : my dwelling haply may not please, Like this fair Paradise, your sense ; yet such Accept your Maker's work; he gave it me, 380
Which I as freely give : Hell shall unfold. To entertain you two, her widest gates, And send forth all her kings ; there will be room, Not like these narrow limits, to conceive Your numerous offspring ; if no better place, 385
Thank him who puts me loath to this revenge On you who wrong me not for him who wrong 'd. And should I at your harmless innocence Melt, as I do, yet public reason just,. Honour and empire with revenge enlarged, 390
By conquering this new world, compel me now To do what else, though damn'd, I should abhor 8
ee PARADISE LOST. b. nr
So spake the Fiend, and with necessity, The tyrant's plea, excused his devilish deeds. Then from his lofty stand on that high tree 393
Down he alights among the sportful herd Of those four-footed kinds, himself now one, Now other, as their shape served best his end Nearer to view his prey, and, unespied. To mark what of their state he more might learn, 400 By word or action mark'd : About them round A lion now he stalks with fiery glare ; Then as a tiger, who by chance hath spied In some purlieu two gentle fawns at play. Straight couches close, then, rising, changes oft 405 His couchant watch, as one chose his ground. Whence rushing, he might surest seize them both, Griped in each paw : when Adam, first of men, To first of women, Eve, thus moving speech, Turn'd him, all ear to hear new utterance flow : 410
Sole partner and sole part of all these joj'^si, Dearer thyself than all ; needs must the Power That made us, and for us this ample world, Be infinitely good, and of his good As liberal and free as infinite ; 415
That raised us from the dust, and placed us here In all this happiness, who at his hand Have nothing merited, nor can perform Aught whereof he hath need ; he who recpiires From us no other service than to keep 420
This one, this easy charge, of all the trees In Paradise that bear delicious fruit So various, not to taste that only tree Of knowledge, planted by the tree of life • So near grows death to life, whate'er death is, 425 Some dieadful thing no doubt; for well thou know'st God hath pronounced it death to taste that tree, The only sign of our obedience left, Among so many signs of power and rule Conferr'd upon us, and dominion given 430
PARADISE LOST. 87
Over all other creatures that possess Earth, air, and sea. Then let us not think hard One easy prohibition, who enjoy Free leave so large to all things else, and choice Unlimited of manifold delights: 435
But let us ever praise him, and extol His bounty, following our delightful task, To prune these growing plants and tend these flowers, Which were it toilsome, yet v/ith thee were sweet.
To whom thus Eve replied : O thou for whom 440 And from whom I was form'd, flesh of thy flesh, And without whom am to no end, my guide And head ! what thou hast said is just and right For we to him indeed all praises owe And daily thanks ; I chiefly, who enjoy 445
So for the happier lot, enjoying thee ♦ Pre-eminent by so much odds, while thou Like consort to thyself canst no where find. That day I oft remember, when from sleep I first awaked, and found myself reposed 450
Under a shade on flowers, much wondering where And what I was, whence thither brought and how. Not distant far from thence a murmuring sound Of waters issued from a cave, and spread Into a liquid plain, then stood unmoved 455
Pure as the expanse of Heaven ; I thither went With unexperienced thought, and laid me down On the green bank, to look into the clear Smooth lake, that to me seem'd another sky. As I bent down to look, just opposite 460
A shape within the watery gleam appear'd. Bending to look on me . I started back ; It started back : but pleased I soon return'd ; Pleased it return'd as soon with answering looks Of sjanpathy and love : There I had fix'd 465
Mine eyes till now, and pined with vain desire, Had not a voice thus warn'd me ; "What thou seest, V/hat there thou secst, fair Creature, is thyself j
88 PARADISE LOST. b. iv,
With thee it came and goes : but follow me,
And I will bring thee where no shadow stays 470
Thy coming, and thy soft embraces, he
Whose image thou art ; him thou shalt enjoy
Inseparably thine, to him shalt bear
Multitudes like thyself, and thence be call'd
Mother of human race." What could I do, 47f
But follow straight, invisibly thus led ?
Till I espied thee, fair indeed and tall, ,
Under a platane ; yet methought less fair
Less winning soft, less amiably mild,
Than that smooth watery image : back I turn'd ; 480
Thou following criedst aloud, " Return, fair Eve ;
Whom fliest thou ? whom thou fiiest, of him thou art,
His flesh, his bone ; to give thee being I lent
Out of my side to thee, nearest my heart,
Substantial life, to have thee by my side 485
Henceforth an individual solace dear ;
Part of my soul I seek thee, and thee claim
My other half:" With that thy gentle hand
Seized mine : I yielded ; and from that time see
How beauty is excell'd by manly grace, 490
And wisdom, which alone is truly fair.
So spake our general mother, and with eyes Of conjugal attraction unreproved. And meek surrender, half embracing lean'd On our first father ; half her swelling breast 495
Naked met his, under the flowing gold Of her loose tresses hid : he in delight, Both of her beauty and submissive charms. Smiled with superior love, as Jupiter On Juno smiles, when he impregns the clouds 500 That shed May flowers ; and press'd her matron lip With kisses pure : Aside the Devil turn'd For envy ; yet with jealous leer malign Eyed them askance, and to himself thus plain'd :
Sight hateful, sight tormenting ! thus these two, Imparadised in one another's arms, 506
PARADISE LOST. 89
The happier Eden, shall enjoy their fill
Of bhss on bliss : while I to Hell am thrust,
Where neither joy nor love, but fierce desire,
Among our other torments not the least, 510
Still unfulfill'd with pain of longing pines.
Yet let me not forget what I have gain'd
From their own mouths : All is not theirs, it seems ;
One fatal tree there stands, of knowledge call'd,
Forbidden them to taste : Knowledge forbidden ' 515
Suspicious, reasonless. Why should their Lord
Envy them that ? Can it be sin to know .''
Can it be death .-' And do they only stand
By ignorance ? Is that their happy state,
The proof of their obedience and their faith f 520
O fair foundation laid whereon to build
Their ruin ! hence I will excite their minds
With more desire to know, and to reject
Envious commands, invented with design
To keep them low, whom knowledge might exalt 525
Equal with Gods : aspiring to be such.
They taste and die : What likelier can ensue ?
But first with narrow search I must walk round
This garden, and no corner le^ve unspied ;
A chance but chance may lead where I may meet 530
Some wandering Spirit of Heaven by fountain side,
Or in thick shade retired, from him to draw
What further would be learn'd. Live while ye may,
Yet happy pair ; enjoy, till I return,
Short pleasures, for long woes are to succeed ! 535
So saying, his proud step he scornful turn'd, But with sly circumspection, and began [roam.
Through wood, through waste, o'er hill, o'er dale, his Meanwhile in utmost longitude, where Heaven With earth and ocean meets, the setting sun 54ft
Slowly descended, and with right aspect Against the eastern gate of Paradise Levelled his evening ra^s : It was a rock Of alabaster, piled up the clouds,
90 PARADISE LOST. b. iv
Conspicuous far, winding with one ascent 545
Accessible from earth, one entrance high ;
The rest was craggy cliff, that overhung
Still as it rose, impossible to climb.
Betwixt tliese rocky pillars Gabriel sat,
Chief of the angelic guards, awaiting night ; 550
About him exercised heroic games
The unarmed youth of Heaven, but nigh at hand
Celestial armory, shields, helms, and spears,
Hung high with diamond flaming and with gold.
Thither came Uriel, gliding through the even 555
On a sunbeam, swift as a shooting star
In autumn thwarts the night, when vapours fired
[mpress the air, and shows the mariner
From what point of his compass to beware
Impetuous winds : He thus began in haste : 560
Gabriel, to thee thy course by lot hath given Charge and strict watch, that to this happy place No evil thing approach or enter in. This day at height of noon came to ray sphere A Spirit, zealous, as he seem'd, to know 565
More of the Almighty's works, and chiefly Man. God's latest image : I described his way Bent all on speed, and mark'd his aery gait ; But on the mount that lies from Eden north, Where he first lighted soon disccrn'd his looks 570 Alien from Heaven, with passions foul obscured : Mine eye pursued him still, but under shade Lost sight of him : One of the banish'd crew, [ fear, hath ventured from the deep, to raise New troubles ; him thy care must be to find. 575
To whom the winged warrior thus return'd : Uriel, no wonder if thy perfect sight, Amid the sun's bright circle where thou sitt'st See far and wide : In at this gate none pass The vigilance here placed, but such as come 580
Well known from Heaven ; and since meridian hour No creature thence : If Spirit of other sort,
PARADISE LOST. 91
So minded, have o'erleap'd these earthly bounds On purpose, hard thou know'st it to exclude Spiritual substance with corporeal bar. 585
But if within the circuit of these walks, In whatsoever shape he lurk, of whom Thou tell'st, by morrov^r dawning I shall know.
So promised he : and Uriel to his charge Return 'd on that bright beam, whose point now raised Bore him slope downward to the sun now fallen 591 Beneath the Azores ; whether the prime orb, Incredible how swift, had thither roll'd Diurnal ; or this less voluble earth. By shorter fliglit to the east, had left him there, 595 Arraying v/ith reflected purple and gold The clouds that on his western tlirone attend. Now came still Evening on, and Twilight gray Had in her sober livery all things clad ; Silence accompanied ; for beast and bird, 600
They to their grassy couch, these to their nests, Were slunk, all but the wakeful niglitingale j She all night long her amorous descant sung ; Silence was pleased : Now glow^'d the firmament With living sapphires : Hesperus, that led 605
The starry host, rode brightest, till the moon, Rising in clouded majesty, at length Apparent queen unveil'd her peerless light, And o'er the dark her silver mantle threw.
When Adam thus to Eve : Fair Consort, the hour Of night, and all things now retired to rest, 611
Mind us of like repose ; since God hath set Labour and rest, as day and night to men Successive ; and the timely dew of sleep. Now falhng with soft slumbrous weight, inclines 615 Our eyelids : Other creatures all day long Rove idle, unemployed, and less need rest ; Man hath his daily work of body or mind Appointed, which declares his dignity, And the regard of Henven on all his ways • C20
92 PARADISE LOST. b. iv
While other animals inactive range,
And of their doings God takes no account.
To-morrow, ere fresh morning streak the east
With first approach of light, we must be risen,
And at our pleasant labour, to reform 6%
Yon flowery arbours, yonder alleys green.
Our walk at noon with branches overgrown,
That mock our scant manuring, and require
More hands than ours to lop their wanton growth
Those blossoms also, and those dropping gums, C30
That lie bestrown, unsightly and unsmooth,
Ask riddance, if we mean to tread with ease ;
Meanwhile, as Nature wills, night bids us rest.
1^0 whom thus Eve, with perfect beauty adorn'd My Author and Disposer what thou bidd'st 635
Unargued I obey : so God ordains : God is thy law, thou mine : To know no more Is woman's happiest knowledge, and her praise. With thee conversing, I forget all time ; All seasons, and their change, all please alike. G40
Sweet is the breath of Morn, her rising sweet. With charm of earliest birds : pleasant the sun, When first on this delightful land he spreads His orient beams, on herb, tree, fruit, and flower, Glistering with dew ; fragrant the fertile earth 645 After soft showers ; and sweet the coming on Of grateful Evening mild ; then silent Night, With this her solemn bird, and this fair moon. And these the gems of Heaven, her starry train: But neither breath of Morn, when she ascends 650 With charm of earliest birds : nor rising sun On this delightful land ; nor herb, fruit, flower, Glistering with dew ; nor fragrance after showers ; Nor grateful evening mild ; nor silent Night, With this her solemn bird, nor walk by moon, 655 Or glittering starlight, without thee, is sweet. But wherefore all night long shine these .'' for whom This glorious sight when sleep hath shut all eyes ?
PARADISE LOST. 9S
To whom our general ancestor replied : Daughter of God and Man, accomplish'd Eve, 660 These have their course to finish round the earth, By morrow evening, and from land to land In order, though to nations yet unborn, Ministering light prepared, they set and rise , Lest total Darkness should by night regain 665
Her old possession, and extinguish life In Nature and all things ; which these soft fires Not only enlighten, but with kindly heat Df various influence foment and warm, Temper or nourish, or in part shed down 670
Their stellar virtue on all kinds that grow On earth, made hereby apter to receive Perfection from the sun's more potent ray. These then, though unbeheld in deep of night, 674 Shine not in vain ; nor think, though men were none, That Heaven would want spectators, God want praise Millions of spiritual creatures walk the earth Unseen, both when we wake and when we sleep ; A.11 these with ceaseless praise his werks behold Both day and night : How often from stoep 680
Of echoing hill or thicket have we heard Celestial voices to the midnight air, Sole, or responsive each to other's note, Singing their great Creator ? oft in bands While they keep watch, or nightly rounding \ralk, 685 With heavenly touch of instrumental sounds ?n full harmonic number join'd, their songs Divide the night, and lift our thoughts to Heaven.
Thus talking, hand in hand alone they pass'd On to their blissful bower : it was a place 690
Chosen by the sov'reign Planter, when he framed All things to Man's delightful use : the roof Of thickest covert was inwoven shade Laurel and myrtle, and what higher grew Of firm and fragrant leaf; on either side 695
94 PARADISE LOST. b. iv
Acanthus, and each odorous bushy shrub,
Fenced up the verdant wall ; each beauteous flower,
Iris all hues, roses, and jessamme,
Rear'd high their flourish'd heads between, and wrought
Mosaic ; underfoot the violet, 700
Crocus, and hyacinth, with rich inlay
Broider'd the ground, more colour'd than with stone
Of costliest emblem : Other creature here.
Bird, beast, insect, or worm, durst enter none,
Such was their awe of Man. In shadier bower 705
More sacred and sequester'd, though but feign'o,
Pan or Sylvanus never slept, nor Nymph
Nor Faunus haunted. Here, in close recess,
With flowers, garlands, and sweet-smelling herbs,
Espoused Eve deck'd first her nuptial bed : 710
And heavenly choirs the hymencean sung,
What day the genial Angel to our sire
Brought her in naked beauty more adorn'd,
More lovely, than Pandora, whom the Gods
Endow'd with all their gifts, and O ! too like 715
In sad event, when to the unv/iser son
Of Japhet brought by Hermes, she ensnared
Mankind with her fair looks, to be avenged
On him who had stolen Jove's authentic fire.
Thus, at their shady lodge arrived, both stood, 720 Both turn'd, and under open sky adored The God that made both sky, air, earth, and heaven, Which they beheld, the moon's resplendent globe, And starry pole : Thou also madest the night, Maker Omnipotent, and thou the day 725
Which we, in our appointed work employ 'd, Have finish'd, happy in our mutual help And mutual love, the crown of all our bliss Ordain'd by thee ; and this delicious place For us too large, where thy abundance wants 731?
Partakers, and uncropp'd falls to the groimd. But thou hast promised from us two a race
PARADISE LOST. 95
To fill the earth, who shall with us extol
Thy goodness infinite, both when we v.-ake
And when we seek, as now, thy gift of sleep. 73a
This said unanimous, and other rites Observing none, but adoration pure Which God likes best, into their inmost bower Handed they went ; and, eased the putting off These troublesome disguises which we wear, 740
Straiglit side by side were laid , nor turn'd, I ween, Adam fiom his fair spouse, nor Eve the rites Mysterious of connubial love refused : "Whatever hypocrites austerely talk Of purity, and place, and innocence, 7'45
Defaming as impure what God declares Pure, and commands to some, leaves free to all. Our Maker bids increase ; who bids abstain But our Destroyer, foe to God and Man .-* Hnil, wedded Love ! mysterious law, true source 750 Of human offspring, sole propriety In Paradise of all things common else. By thee adulterous Lust was drivMi from men Among the bestial herds to range ; by thee, Founded in reason, loyal, just, and pure, 755
PteUtions dear, and all the charities Of father, son, and brother, first were known. Far be it, that I should write thee sin or blame, Or think thee unbefitting holiest place. Perpetual fountain of domestic sweets, 760
Whose bed is undefiled and chaste pronounced, Present or past, as saints and patriarchs used. Here Love his golden shafts employs, here lights His constant lamp, and waves his purple wings. Reigns Jiere and revels ; not in the bought smile 765 Of harlots, loveless, joyless, unendear'd, Casual fraition ; nor in court amours, Mix'd dance, or wanton mask, or midnight bail, Or serenate, vv^hicli the starved lover sings To his proud fair, best quitted with disaaiii 770
96 PARADISE LOST. b. iv.
These, lull'd by nightingales, embracing slept. And on their naked limbs the flowery roof Shower'd roses, which the morn repair'd. Sleep on, Bless'd pair I and O ' yet happiest, if ye seek No happier state, and know to know no more. 775
Now had night measured with her shadowy cope Half way up hill this vast sublunar vault, And from their ivory port the Cherubim, Forth issuing at the accustora'd hour, stood arm'd To their night watches in warlike parade ; 780
When Gabriel to his next in power thus spake :
Uzziel, half these draw off, and coast the south With strictest vv^atch ; these other wheel the north ; Our circuit meets full west. As flame they part, Half wheeling to the shield, half to the spear. 785 From these two strong and subtle Spirits he call'd That near him stood, and gave them thus in charge.
Ithuriel and Zephon, with wing"d speed Search through this garden, leave unsearch'd no nook ; But chiefly where those two fair creatures lodge, 790 Now laid perhaps asleep, secure of harm. This evening from the sun's decline arrived, Who tells of some infernal Spirit seen Hitherward bent (who could have thought .'') escaped The bars of Hell, on errand bad no doubt ; 795
Such, where ye find, seize fast, and hither bring.
So saying, on he led his radiant files, Dazzling the moon ; these to the bower direct In search of whom they sought : Him there they found Squat like a toad, close at the ear of Eve, 800
Assaying by his devilish art to reach The organs of her fancy, and with them forge Illusions, as he list, phantasms and dreams ; Or if, inspiring venom, he might taint The animal spirits that from pure blood arise 805
Like gentle breaths, from rivers pure, thence raise At least distemper'd, discontented thoughts, Vain hopes, vain aims, inordinate desires,
PARADISE LOST. 97
Blown up with high conceits ingendering pride.
Him thus intent Ithuriel with his spear 810
Touch'd hghtly ; for no falsehood can endure
Touch of celestio,! temper, but returns
Of force to its own likeness : Up he starts
Discover'd and surprised. As w^hen a spark
L:ghts on a heap of nitrous powder, laid 815
fit for the tun some magazine to store
Against a rumour'd war, the smutty grain,
With sudden blaze diffused, inflames the air ;
So started up in his o-\vn shape the Fiend.
Back stepp'd those two fair Angels, half amazed 820
So sudden to behold the grisly king ;
Yet thus, unmoved with fear, accost him soon :
Which of those rebel Spirits adjudged to Hell Comest thou, escaped thy prison ^ and, transform'd, Why sat'st thoU like an enemy in wait, 825
Here watching at the head of these that sleep .'
Know ye not then, said Satan, fill'd with scorn, Know ye not me ? ye knew me once no mate For you, there sitting where ye durst not soar : Not to know me argues yourselves unknown, 830
The lowest of your throng ; or, if ye know, Why ask ye, and superfluous begin Your message, like to end as much in vain ^
To whom thus Zephon, answering scorn with scorn- Think not, revolted Spirit, thy shape the same, 835 Or undiminish'd brightness to be known. As when thou stood'st in Heaven upright and pure ', That glory then, when thou no more wast good, Departed from thee ; and thou resemblest now Thy sin and place of doom, obscure and foul. 840
But come ; for thou, be sure, shalt give account To him who sent us, whose charge is to keep This place inviolable, and these from harm.
So spake the Cherub : and his grave rebuke, Severe in youthful beauty, added grace 845
Invincible : Aba,<:h'd the Devil stood, 9
98 PARADISE LOST. b. iv
And felt how awful goodness is. and saw
Virtue in her shape how lovely ; saw, and pined
His loss ; but chiefly to find here observed
His lustre visibly impair'd ; yet seem'd 850
Undaunted. If I must contend, said he,
Best with the best, the sender, not the sent,
Or all at once ) more glory will be won.
Or less be lost. Thy fear, said Zephon bold,
Will save us trial what the least can do 855
Single against thee wicked, and thence weak.
The Fiend replied not, overcome with rage ; But, like a proud steed rein'd, went haughty on, Champing his iron curb : To strive or fly He held it vain ; awe from above had quell'd 860
His heart, not else dismay'd. Now drew they nigh The western point, where those half-rounding guards Just met, and closing stood in squadron join'd, Av/aiting next command. To whom their Chief, Gabriel, from the front thus call'd aloud : 865
O friends ! I hear the tread of nimble feet Hasting this way, and now by glimpse discern Ithuriel and Zephon through the shade ; And with them comes a third of regal port, But faded splendour wan ; who by his gait 870
And fierce demeanour seems the Prince of Hell, Not likely to part hence without contest ; Stand firm, for in his look defiance lours.
He scarce had ended, when those two approach'd, And brief related whom they brought, where found, 875 How busied, in what form and posture couch'd.
To whom with stern regard thus Gabriel spake Why hast thou, Satan, broke the bounds prescribe To thy transgressions, and disturb'd the charge Of others, who approve not to transgress 880
By thy example, but have power and right To question thy bold entrance on this place , Employ'd, it seems, to violate sleep, and those Whose dwelling God hath planted here in bliss '
PARADISE LOST. 99
To whom thus Satan with contemptuous brow : 885 Gabriel ! thou hadst in Heaven the esteem of wise, And such I held thee ; but this question ask'd Puts me in doubt. Lives there who loves his pain ? Who would not, finding way, break loose from Hell, Though thither doom'd? Thou wouldst thyself, no doubt, And boldly venture to what ever place 891
Furthest from pain, where thou mightst hope to change Torment with ease, and soonest recompense Dole with delight, which in this place I sought ; To thee no reason, who know'st only good, 895
But evil hast n ">t tried : and wilt object His will who bounds us ? Let him surer bar His iron gates, if he intends our stay In that dark durance : thus much what was ask'd. The rest is true, they found me where they say ; 900 But that implies not violence or harm.
Thus he in scorn. The warlike Angel moved, Disdainfully half smiling, thus replied : O loss of one in Heaven to judge of wise Since Satan fell, whom folly overthrew, 905
And now returns him from his prison scaped, Gravely in doubt whether to hold them wise Or not, who ask what boldness brought him hither Unlicensed from his bounds in Hell prescribed ; So wise he judges it to fly from pain 910
However, and to scape his punishment ! So judge thou still presumptuous ! till the wrath, Which thou incurr'st by flying, meet thy flight Sevenfold, and scourge that wisdom back to Hell, Which taught thee yet no better, that no pain 915 Can equal anger infinite provoked. But wherefore thou alone ? wherefore with thee Came not all hell broke loose .'' is pain to them Less pain, less to be fled ; or thou than thoy Less hardy to endure ? Courageous Chief! 920
The first in flight from pain ! hadst thou alleged
IGO PARADISE LOST. b. i\
To thy deserted host this cause of flight, Thou surely hadst not come sole fugitive.
To which the Fiend thus answer'd, frowning stern ♦. Not that I less endure, or shrink from pain, 985
Insulting Angel ! well thou know'st I stood Thy fiercest, when in battle to thy aid The blasting vollied thunder made all speed, And seconded thy else not dreaded spear. But still thy words at random, as before, 930
Argue thy inexperience what behoves From hard assays and ill successes pass'd A faithful leader, not to hazard all Through ways of danger by himself untried : I, therefore, I alone first undertook 935
To wing the desolate abyss, and spy This new created world, whereof in Hell Fame is not silent, here in hope to find Better abode, and my afflicted Powers To settle here on earth, or in mid air ; 940
Though for possession put to try once more What thou and thy gay legions dare against ; Whose easier business were to serve their Lord High up in Heaven, with songs to hymn his throne, And practised distances to cringe, not fight. 645
To whom the warrior Angel soon replied : To say and straight unsay, pretending first Wise to fly pain, professing next the spy, Argues no leader Hit a liar traced, Satan, and coulast thou ' faithful' add ? O name, 950 O sacred name of faithfulness profaned! Faithful to whom ? to thy rebellious crew ? Army of Fiends, fit body to fit head. Was this your discipline and faith engaged, Your military obedience, to dissolve 955
Mlegiance to the acknowledged Power supreme ." And thou, sly hypocrite, who now wouldst seem Patron of liberty, who more than thou
PARADISE LOST 101
Once fawn'd, and cringed, and servilely adored Heaven's awful Monarch ? wherefore, but in hope 960 To dispossess him, and thyself to reign ? But mark what I aread thee now, Avaunt ! Fly thither whence thou fledst ! If from this hour Within these hallow'd limits thou appear, Back to the' infernal pit I drag thee chain'd, 9G5
And seal thee so as henceforth not to scorn The facile gates of Hell too slightly barr'd.
So threatened he ; but Satan to no threats Gave heed, but waxing more in rage replied
Then when I am thy captive talk of chains, 970 Proud limitary Cherub ! but ere then Far heavier load thyself expect to feel From my prevailing arm, though Heaven's King Ride on thy wings, and thou v/ith thy compeers, Used to the yoke, draw'st his triumphant wheels 975 In progress through the road of Heaven star-paved.
While thus he spake, the angelic squadron bright Turn'd fiery red, sharpening in mooned horns Their phalanx, and began to hem him round With ported spears, as thick as when a field 980
Of Ceros ripe for harvest v/aving bends Her bearded grove of ears, which way the wind Sways them ; the careful ploughman doubting stands, Lest on the threshing-floor his hopeless sheaves Prove chaff. On the other side, Satan, alarm'd, 985 Collecting all his might, dilated stood, Like Teneriff or Atlas, unremoved : His stature reach'd the sky, and on his crest Sat Horror plumed ; nor wanted in his grasp What seem'd both spear and shield: now dreadful deeds Might have ensued, nor only Paradise 901
In this commotion, but the starry cope Of Heaven perhaps, or all the elements At least had gone to v/reck, disturb'd and torn With violence in this conflict, had not soon 995
The Eternal, to prevent such horrid fra}', 9 ^
t02 PARADISE LOST.
Hung forth in Heaven his golden scales, yet Betwixt Astrea and the Scorpion sign, Wherein all things created first he weigh'd, The pendulous round earth Avith balanced air 1000 In counterpoise, now ponders all events, Battles and realms : in these he put two weights, The sequel each of parting and of fight : The latter quick up flew and kick'd the beam ; Which Gabriel spying, thus bespake the Fiend : 1005 Satan, I know thy strength, and thou know'st mine; Neitiier our own, but givei: : what folly then To boast what arms can do ? since thine no more Than Heaven permits, nor mine, though doubled now To trample thee as mire : for proof look up, 1010
And read thy lot in yon celestial sign ; [weak,
Where thou art weigh'd, and shown how light, hov If thou resist. The Fiend look'd up, and knew His mounted scale aloft : no more ; but fled Murmuring, and with him lied the shades of night. 1015
PARADISE LOST.
BOOK V.
Morning approached, Eve relates to Adam her troublesome dream he likes it not, yet comforts her : They come forth to their day labours ; Their morrting hymn at the door of their bower. God, to render man inexcusable, sends Raphael to admonish him of his obedience, of his free estate, of his enemy near at hand, who he is, and why his enemy, and whatever else may avail Adam to know. Raphael comes down to Paradise ; his appearance describ- ed; his coming discerned by Adam afar off sitting at the door of his bower ; he goes out to meet bim, brings him to his lodge, entertains him with the choicest fruits of Paradise got together by Eve; their discourse at table: Raphael performs his message, minds Adam cf his state and of his enemy ; relates, at Adam's re- quest, who that enemy is, and how he came to be so, beginning from his first revol"^ in Heaven, and the occasion thereof; how he drew his legions after him to the parts of the north, and there in- cited them to rebel with him, persuading all but only Abdiel, a Se- raph, who in argument dissuades and opposes him, then forsakes tiim.
Now Morn, her rosy steps in the' eastern clime
Advancing-, sow'd the earth with orient pearl,
When Adam waked, so custom'd ; for his sleep
Was aery light, from pure digestion bred,
And temperate vapours bland, which the' only sound 5
Of leaves and fuming rills, Aurora's fan,
Lightly dispersed, and the shrill matin song
Of birds on every bough ; so much the more
His wonder was to find unwaken'd Eve
vVith tresses discomposed, and glowing cheek, 10
As through unquiet rest : he, on his side
Leaning half raised, with looks of cordial love
Hung over her enamour'd, and beheld
Beauty, which, whether waking or asleep,
Shot forth peculiar graces ; then with voice 15
Mild as when Zeph3n:us on Flora breathes,
Her hand soft toucliing, whisper'd thus : Awake,
My fairest, mj espoused, my latest found,
Heaven's last best gift, my ever new delight '
104 PARADISE LOST. b. ^
Awake : the morning shines, and the fresh field 20 Calls us ; we lose the prime, to mark how sp.ing Our tender plants, how blows the citron grove, What drops the m^'rrh, and what the balmy reed, How nature paints her colours, how the bee Sits on the bloom extracting liquid sweet. 25
Such whispering v/aked her, but with startled eye On Adam, whom embracing, thus she spake :
O sole in whom my thoughts find all repose, My glor}'', my perfection ' glad I see Thy face, and m-orn return'd ; for I this night 30
(Such night till this I never pass'd) have dream'd, If dream'd, not, as I oft am wont, of thee, Works of day past, or morrow's next design, But of oftence and trouble, which my mind Knew never till this irkscine night : methought, 35 Close at mine ear one call'd me forth to walk With gentle voice ; I thought it thine-, it said, « "Why slecp'st thou. Eve .'' now is the pleasant time, The cool, the silent, save where silenoe yields To the night-warbling bird, that now awake 40
Tunes sweetest his love -labour 'd song , now reigns Full orb'd the moon, and with more pleasing light Shadowy sets oiF the face of things ; hi vain. If none regard ; Heaven wakes with all his eyes, Whom to behold but thee. Nature'?, desire ? 45
In whose sight all things joy, with ravishment Attracted by thy beauty still to gaze." I rose as at thy call, but found thee not ; To find thee I directed then my walk , And on, methought, alone I pass'd through ways 50 That brought me on a sudden to the tree Of interdicted knowledge : fair it seem'd, Much fairer to my fancy than by day : And, as I wondering look'd, beside it stood One shaped and wing'd like one of those from Heaven By us oft seen ; his dewy locks distill'd 56
Ambrosia ; on that tree he also gazed ;
PARADISE LOST. 105
And, " O fair plant," said he, " with fruit surcharged,
Deigns none to ease thy load, and taste thy sweet,
Nor God, nor Man? Is knowledge so despised? CO
0» envy, or what reserve forbids to taste ?
Forbid who will, none shall from me withhold
Longer thy offer'd good ; why else set here ?"
This said, he paused not, but with venturous arm
He pluck'd, he tasted : me damp horror chill'd 65
At such bold \7ords vouch'd with a deed so bold «
But he thus, overjoy'd : " O fruit divine,
Sweet of thyself, but much more sweet thus cropp'd,
Forbidden here, it seems, as only fit
For Gods, yet able to make Gods of men 70
And why not Gods of Men ; since good, the more
Communicated, more abundant grows,
The author not impair'd, but honour'd more r
Here, happy creature, fair angelic Eve !
Partake thou also : happy though thou art, 75
Happier thou mayst be, worthier canst not be :
Taste this, and be henceforth among the Gods
Thyself a Goddess, not to earth confined.
But sometimes in the air, as we, sometimes
A-Scend to Heaven, by merit thine, and see 80
What life the Gods live there, and such live thou !"
So saying, he drew nigh, and to me held.
Even to my mouth of that same fruit held part
Which he had pluck'd ; the pleasant savoury smell
So quicken'd appetite, that I, methought, 85
Could not but taste. Forthwith up to the clouds
With him I flew, and underneath beheld
The earth outstretch'd immense, a prospect wide
And various : wondering at my flight and change
To this high exaltation ; suddenly 90
My guide was gone, and I, methought sunk down
And fell asleep ; but O, how glad I waked
To find this but a dream ! Thus Eve her night
Related, and thus Adam answer'd sad :
Best image of myself, and dearer half, 95
106 PARADISE LOST. b. v.
The trouble of thy thoughts this night in sleep
Affects me equally ; nor can I like
This uncouth dream, of evil sprung, I fear ; '
Yet evil whence ? in thee can harbour none, «
Created pure. But know that in the soul 100
Are many lesser faculties, that serve
Reason as chief; among these Fancy next
Her office holds ; of all external things,
Which the five watchful senses represent,
She forms imaginations, aery shapes, 105
Which Reason, joining or disjoining, frames
All what we affirm or what deny, and call
Our knowledge or opinion ; then retires
Into her private cell, when nature rests.
Oft in her absence mimic Fancy wakes 110
To imitate her ; but, misjoining shapes,
Wild work produces oft, and most in dreams ;
111 matching words and deeds long past or late.
Some such resemblances, methinks, I find
Of our last evening's talk, in this thy dream, 115
But with addition strange ; yet be not sad.
Evil into the mind of God or Man
May come and go, so unapproved, and leave
No spot or blame behind : whioh gives me hope
That what in sleep thou didst abhor to dream 120
Waking thou never wilt consent to do,
Be not dishearten'd then, nor cloud those looks.
That wont to be more cheerful and serene
Than when fair morning first smiles on the world ;
And let us to our fresh employments rise 125
Among the groves, the fountains, and the flowers
That open now their choicest bosom'd smells,
Reserved from night, and kept for thee in store.
So cheer'd ho his fair spouse, and she was cheer'd ; But silently a gentle tear let fall 1 30
From either eye, and wiped them with her hair; Tv/o other precious drops that ready stood. Each in their crystal sluice, he ere they fell
PARADISE LOST. 107
Kiss'a, as the gracious signs of sweet remorse And pibus awe, that fear'd to have offended. 135
So all was clear'd, and to the field they haste. But first, from under shady arborous roof Soon as they forth w^ere come to open sight Of dayspring, and the sun, who, scarce uprisen, With wheels yet hovering o'er the ocean-brim, 140 Shot parallel to the earth his dewy ray, Discovering in wide landscape all the east Of Paradise and Eden's happy plains ; Lowly they bow'd adoring, and began Their orisons, each morning duly paid 145
In various style ; for neither various style Nor holy rapture wanted they to praise Their Maker, in fit strains pronounced, or sung Unmeditated : such prompt eloquence Flow'd from their lips, in prose or numerous verse, 150 More tunable than needed luto or harp. To add more sweetness ; and they thus began :
These are thy glorious works. Parent of good, Almighty ! Thine this universal frame. Thus wondrous fair ; thyself how wondrous then ! 155 Unspeakable, who sitfst above these heavens To us invisible, or dimly seen In these thy lowest works ; yet these declare Thy goodness beyond thought, and power divine Speak, ye who best can tell, ye sons of light, 160
Angels ; for ye behold him, and with songs And choral symphonies, day without night. Circle his throne rejoicing ; ye in Heaven. On Earth join, all ye creatures, to extol Him first, him last, him midst, and without end. 165 Fairest of stars, last in the train of night. If better thou belong not to the dawn, Sure pledge of day, that crown'st the smiling morn With thy bright oirclet, praise him in thy sphere, While day arises, that sweet hour of prime. 170
Thou Sun of this great world both eye and soul,
108 PARADISE LOST. b. v.
Acknowledge Iiim thy greater ; sound his praise
In thy eternal course, both when thou climb 'st,
And when high noon has gain'd, and when thou fall'st.
Moon, that now meet'st the orient sun, now fliest, VtS
With the fix'd Stars, fix'd in their orb that flies ;
And, ye five other wandering Fires, that move
In mystic dance not without song, resound
His praise, who out of darkness call'd up light.
Air, and, ye Elements, the eldest birth 180
Of Nature's womb, that in quaternion run
Perpetual circle, multiform ; and mix
And nourish all things ; let your ceaseless change
Vary to our great Maker still new praise.
Ye Mists and Exhalations, that now rise 185
From hill or steaming lake, dusky or gray,
Till the sun paint your fleecy skirts with gold,
tn honour to tho world's great Author rise ;
Whether to deck with clouds the imcolour'd sky,
Or whet the thirsty earth w^ith falling showers, 190
Rismg or falling still advance his praise.
His praise, ye Winds, that from four quarters blow.
Breathe soft or loud ; and, wave your tops, ye Pines,
With every plant, in sign of worship wave.
Fountains; and ye that warble, as ye flow, 195
Melodious murmurs, warbling tune his praise.
Join voices, all ye living Souls : Ye Birds,
That singing up to Heaven-gate ascend,
Bear on y^ur wings and in your notes his praise.
Ye ^lat in waters glide, and ye that walk 200
The earth, and stately tread or lowly creep :
Witness if I be silent, morn or even.
To hill, or valley, fountain, or fresh shade,
Made vocal by my song, and taught his praise.
Hail, universal Lord I be bounteous still 205
To give us only good ; and if the night
Have gather'd aught of evil, or conceal'd,
Disperse it, as now light dispels the dark !
So pray'd they innocent, and to th«ir thoughts
PARADISE LOST. 109
Firm peace recovered soon, and wonted calm. 210
On to their morning's rural work they haste, Among sweet dews and flowers ; where any row Of fruit trees over-woody rcach'd too far Their pamper 'd boughs, and needed hands to check Fruitless embraces : or they led the vine 215
To wed her elm ; she, spoused, about him twines Jler marriageable arms, and with her brings Her dower, llie adopted cKisters, to adorn His barren leaves. Them thus employ'd beheld With pity Heaven's high King, a-nd to him call'd 220 Raphael, the sociable Spirit, that deign"d To travel with Tobias, and secured His marriage with the seven-times v/edded maid.
Raphael, said he, thou iiear'st v.'hat stir on Earth Satan, from Hell scaped through the darksome gulf, Hath raised in Paradise ; and how disturb'd 22G
This night the human pair ; how he designs [n them at once to ruin all mankind. Go, therefore, half this day as friend with friend Converse with Adam, in v/hat bower or shade 21^0
Thou find'st him from the heat of noon retired, To respite his day-labour vrith repast, Or with repose ; and such discourse bring on, As may advise him of his happy state, Happiness in his power left free to v.'ill, 235
Eeft to his own free will, his will though free, Yet mutable ; whence warn him to beware He swerve not, too secure : Tell him withal His danger, and from whom ; what enemy, Late fallen himself from Heaven, is plotting now 240 The fall of others from like state of bliss ; By violence .'' no, for that shall be withstood ; But by deceit and lies : This let him knov/, Lest, wdfully transgressing, he pretend Surprisal, unadmonish'd, unforewarn'd. 2^5
So spake the Eternal P'athcr, and fulfill'd A.11 justice : Nor dolav'd the winged Saint 10 '
110 PARADISE LOST. n. v
After his charge received ; but from among
Thousand celestial Ardours, where he stood
Veil'd with his gorgeous wings, upspringing light, 250
Flew through the midst of Heaven , the angelic choirs,
On each hand parting, to his speed gave way
Through all the empyreal road ; till, at the gate
Of Heaven arrived, the gate self-open'd wide
On golden hinges tur-ning, as by work 255
Divine the sov'reign Architect had framed.
From hence no cloud, or, to obstruct his sight,
Star interposed, however small, he sees.
Not unconform'd to other sliining globes.
Earth, and the garden of God, with cedars crown'd
Above all hills. As when by night the glass 261
Of Galileo, less assured, observes
Imagined lands and regions in the moon •
Or pilot, from amidst the Cycladcs
Delos or Samos first appearing, kens 265
A cloudy spot. Down thither prone in flight
He speeds, and through the vast ethereal sky
Sails between worlds and worlds, with steady wing
Now on the polar winds, then with quick fan
Winnows the buxom air ; till, within soar 270
Of towering eagles, to all the fowls he seems
A phenix, gazed by all as- that sole bird.
When, to enshrine his reliques in the Sun's
Bright temple, to Egyptian Thebes he flies.
At once on the eastern cliff of Paradise 275
He lights, and to his proper shape returns,
A seraph wing'd : Six wings he wore to shade
His lineaments divine ; the pair that clad
Each shoulder broad, came manfUng o'er his breast
With regal ornament ! the middle pair 28")
Girt like a starry zone his waist, and round
Skirted his loins and thighs with downy gold
And colours dipp'd in Heaven ; the third his feet
Shadow'd from either heel with feather'd mail.
Sky-tinctured grain. Like Maia's son he stood, 285
PARADISE LOST. lU
And shook his plumes, that heavenly fragrance fill'd The circuit wide. Straight knew him all the bands Of Angels under watch ; and to his state And to his message high, in honour rise ; For on some message high they guess'd him bound. Their glittering tents he pass'd, and now is come 291 Into the blissful field, through groves of myrrh, And flowering odours, cassia, nard, and balm ; A wilderness of sweets : for Nature here Wanton'd as in her prime, and play'd at will 295
Her virgin fancies, pouring forth more sweet, Wild above rule or art, enormous bliss. Him through the spicy forest onward come Adam discern'd, as in the door he sat Of his cool bower, while now the mounted sun 300 Shot down direct his fervid rays to warm Earth's inmost womb, more warmth than Adam needs • And Eve within, due at her hour, prepared For dinner savoury fruits, of taste to pleaso True appetite, and not disrelish thirst 305
Of neetarous draughts between, from milky stream, Berry or grape : To whom thus Adam call'd :
Haste hither, Eve, and worth thy sight behold Eastward among those trees, what glorious shape Comes this way moving ; seems another morn 310 Risen on midnoon ; some great behest from Heaven To us perhaps he brings, and will vouchsafe This day to be our guest. But go with speed, And, what thy stores contain, bring forth, and pour Abundance, fit to honour and receive 315
Our heavenly stranger : Well may we afford Our givers their own gifts, and large bestow From large bestow'd, where nature multiplies Her fertile growth, and by disburdening grows More fruitful, which instructs us not to spare. 320
To whom thus Eve : Adam, earth's hallow'd mould. Of God inspired ! small store will serve, where store, All seasons, riue for xise han<rs on the stalk;
112 . PARADISE LOST. b. v
Save what by frugal storiii-g firmness gains
To nourish, and superfluous moist consumes . 325
But I will haste, and from each bouarli and brake,
Each plant and juiciest gourd, will pluck such choico
To entertain our Angel guest, as he
Beholding shall confess, that here on Earth
God hath dispensed his bounties as in Heaven. 330
So saying, with despatchful looks in haste She turns, on hospitable thoughts intent ; What choice to choose for delicacy best, What order, so contrived as not to mix Tastes not well join'd, inelegant, but bring 335
Taste after taste upheld with kindliest change ; Bestirs her then, and from each tender stalk Whatever Earth, all bearing mother, yields In India East or West, or middle shore In Pontus or the Punic coast, or v/liere 340
Alcinous reign'd, fruit of all kinds, in coat Rough, or smooth rind, or bearded husk, or shell, Slie gathers tribute large, and on the board Heaps with unsparing hand ; for drinli the grape She crushes, inoffensive must, and mcaths 345
From many a berry, and from sweet kernels press'd She tempers dulcet creams ; nor these to hold Wants her fit vessels pure ; then strows the ground With rose and odours from the shrub unfumed.
Rleanwhile our primitive great sire, to meet 350 His Godlike guest, v/alks forth, without more train Accompanied than with his own complete Perfections ; in himself was all his state, More solemn than the tedious pomp that waits On princes, when their rich retinue long 355
Of horses led, and grooms besmear'd with gold, Da.zzles the crowd, and sets them all agape. Nearer his presence Adam, though not awed, Yet with submiss approach and reverence meek, As to a superior nature bowing low, 360
Thus said : Native of Jleaven, for other place
PARADISE LOST. 113
None can than Heaven such glorious shape contain Since, by descending from the thrones above, Those happy places thou hast deign'd a while To want, and honour these, vouchsafe with us 365 Two only, who yet by sov'reign gift possess This spacious ground, in yonder shady bower To rest ; and what the garden choicest bears To sit and taste, till this meridian heat Be over, and the sun more cool decline. 370
Whom thus the angelic Virtue answer 'd mild : Adam, I therefore came ; nor art thou such Created, or such place hast here to dwell, As may not oft invite, though Spirits of Heaven, To visit thee ; lead on then where thy bower 375
O'ershades ; for these midhours, till evening rise, I have at will. So to the silvan lodge They came, that like Pomona's arbour smiled, With flowerets deck'd, and fragrant smells ; but Eve, Undeck'd save with herself, more lovely fair 380
Than Woodnymph, or the fairest Goddess feign'd Of three that in mount Ida naked strove. Stood to entertain her guest from Heaven ; no veil 6he needed, virtue-proof', no thought infirm Alter'd her cheek. On whom the Angel Hail 385 Bestow'd, the holy salutation used Long after to bless'd Mary, second Eve.
Hail, Mother of Mankind, whose fruitful womb Shall fill the world more numerous with thy sons Than with these various fruits the trees of God 390
Have heap'd this table ! Raised of grassy turf
Their table was, and mossy seats had round, And on her ample square from side to side All autumn piled, though spring and autumn here Danced hand in hand. A while discourse they hold ; 395 No fear lest dinner cool ; when thus began Our author : Heavenly stranger, please to taste These bounties, which our Nourisher, from whom All perfect good, unmeasured out, descends, 10^
114 PARADISE LOST. i. v.
To us for food and for delight hath caused 405
The earth to yield ; unsavoury food perhaps To spiritual nature ; only this I know, That one celestial Father gives to all.
To whom the Angel : Therefore what he gives (Whose praise be ever sung) to Man in part 410
Spiritual, may of purest Spirits be found No ingrateful food : and food alike those pure Intelllgential substances require, As doth your rational ; and both contain Within them every lower faculty 415
Of sense, whereby they hear, see, smell, touch, taste, Tasting concoct, digest, assimilate. And corporeal to incorporeal turn. For know, whatever was created needs To be sustained and fed : of elements 420
The grosser feeds the purer, earth the sea. Earth and the sea feed air, the air tliose fires Ethereal, and as lowest first the moon ; Whence in her visage round those spots, unpurged Vapours not yet into her substance turn'd. 42a
Nor doth the moon no nourishment exhale From her moist continent to higher orbs. The sun, that light imparts to all, receives From all his alimental recompense In humid exhalations, and at even 430
Sups with the ocean. Though in Heaven the trees Of life ambrosial fruitage bear, and vines Yield nectar ; though from off the boughs each morn We brush mellifluous dews, and find the ground Cover'd with pcaily grain : yet God hath here A?.'i V^aried his bounty so with new deligh ts. As may compare with Heaven ; and to taste Think not I sliall be nice. So down they sat, And to their viands fell ; nor seemingly The Angel, nor in mist, the common gloss 440
Of Theologians ; but with keen despatch Of real hunger, and concoctive heat
PARADISE LOST. 115
To transubstantiate : v/hat redounds transpires Through Spirits with ease : nor wonder ; if by fire Of sooty coal the etnpiric alchemist 445
Can turn, or holds it possible to turn, Metals of drossiest ore to perfect gold, As from the mine. INIeanwhile at table Eve Minister'd naked, and^heir flowing cups With pleasant liquors crown'd : O innocence 450
Deserving Paradise 1 If ever, then, Then had the sons of God excuse to have been Ennmour'd at that sight ; but in those hearts Love unlibidinous reign'd, nor jealousy Was understood, the injured lover's hell. 455
Thus Avhen with meats and drinks they Imd sufficed, Not burden'd nature, sudden mind arose In Adam, not to let the occasion pass Given him by this great conference to know Of things above his world, and of their being 460
Who dwell in Heaven, whoso excellence he saw Transcend his own so far ; whose radiant forms, Divine effulgence, whose high power, so far Exceeded human ; and his wary speech Thus to the empyreal minister he framed : 465
Inhabitant with God, now know I well Thy favour, in this honour done to Man : Under whose lowly roof thou hast vouchsafed To enter, and these earthly fruits to taste, Food not of Angels, yet accepted so, 470
As that more willingly thou couldst not seem At Heaven's high feasts to have fed; yet what compare?
To whom the winged Hierarch rephed: O Adam, One Almighty is, from whom All things proceed; and up to him return, 475
If not depraved from good, created all Such to perfection, one first matter all, Endued with various forms, various degrees Of substance, and, in things that live, of life ; But more refined, more epiritnuF, and pure, 480
J 16 PARADISE LOST. b. v.
As nearer to him placed, or nearer tending
Each in their several active spheres assign'd,
Till body up to spirit work, in bounds
Proportion'd to each kind. So from the root
Springs lighter the green stalk, from thence the kavea
More aery, kist the bright consummate flower 486
•Spirit odorous breathes : flowerg*and their fruit,
Man's nourishment, by gradual scale sublimed,
To vital spirits aspire, to animal.
To intellectual ; give both life and sense, 490
Fancy and understanding ; whence the soul
Reason receives, and reason is her being,
Discursive, or intuitive ; discourse
Is oftest yours, the latter most is ours,
Differing but in degree, of kind the same. 495
Wonder not then, what God for you saw good
If I refuse not, but convert, as you.
To proper substance. Time may come, when Meii
With Angels may participate, and find
No inconvenient diet, nor too light fare ; 500
And from these corporal nutriments perhaps
Your bodies may at last turn all to spirit,
Improved by tract of time, and, wing'd, ascend
Ethereal, as we ; or may, at choice,
Here or in heavenly Paradises dwell ; 505
[f ye be found obedient, and retain
Unalterably firm his love entire.
Whose progeny you are. Meanwhile enjoy
Your fill what happiness this happy state
Can comprehend, incapable of more. 510
To whom the patriarch of mankind replied ; O favourable Spirit, propitious guest, Well hast thou taught the way that might direct Our knowledge, and the scale of nature set From centre to circumference ; whereon, 515
In contemplation of created things, By steps we may ascend to God. But say, What meant that caution join'd, If ye he found
PARADISE LOST. 117
Ohedir.nt ? Can we want, obedience then To liim, or possibly his love desert, 'S20
Who form'd us from the dust and placed us here, Full to the utmost measure of what bliss Human desires can seek or apprehend ? To whom the Angel: Son of Heaven and Earth, Attend ! That thou art happy, owe to God ; 525
That thou coiitinuest such, owe to thyself, That is, to thy obedience ; therein stand. This was that caution given thee ; be advised. God made thee perfect, not immutable ; And good he made thee, but to persevere 530
He left it in thy power ; ordain'd thy will By nature free, not overruled by fate Inextricable, or strict necessity : Our voluntary service he requires, Not our necessitated ; such with him 535
Finds no acceptance, nor can find ; for how Can hearts, not free, be tried whether they serve Willing or no, who will b;t what they must By destiny, and can no (;l':er choose ? Myself, and a.11 the angelic host, that stand .''»40
In sight of God enthroned, our happy state Hold, as you yours, while our obedience holds ; On other surety none : freely we serve, Because we freely love, as in our will To love or not , in this we stand or fall : 545
And some are fallen, to disobedience fallen, And so from Heaven to deepest Hell ; O fall From v/hat high state of bliss, into what woe ! To whom our great progenitor : Thy words Attentive, and with more delighted ear, 550
Divine instructor, I have heard, than when Cherubic songs by night from neighbouring hills Aerial music send : nor knew I not To be both will and deed created free ; Yet that we never shall forget to love 550
Our Maker, and obey him whose command
118 PARADISE LOST. e. v
Single is yet so just, my constant thoughts
Assured me, and still assure : though what thou tell'st
Hath pass'd in Heaven some doubt within me move,
But more desire to hear, if thou consent, 560
The full relation, which must needs be strange,
Worthy of sacred silence to be heard ;
And we have yet large day, for scarce the sun
Hath finish'd half his journey, and scarce begins
His other half in the great zone of Heaven. 565
Thus Adam made request : and Raphael, After short pause assenting, thus began :
High matter thou enjoin'st me, O prime of men Sad task and hard : for how shall I relate To human sense the invisible exploits 570
Of warring Spirits .'' how, without remorse. The ruin of so many glorious once And perfect while they stood ? how last unfold The secrets of another world, perhaps Not lawful to reveal ? yet for thy good 575
This is dispensed ; and what surmounts the reach Of human t^ciise, I shall delineate so, By likening spiritual to corporeal forms, As may express them best ; though what if Earth Be but the shadow of Heaven, and things therein 580 Each to other like, more than on earth is thought .''
As yet this world was not, and Chaos wild Reign'd where these Heavens now roll, where Earth Upon her centre poised ; when on a day [now rests (For time, though in eternity, applied 585
To motion, measures all things durable By present, past, and future,) on such day As Heaven's great year brings forth, the empyrial host Of Angels, by imperial summons call'd. Innumerable before the Almighty's throne 590
Forthwith, from all the ends of Heaven, appear'd "Under their Hierarchs in orders bright : Ten thousand thousand ensigns high advanced. Standards and gonfalons 'twixt van and rear
PARADISE LOST. 119
Stream in the air, and for distinction serve 595
Of hierarchies, of orders, and degrees ; Or in their ghttering tissues bear imblazed Holy memorials, acts of zeal and love Recorded eminent. Thus when in orbs Of circuit inexpressible they stood, 600
Orb within orb, the Father Infinite, By w.hom in bliss imbosom'd sat the Son, Amidst as from a flaming mount, whose top Brightness had made invisible, thus spake :
Hear, all ye. Angels, progeny of light, G05
Thrones, Dominations, Princedoms, Virtues, Powers ; Hear ray decree, which unrevoked shall stand. This day I have begot whom I declare My only Son, and on this holy hill Him have anointed, whom ye now behold 610
At my right hand ; your head I him appoint ; And by myself have sworn, to him shall bow All knees in Heaven, and shall confess him Lord ; Under his great vicegerent reign abide United, as one individual soul, 615
For ever happy : him who disobeys, Me disobeys, breaks union, and that day, Cast out from God and blessed vision, falls Into utter darkness, deep ingulfd, his place Ordain'd without redemption, without end. 620
So spake the Omnipotent, and with his words All seem'd well pleased ; all seem'd, but were not all. That day, as other solemn days, they spent In song and dance about the sacred hill ; Mystical dance, which yonder starry sphere 625
Of planets, and of fix'd, in all her wheels Resembles nearest, mazes intricate. Eccentric, intervolved, yet regular Then most, when most irregular they seem ; And in their motions harmony divine 630
So smooths her charming tones, that Gods own ear Listens delighted. Evening now appraach'd
120 PARADISE LOST. b. v
(For we have also our evening and our morn,
We ours for change delectable, not need ;)
Forthwith from dance to sweet repast they turn 635
Desirous : all in circles as they stood,
Tables are set, and on a sudden piled
With Angels' food, and rubied nectar flows
In pearl, in diamond, and massy gold.
Fruit of delicioiTS vines, the growth of Heaven. 640
On flowers reposed, and with fresh flowerets crown'd,
They eat, they drink, and in communion sweet
Quaff immortality and joy, secure
Of surfeit, where full measure only bounds
Excess, before the all bounteous King, w^ho shovrer'd
With copious hand, rejoicing in their joy. 64G
Nov/ when ambrosial night, with clouds exhaled
From that high mount of God whence light and shade
Spring both, the face of brightest Heaven had changed
To grateful twilight (for night comes not there 650
In darker veil,) and roseate dews disposed
All bat the unsleeping eyes of God to rest ;
Wide over all the plain, and v/idcr flir
Than all this globous eartli in plain outspread
(Such are the courts of God.) the angelic throng, 655
Dispersed in bands and files, their camp extend
By living streams among the trees of life,
Pavilions numberless, and sudden rear'd,
Celestial ta.bernacle3, where they slept
Fann'd with cool v/inds ; save those, who in their course,
Pilelodious hymns about the sov'reign throne 661
Alternate all night long : but not so vv'^aked
Satan ; so call him now, his former name
Is heard no more in Heaven ; he of the first.
If not the first Archangel, great in power, 665
In favour, and preeminence, yet fraught
With envy against the Son of God, that day
Honour'd by his great Father, and proclaim'd
Messiah King anointed, could not bear
Through pride that sight, and thought himself impair'd.
PARADiSE LOST. 121
Deep malice thence conceiving and disdain, G71
Soon as midnight brought on the dusky hour Friendhest to sleep and silence, he resolved With all his legions to dislodge, and leave Unworship'd, unobey'd, the throne supreme, G75
Contemptuous ; and his next subordinate Awakening, thus to him in secret spake :
Sleep'st thou, companion dear r What sleep can close Thy eyelids ? and remember 'st what decree Of yesterday, so late hath pass'd the lips 680
Of Heaven's Almighty. Thou to me thy thoughts Wast wont, I mine to ihee was wont to impart : IJ'ith waking \vg were one ; hov.' then can now Thv sleep dissent .' new laws thou seest imposed ; New laws from him who reigns new minds may raise In us v.'ho serve, new counsels to debate GSG
^ v'hat doubtful may ensue : More in this place To utter is not safe. Assemble thou Of all those myriads which we lead the chief; Tell them, that by command, ere yet dim night 690 Her shadowy cloud v/ithdraws, I am to haste, And all who under me their banners wave. Homeward, with flying march, where we possess The quarters of the north; there to prepare Fit entertainment to receive our king, 695
The great Messiah, and his new commands, Who speedily through all the hierarchies Intends to pass triumphant, and give laws
So spake the false Archangel, and infused Bad influence into the unwary breast 700
Of his associate : he together- calls. Or several one by one, the regent Powers, Under him Regent ; tells, as he was taught, That the Most High commanding, now ere night, Now ere dim night had disencumber'd Heaven, 705 The great hierarchal standard was to move ; Tells the suggested cause, and cast between 11
122 PARADISE LOST. b. v
Ambiguous words and jealousies, to sound
Or taint integrity . but all obey'd
The wonted signal, and superior voice 7J0
Of their great Potentate ; for great indeed
His name, and high was his degree in Heaven ;
His countenance, as the morning star that guides
The starry flock, allured them, and with lies
Drew after him the third part of Heaven's host. 7J5
Meanwhile the Eternal eye, whose sight discerns
Abstrusest thoughts, from forth his holy mount,
And from within the golden lamps that burn
Nightly before him, saw without their light
Rebellion rising ; saw in whom, hov/ spread 720
Among the sons of morn, what multitudes
Were banded to oppose his high decree ;
And, smiling, to his only Son thus said :
Son, thou in whom my glory I behold In full resplendence. Heir of all my might, 725
Nearly it now concerns us to be sure Of our Omnipotence, and with what arms We mean to hold what anciently we claim Of deity or empire : such a foe
Is rising, who intends to erect his throne 730
Equal to ours, throughout the spacious north ; Nor so content, hath in his thought to try, In battle, what our power is, or our right. Let us advise, and to this hazard drav/ With speed what force is left, and all employ 735
In our defence ; lest unawares we lose This our high place, our sanctuary, our hill.
To v/hom the Son with calm aspect and clear, Lightning divine, ineffable, serene, Made answer : Mighty Father, thou thy foes 740
Justly hast in derision, and, secure, Laugh'st at their vain designs and tumults vaia ; Matter to me of glory, whom their hate Illustrates, when they see all regal power
PARADISE LOST. 123
Given me to quell their pride, and in event 745
Know whether I be dexterous to subdue Thy rebels, or be found the worst in Heaven.
So Spake the Son ; but Satan, with his Powers Far was advanced on winged speed ; a host Innumerable as the stars of night, 750
Or stars of morning, dewdrops, which the sun Impearls on every leaf and every flower. Regions they pass'd, the mighty regencies Of Seraphim, and Potentates, and Thrones In their triple degrees ; regions to which 755
All thy dominion, Adam, is no more Than what this garden is to all tlie earth And all the sea, from one entire globose Stretch'd into longitude ; which having pass'd, At length into the limits of the north 760
They came ; and Satan to his royal seat High on a hill, far blazing, as a mount Raised on a mount, with pyramids and towers From diamond quarries hewn, and rocks of gold ; The palace of great Lucifer (so call 765
That structure in the dialect of men Interpreted,) which, not long after, ha Affecting all equality with God, In imitation of that mount whereon Messiah was declared in sight of Heaven, 770
The Mountain of the Congregation call'd ; For thither he assembled all his train, Pretending so commanded to consult About the great reception of their King, Thither to come, and with calumnious art 775
Of counterfeited truth thus held their ears :
Thrones, Dominations, Princedoms, Virtues, Powers, If these magnific titles yet remain Not merely titular, since by decree Another now hath to himself engross'd 780
All power, and us eclipsed, under the name Of King anointed, for whom all this haste
124 PARADISE LOST. b. v
Of mianigiit-march, and hurried meeting here,
This only to consult how we may best,
With what may be devised of honours new, 785
Receive him coming to receive from us
Knee-tribute yet unpaid, prostration vile '.
Too much to one ! but double how endured,
To one, and to his image now proclaim'd ?
But what if better counsels might erect 790
Our minds, and teach us to cast off this yoke?
Will ye submit your necks, and choose to bend
The supple knee ? Ye will not, if I trust
To know ye right, or if ye know yourselves
Natives and sons of Heaven possess'd before 795
By none ; and if not equal all, yet free,
Equally free ; for orders and degrees
Jar not with liberty, but well consist.
Who can in reason then, or right, assume
Monarchy over such as live by right 800
His equals, if in power and splendour less,
In freedom equal ? or can introduce
Law and edict on us, who without law
Err not ? much less for this to be our Lord,
And look for adoration, to the abuse 805
Of those imperial titles, which assert
Our being ordain'd to govern, not to serve.
Thus far bis bold discourse without control Had audience ; when among the Seraphim Abdiel, than whom none with more zeal adored 810 The Deity, and divine commanos ooey d, Stood up, and in a flame of zeal severe The current of his fury thus opposed.
O argument blaspheznous, false, and proud ! Words which no ear ever to hear in Heaven 815
Expected, least of all from thee, Ingrate, In place thyself so high above thy peers. Canst thou with impious obloquy condemn The just decree of God pronounced and sworn, TJiat to Ids only Soii, by right endued 820
PARADISE LOST. 125
With regal sceptre, every soul in Heaven Shall bend the knee, and in that honour due Confess him rightful King ? unjust, thou say'st, Flatly unjust, to bind with laws the free, And equal over equals to let reign, 825
One over all witli unsucceeded power. Shalt thou give law to God ? shalt thou dispute Wjth him the points of liberty, who made Thee what thou art, and form'd the Powers of Heaven Such as he pleased, and circumscribed their being .'' Yet, by experience taught, we know how good, 831 And of our good and of our dignity How provident he is ; how far from thought To make us less, bent rather to exalt Our happy state, under one head more near 835
United. But to grant it thee unjust, That equal over equals monarch reign : Thyself, though great and glorious, dost thou count, Or all angelic nature join'd in one. Equal to him begotten Son ? hy whom, 840
As by his Word, the Mighty Father made All things, e'en thee; and all the Spirits of Heaven B> him created in their bright degrees, Crown'd tliem with glory, and to their glory named Thrones, Dominations, Princedoms, Virtues, Powers, Essential powers ; nor by his reign obscured, 846
But more illustrious made ; since he the head One of our number thus reduced becomes ; His laws our laws ; all honour to him done Returns our own. Cease then this impious rage, 850 And tempt not these ; but hasten to appease The incensed Father, and the incensed Son, While pardon may be found in time besought.
So spake the fervent Angel: but his zeal Noji3 seconded, as out of season judged, 855
Or singular and rash : Whereat rejoiced The Apostate, and, more haughty, thus replied: That we were form'd then, say'st thou ? and the work
12(3 PARADISE LOST. b. v.
Of secondary hands, by task transferr'd
From Father to his Son ? strange point and new ! 860
Doctrine which we would know whence learn'd : who
When this creation was ? remember'st thou [saw
Thy making, while the Maker gave thee being ?
"We know no time when we were not as now ;
Know none before us, self-begot, self raised 865
By our own quickening power, when fatal course
Had circled his full orb, the birth mature
Of this our native Heaven, ethereal sons.
Our puissance is our own ; our own right hand
Shall teach us highest deeds, by proof to try 870
Who is our equal : Then thou shalt behold
Whether by supplication we intend
Address, and to begird the almighty throno
Beseeching or besieging. This report.
These tidings carry to the anointed King j 875
And fly, ere evil intercept thy flight.
He said : and, as the sound of waters deep. Hoarse murmur echo'd to his words applause Through the infinite host ; nor less for that The flaming Seraph fearless, though alone 880
Eucornpass"d round with foes, thus answcr'd bold:
O alienate from God, O Spirit accursed, Forsaken of all good ! I see thj fall Determined, and thy hapless crew involved In this perfidious fraud, contagion spread 885
Both of thy crime and punishment : henceforth No more be troubled how to quit the yoke Of God's Messiah ; those indulgent laws Will not be now vouchsafed ; other decrees Against thee are gone forth without recal ; 890
That golden sceptre which thou didst reject, Is now an iron rod to bruise and break Thy disobedience. Weil thou didst advise ; Yet not for thy advice or threats I fly These wicked tents devoted, lest the wrath 895
Tmpondent, raginp- into sudden flame,
PARADISE LOST. 127
Distinguish not : For soon expect to feel His thundei on thy head, devouring fire. Then who created thee lamenting learn, When who can uncreate thee thou shalt know. 900
So spake -the Seraph Abdiel, faithful found Among the faithless, faithful only lie ; Among innumerable falje, unmoved, Unshaken, unseduced, unterrified. His loyalty he kept, his love, his zeal ; 905
Nor number nor example with him wrought To swerve from truth, or change his constant mind. Though single. From amidst them forth he pass'd, Long way through hostile scorn, which he sustain 'd Superior, nor of violence fear'd aught ; 91 C
And, v^rith retorted scorn, his back he turn'd On those proud towers to swift destruction doom'd.
PARADISE LOST. BOOK VI
Raphael continues to relate how Michael and Gabriel were sent forth to battle against Satan and his Angels. Tiie first fight described: Satan and his Powers retire under night: He calls a council ; invents devilish engines, which, in tlie second day's tight, put Micliael and his Angels to some disorder ; but they at length, pulling up mountains, overwhelmed both the force and machines of Satan; Yet, the tumult not so ending, God, on the third (lay, sends MESSIAH liis son, for whom he had reserved the glory of that victory: lie, in the power of his Father, coming to the place, and causing ail his legions to stand still on either side, with his chariot and thunder driving into the midst of his enemies, pursues them, unable to resist, towards the wall of Heaven: wliich opening, they leap down with horror and confusion into the place of punislmient prepared for them in the deep: MESSIAH returns with triumph to his Father
All ni^lit the dreadless Angel, unpursued, [Morn, Through Heaven's wide champaign held his way ; till Waked by the circling Hours, with rosy hand Unbarr'd the gates of light. There is a cave Within the mount of God, fast by his throne, 5
Where light and darkness in perpetual round Lodge and dislodge by turns, which makes through Grateful vicissitude, like day and night ; [Heaven, Light issues forth, and at the other door Obsequious darkness enters, till her hour 10
To veil the Heaven, though darkness there might well Seem twilight here : And now went forth the Morn Such as in highest Heaven array'd in gold Empyreal ; from before her vanish'd Night, Shot through v>'ith orient beams ; when all the plain 15 Cover'd with thick embattled squadrons bright, Chariots, and flaming arms, and fiery steeds, Rcflectmg blaze on blaze, first met his view : War he perceived, war m procinct ; and found Alrea,dy known what he for news had thought 20
PARADISE LOST 129
To Iiave reported : Gladly then he mix'd
Among- those friendly Powers, who hhn received
With joy and acclamations loud, that one,
That of so many myriads fallen, yet one
Keturn'd not lost. On to the sacred hill 25
They led him high applauded, and present
Before the seat supreme ; from whence a voice,
From midst a golden cloud, thus raild was heard :
Servant of God, well done ; well hast thou fought The better fight, who single hast maintain'd 30
Against revolted multitudes the cause Of truth, in word mightier than they in arms ; And for the testimony of truth hast borne Universal reproach, far worse to bear Than violence ; for this was all thy care 35
To stand approved in sight of God, though worlds Judged thee perverse : The easier conquest now Remains thee, aided by this host of friends, Back on thy foes more glorious to return Than scorn 'd thou didst depart ; and to subdue 40
By force who reason for their law refuse, Hight reason for their law, and for their King Messiah, who by right of merit reigns. Go, Michael, of celestial armies prince, And thou, in military prowess next, 45
Gabriel, lead forth to battle these my sons Invincible ; lead forth my armed Saints, By thousands and by millions, ranged for fight, Equal in number to that Godless crew Rebellious : Them with fire and hostile arms 50
Fearless assault ; and, to the brow of Heaven Pursuing, drive them out from God and bliss, Into their place of punishment, the gulf Of Tartarus, which ready opens wide His fier}' Chaos to receive their fall. 55
So spake the Sov'reign Voice, and clouds began To darken all the hill, and smoke to roll In dusky wreaths, reluctant flames, the sign
130 PARADISE LOST. b. vi.
Of wrath awaked ; nor with less dread the loud
Ethereal trumpet from on high 'gan blow : CO
At which command the Powers militant,
That stood for Heaven, in mighty quadrate jom'd
Of union irresistible, moved on
In silence their bright legions, to the sound
Of instrumental harmony, that breathed 65
Heroic ardour to adventurous deeds,
Under their Godlike leaders, in the cause
Of God and his Messiah. On they move
Indissolubly firm ; nor obvious hill,
Nor straitening vale, nor wood, nor stream divides 70
Their perfect ranks ; for high above the ground
Their march was, and the passive air upbore
Their nimble tread : as when the total kind
Of birds, in orderly array on wing,
Came summon'd over Eden to receive 75
Their names of thee ; so over many a tract
Of Heaven they march'd, and many a province wide,
Tenfold the length of this terrene At last,
Far in the horizon to the north appear'd
From skirt to skirt a fiery region, stretch'd 80
In battailous aspect, and nearer view,
Bristled with upright beams innumerable
Of rigid spears, and helmets throng'd, and shields
Various, with boastful argument portray'd,
The banded Powers of Satan hasting on 85
"With furious expedition ; for they ween'd
That selfsame day, by fight or b}'- surprise.
To win the mount of God, and on his throne
To set the Envier of his state, the proud
Aspirer ; but their thoughts proved fond and vain 90
In the mid Vv'ay : Though strange to us it seem'd
At first that Angel should with Angel war,
And in fierce hosting meet, who wont to meet
So oft in festivals of joy and love
Unanimous, as sons of one great Sire, 95
Hymning tha Eternal Father : but the shout
PARADISE LOST. 131
Of battle now began, and rushing sound Of onset ended soon each milder thought. High in the midst, exalted as a god, The Apostate in hi-s sun-bright chariot sat, lOO
Idol of majesty divine, enclosed V/ith flaming Cherubim, and golden shields ; Then lighted from his gorgeous throne, for now 'Twixt host and host but narrow space was left, A dreadful interval, and front to front 105
Presented stood in terrible array Of hideous length : Before the cloudy van, On the rougli cd<iG of battle ere it join'd, Satan, with vast and haughty strides advanced, Came towering, arm'd in adamant and gold ; 110
Abdiei that sight endured not, v/here he stood Among the miglitiest, bent oa highest deeds, Aiid tims his own undaunted heart explores :
O Heaven ! that such resemblance of the Highest Should yet remain, where faith and realty 115
Remain not : Wherefore should not strength and might There fail where virtue fails, or weakest prove Where boldest, though to sight unconquerable ? His puissance, trusting in the Almighty's aid, I mean to try, v/bose reason I have tried 120
Unsound and false; nor is it aught but just, That he, who in debate of truth hath won, Should win in arms, in both disputes alike Victor ; though brutish that contest and foul When reason hath to deal with force, yet so 125
Most reason is that reason overcome.
So pondering, and from his armed peers Forth stepping opposite, half way he met His daring foe, at this prevention more Incensed, and thus securely hira defied : 130
Proud, art thou met .' thy hope was to have reach 'd The height of tliy aspiring unopposed, The throne of God unguarded, and his side Abandon'd, at the terror of tiiy power
132 PARADISE LOST. b. vi
Or potent tongue : Fool ! not to think how vain 135
Against the Omnipotent to rise in arms ;
Who out of smallest things could, without end,
Have raised incessant armies to defeat
Thy folly ; or with solitary hand
Reaching beyond all limit, at one blow, 140
Unaided, could have fiuish'd thee, and whelm'd
Thy legions under darkness : but thou seest
All are not of thy train ; there be, who faith
Prefer, and piety to God, though then
To thee not visible, when I alone 145
Seein'd in thy world erroneous to dissent
From all : My sect thou seest ; now learn too late
How few sometimes may know, when thousands err.
Whom the grand foe, with scornful eye askance. Thus answer'd : 111 for thee, but in wish'd hour 150 Of my revenge, first sought for, thou return'st From flight, seditious Angel ! to receive Thy merited reward, the first assay Of this right hand provoked, since first that tongue, Inspired with contradiction, durst oppose 155
A third part of the Gods, in synod met Their deities to assert; who, while they feel Vigour divine within them, can allow Omnipotence to none. But well thou comest Before thy fellows, ambitious to win 160
From me some plume, that thy success may show Destruction to the rest ; This pause between (Unanswer'd lest thou boast,) to let thee know At first I thought that Liberty and Heaven To heavenly souls had been all one ; but now 165
I see that most through sloth had rather serve, Ministering Spirits, train'd up in feast and song ! Such hast thou arm'd, the minstrelsy of Heaven, Servility with freedom to contend. As both their deeds compared this day shall prove. 17t
To whom in brief thus Abdiel stern replied : Apostate ! still thou errst, nor end wilt find
I'ARADISi" J.OST 133
Of erring, from tlie path of truth remote . Unjustly thou dcpravest it witli the name Of servitude, to serve whom God ordains 175
Or Nature : God and Nature bid the same, When he who rules is worthiest, and excels Them whom he governs. This is servitude, To serve the unwise, or hira who hath rebell'd Against his worthier, as thine now serve the-e, 180 Thyself not free, but to thyself enthrall'd , Yet lewdly darest our ministering upbraid. Reign thou in Hell, thy kingdom ; let me serve In Heaven God ever bless'd, and his divine Behests obey, worthiest to be obey'd ; 185
Yet chains in Hell, not realms, expect ; Meanwhile From me, return'd, as erst thou saidst, from flight, This greeting on thy impious crest receive. .
So saying, a noble stroke he lifted high. Which hung not, but so swift with tempest fell 190 On the proud crest of Satan, that no sight. Nor motion of swift thought, less could his shield, Such ruin intercept : Ten paces huge He back recoil'd ; the tenth .on bended knee His massy spear upstaid : as if on earth 195
Winds under ground, or waters forcing way, Sidelong had pujh'd a mountain from his seat, Half sunk with all his pines. Amazement seized The rebel Thrones, but greater rags, to see Thus foil'd their mightiest ; ours joy fill'd, and shout, Presage of victory, and fierce desire 201
Of battle : Whereat Michacil bid sound The Archangel trumpet ; through the vast of Heaven It sounded, and the faithful armies rung Hosanna to the Highest : Nor stood at gaze 205
The adverse legions, nor less hideous join'd The horrid shock. Now storming fury rose. And clamour such as heard in Heaven till now Was never ; arms on armour clashing bray'd Horrible discord, and the madding wheels 210
12
134 PARADISE LOST. b.
Of brazen chariots raged ; dire was the noise
Of conflict ; overhead the dismal hiss
Of fiery darts in flaming volleys flew,
And flying vaulted either host with fire.
So under fiery cope together rush'd
Both battles main, with ruinous assault
And inextinguishable rage. All Heaven
Resounded ; and had Earth been then, all Earth
Had to her centre shook. What wonder .'' when
Millions of fierce encountering Angels fought
On either side, the least of whom could wield
These elements, and arm him with the force
Of all tlieir regions : Plow much more of Power
Army against army numberless to raise
Dreadful combustion warring, and disturb,
Though not destroy, their happy native seat ;
Had not the Eternal King Omnipotent,
From his strong hold of Heaven, high overruled
And limited their might ; though number'd such
As each divided legion might have seem'd
A numerous host ; in strength each armed hand
A legion ? led in fight, yet leader seem'd
Each warrior single as in chief, expert
When to advance, or stand, or turn the sway
Of battle, open when, and when to close I
The ridges of grim war : No thought of flight,
None of retreat, no unbecoming deed
That argued fear ; each on himself relied,
As only in his arm the moment lay
Of victory : Deeds of eternal fame
V/ere done, but infinite ; for wide was spread
That war, and various ; sometimes on firm ground
A standing fight, then, soaring on main wing,
Tormented all the air ; all air seem'd then
Conflicting fire. Long time in even scale 1
The battle hung ; till Satan, who that day
Prodigious power had shown, and met in arms
No equal, ranging through the dire attack
PARADISE LOST. 135
Of fighting Seraphim confused, at length Saw where the sword of Michael smote, and fell'd 250 Squadrons at once ; with huge two-handed sway Brandish 'd aloft, the horrid edge came down Wide wasting ; such destruction to withstand He hasted, and opposed the rocky orb Of tenfold adamant, his ample shield, 255
A vast circumference. At his approach The great Archangel from his warlike toil Surceased, and glad as hoping here to end Intestine war in Heaven, the archfoe subdued Or captive dragg'd in chains, Vv-^ith hostile frown 260 And visage all iuflamed first thus began :
Author of evil unlmown till thy revol^. Unnamed in Heaven, now plenteous ?'=' chon seest These acts of hateful strife, hateful to all, Though heaviest by just measure on thyself, 26.5
And thy adherents : How hast thou disturb'd Heaven's blessed peace, and into nature brought Misery, uncreated till the crime Of thy rebellion ! how hisl thou instill'd Thy malice into thcusands, once upright 270
And faithful, now proved false ! But think not here To trouble holy rest ; Heaven casts thee out From all her confines. Heaven, the seat of bliss, Brooks not the works of violence and war. Hence then, and evil go with thee along, 275
Thy offspring, to the place of evil, Hell ; Thou and thy wicked crew ! there mingle broils, Ere this avenging sword begin thy doom. Or some more sudden vengeance, wing'd from God, Precipitate thee with augmented pain. 280
So spake the Prince of Angels ; to whom thus The Adversary. Nor think thou with wind Of aery threats to awe whom yet with deeds Thou canst not. Hast thou turn'd the least of these To flight, or if to fall, but that they rise 285
Unvanpuisli'd, easier to transact with me
J 36 PARADISE LOST b. vf.
That thou shouldst hope, imperious, and with threats
To cliase me hence ? err not, that so shall end
The strife which thou call'st evil, but we style
The strife of glory ; which we mean to win, 290
Or turn this Heaven itself into the Hell
Thou fablest ; here however to dwell free,
If not to reign : Meanwhile thy utmost force,
And join him named Almighty to thy aid,
T fly not, but have sought thee far and nigh. 295
They ended parle, and both address'd for fight Unspeakable ; for who, though with the tongue Of Angels, can relate, or to what things Liken on earth conspicuous, that may lift Human imagination to such height 300
Of Godlike power ? for likest Gods' they seem'd ; Stood they or moved, in stature, motion, arms, Fit to decide the empire of gri.at Heaven. Now waved their fiery swords, and in the air Made horrid circles ; two broad suns their shields 305 Blazed opposite, while Expectation stood In horror: I'rom each hand with speed retired, Where erst v.as thickest fight, the angelic throng, And left large field, unsafe within the wind Of such commotion ; such as, to set forth 310
Great things by small, if, nature's concord broke, Among the constellations war were sprung-, Two planets, rushing from aspect malign Of fiercest opposition, in mid sky Should combat, and their jarring spheres confound. Togetlier both with next to almighty arm 316
Uplifted imminent, one stroke they aim'd That might determine, and not need repeat, As not of power at once ; nor odds appear'd In might or swift prevention : But the sword 320
Of Michael from the armory of God . Was given him temper'd so that neither keen Nor solid might resist that edge : it met The sword of Satan, with steep force to smite
PARADISE LOST. U7
Descendin«r, and in half cut sheer ; nor staid, 325
But with swift wheel reverse, deep entering, shared
All his right side : Then Satan first knew pain,
And writhed him to and fro convolved ; so sore
The griding sword with discoaitinuous wound
Pass'd through him : But the ethereal substance closed,
Not long divisible ; and from the gash ' 331
A stream of nectarous< humour issuing flow'd
Sanguine, such as celestial Spirits may bleed,
And all his armour stained, erewhile so bright.
Forthwith on all sides to his aid was run 335
By Angels many and strong, who interposed
Defence, while others bore him on their shields
Back to his chariot, where it stood retired
From off the files of war : There they him laid
Gnashing for anguish and despite and shame, 340
To find himself not matchless, and his pride
Humbled by such rebuke, so far beneath
His confidence to equal God in power.
Yet soon he heaFd ; for Spirits that live throughout
Vital in every part, not as frail man 345
In entrails, heart or head, liver or reins.
Cannot but by annihilating die ;
Nor in their liquid texture mortal wound
Receive, no more than can the fluid air :
All heart they live, all head, all eye, all ear, 350
All intellect, all sense ; and, as they please,
They limb themselves, and colour, shape, or size
Assume, as likes them best, condense or rare.
Meanwhile in other parts hke deeds deserved Memorial, where the might of Gabriel fought, 355 And with fierce ensigns pierced the deep array Of Moloch, furious king ; who him defied, And at his chariot- wheels to drag him bound Threaten'd, nor from the Holy One of Heaven Refrain'd his tongue blasphemous ; but anon 360
Down cloven to the v/aist, with shatter'd arms .\nd uncouth pain fled bellowing. On each wing 12*
133 PARADISE LOST. b. hi
Uriel, and Raphael, his vaunting foe, Though huge, and in a rock of diamond arm'd, Vanqaish'd Adramalech, and Asmadai, 365
Two potent Tlu'ones, that to be less than Gods Disdain'd, but meaner thoughts learn'd in their flight, Mangled with ghastly wounds through plate and mail. Nor stood unmindful Abdiel to annoy The atheist crew, but with redoubled blow 370
Ariel, and Arioch, and the violence Of Ramiel scorch'd and blasted, overthrew. I might relate of thousands, and their names Eternize here on earth ; but those elect Angels, contented with their fame in Heaven, 3',T5 Seek not the praise of men : The other sort, in might though wondrous and in acts of war, Nor of renov/n less eager, yet by doom Cancel'd from Heaven and sacred memory, Nameless in dark oblivion let thom dwell. 380
For strength from truth divided, and from just, Illaudable, nought merits but dispraise And ignominy ; yet to glory aspires Vain-glorious, and through infamy seeks fame • Therefore eternal silence be their doom. 385
And now, their mightiest quell'd, the battle swerved, With many an inroad gored; deformed rout Enter'd, and foul disorder ; all the ground With shiver'd armour strown, and on a heap Chariot and charioteer lay overturn'd, 390
And fiery-foaming steeds ; what stood recoil'd O'er wearied, through the faint Satanic host Defensive scarce, or with pale fear surprised, Then first with fear surprised, and sense of pain, Fled ignominious, to such evil brought 395
By sin of disobedience ; till that hour Not liable to fear or ^ight or pain. Far otherwise the inviolable Saints In cubit phalanx firm, advanced entire, Invulnerable, impenetrably arm"d ; 400
PARADISE LOST. 139
Such high advantages their innocence Gave them above their foes ; not to have sinn'd, Not to have disobey'd ; in fight they stood Unwearied, unobnoxious to be pain'd By wound, though from their place by violence moved.
Now night her course began, o-nd, over Heaven 406 Inducing darkness, grateful truce imposed, And silence on the odious din of war : Under her cloudy covert both retired, Victor and vanquish'd : On the foughten field 410
Michael and his Angels prevalent Encamping, placed in guard their watches round, Cherubic waving fires: On the other part, Satan with his rebellious disappear 'd. Far in the dark dislodged; and, void of rest, 415
His potentates to council call'd by night ; And in the midst thus undismay'd began :
O now in danger tried, now known in arms Not to be overpower'd. Companions dear, Found worthy not of liberty alone, 420
Too mean pretence ! but what we more affect, Honour, dominion, glory, and renown ; Who have sustain 'd one day in doubtful fight, (And if one day, why not eternal days ?) What Heaven's Lord had powerfulest to send 425
Against us from about his throne, and judged Sufficient to subdue us to his will, But proves not so : tlren fallible, it seems, Of future we may deem him, though till now Omniscient thought. True is, less firmly arm'd, 430 Some disadvantage we endured and pain, Till now not known, but, known, as soon contemn 'd; Since now we find this our empyreal form Incapable of mortal injury,
Imperishable, and, though pierced with wound; 435 Soon closing, and by native vigour heal'd. Of evil then so small as easy think Tlio remedv ; nerhaps more valid arms
140 PARADISE LCJST. b. vi,
Weapons more violent, when next we meet,
May serve to better us, and worse our foes, 440
Or equal what between us made the odds,
In nature none : If other hidden cause
Left them superior, while we can preserve
Unhurt our minds, and understanding sound,
Due search and consultation will disclose. . 445
He sat ; and in the assembly next upstood Nisroch, of Principalities the prime ; As one he stood escaped from cruel fight, Sore toil'd, his riven arms to havoc hewn, And cloudy in aspect thus answering spake : 450
Deliverer from new Lords, leader to free Enjoyment of our right as Gods : yet hard l^'or Gods, and too unequal work we iind,- Against unequal arms to fight in pain. Against unpain'd, impassive ; from which evil 455 Ruin must needs ensue ; for what avails V^alour or strength, though matchless, quell'd with pain, Which all subdues, and makes remiss the hands Of mightiest ? Sense of pleasure we may well Spare out of life perhaps, and not repine, 460
But live content, which is the calmest life • But pain is perfect misery, the worst Of evils, and, excessive, overturns All patience. He, who therefore can invent With what more forcible we may offend 465
Our yet unwounded enemies, or arm Ourselves with like defence, to me deserves No less than for deliverance what we owe.
Whereto with look composed Satan replied : Not uninvented that, which thou aright 470
Believest so main to our -success, I bring. Which of us who beholds the bright surface Of this ether eons mould whereon we stand, Tliis continent of spacious Heaven, adorn'd With plant, fruit, flower ambrosial, gems, and gold ; Whose e^'e so superficially surveys 476
PARADISE LOST. 141
These things, as not to mind from whence they grow
Deep under ground, materials dark and crude,
Of spirituous and fiery spume, till touch'd
With Heaven's ray, and temper'd, they shoot forth 480
So beauteous, opening to the ambient light ?
These in their dark nativity the deep
Shall yield us, pregnant with infernal flame ;
Which, into hollow engines, long and round,
Thick ramm'd, at the other bore with touch of fire 485
Dilated and infuriate,- shall send fortli
From far, with thundering noise, among our foes
Such implements of mischief as shall dash
To pieces, and o'erwhelm whatever stands
Adverse, that they shall fear v/e have disarm'd 490
The Thunderer of his only dreaded bolt.
Nor long shall be our labour ; yet ere dawn,
Effect shall end our wish. Meanwhile revive ;
Abandon fear ; to strength and counsel join'd
Think nothing hard, much less to be despair'd. 495
He ended, and his words their drooping cheer Enlighten'd, and their languish'd hope revived. The invention all admired, and each, how he To be the inventor miss'd ; so easy it seem'd [thought Once found, which yet unfound most would have Impossible : Yet haply of thy race 501
In future days, if malice should abound, Some one intent on mischief, or inspired With devilish machination, might devise Like instrument to plague the sons of men 505
For sin, on war and mutual slaughter bent. Forthwith from council to the work they flew , None arguing stood ; innumerable hands Were ready ; in a moment up they turn'd Wide the celestial soil, and saw beneath 510
The originals of nature in their crude Conception ; sulphurous and nitrous foam They found, they mingled, and, with subtle art, Concocted and adjusted, they reduced
142 PARADISE LOST. b. vi.
To blackest grain, and into store convey'd : 515
Part hidden veins digged up (nor hath this earth
Entrails unlike) of mineral and stone,
Whereof to found their engines and their balls
Of missive rum ; part incentive reed
Provide, pernicious with one touch to fire, 520
So all ere dayspring, under conscious night,
Secret they finish'd, and in order set.
With silent circumspection, unespied.
Now when fair morn orient in Heaven appear'd, Up rose the victor-Angels, and to arms 525
The matin trumpet sung : in arms they stood Of golden panoply, refulgent host. Soon banded ; otliers from the dawning hills Look round, and scouts each coast light-armed scour, Each quarter to descry the distant foe, 530
Where lodged, or whither fled, or if for fight, in motion or in halt : Him soon they met Under spread ensigns moving nigh, in slow But firm battalion : back with speediest sail Zophiel, or Cherubim the swiftest wing, 535
Came flying, and in mid air aloud thus cried •
Arm, Warriors, arm for fight ; the foe at hand, Whom fled we thought, will save us long pursuit This day ; fear not his flight ; so thick a cloud He comes, and settled in his face I see 640
Sad resolution, and secure : Let each His adamantine coat gird well, and each Fit well his helm, gripe fast his orbed shield, Borne even or high ; for this day will pour down, if I conjecture aught, no drizzling shower, 545
But rattling siorms of arrows barb'd with fire.
So warn'd he them, aware themselves, and soon Jn order, quit of all impediment ; Instant without disturb they took alarm. And onward moved embattled : When behold ! 550 Not distant far with heavy pace the foe Approaching gross and hucve, in hollow cube
PARADISE LOST. ]43
Training his devilish enginery, impaled
On every side with shadowing squadrons deep,
To hide the fraud. At interview both stood 555
Awhile ; but suddenly at head appear'd
Satan, and thus was heard commo,nding loud :
Vanguard, to right and left the front unfold ; That all may see who hate us, how we seek Peace and composure, and with open breast 5G0
Stand ready to receive them, if they lUie Oar overture, and turn not back perverse ; But that I doubt ; however witness, tieaven ! Heaven, witness thou anon ! while we discharga Freely our part : ye, who appointed stand, 5G5
Do as you have in charge, and briefly touch What we propound, and loud that all may hear !
So scoffing in ambiguous words, he scarce Had ended ; when to right and left the front Divided, and to either flank retired : 570
Which to our eyes discovered, new and strange, A triple mounted row of pillars laid On wheels (for like to pillars most they seem'd, Or hollow "d bodies made of oak or fir. With branches lopp'd, in wood or mountain fell'd,) 575 Brass, iron, stony mould, had not their mouths With hideous orifice gaped on us wide. Portending hollow truce : At eacli behind A Seraph stood, and in his hand a reed Stood waving tipp'd with fire : wliile we, suspense, 580 Collected stood within our thoughts amused, Not long : for sudden all at once their reeds Put forth, and to a narrow vent applied With nicest touch. Immediate in a flame, 584
But soon obscured with smoke, all Heaven appear'd, T'rom those deep-throated engines bclch'd, whose roar Embov/eVd with outrageous noise the air, And all her entrails tore, disgorging foul Their devilish glut, chain'd thunderbolts and hail Of iron globes ; which, on the victor host 590
144 PARADISE LOST. b. vi
Levcrd, witli such impetuous fury smote,
That, whom they hit, none on their feet might stand,
Though standing else as rocks, but down they fell
By thousands, Angel on Archangel roll'd ;
TJie sooner for their arms ; unarm'd, they might 595
Have easil}', as Spirits, evaded swift
By quick contraction or remove ; but now
Foul dissipation follow 'd, and forced rout j
Nor served it to relax their serried files.
What should they do '' if on they rush'd, repulse GOO
Repeated, and indecent overthrow
Doubled, would render them yet more despised,
And to their foes a laughter ; for in view
Stood rank'd of Seraphim another row,
In posture to d'splode their second tire 605
Of thunder : Back defeated to return
They worse abhorr'd. Satan beheld their phght,
And to his r/>ates thus in derision call'd :
O Friends ! why come not on these victors proud .'' Ere while they fierce were coming ; and when we 610 To entertain them ivh with open front And breast, (what could we more .'') propounded terms Of composition, straiglit they changed their minds. Flew off, and into strange vagaries fell, As they would dance ; yet for a dance they seem'd 615 Somewhat extravagant and wild ; perhaps For joy of ofter'd peace : But I suppose If our proposals once again were heard. We should compel them to a quick result.
To whom thus Belial, in like gamesome mood : 620 Leader ! the terms we sent were terms of weight, Of hard contents, and full of force urged home , Such as we might perceive amused them all, And stumbled many : Who receives them right Had need from head to foot well understand ; 625
Not understood, this gift they have besides, They show us when our foes walk not upright.
So they among themselves in pleasant vein
PARADISE LOST 145
Stood scoffing:, Iieighten'd in their thoughts bej'ond All doubt of victory : Eternal Might 630
To match with their inventions they presumed So easy, and of his thunder made a scorn, And all his host derided, while they stood Awhile in trouble : But they stood not long ; Rage prompted them at length, and found them arms Against such hellish mischief fit to oppose. 636
Forthwith (behold the excellence, the power, Which God hath in his mighty Angels placed I) Their arms away they threw, and to the hills (For Earth hath this variety from Heaven 640
Of pleasure situate in hill and dale,) Light as the lightnin g glimpse they ran, they flew ; From their foundations loosening to and fro. They pluck'd the seated hills, with all their load, Rocks, waters, woods, and by the shaggy tops 645 Uplifting bore them in their hands : Amaze, Be sure, and terror seized the rebel host, When coming towards them so dread they saw The bottom of the mountains upward turn'd ; Till on those cursed engines' triple-row 650
They saw them whelm'd, and all their confidence Under the weight of mountains buried deep ; Themselves invaded next, and on their heads Main promontories flung, which in the air 654
Came shadowing, and oppress'd whole legions arm'd ; Their armour helped their harm, crushed in and bruised Into their substance pent, which wrought them pain Implacable, and many a dolorous groan; Long struggling underneath, ere they could wind Out of such prison, though Spirits of purest light, 660 Purest at first, now gross by sinning grown. The rest, in imitation, to like arms Betook them, and the neighbouring hills uptore : So hills amid the air encounter'd hills, Hurl'd to and fro with jaculation dire } 665
Til at under ground thoy fought in dismal shade ; 13
146 PARADISE LOST. b. vi
Infernal noise ! war seem'd a civil game
To this uproar ; horrid confusion heap'd
Upon confusion rose : and now all Heaven
Had gone to wrack, with ruin overspread ; 67(
Had not the Almighty Father, where he aits
Shrined in his sanctuary of Heaven secure,
Consulting on the sum of things, foreseen
This tumult, and permitted all, advised :
That his great purpose he might so fulfil, 675
To honour his anointed Son avenged
Upon his enemies, and to declare
All power on him transferr'd : whence to his Son,
The Assessor of his throne, he thus began :
Effulgence of my glory. Son beloved, 680
Son, in whose face invisible is beheld Visibly what by Deity I am ; And in whose hand wliat by decree I doj Second Omnipotence ! two days are pass'd, Two days, as we compute the days of Heaven, 085 Since Michael and his Powers went forth to tame These disobedient : sore hath been their fight. As likeliest Avas, when two such foes met arm'd , For to themselves I left them ; and thou know'st, Equal in their creation they were form'd, 690
Save what sin hath impair'd ; which yet hath wrought Insensibly, for I suspend their doom ; Whence in perpetual fight they needs must last Endless, and no solution will be found : War wearied hath perform'd what war can do, 695 And to disorder'd rage let loose the reins, With mountains, as with weapons, arm'd ; which makes Wild work in Heaven, and dangerous to the main. Two days are therefore pass'd, the third is thine j For thee I have ordain'd it ; and thus far 700
Have suff'er'd, that the glory may be thine Of ending this great war, since none but Thou Can end it. Into thee such virtue and grace fnimcnse I have transfused that all may know
PARADJSE LOST. 147
In Heaven and Hell thy power above compare ; 705 And, this perverse commotion govern'd thus, To manifest thee worthiest to be Heir Of all things ; to be Heir, and to be King By sacred unction, thy deserved right. Go then. Thou Mightiest, in thy Father's might ; 710 Ascend my chariot, guide the rapid wheels That shake Heaven's basis, bring forth all my war, My bow and thunder, my almighty arms Gird on, and sword upon thy puissant thigh ; Pursue these sons of darkness, drive them out 715
From all Heaven's bounds into the utter deep : There let them learn, as likes them, to despise God, and Messiah his anointed Kijig.
He said, and on his Son with rays direct Shone full ; he all his Father full express'd 720
Ineffably into his face received ; And thus the Filial Godhead answering spake :
O Father, O Supreme of heavenly Thrones, First, Highest, Holiest, Best ; thou always seek'st To glorify thy Son, I always thee, 725
As is most just : this I my glory account, My exaltation, and my whole delight, That thou, in me well pleased, declarest thy will Fulfill'd, which to fulfil is all my bliss. Sceptre and power, thy giving, I assume, 730
And gladlier shall resign, when in the end Thou shalt be all in all, and I in thee For ever ; and in me all whom thou lovest : But whom thou hatest I hate, and can put on Thy terrors, as I put thy mildness on, 735
Image of thee in all things , and shall soon, Arm'd with thy might, rid Heaven of these rebell'd , To their prepared ill mansion driven down, To chains of darkness, and the undying worm ; That from thy just obedience could revolt, 740
Whom to obey is happiness entire. Then shall tliy Saints unmix'd, and from the impure
148 PARADISE LOST. e. vi
Tar separate, circlraiT thy holy mount.
Unfeigned Hallelujahs to thee sing,
Hymns of high praise, and I among them Chief. 745
So said, he, o'er his sceptre bowing, rose From the right hand of Glory where he sat ; And the third sacred morn began to shine, [sound, Dawning through Heaven. Forth rush'd with whirlwind The chariot of Paternal Deity, 750
Flashing thick flames, wheel within wheel undrawn, Itself instinct with Spirit, but convoy'd By four Clierubic shapes ; four faces each Had wondrous : as with stars, their bodies all And wings were set with eyes ; with eyes the wheels Of beryl, and careering fires between; 756
Over their heads a crystal firmament, Whereon a sapphire throne, inlaid with pure Amber, and colours of the showery arch. He, in celestial panoply all arm'd 760
Of radiant Urim, work divinely wrought, Ascended ; at his right hand Victory Sat eagle-winged ; beside him hung his bow And quiver v/ith three-bolted thunder stored ; And from about him fierce effusion roll'd 765
Of smoke and bickering flame and sparkles dire : Attended v/ith ten thousand Saints, He onward came ; far off" his coming shone ; And twenty thousand (I their number heard) Chariots of God, half on each hand, were seen ; 770 He on tlie wings of Cherub rode sublime On the crystdlline sky, in sapphire throned, Illustrious far and wide ; but by his own First seen ; tliem unexpected joy surprised, When the great ensign of Messiah blazed 775
Aloft by Angels borne, his sign in Heaven ; Under whose conduct Michael soon reduced His army, ciroumfused on either wing, Under their Head embodied all in one. Before him Power Divine his way prepared ; 780
PARADISE LOST 149
At his command the uprooted hills retired
Each to his place ; they heard his voice, and went
Obsequious ; Heaven his wonted face renew'd,
And with fresh flowerets hill and valley smiled.
This saw his hapless foes, but stood obdured, 785
And to rebellious fight rallied their Powers,
Insensate, hope conceiving from despair.
In heavenly Spirits could such perverseness dwell ?
But to convince the proud what signs avail,
Or wonders move the obdurate to relent ? 790
They, harden'd more by what might most reclaim,
Grieving to see his glory, at the sight
Took envy ; and, aspiring to his height,
Stood reembattled fierce, by force or fraud
Weening to prosper, and at length prevail 795
Against God and Messiah, or to fall
ji_i universal ruin last ; and now
To final battle drew, disdaining flight,
Or faint retreat ; when the great Son of God
To all his host on either hand thus spake : 800
Stand still in bright array, ye Saints ; here stand. Ye Angels arm'd ; this day from battle rest : Faithful hath been your warfare, and of God Accepted, fearless in his righteous cause ; And as ye have received, so have ye done, 805
Invincibly : but of this cursed crew The pmiishment to other hand belongs ; Vengeance is his, or whose he sole appoints : Number to this day's work is not ordain'd, Nor multitude ; stand only, and behold 810
God's indignation on these godless pour'd By me ; not you, but me they have despised, STet envied ; against me is all their rage, Because the Father, to whom in Heaven supreme Kingdom and power and glory appertains, 815
Hath honoured me, according to his will. Therefore to me their doom he hath assigned; That they may have their wish, to try with me 13*
im PARADISE LOST. b. vi.
In battle which the stronger proves ; they all,
Or I alone against thexr ; since\by strength 820
They measure all, of other excellence
Not emulous, nor care who them excels ;
Nor other strife with them do I vouchsafe.
So spake the Son, and into terror changed liis countenance too severe to be beheld, 825
A.nd full of wrath bent on his enemies. At once the Four spread out their starry wings With dreadful shade contiguous, and the orbs Of his fierce chariot roll'd, as with the soimd Of torrent floods, or of a numerous host. 830
He on his impious foes right onward drove, Gloomy as night ; under his burning wheels The steadfast empyrean shook throughout, All but the throne itself of God. Full soon Among them he ari'ived ; in his right hand 835
Grasping ten thousand thunders, which he sent Before him, such as in their souls infix'd Plagues : they, astonish'd, all resistance lost, All courage ; down their idle weapons dropp'd : O'er shields and helms and helmed heads he rode 840 Of Thrones and mighty Seraphim prostrate, That wish'd the mountains now might be again Thrown on them, as a shelter from his ire Nor less on either side tempestuous fell His arrows, from the fourfold-visaged Four 845
Distinct with eyes, and from the living wlieels Distinct alike with multitude of eyes ; '
One Spirit in them ruled ; and every eye Glared lightning, and shot forth pernicious fire Among the accursed, that vvather'd all their strength, And of their wonted vigour left them drain'd, 851
Exhausted, spiritless, afilicted, fallen. Yet half his strength he put not forth, but check'd His thunder in mid volley ; for he meant Not to destroy, but root them out of Pleaven : 855 T'le overthrown he raised ; and, as a herd
PARADISE LOST. 151
Of goats or timorous flock together tlirong'd, Drove them before him thunderstruck, pursued With terrors, and with furies, to the bounds And crystal wall of Heaven : which, opening wide, 860 Roll'd inward, and a spacious gap disclosed Into the wasteful deep : the monstrous sight Struck them with horror backward, but far worse Urged them behind- headlong themselves they threw Down from the verge of Heaven ; eternal wrath 865 Burn'd after them to the bottomless pit.
Hell heard the unsufTerable noise, Hell saw Heaven ruining from Heaven, and would have fled Affrighted ; but strict Fate had cast too deep Her dark fomidations, and too fast had bound. 870
Nine days they fell : confounded Chaos roar'd, And felt tenfold confusion in their fall Through his wild anarchy, so huge a rout Encumber'd him with ruin : Hell at last Yanniing received them whole, and on them closed ; Hell, their fit habitation, fraught with fire 876
Unquenchable, the house of woe and pain. Disburden 'd Heaven rejoiced, and soon repair d Her mural breach, returning whence it roll'd. ^le victor, from the expulsion of his foes, 880
Messiah his triumphal chariot turn'd : To meet him all his Saints, who silent stood Eye-witnesses of his almighty acts. With jubilee advanced ; and, as they went, Shaded with branching palm, each Order bright 885 Sung triumph, and him sung victorious King, Son, Heir, and Lord, to him dominion given, Worthiest to reign : He, celebrated, rode Triumphant through mid Heaven, into the courts And temple of his Mighty Father throned 890
On high ; who into glory him received, Where now he sits at the right hand of blirs. [Earth,
Thus, measuring things in Heaven by things on At thy request, and that thou mayst bcv/aro
152 PARADISE LOST. b. vi.
By what is pass'd, to thee I have reveal'd 895
What might have else to human race been hid ;
The discord which befel, and war in Heaven
Among the angelic Powers, and the deep fall
Of those too high aspiring, who rebell'd
With Satan ; he who envies now thy state, 900
Who now is plotting how he may seduce
Thee also from obedience, that, with him
Bereaved of happiness, thou mayst partake
His punishment, eternal misery ;
Which would be all his solace and revenge, 905
As a despite done against the Host High,
Thee once to gain companion of his woe.
But listen not to his temptations, warn
Thy weaker : let it profit thee to have heard,
By terrible example, the reward 910
Of disobedience ; firm they might have stood,
TiTet fell; remember, and fear to transgress.
PARADISE LOST.
BOOK VII.
Rapliael, at the request of Adam, relates how and wherofote thig world was first created ; that God, after the expelling of Satan ■and his Angels out of Heaven, declared his pleasure to create another world, and other creatures to dwell therein; sends his Son with glory, and attendance of Angels, to perform the work of Creation in six dajs : the Angels celebrate with hymns the performance thereof, and his reascension into Heaven
Descend from Heaven, Urania, by that name
If rightly thou art call'd, whose voice divine
Following, above the Olympian hill I soar,
Above the flight of Pegasean wing !
The meaning, not the name, I call : for thou 5
Nor of the Muses nine, nor on the top
Of old Olympus dwell'st ; but heavenly born,
Before the hills appear'd or fountain flow'd,
Thou with eternal Wisdom didst converse,
Wisdom thy sister, and with her didst play 10
In presence of the Almighty Father, pleased
With thy celestial song. Up led by thee
Into the Heaven of Heavens I have presumed.
An earthly guest, and drav/n empyreal air,
Thy tempering : with like safety guided down 15
Return me to my native element :
Lest from this flying steed unrein'd (as once
Bellerophon, though from a lower clime,)
Dismounted, on the Aleian field I fall,
Erroneous there to wander, and forlorn. 20
Half yet remains unsung, but narrower bound
Within the visible diurnal sphere ;
Standing on earth, not wrapp'd above tlie pole,
154 PARADISE LOST.
More safe I sing with mortal voice, unchanged
To hoarse or mute, though fallen on evil days, 25
On evil days though fallen, and evil tongues;
In darkness, and with dangers compass'd round,
And solitude ; yet not alone, while thou
Visit'st my slumbers nightly, or when morn
Purples the east : still govern thou my song, 30
Urania, and fit audience find, though few.
But drive far off the barbarous dissonance
Of Bacchus and his revellers, the race
Of that wild rout that tore the Thracian bard
In Rhodope, where woods and rocks had ears 35
To rapture, till the savage clamour drown'd
Both harp and voice , nor could the Muse defend
Her son. So fail not thou, who thee implores •
For thou art heavenly, she an empty dream.
Say, Goddess, what ensued when Raphael, 40
The affable Archangel, had forewarn'd Adam, by dire example, to beware Apostacy, by what befel in Heaven To those apostates : lest the like befal In Paradise to Adam or his race, 45
Charged not to touch the interdicted tree, If they transgress, and slight that sole command. So easily obey'd amid the choice Of all tastes else to please their appetite, Though wandering. He, with his consorted Eve, 50 The story heard attentive, and was fiU'd With admiration and deep muse, to hear Of things so high and strange ; things, to their thought So unimaginable, as hate in Heaven, And war so near the peace of God in bliss, 55
With such confusion : but the evil, soon Driven back, redounded as a flood on those From whom it sprang ; impossible to mix With blessedness. Whence Adam soon repeal'd The doubts that in his heart arose : and now 60
Led on, yet sinless, with desire to know
PARARISE LOST. 155
What nearer might concern him, how this world Of Heaven and Earth conspicuous first began j When, and whereof created ; for what cause ; What within Eden, or without, was done 65
Before his memory ; as one whose drouth Yet scarce allay'd still eyes the current stream, Whose liquid murmur heard new thirst excites, Proceeded thus to ask his heavenly guest.
Great things, and full of wonder in our ears, 70
Far differing from this world, thou hast reveal'd. Divine interpreter ! by favour sent Down from the empyrean, to forewarn Us timely of what might else have been our loss, Unknown, which human knowledge could not reach : For which to the infinitely Good we owe 76
Immortal thanks, and his admonishment Receive, with solemn purpose to observe [mmutably his sov'reign will, the end Ofwhatweare. But since thou hast vouchsafed 80 Gently, for our instruction, to impart Things above earthly thought, which yet concern'd Our knowing, as to highest wisdom seem'd, Deign to descend now lower, and relate What may no less perhaps avail us known, 85
How first began this Heaven which v.^e behold Distant so high, with moving fires adorn'd Innumerable ; and this which yields or fills All space, the ambient are wide interfused Embracing round this florid Earth ; what cause 90 Moved the Creator, in his holy rest Through all eternity, so late to build In Chaos ; and, the work begun, how soon Absolved •, if unforbid thou mayst unfold What we, not to explore the secrets ask 95
Of his eternal empire, but the more To magnify his works, the more we know. And the great light of day yet wants to run
156 PARADISE LOST. b. vii
Much of his race though steep ; suspense in Heaven,
Held by thy voice, thy potent Voice, he hears, 100
And longer will delay to hear thee tell
His generation, and the rising birth
Of Nature from the unapparent Deep •
Or if the star of evening and the moon
Haste to thy audience, Night with her will bring 105
Silence ; and Sleep, listening to thee, will watch ;
Or we can bid his absence, till thy song
End, and dismiss thee ere the morning shine.
Thus Adam his illustrious guest besought : And thus the Godlike Angel ansv.'er'd mild : 110
This also thy request, with caution ask'd, Obtain ; though to recount almighty works What words or tongue of Seraph can suffice, Or heart of man suffice to comprehend ? Yet what thou canst attain, which best may serve 115 To glorify the Maker, and infer Thee also happier, shall not be withheld Thy hearmg ; such commission from above I have received, to answer thy desire Of knowledge within bounds ; beyond, abstain 120 To ask ; nor let thine own inventions hope Things not reveal'd, which the invisible King, Only Omniscient, hath suppress'd in night ; To none communicable in Earth or Heaven : Enough is left besides to search and know. 125
But knowledge is as food, and needs no less Her temperance over appetite, to know In measure what the mind may well contain ; Oppresses else with surfeit, and soon turns Wisdom to folly, as nourishment to wind. 130
Know then, that, after Lucifer from Heaven (So call him, brighter once amidst the host Of Angels than tliat star the stars among,) Fell with his flaming legions through the deep Into his placs : a-iid the great Son return'd 135
PARADISE LOST. 157
Victorious with his Saints, the Omnipotent Eternal Father from his throne beheld Their multitude, and to his Son thus spake :
At least our envious Foe hath fail'd, who thought All like himself rebellious, by whose aid 140
This inaccessible liigh strength, the seat Of Deity supreme, us dispossess'd, He trusted to have seized, and into fraud Drew many, whom their place knows here no more : Yet far the greater part have kept, I see, 145
Their station ; Heaven, yet populous, retains Number sunicient to possess her realms Though wide, and this high temple to frequent With ministeries due and solemn rites j JBut, lest his heart exalt him in the harm J 50
Already done,, to have dispeopled Heaven, My dauiage fondly deem'd, I can repair That detriment, if such it be to lose Self-lost ; a,nd in a moment will create Another world, out of one man a race 155
Of men innumerable, there to dwell. Not here : till, by degrees of merit raised, They open to themselves at length the way Up hither, under long obedience tried ; And Earth be changed to Heaven, and Heaven to Earth One kingdom, joy and union without end. 161
Meanwhile inhabit lax, ye Powers of Heaven ; And thou my Word, begotten Son, by thee This I perform ; speak thou, and be it done ! My overshadowing Spirit and Might with thee 165 I s^end along ; ride forth, and bid the Deep Within appointed bounds be Heaven and Earth , Boundless the Deep, because I Am who fill Infinitude, nor vacuous the space.
Though T, uncircumscribed myself, retire, 170
And put not forth my goodness, which is free To act or net. Necessity and Chance Approach not me, and what I will is Fate. 14
158 PARADISE LOST. b. vii.
So spake the Almighty, and to what he spake His Word, the Filial Godhead, gave effect. 175
Immediate are the acts of God, more swifl Than time or motion, but to human ears Cannot without process of speech be told, So told as earthly notion can receive. Great triumph and rejoicing was in Heaven, 180
When such was heard declared the Almighty's will ; Glory they sung to the Most High, good will To future men, and in their dwellings peace j Glory to Him, whose just avenging ire Had driven out the ungodly from his sight 185
And the habitations of tlie just ; to Him Glory and praise, whose wisdom had ordain'd Good cut of evil to create ; instead Of Spirits malign, a better rac6 to bring Into their vacant room, and thence diffuse 190
His good to worlds and ages infinite
So sang the Hierarchies : meanv/hile the Son On his great expedition now appear'd, Girt with Omnipotence, with radiance crown 'd Of Majesty Divine ; sapience and love 195
Immense, and all his Father in him shone. About his chariot numberless were pour'd Cherub, and Seraph, Potentates, and Thrones, And Virtues, winged Spirits, and chariots wing'd From the armory of God ; where stand of old 200 Myriads, between two brazen mountains lodged Against a solemn day, harness'd at hand, Celestial equipage ; and now came .forth Spontaneous, for within them Spirit lived, Attendant on their Lord : Heaven open'd wide 205 Her ever during gates, harmonious sound, On golden hinges moving, to let forth The King of Glory, in his powerful Word And Spirit coming to create new worlds. On heavenly ground they stood ; and from the shore They view'd the vast immeasurable abycs 211
PARADISE LOST. 159
Outrageous as a sea, dark, wasteful, v/ild,
Up from the bottom turn'd by furious winds
And surging waves, as mountains, to assault 214
Heaven's height, and with the centre mix the pole.
Silence, ye troubled Waves, and, thou Deep, peace, Said then the Omnific Word ; your discord end ! Nor staid ; but, on the wings of Cherubim Uplifted, in paternal glory rode
Far into Chaos, and the world unborn ; 220
For Chaos heard his voice : Him all his train Follow'd in bright procession, to behold Creation, and the wonders of his might. Then staid the fervid wheels, and in his hand He took the golden compasses, prepared 225
In God's eternal store, to circum.scribe This universe, and all created things : One foot he centred, and the other turn'd Round through the vast profundity obscure ; And said. Thus far extend, thus far thy bounds, 230 This be thy just circumference, O World ! Thus God the Heaven created, thus the Earth, Matter unform'd and void : darkness profoxmd Cover'd the abyss: but on the watery calm His brooding wings the Spirit of God outspread, 235 And vital virtue infused, and vital warmth Throughout the fluid mass ; but downward purged The black tartareous cold infernal dregs. Adverse to life : then founded, then conglobed Like things to like ; the rest to several place 240
Disparted, and between spun out the air ; And Earth self-balanced on her centre hung.
Let there be Light, said God : and forthwith Light Ethereal, first of things, quintessence pure. Sprung from the deep ; and from her native east 245 To journey through the aery gloom began. Sphered in a radiant cloud, for yet the sun Was not ; she in a cloudy tabernacle Sojourn'd the while. God saw the li>?ht was good ,
160 PARADISE LOST. b. vit.
And light from darkness by the hemisphere 250
Divided : light the Day, and darkness Night,
He named. Thus was the first day even and morn •
Nor pass'd uncelebrated, nor unsung
By the celestial choirs, when orient light
Exhaling first from darkness they beheld ; 255
Birthday of Heaven and Earth ; with joy and shout
The hollow universal orb they fill'd,
And touch'd their golden harps, and hymning praised
God and his works ; Creator him they sung,
Both when first evening was, and when first morn. 260
Again, God said, Let there be firmament Amid the waters, and let it divide The waters from the waters ; and God made The firmament, expanse of liquid, pure, Transparent, elemental air, diffused 265
In circuit to the uttermost convex Of this great round ; partition firm and sure, The waters underneath from those above Dividing : for as earth, so he the world Built on circumfluous waters calm, in wide 270
Crystalline ocean, and the loud misrule Of Chaos far removed ; lest fierce extremes Contigvious might distemper the whole frame : And Heaven he named the Firmament : so even And morning chorus sung the second day. 275
The Earth was form'd, but, in the womb as vet Of waters, embryon immature involved, Appear'd not : over all the face of Earth Main ocean flow'd, not idle ; but, with warm Prolific humour softening all her globe, 280
Fermented the great mother to conceive, Satiate with genial moisture ; when God said, Be gather'd now, ye waters under Heaven, into one place, and let dry land appear. Immediately the mountains huge appear 285
Emergent, and their broad bare backs upheave Into the clouds ; their tops ascend the sky ;
PARADISE LOST. 161
So high as heaved the tumid hills, so low Down sunk a hollow bottom broad and deep, Capacious bed of waters : thither they 290
Hasted with glad precipitance, uproll'd, As drops on dust conglobing from the dry . Part rise in crystal wall, or ridge direct^, For haste ; such flight the great command impress'd On the swift floods : as armies at the call 295
Of trumpet (for of armies thou hast heard) Troop to their standard ; so the watery throng, Wave rolling after v/ave, where way they found, If steep, with torrent rapture, if through plain, Soft-ebbing ; nor withstood them rock or hill ; 300 But they, or under ground, or circuit wide With serpent error wandering, found their way, And on the washy ooze deep channels wore ; Easy, ere God had bid the ground be dry, All but withiii those banks, where rivers now 305
Stream, and perpetual draw their humid train. The dry land Earth, and the great receptacle Of congregated waters he call'd Seas : And saw that it was good ; and sa,id. Let the Earth Put forth the verdant grass, herb yielding seed, 310 And fruit-tree yielding fruit after her kind. Whose seed is in herself upon the Earth. He scarce had said, when the bare Earth, till then Desert and bare, unsightly, unadorn'd. Brought forth the tender grass, whose verdure clad 315 Her universal face v/ith pleasant green ; Then herbs of every leaf, that sudden flower'd Opening their various colours, and made gay Her bosom, smelling sweet : and, these scarce blown, Forth flourjsh'd thick the clustering vine, forth crept The sweUing gourd, up stood the corny reed 321
Embattled in her field, and the humble shrub, And bush vvith frizzled hair implicit : last Rose, as in dance, the stately trees, and spread Their branches hung with copious fruit, or gemm'd 325 14*
162 PARADISE LOST. b.vii
Their blossoms : with high woods the hills were crown'd; With tufts the valleys, and each fountain side.; With borders long the rivers : the Earth nov/ Seem'd like to Heaven, a seat where Gods might dwell, Or wander with delight, and love to haunt 330
Her sacred shades : though God had yet not rain'd Upon the Earth, and man to till the ground None wa.s ; but from the Earth a dewy mist Went up, and water'd all the ground, and each Plant of the field ; which, ere it was in the Earth, 335 Crod made, and every herb, before it grew On the green stem : God saw that it was good : So even and morn recorded the third day.
Again the Almighty spake, Let there be lights High in the expanse of Heaven, to divide 340
The day from night ; and let them be for signs, For seasons, and for days, and circling years ; And let them be for lights, as I ordain Their office in the firmament of Heavon, To give light on the Earth ; and it was so. 345
And God made two great lights, great for their use To Man, the greater to have rule by day, The less by night, altern ; and made the stars, And set them in the firmauient of Heaven To illuminate the Earth, and rule the day 350
In their vicissitude, and rule the night. And light from darkness to divide. God saw. Surveying his great work, that it was good : P'or of celestial bodies first the sun A mighty sphere he framed, unlightsome first, 355 Though of ethereal mould : then form'd the moon Globose, and every magnitude of stars. And sow'd with stars the Heaven, thick as a field : Of light by far the greater part he took, Transplanted frow her cloudy shrine, and placed 360. In the sun's orb, made porous to receive And drink the liquid light ; rirm to retain Her gather 'd beams, great palace now of light.
PARADISE LOST. 162
Hither, as to their fountain, other stars
Repairing, in their golden urns draw light, 365
And hence the morning planet gilds her horns ;
By tincture or reflection they augment
Their small peculiar, though from human sight
So far remote, with diminution seen.
First in his east the glorious lamp was seen, 370
Regent of da}-, and all the horizon round
Invested with bright rays, jocund to run
His longitude through HeaA^en's high road ; the gray
Dawn and the Pleiades before him danced,
Shedding sweet influence : less bright the moon, 375
But opposite in level'd west v/as set.
His mirror, with full face borrowing her light
From him ; for other light she needed none
In that aspect, and still that distance keeps
Till night ; then in the east her turn she shines, 380
Revolved on Heaven's great axle, and her reign
With thousand lesser lights dividual holds,
With thousand thousand stars, that then appear'd
Spangling the hemisphere : then first adorn'd
With their bright luminaries that set and rose, 385
Glad evening and glad morn crown'd the fourth day.
And God said. Let the waters generate Reptile with spawn abundant, living soul : And let fowl fly above the Earth, v/ith wings Display'd on the open firmamunt of Heaven. ^0
And God created the great whales, and each Soul living, each that crept, which plenteously The waters generated by their kinds ; And every bird of wing after his kind ; And saw that it was good, and bless'd them, saymg, Be fruitful, multiply, and in the seas 396
And lakes and rimning streams the waters fill ; And let the fowl be multiplied on the Earth. Forthwith the sounds and seas, each creek and bay, With fry innumerable swarm, and shoals 400
Offish that with their fins and shining scales
164 PARADISE LOST. b. vti
Glide under the green wave, in sculls that ofl
Bank the mid sea; part single, or v/ith mate,
Graze the seaweed their pasture, and through groves
Of coral stray ; or, sporting with quick glance, 405
Show to the sun their waved coats dropp'd with gold ;
Or, in their pearly shells at ease, attend
Moist nutriment ; or under rocks their food
In jointed armour watch : on smooth the seal
And bended dolphins play : part huge of bulk 410
Wallowing unwieldy, enormous in their gait.
Tempest the ocean : there leviathan,
Hugest of living creatures, on the deep
Stretch'd like a promontory sleeps or swims,
And seems a moving land ; and at his gills 415
Draws in, and at his trunk spouts out, a sea.
Meanwhile the tepid caves and fens and shores
Their brood as numerous hatch, from the ogg that soon
Bursting with kindly rupture forth disclosed 419
Their callow young ; but feather'd soon and fledge
They summ'd their pens ; and, soaring the air sublime,
With clang despised the ground, under a cloud
In prospect ; there the eagle and the stork
On cliffs and cedar tops their eyries build :
Part loosely wing the region, part more wise 425
In common, ranged in figure, wedge their way,
Intelligent of seasons, and set forth
Their aery caravan, high over seas
Flying, and over lands, with mutual wing
Easing their flight ; so steers the prudent crane 430
Her annual voyage, borne on winds ; the air
Floats as they pass, fann'd with unnumber'd plumes :
From branch to branch the smaller birds with song
Solaced the woods, and spread their painted wings
Till even ; nor then the solemn nightingale 43S
Ceased warbling, but all night tuned her soft lays :
Others, on silver lakes and rivers, bathed
Their downy breast ; the swan with arched neck,
Between her white wu^i>-s mantUni? proudly, rows
PARADISE LOST. 165
Her state with oary feet ; yet oft they quit 440
The dank, and, rising on stiff pennons, tower The mid aerial cky : others on ground Walk'd firm : the crested cock whose clarion sounds The silent hours, and the other whose gay train Adorns him, colour'd with the florid hue 445
Of rainbows and starry eyes. The waters thug With fish replenish'd, and the air with fowl, Evening and morn solemnized the fifth day.
The sixth, and of creation last, arose With evening harps and matin ; when God said, 450 Let the Earth bring forth soul living in her kind. Cattle, and creeping things, and beast of the Earth, Each in their kind. The Earth obey'd, and straight Opening her fertile womb teem'd at a birth Innuinerous living creatures, perfect forms, 455
Limb'd and full grown : out of the ground uprose, As from his lair, the wild beast vdiere he wous Tn forest wild, in thicket, brake, or den ; Among the trees in pairs they rose, they walk'd The cattle in the fields and meadows green : 460
Those rare and solitary, these in fiocks Pasturing at once, and in broad herds upsprung. The grassy clods now calved ; now half appear'd The tawny lion, pawing to get free His hinder parts, then springs as broke from bonds, 465 And rampant shakes his brinded mane ; the ounce. The libbard, and the tiger, as the mole Rising, the crumbled earth above them threw In hillocks : the swift stag from under ground Bore up his branching head : scarce from his mould 470 Behemoth bigsest born of earth upheaved His vastness : fleeced the flocks and bleating rose. As plants : ambiguous between sea and land The river-horse, and scaly crocodile. At once came forth whatever creeps the ground, 475 Insect or worm : those waved their limber fans For wings, and smallest lineaments exact
166 PARADISE LOST. b. vii
In all the liveries deck'd of summer's pride
With spots of gold and purple, azure and green :
These, as a line, their long dimension drew, 480
Streaking the ground with sinuous trace ; not all
Minims of nature ; some of serpent kind,
Wondrous in length and corpulence, involved
Their snaky folds, and added wings. First crept
The parsimonious emmet, provident 485
Of future ; in small room large hea,rt enclosed ;
Pattern of just equality perhaps
Hereafter, joined in her popular tribes
Of commonalty : swarming next appear'd
The female bee, that feeds her husband drone 490
Deliciously, and builds her waxen cells
With honey stored : the rest are numberless,
And thou their natures know'st, and gavest them nameB^
heedless to thee repeated ; nor unknov/n
The serpent, subtlest beast of all the field, 495
Of huge extent sometimes, with brazen eyes
And hairy mane terrific, though to thee
Not noxious, but obedient at thy call.
Now Heaven in all her glory shone, and roU'd Her motions, as the great first Mover's hand 500
First wheel'd their course : Earth in her rich attire Consummate lovely smiled ; air, water, earth. By fowl, fish, beast, was flown, was swum, was walk'd, Frequent ; and of the sixtk day yet remain'd : There wanted yet the master-work, the end 505
Of all yet done ; a creature, who, not prone And brute as other creatures, but endued With sanctity of reason, might erect His stature, and upright with front serene Govern the rest, self-knowing ; and from thence 510 Magnanimous to correspond with Heaven, But grateful to acknowledge whence his good Descends, thither with heart, and voice, and eyes Directed in devotion, to adore And worship God Supreme^ who made him chief 515
PARADISE LOST. 167
Of all his works : therefore the Omnipotent Eternal Father (for where is not he Present ?) thus to his Son audibly spake :
Let us make now Man in our imag^e, Man In our similitude, and let them rule 520
Over the fish and fowl of sea and air, Beast of the field, and over all the E ^rth. And every creeping thing that creeps the ground. This said, ho form'd thee. Adam, thee, O Man, Dust of the ground, and in thy nostrils breathed 525 The breath of life ; in his own image he Created thee, in the image of God Express ; and thou becamest a living soul. Male he created thee ; but thy consort Female, for race; then bless'd mankind, and said, 530 V>Q fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth ; Sr.'odue it, and throughout dominion hold Over fish of the sea, and fowl of the air. And every livmg thing that moves on the Earth. Wherever thus created, for no place 535
Is yet distinct by name, thence, as thou know'st, He brought thee into this delicious grove. This garden, planted with the trees of God, Delectable both to behold and taste ; And freely all their pleasaiU fruit for food 540
Gave thee ; all sorts are here that all the Earth yields Variety v\'ithout end ; but of the tree. Which, tasted, works knowledge of good and evil, Thou niayst not : in the day thou eat'st, thou diest : Death is the penalty imposed ; beware, 545
And govern well thy appetite ; lest Sin Surprise thee, and her black attendant Death.
Here finish'd he, and all that he had made View'd, and behold all was entirely good; So even and morn accomplish'd the sixth day ; 550 Yet not till the Creator from his work Desisting, though unwearied, up return'd, Up to the Heaven of Heavens, his high abode ;
168 PARADISE LOST. vn.
Thence to behold this new created world,
The addition of his empire, how it shovv'd 555
In prospect from his throne, how good, how fair,
Answering his great idea. Up he rode
Follow'd with acclamation, and the sound
Symphonious of ten thousand harps, that tuned
Angeiic harmonies : the earth, the air 560
Resounded (thou remember'st, for thou heard'st,)
The heavens and all the constellations rung
The planets in their station listening stood,
While the bright pomp ascended jubilant.
Open, ye everlasting gates ! they sung, 565
Open, ye Heavens ! your living doors ; let in
The great Creator from his work return'd
Magnificent, his six days' work, a World ;
Open, and henceforth oft ; for God will deign
To visit oft the dwellings of just men, 570
Delighted ; and with frequent intercourse
Thither will send his winged messengers
On errands of supernal grace. So sung
The glorious train ascending : He through Heaven,
That open'd wide her blazing portals, led 575
To G od'.^ eternal house direct the way ;
A broad and ample road, whose dust is gold
And pavement stars, as stars to thee appear,
Seen in the galaxy, that milky way.
Which nightly, as a circling zone, thou seest 580
Powder'd with stars. And now on Earth the seventh
Evening arose in Eden, for the sun
Was set, and twilight from the east came on.
Forerunning night ; when at the holy mount
Of Heaven's high-seated top, the imperial throne 585
Of Godhead, fix'd for ever firm and sure,
The Filial Power arrived, and sat him down
With his great Father ; for he also went
Invisible, yet staid (such privilege
Hath Omnipresence,) and the work crdain'd, 590
Author and End of all thino-s ; and, from work
PARADISE LOST. 169
Now testing, blessed and hallow'd the seventh day, As resting on that day from all his work . But not in silence holy kept : the harp Had work and rested not ; the solemn pipe, 596
And dulcimer, all organs of sweet stop, All sounds on fret b}' string or golden wire. Temper 'd soft tu:iings, intermix 'd with voice Choral or unison ; of incense clouds, Fuming from golden censers, hid the mount. 600
Creation and the six days' acts they sung : Great are thy works, Jehovah ! infinite Thy power ! what thought can measure thee, or tongue Relate thee ! Greater now in thy return Than from the giant Angels : Thee that day C05
Thy thmiders magnified ; but to create Is greater than created to destroy. Who can impair thee. Mighty King, or bound Thy empire ! Easily the proud attempt Of Spirits apostate, and their counsels vain, 610
Thou hast repelled ; while impiously they thought Thee to diminish, and from thee withdraw The number of thy worshippers. Who seeks To lessen thee, again.st his purpose serves To manifest the more thy might : his evil CI 5
Thou usest, and from thence Greatest more good. Witness this new-made world, another Heaven From Heaven gate not far, founded in view On the clear hyaline, the glassy sea: Of amplitude almost immense, with stars 620
Numerous, and every star perhaps a world Of destined habitation : but thou know'st Their seasons : among these the seat of Men, Earth, with her nether ocean circumfused. Their pleasant dwelling place. Thrice happy Men, 625 And sons of Men, whom God hath thus advanced I Created in his image, there to dwell And worship him ; and in reward to rule Over his works, on earth, m sea, or air, 15
170 PARADISE LOST. b. vir
And multiply a race of worshippers G3&
Holy and just : thrice happy, if they know Their happiness, and persevere upright ! So sung they, and the empyrean rung With hallelujahs : thus was sabbath kept. And thy request think now fulfill'd, that ask'd 631 How first this world and face of things began, And what before thy memory was done From the beginning ; that posterity, Inform'd by thee, might know : if else thou seek'st Aught, not surpassing human measure, say. G-^O
PARADISE LOST.
BOOK VIII.
<iltfam inquires concerning celestial motions ; is doubtfully answer- ed, and exhorted to search rather things more worthy of know- ledge : Adam assents : and, still dnsirous to detain Raphael, re- lates to him what he remembered since his own creation ; his placing in Paradise; his talk with God concerning solitude and fit society; his first meeting and nuptials with Eve; his dis- course with the Angel thereupon: who, after admonitions re- peated, departs
"he Angel ended, and in Adam's ear ■( 0 charming left his voice, that he awhile \ bought him still speaking, still stood fix'd to hear ; 'i hen, as new waked, thus gratefully replied;
What thanks sufficient, or Avhat recompense 5
Equal, have I to render thee, divine Historian, who thus largely hast allay'd The thirst I had of knowledge, and vouchsafed This friendly condescension to relate Things, else by me unsearchable ; now heard 10
With wonder, but delight, and, as is due, With glory Attributed to the high Crentor ! Something yet of doubt remains, Which only thy solution can resolve. Wh<rn I behold this goodly frame, this world, 15
Of Heaven and earth consisting ; and compute Their magnitudes ; this Earth, a spot, a grain, An n torn, with the firmament compared And all her numbered stars, that seem to roll Spa< Es incomprehensible (for such 20
The; • distance argues, and their swift return Diui lal.) merely to officiate light Rou d this opacous Earth, this punctual spot,
172 PARADISE LOST. b. vm.
One day and night ; in all her vast survey- Useless besides ; reasoning I oft admire 25 How Nature wise and frugal could commit Such disproportions, with superfluous hand So many nobler bodies to create, Greater so manifold, to this one use, For aught appears, and on their orbs impose 30 Such restless revolution day by day Repeated ; while the sedentary Earth, That better might with far less compass move, Served by more noble than herself, attains Her end without least motion, and receives, 35 As tribute, such a sumless journey brought Of incorporeal speed, her warmth and light ; Speed, to describe whose swiftness nuniber fails.
So spake our sire, and by his countenance seem'd Entering on studious thoiights abstruse ; which Eve Perceiving, where she sat retired in sight, 41
With lowliness niajestic from her seat, And grace that v:cn who saw to wish her stay, Rose, and went forth among her fruits and flowers, To visit hov/ they prospered, bud and bloom, 45
Her nursery ; they at her coming sprung. And, touch 'd by her fair tendance, gladlier grew. Yet went she not, as not with such discourse Delighted, or not capable her ear Of what was high : such pleasure she reserved, 50 Adam relating, she sole auditress ; Her husband the relater she preferr'd Before the Angel, and of him to ask Chose rather ; he, she knew, would intermix Grateful digressions, and solve high dispute 55
With conjugal caresses : from his lip Not words alone pleased her. O ! when meet now Such pairs, in love and mutual honour join'd ? With goddess-like demeanour forth she went. Not unattended ; for on her, as Queen, 6(J
A pomp of winning Graces waited still,
PARADISE LOST. 173
A.nd from about her shot darts of desire
Into ill eyes, to wish her still in sight.
And Raphael now, to Adam's doubt proposed,
Benevolent and facile thus replied : 65
T'j ask or search, I blame thee not ; for Heaven Is ai' the book of God before thee set, Wherein to read his wondrous works, and learn His reasons, hours, or days, or months, or years : Thiu to attain, whether Heaven move or Earth. 70 Imports not, if thou reckon right ; the rest Fro.n Man or Angel the great Architect Did wisely to conceal, and not divulge His secrets to be scann'd by them who ought Rather admire ; or, if they list to try 75
Conjecture, he his fabric of the Heavens Hath left to their disputes, perhaps to move His laughter at their quaint opinions wide Hereafter ; when they come to model Heaven And calculate the stars, how they will wield 80
The mighty frame ; how build, unbuild, contrive To save appearances ; how gird the sphere With centric and eccentric scribbled o'er. Cycle and epicycle, orb in orb :
Already by thy reasoning this I guess, 85
Who art to lead thy offspring, and supposest That bodies bright and greater should not serve The less not bright, nor Heaven such journeys run Earth sitting still, when she alone receives The benefit : Consider first, that great 90
Or bright infers not excellence : the Earth, Though, in comparison of Heaven, so small. Nor glistering, may of solid good contain More plenty tlmn the sun that barren shines ; Whose virtue on itself works no effect, 95
But in the fruitful Earth ; there first received, His beams, unactive else, their vigour find. Yet not to earth are those bright luminaries Officious J but to thee, Earth's habitant. 15*
174 PARADISE LOST. b. vm.
And for Llic ilcaven's wide circuit, let it speak 100
The Maimer's high magnificence, who built
So spacious, and liis line stretch'd out so far ;
That Man may know he dwells not in his own ;
An edifice too large for him to fill,
Lodged in a small partition ; and the rest 105
Ordain'd for uses to his Lord best known.
The swiftness of those circles cittribute,
Though numberless to his Omnipotence,
That to corporeal substances could add
Speed almost spiritual : Me thou think'st not slow,
Who since the morning-hour set out from Heaven 111
"Where God resides, and ere mid-day arrived
In Eden } distance inexpressible
By numbers that have name. But this I urge,
Admitting motion in the Heavens, to shov/ 115
Invalid that which thee to doubt it moved ;
Not that I so affirm, though so it seem
To thee who hast thy dwelling here on Earth.
God, to remove his vrays from human sense,
Placed Heaven from Earth so far, that earthly sight
If it presume, might err in things too high, 121
And no advantage gain. What if the sun
Be centre to the world ; and other stars,
By his attractive virtue and their own
Incited, dance about him various rounds.^ 125
Their wandering course now high, nov/ low, tlien hid,
Progressive, retrograde, or standing still,
In six thou secst ; and what if seventh to these
The planet earth, so steadfast though she seem,
Insensibly three diflerent motions move .'' 130
Which else to several spheres thou ranst ascribe,
Moved contrary with thwart obliquities ;
Or save the sun his labour, and that swift
Nocturnal and diurnal rhomb supposed,
Invisible else above all stars, the wheel 135
Of da}'- and night ; which needs not thy beliefj
If earth, industrious of herself, fetch day
PARADISE LOST. 175
Travelling east, and with her part adverse
From the sun's beam meet night, her other part
Still luminous by his ray. What if that light 140
Sent from her through the wide transpicuous air,
To the terrestrial moon be as a star,
Enlightening her by day, as she by night
This earth ? reciprocal, if land be there,
Fields, and inhabitants : Her spots thou seest 145
As clouds, and clouds may rain, and rain produce
Fruits in her soften'd soil for some to eat
Allotted there ; and other suns perhaps,
With their attendant moons, thou wilt descry,
Communicating male and female light ; 150
Which two great sexes animate the world.
Stored in each orb perhaps with some that live.
For such vast room in Nature unpossess'd
By living soul, desert and desolate.
Only to shine, yet scarce to contribute 155
Each orb a glimpse of light, convey'd so far
Down to this habitable, which returns
Light back to them, is obvious to dispute.
But whether thus these things, or whether not ;
Whether the sun, predominant in Heaven, 160
Rise on the earth ; or earth rise on the sun ;
He from the east his flaming road begin ;
Or she from west her silent course advance,
With inoffensive pace that spinning sleeps
On her soft axle, while she paces even, 165
And bears thee soft witla the smooth air along ;
Solicit not thy thoughts with matters hid ;
Leave them to God above ; him serve, and fear !
Of other creatuges, as him pleases best.
Wherever placed, let him dispose ; joy thou 170
In what he gives to thee, this Paradise
And thy fair Eve ; Heaven is for thee too high
To know what passes there ; be lowly wise :
Think only what concerns thee, and thy being j
Dream not of other worlds, what creatures there 175
176 PARADISE LOST. b. viii
Live, in what state, condition, or degree ; Contented that thus far hath been reveal'd Not of Earth only, but of highest Heaven.
To whom thus Adam, clear'd of doubt, replied : How fully hast thou satisfied me, pure 180
Intelligence of Heaven, Angel serene ! And, freed from intricacies, taught to live The easiest way ; nor with perplexing thoughts To interrupt the sweet of life, from which God hath bid dwell far off all anxious cares, 185
And not molest us ; unless we ourselves Seek them with wandering thoughts and notions vain. But apt the mind or fancy is to rove Uncheck'd, and of her roving is no end ; Till warn'd, or by experience taught, she learn, 100 That, not to know at large of things remote From use, obscure and subtle ; but, to know That which before us lies in daily life, Is the prime wisdom : What is more is fume, Or emptiness, or fond impertinence : 195
And renders us, in things that most concern, Unpractised, unprepared, and still to seek. Therefore from this high pitch let us desoend A lower flight, and speak of things at hand Useful ; whence, haply, mention may arise 200
Of something not unseasonable to ask. By sufferance, and thy wonted favour, deign'd. Thee I have heard relating what was done Ere my remembrance : now, hear me relate My story, which perhaps thou hast not heard ; 205 And day is not yet spent ; till then thou seest How subtly to detain thee I devise ; ' Inviting thee to hear while I relate ; Fond ! were it not in hope of thy reply : For, while I sit with thee, I seem in Heaven , 210 And sweeter thy discourse is to my ear Than fruits ot palm tree pleasantest to thirst And hunger bothj from labour, at the hour
TARADISE LOST. 177
Of sweet reiyast; they satiate, and soon fill, Though pleasant ; but thy words, with grace divine Imbued, bring to their sweetness no satiety. 216
To whom thus Raphael answer 'd heavenly meek : Nor are thy lips ungraceful. Sire of men, Nor tongue ineloquent ; for God on thee Abundantly his gifts hath also pour'd 220
Inward and outward both, his image fair : Speaking, or mute, all comeliness and grace Attend thee ; and each word, each motion, form j Nor less think we in Heaven of thee on Earth Than of our fellow-servant, and inquire 225
Gladly into the ways of God with Man : For God, we see, hath honour'd thee, and set On Man his equal love : Say therefore on ; For I that day was absent, as befel, Bound on a voyage uncouth and obscure, 230
Far on excursion toward the gates of Hell •, Squared in full legion (such command we he^d,) To see that none thence issued forth a spy, Or enemy, wTiile God was in his work ; Lest he, incensed at such eruption bold, 235
Destruction with creation might have mix'd. Not that they durst without his leave attempt ; But us he sends upon his high behests For state, as Sov'reign King ; and to inure Our prompt obedience. Fast we found, fast shut 240 The dismal gates, and barricadoed strong ; But long ere our approaching heard within Noise, other than the sound of dance or song, Torment, and loud lament, and furious rage Glad we return 'd up to the coasts of light 245
Ere sabbath-evening : so we had in charge. But thy relation now ; for I attend, Pleased wuth thy words no less than thou with mine.
So spake the Godlike Power, and thus our Sire ; For Man to tell how human life began 25Q
Is hard : for who hnnself beginning knew ?
178 PARADISE LOST. b. vij»
Desire with thee still longer to converse
Induced me. As new waked from soundest sleep,
Soft on the flowery herb I found me laid,
In balmy sweat ; which with his beams the sun 255
Soon dried, and on the reeking moisture fed.
Straight toward Heaven my wondering eyes I turn'd,
And gazed awhile the ample sky; till, raised
By quick instinctive motion, up I sprung.
As thitherward endeavouring, and upright 260
Stood on my feet : about me round I saw
Hill, dale, and shady woods, and sunny plains,
And liquid lapse of murmuring streams ; by these
Creatures that lived and moved, and walk'd, or flew ;
Birds on the branches warbling ; all things smiled ;
With fragrance and with joy my heart o'erflow'd. 266
Myself I then perused, and limb by limb
Survey'd, and sometimes went, and sometimes ran
With supple joints, as lively vigour led :
But who I was, or where, or from what cause, 270
Knew not ; to speak I tried, and forthwith spake ;
My tongue obey'd, and readily could name
Wbate'er I saw. Thou Sun, said I, fair light,
And thou enlighten'd Earth, so fresh and gay.
Ye Hills, and Dales, ye Rivers, Woods, and Plains,
And ye that live and move, fair Creatures, teJl, 276
Tell, if ye saw, how I came thus, how here ? —
Not of myself; by some great Maker then,
[n goodness and in power preeminent :
Tell me, how may I know him, how adore, 280
From whom I have that thus I move and live,
And feel that I am happier than I know.
While thus I call'd, and strayed I knew not whither,
Fron:\ where I first drew air, and first beheld
This happy light ; when, answer none return'd, 285
On a green shady bank, profuse of flowers.
Pensive I sat me down : there gentle sleep
First found me, and with soft oppression seized
My drowsied sense, untroubled, though I thought
PARADISE LOST. 179
[ then was passing to ray former state 290
Insensible, and forthwith to dissolve •
When suddenly stood at my head a dream,
Whose inward apparition gently moved
My fancy to believe I yet had being,
And lived One came, methought, of shape divine.
And said. Thy mansion wants thee, Adam : rise, 296
First Man, of men innumerable ordain'd
First Father ! call'd by thee, I come thy guide
To the garden of bliss, thy seat prepared.
Ho saying, by the hand he took me raised, 300
And over fields and waters, as in air
Smooth sliding without step, last led me up
A woody mountain ; whose high top Avas plain^
A circuit wide, enclosed, with goodliest trees
Planted, with walks and bowers ; that what I saw 305
Of Earth before scarce pleasant seem'd. Each tree,
Loaden with fairest fruit that hung to the eye
Tempting, stirr'd in me sudden appetite
To pluck and eat ; whereat I waked, and found
Before mine eyes all real, as the dream 310
Had lively shadow'd : Here had new begun
My wandering, had not he, who was my guide
Up liither, from among the trees appear'd,
Presence Divine. Rejoicing, but with awe,
In adoration at his feet I foil 315
Submiss : He rear'd me, and Whom thou sought'st I am,
Said mildly, Author of all this thou seest
Above, or round about thee, or beneath.
This Paradise I give thee, count it thine
To till and Keep, and of the fruit to eat : 320
Of every tree that in the garden grows
Eat freely with glad heart ; fear here no dearth
But of the tree whose operation brings
Knowledge of good and ill, which I have set
The pledge of thy obedience and thy faith, 325
Amid the garden by the tree of life.
Remember what I warn thee, shun to taste.
180 PARADISE LOST. u. viii
And shun the bitter consequence : for know
The day thou eat'st tliereof, my sole command
Transgress'd, inevitably thou shalt die, 330
From that day mortal ; and this happy state
Shalt lose, expell'd from hence into a world
Of woe and sorrow. Sternly ho pronounce
The rigid interdiction, which resounds
Vet dreadful in mine ear, though in my choic6 335
Not to incur ; but soon his clear aspect
Return'd, and gracious purpose thus renew'd
Not only these fair bounds, but all the Earth
To thee and to thy race I give ; as lords
Possess it, and all things that therein live, 340
Or live in sea, or air ; beast, fish, and fowl.
In sijDfn whereof, each bird and beast behold
After their kinds ; I bring them to receive
From thee their names, and pay thee fealty
With low subjection : understand the same 345
Of fish within their watery residence,
Not hither summon'd, since they cannot change
Their element, to draw the thinner air.
And thus he spake, each bird and beast behold
Approaching two and two ; these cowering low 350
Witli blandishment ; each bird stoop 'd on his wing.
T named them as they pass'd, and understood
Their nature, with such knowledge God endued
My sudden apprehension : But in these
I found not what methought I wanted still ; 355
And to the heavenly Vision thus presumed :
O, by what name, for thou above all these, Above mankind, or aught than mankind higher, Surpassest far my naming ; how may I Adore thee, Author of this universe, 360
And all this good to man ? for whose well being So amply, and with hands so liberal. Thou hast provided all things : But with me I see not who partakes. In solitude Wliat happiness, who can enjoy alone, 365
PARADISE LOST. 181
Or, all enjoying, what contentment find ? Thus I presumptuous ; and the Vision bright, As with a smile more brightcn'd, thus replied:
What callst thou solitude ? Is not the Earth With various living creatures, and the air 370
Replenish'd, and all these at thy command To come and pla}' before thee ? Know'st thou not Their language and their ways ? They also know, And reason not contemptibly ; With these Find ^tastime, and bear rule : thy realm is large. 375 So spake the Universal Lord, and seem'd So ordering : I, with leave of speech implored, And humble deprecation, thus replied :
Let not my words offend thee, Heavenly Power , My Maker, be propitious while I speak. 380
Hast thou not made me here thy substitute. And these inferior far beneath me set .'' Among unequals what society Can sort, what harmony, or true delight ? Which must be mutual, in proportion due 385
Giveir and received ; but, in disparity The one intense, the other still remiss, Cannot well suit with either, but soon prove Tedious alike : of fellowship I speak, Such as I seek, fit to participate 390
All rational delight : wherein the brute Cannot be human consort : They rejoice Each with their kind, lion with lioness ; So fitly them in pairs thou liast combined : Much less can bird with beast, or fish with fowl 305 So well converse, nor with the ox the ape ; Worse then can man with beast, and least of all.
Whereto tlie Almighty answer 'd, not displeased A nice and subtle happiness, I see, Thou to thyself proposest, in the choice 400
Of thy associates, Adam ! and wilt taste No pleasure, though in pleasure, solitary. What think 'st thou then of me, and this my state ? 16
182 PARADISE LOST. b. viii
Seem I to thee sufficiently pcssess'd
Of happiness, or not ? who am alone 405
From all eternity ; for none I know
Second to me or like, equal much less.
How have I then with whom to hold converse,
Save with the creatures which I made, and those
To me inferior, infinite descents 410
Beneath what other creatures are to thee ?
He ceased ; I lowly answcr'd : To attain The height and depth of thy eternal ways All human thoughts come short, Supreme of things ! Thou in thyself art perfect, and in thee 415
Is no deficiencc found : Not so is Man, But in degree ; the cause of his desire By conversation with his like to help Or solace his defects. No need that thou Shouldst propagate, already Infinite; 420
And through all numbers absolute, though One : But Man by number is to manifest His single imperfection, and beget Like of his like, his image multiplied, In umty defective ; which requires 425
Collateral love, and dearest amity. Thou in thy secrecy although alone, Best with thyself accompanied, seek'st not Social communication ; yet, so pleased, Canst raise thy creature to what height thou wilt 430 Of union or comnmnion, deified : I, by conversing, cannot these erect From prone ; nor in their v/ays com-placence find Thus I embolden'd spake, and freedom used Permissive, and acceptance found ; which gain'd 435 This answer from the gracious Voice Divine :
Thus far to try thee, Adam, I was pleased ; And find thee knowing, not of beasts alone. Which thou hast rightly named, but of thyself; Expressing well the spirit within thee free, 440
Wy image, not imparted to the brute ;
PARADISE LOST. 183
Whose fellowship therefore unmeet for thee
Good reason was thou freely shouldil dislike ;
And be so minded still : I, ere thou spakest,
Knew it not good for Man to be alone : 445
And no such company as then thou saw'st
Intended thee ; for trial only brought,
To see how thou couldst judge of fit and meet ;
What next I bring shall please tliee, be assured,
Thy likeness, thy fit help, thy other self, 450
Thy wish exactly to thy heart's desire.
He ended, or I heard no more ; for now My earthly by his heavenly overpower'd, Which it had long stood under, strain'd to the height In that celestial colloquy sublime, 455
As with an object that excels the sense Dazzled and spent, sunk down; and- sought repair Of sleep, which instantly fell on me, call'd By Nature as in aid, and closed mine eyes. Mine eyes he closed, but open left the cell 460
Of fancy, ray internal sight; by which, Abstract as in a trance, methought I saw. Though sleeping, where I lay, and saw the shape Still glorious before v/hom awake I stood : Who stooping open'd my left side, and took 465
From thence a rib, with cordial spirits warm. And life-blood streaming fresh ; wide was the wound, But suddenly with flesh fill'd up and heal'd : The rib he form'd and fashion'd with his hands ; Under his forming hands a creature grew, 470
Manlike, but different sex ; so lovely fair, That what seem'd fair in all the world, seem'd now Mean, or in her summ'd up, in her contain'd And in her looks; which from that time infused Sweetness into my heart, unfelt before, 475
And into all tilings from her air inspired The spirit of love and amorous delight. She disappear'd, and left me dark ; I waked To find her, or for ever to deplore
184 PARADISE LOST. b. tih.
Her loss, and other pleasures all abjure: 480
When out of hope, behold her, not far off,
Such as I saw her in my dream, adorn'd
With what all Earth or Heaven could bestow
To make her amiable : On she came,
Led by her heavenly Maker, though unseen, 485
And guided by his voice; nor uninform'd
Of nuptial sanctity and marriage rites :
Grace was in all her steps, Heaven in her eye,
In every gesture dignity and love.
1, overjoy'd, could not forbear aloud : 490
This turn hath made amends ; thou hast fulfill'd Thy words, Creator bounteous and benign, Giver of all things fair ! but fairest this Of all thy gifts ! nor enviest. I now see Bone of my bone, flesh of my flesh, myself 495
Before me : Woman is her name ; of Man Extracted ; for this cause he shall forego Father and mother, and to his wife adhere j And they shall be one flesh, one heart, one soul.
She heard me thus : and though divinely brought. Yet innocence, and virgin modesty, 501
Her virtue, and the conscience of her worth, That would be woo'd, and not unsought to be won, Not obvious, not obtrusive, but retired, The more desirable ; or, to say all, &05
Nature herself, though pure of sinful thought, Wrought in her so, that seeing me she turn'd : I follow'd her ; she what was honour knew. And with obsequious majesty approved My pleaded reason. To the nuptial bower 510
I led her blushing like the morn : All Heaven And happy constellations on that hour Shed their selectest influence ; the Earth Gave sign of gratulation, and each hill ; Joyous the birds ; fresh gales and gentle airs 515
Whisper'd it to the woods, and from their wings Flung rose, flung odours from the spicy shrub,
PARADISE LOST. 185
Disporting, till the amorous bird of night
Sung spousal, and bid haste the evening star
On his hill top, to light the bridal lamp. 520
Thus have I told thee all my state, and brought My story to the sum of earthly bliss. Which I enjoy ; and must confess to find In all things else delight indeed, but such As, used or not, works in the mind no change, 525 Nor vehement desire ; these delicacies I mean of taste, sight, smell, herbs, fruits, and flowers, Walks, and the melody of birds : but here Far otherwise, transported I behold, Transported touch ; here passion first I felt, 530
Commotion strange ! in all enjoyments else Superior and unmoved ; here only weak Against the charm of Beautys powerful glance Or Nature fail'd in me, and left some part Not proof enough such object to sustain ; 535
Or, from my side subducting, took perhaps More than enough ; at least on her bestow'd Too much of ornament, in outward show Elaborate, of inward less exact.
For well I understand in the prime end 540
Of Nature her the inferior, in the mind And inward faculties, which most excel ; In outward also her resembling less His image who made both, and less expressing The character of that dominion given 545
O'er other creatures : Yet when I approach Her loveliness, so absolute she seems And in herself complete, so well to know Her own, that what she wills to do or say Seems wisest, virtuousest, discreetest, best : 550
A.11 higher knowledge in her presence falls Degraded ; Wisdom in discourse with her Loses discountenanced, and like folly shows Authority and Reason on lier wait,
186 PARADISE LOST. b. tiii.
As one intended first, not after made 555
Occasionally ; and. to consummate all, Greatness of mind and nobleness their seat Build in her loveliest, and create an awe About her, as a guard angelic placed.
To whom the Angel with contracted brow : 560
Accuse not Nature, she hath done her part ; Do thou but thino ; and be not difBdent Of Wisdom; she deserts thee not, if thou Dismiss not her, when most thou need'st her nigh, By attributing overmuch to things 5G5
Less exellent, as thou thyself perceivest. For, what adrairest thou, what transports thee so ? An outside ? fair, no doubt, and wortliy well Thy cherishing, thy honouring, and thy love ; Not thy subjection ; Weigh with her thyself; 570
Then value : Ofttimes nothing profits more Than self-esteem, grounded on just and right Well managed ; of that skill the more thou know'st, The more she will acknowledge thee her head, And to realities yield all her shows : 575
Made so adorn for thy delight the more. So awful, that with honour thou mayst love Thy mate, who sees when thou art seen least wise. But if the sense of touch, whereby mankind Is propagated, seem such dear delight 580
Beyond all other ; think the same vouchsafed To cattle and each beast ; which would not be To them made common and divulged, if aught Therein enjoy'd were worthy to subdue The soul of man, or passion in liim move. 585
What higher in her society thou find'st Attractive, human, rational, love still ; In loving thou dost well, in passion not, W^herein true love consists not : Love refines The thoughts, and heart enlarges ; hath his seal 500 In reason and is judicious ; is the scale
PARADISE LOST 187
By which to heavenly love thou mayst ascend. Not sunk in carnal pleasure ; for which cause, Among the beasts no mate for thee was found.
To whom thus, half abash'd, Adam replied ; 595
Neither her outside form'd so fair, nor aught In procreation common to all kinds (Though higher of the genial bed by far, And with mysterious reverence I deem,) So much delights me, as those graceful acts, 600
Those thousand decencies, that daily flow From all her words and actions, raix'd with love And sweet compliance, which declare unfeign'd Union of mind, or in us both one soul ; Harmony to behold in wedded pair G05
More grateful than harmonious sound to the ear. Yet these subject not ; I to thee disclose "What inward thence I feel, not therefore foil'd, Who meet with various objects, from the sense Variously representing ; yet still free, lilO
ApproA'^e the best, and follow what I approve. To love thou blamcst m.e not ; for Love, thou sav'Bt, Leads up to Heaven, is both the way and guide : Bear with me then, if lawful what I ask : Love not the heavenly Spirits, and how their love 015 Express they ? by looks only ? or do they mix Irradiance, virtual or immediate touch ?
To whom the Angel, with a smile that glow'd Celestial rosy red, Love's proper hue, Answer'd : Let it suffice thee tliat thou know'st C\iO Us happy, and without love no happiness Whatever pure thou in the body cnjoy'st (And pure thou wert created,) we enjoy In eminence ; and obstacle find none Of membrane, joint, or limb, exclusive bars ; C2o
Easier than air with air, if Spirits embrace, Total they mix, union of pure with pure Desiring, nor restrain'd conveyance need, As flesh to mix with flesh, or soul with snul.
188 PARADISE LOST. b. viii.
But 1 can now no more ; the parting sun 630
Beyond the Earth's green Cape and verdant Isles
Hesperian sets, my signal to depart.
Be strong, live happy, and love ! But, first of all,
Him, whom to love is to obey, and keep
His great command : take heed lest passion sway 635
Thy judgment to do aught, which else free will
Would not admit: thine, and of all thy sons,
The weal or woe in thee is placed : beware !
I in thy persevering shall rejoice,
And all the bl iss'd : Stand fast; to stand or fall 640
Free in thine own arbitrement it lies.
Perfect within, no outv/ard aid require ;
And all temptation to transgress repel.
So saying, he arose ; whom Adam thus Follow'd with benediction. Since to part, 645
Go, heavenly guest, ethereal Messenger, Sent from whose sov'reign goodness I adore ! Gentle to me and affable hath been Thy condescension, and shall be honour'd ever With grateful memory : Thou to mankind 650
Be good and friendly still, and oft return !
So parted they ; the Angel up to Heaven From the thick shade, and Adam to liis bower
PARADISE LOST.
BOOK IX.
Saian, liaving compassed the Earth, with meditated guile returno, as a mist, by night into Paradise; enters into the Serpent sleep- ing. Adarn and Eve in the morning go forth to their labours, whicii Eve proposes to divide in several places., each labouring apart: Adam consents not; alleging the danger, lest that enemy, of whom they were forowarneil, should attempt her found alone ; Eve, loath to be thought not circumspect or tirni enough, urges her going apart, the rather desirous to make trial of her strength ; Adam at last yields: The Serpent finds her alone ; his subtle ap- proach, first gazing, then speaking ; with much flattery extolling Eve above all other creatures. Eve, wondering to hear the Ser- pent speak, asks how ho attained to human speech and such un- derstanding not till now ; tlie Serpent answers, that by tastinff of a certain trp». in the garden he attained both to speech and reason, till then void of both: Eve requires him to bring her to that tree, and finds it to be the tree of knowledge forbidden: The Serpent, now grown bolder, with many wiles and arguments, in- duces her at length to eat ; she, jdeased with the taste, deliberates awhile whether to imj)ari; thereof to Adam or not; at last brings him of the fruit; relates what persuaded her to eat thereof; Adam, at first amazed, but |> rcciving her lost, resolves, through vehemence of love, to perish with her: and, extenuating the tres- pass, eats also of the fruit; Tlie effects thereof in them both; they seek to cover tlieir nakedness; then fall to variance and accusation of one another.
No more of talk where God or Angel guest
With Man, as with his friend, familiar used,
To sit indulgent, and with him partake
Rural repast ; permitting him the while
S'^enial discourse unblamed. I now must change 5
Those notes to tragic ; foul distrust, and breach
Disloyal on the part of Man, revolt,
And disobedience : on the part of Heaven,
Now alienated, distance and distaste,
Anger and just rebuke, and judgment given, 10
That brought into this world a world of woe,
Sin and her shadov/ Death, and misery.
Death's harbinger : sad task ! yet argument
Not less but more heroic than the wiath
Of stern Achilles on his foe ])ursued 15
190 PARADISE LOST. b. ix
Thrice fugitive about Troy wall ; or rage
Of Turnus for Lavinia disespoused ;
Or Neptune's ire, or Juno's, that so long
Perplex'd the Greek, and Cytherea's son :
If answerable style I can obtain 20
Of my celestial patroness, who deigns
Her nightly visitation unimplored,
And dictates to me slumbering ; or inspires
Easy my unpremeditated verse :
Since first this subject for heroic song 25
Pleased me long choosing, and beginning late ;
Not sedulous by nature to indite
Wars, hitherto the only argument
Heroic deem'd ; chief mastery to dissect
With long and tedious havoc fabled kn'ghts 30
In battles feign'd ; the better fortitude
Of patience and heroic martyrdom
Unsung ; or to describe races and games,
Or tilting fartiiture, imblazon'd shields,
Impresses (-niiint, caparisons and steeds, 35
Bases and i ,it;el trappings, gorgeous knights
At joust and tournament ; then marshal'd feast
Served up in hall with sewers and seneshals ;
The skill of artifice or ofiice mean,
Not that which justly gives heroic name 40
To person or to poem. Me, of these
Nor skill'd nor studious, higher argument
Kemains ; sufficient of itself to raise
That name, ujoless an age too late, or cold
Climate, or years, damp my intended wing 45
Depress'd ; and much they may, if all be mine,
Not hers, who brings it nightly to my ear.
Tlie sun was sunk, and after him the star Of Hesperus, whose office is to bring Twilight upon the earth, short arbiter 50
'Twixt day and night, and now from end to end Night's hemisphere had veil'd the horizon romid • "When Satan, who late fled before the threats
PARADISE LOST. 191
Of Gabriel out of Eden, now improved In meditated fraud and malice, bent 55
On Man's destruction, maugre what might hap Of heavier on himself, fearless return'd. By night he fled, and at midnight return'd From compassing the earth ; cautious of day, Since Uriel, regent- of the sun, descried GO
His entrance, and forewarn'd the Cherubim That kept their watch ; thence full of anguish driven, The space of seven continued nights he rode With darkness ; thrice the equinoctial line He circled ; four times cross"d the car of night. 65 From pole to pole, traversing each colure ; On the eighth return'd ; and, on the coast averse From entrance or cherubic watch, by stealth Found unsuspected way. There was a place, Now not, though sin, not time, first wrought the change, Where Tigris, at the foot of Paradise, 71
Into a gulf shot under ground, till part Ptose up a fountain by the tree of life : In with the river sunk, and with it rose Satan, involved in rising mist ; then sought 75
Where to lie hid ; sea he had search'd, and land, From Eden over Pontus and the pool Mseotis, up beyond the river Ob ; Downward as far antarctic ; and in length, West from Orontes to the ocean barr'd 80
At Daricn ; thence to the land where flows Ganges and Indus : Thus the orb he roam'd With narrow search ; and with inspection deep Considered every creature, which of all Most opportune might serve his wiles ; and found 85 The Serpent subtlest beast of all the field. Him after long debate, irresolute Of thoughts revolved, his final sentence chose Fit vessel, fittest imp of fraud, in whom To enter, and his dark suggestions hide 90
From sharpest sight • for, in the wily snake
192 PARADISE LOST. b. ix.
Whatever sleights, none would suspicious mark, As from his wit and native subtlety Proceeding ; which, in other beasts observed, Doubt might beget of diabolic power 95
Active within, beyond the sense of brute. Thus he resolved, but first from inward grief His bursting passion into plaints thus pour'd :
O Earth, how like to Heaven, if not preferr'd More justly, seat worthier of Gods, as built 100
With second thoughts, reforming what was old ! For what God, after better, worse would build .'' Terrestrial Heaven, danced round by other Heavens That shine, yet bear their bright officious lamps, Light above light, for thee alone, as seems, 105
In thee concentring all their precious beams Of sacred influence ! As God in Heaven Is centre, yet extends to all ; so thou, Centring, receivest from all those orbs : in thee Not in themselves, all tlieir known virtue appears 110 Productive in herb, plant, and nobler birth Of creatures animate with gradual life Of growth, sense, reason, all summ'd up in Man. With what delight could I have walk'd thee round, If I could joy in aught, sv/eet interchange 115
Of hill, and valley, rivers, woods, and plains. Now land, now sea, and shores with forest crown d, Rocks, dens, and caves! But I in none of these Find plrxe or refuge ; and the more I see Pleasures about me, so much more I feel 120
Torment within me, as from the hateful siege Of contraries : all good to me becomes Bane, and in Heaven much worse would be my state. But neither here seek I, no nor in Heaven To dwell, unless by mastering Heaven's Supreme ; 125 Nor hope to be myself less miserable By what I seek, but others to make such As I, though thereby worse to me redound: For only in destroying I find ease
PARADISE LOST. 193
To my relentless thoughts ; and, him destroy'd, 130 Or won to what may work his utter loss, For whom all this was made, all this will soon Follow, as to him link'd in weal or woe ; In woe then ; that destruction wide may range : To me shall be the glory sole among 135
The infernal Powers, in one day to have marr'd What he, Almighty styloid, six nights and days Continued making ; and who knows how long Before had been contriving ? though perhaps Not longer since than I, in one night, freed J 40
From servitude inglorious well nigh half The angelic name, and thinner left the throng Of his adorers : He, to be avenged, And to repair his numbers thus impair'd, Whether such virtue spent of old now fail'd 145
?tIore Angels to crsAate, if they at least Are his created, or, to spite us more, Determined to advance into our room A creature form'd of earth, and him endow, Exalted from so base original, 150
With heavenly spoils, our spoils • What he decreed, He effected ; Man he made, and for him built Magnificent this world, and earth his seat, Him lord pronounced ; and, O indignity ! Subjected to his service angel-wings, 155
And flaming ministers to watch and tend Their earthly charge : Of these the vigilance I dread; and, to elude, thus wrapp'd in mist Ol' midnight vapour glide obscure, and pry ^^ every bush and brake, where hap may find 160
^T/tO serpent sleeping ; in whose mazy folds o hide me, and the dark intent I bring. O foul descent ! that I, w'.o erst contended "With Gods to sit the highest, am now constrain'd Into a beast ; and, mix'd witli bestial slime, 165
This essence to incarnate and imbrute. That to the height of Deity aspired ' 17
194 PARADISE LOST. b. ix
But what will not ambition and revenge
Descend to ? Who aspires must down as low
As high he soar'd ; obnoxious, first or last, 170
To basest things. Revenge, at first though sweet,
Bitter ere long, back on itself recoils :
Let it ; I reck not, so it light well aim'd,
Since higher I fall short, on him who next
Provokes my enyy, this new favourite 175
Of Heaven, this man of clay, son of despite,
Whom, us the more to spite, his Maker raised
From dust : Spite then with spite is best repaid.
So saying, through each thicket danlt or dry, Like a black mist low-creeping, he held on 180
His midnight search, where soonest he might find The serpent ; him fast sleeping soon he found In labyrinth of many a round self-roll'd. His head the midst, well stored with subtile wiles. Not yet in horrid shade or dismal den, 185
Nor nocent yet ; but, on the grassy herb, Fearless unfear'd he slept : in at his mouth The Devil enter'd ; and his brutal sense, In heart or head, possessing, soon inspired With act intelligential ; but his sleep 190
Disturb'd not, waiting close the approach of morn Now, when as sacred light began to dawn In Eden on the humid floAvers, that breathed Their morning incense, when all things that breathe, From the Earth's great altar send up silent praise 195 To the Creator, and his nostrils fill With grateful smell, forth came the human pair, And join'd their vocal worship to the choir Of creatures wanting voice ; that done, partake The season, prime for sweetest scents and airs : 200 Then commune, how that d&y they best may ply Their growing work . for much their work outgrew The hands' despatch of two gardening so wide, And Eve first to her husband thus began :
Adam, well may we labour «jtill to dress 205
PARADISE LOST. 195
This garden, still to tend plant, herb, and flower,
Our pleasant task enjoin'd ; but, till more hands
Aid us, the work under our labour grows,
Luxurious by restraint ; what we by day
Lop overgrown, or prune, or prop, or bind, 210
One night or two with wanton growth derides,
Tending to wild. Thou therefore now advise,
Or bear what to my mind first thoughts present :
Let us divide our labours ; thou, where choice
Leads thee, or where most needs, whether to wind 215
The woodbine round this arbour, or direct
The clasping ivy where to climb ; while I,
In yonder spring of roses intermix'd
With myrtle, find what to redress till noon :
For, while so near each other thus all day 220
Our task we choose, what wonder if, so near,
Looks intervene and smiles, or object new
Casual discourse draw on ; which intermits
Our day's work, brought to little, though begun
Early, and the hour of supper comes unearn'd.'' 225
To whom mild answer Adam thus return'd : Sole Eve, associate sole, to me beyond Compare above all living creatures dear ! Well hast thou motion'd, well thy thoughts employ'd, How we might best fulfil the work which here 230 God hath assign'd us ; nor of me shalt pass Unpraised : for nothing lovelier can be found In woman, than to study household good, And good works in her husband to promote. Tiet not so strictly hath our Lord imposed 235
Labour, as to debar us when we need Refreshment, whether food or talk between, Food of the mind, or this sweet intercourse Of looks and smiles ; for smiles from reason flow. To brute denied, and are of love the food , 240
Love, not the lowest end of human life. For not to irksome toil, but to delight, He made us, and delight to reason join'd.
196 PARADISE LOST. b, is.
These paths and bowers doubt not but our joint hands
Will keep from wilderness with case, as wide 245
As we need walk, till younger liands ere long
Assist us : but, if much converse perhaps
Thee satiate, to short absence I could yield :
For solitude sometimes is best society,
And short retirement urges sweet return. 250
But other doubt possesses me, lest harm
Befal thee sever'd from me ; for thou know'st
What hath been warn'd us, what malicious foe
Envying our happiness, and of his own
Despairing, seeks to work us woe and shame 255
By sly assault ; and somewhere nigh at hand
Watches, no doubt, with greedy hope to find
His wish and best advantage, us asunder ;
Hopeless to circumvent us join'd, where each
To other speedy aid might lend at need : 260
Whether his first design be to withdraw
Our fealty from God, or to disturb
Conjugal love, than which perhaps no bliss
Enjoy'd by us excites his crxvy more ;
Or this, or worse, leave not the faithful side 265
That gave thee being, still shades thee, and protects
The wife, where danger or dishonour lurks,
Safest and seemliest by her husband stays,
Who guards her, or with her the worst endures.
To whom the virgin majesty of Eve, 270
As one who loves, and some unkindness meets, With sweet austere composure thus replied :
Offspring of Heaven and Earth, and all Earth's Lord' That such an enemy we have, who seeks Our ruin, both by thee inform'd I learn, 275
And from the parting Angel overheard, As in a shady nook I stood behind. Just then relurn'd at shut of evening flowers. But. that thou shouldst my firmness therefore -doubt To God or thee, because we have a foe 2^
May tempt it, I expected not to hear.
PARADISE LOST. 197
His violence thou fear'st not, being such
As v/e, not capable of death or pain,
Can either not receive, or can repel.
His fraud is then thy fear ; which plain infers 285
Thy equal fear, that my firm faith and love
Can by his fraud be shaken or seduced ;
Thoughts, which how found they harbour in thy breast,
Adam, misthought of her to thee so dear .''
To whom with healing words Adam replied 290 Daughter of God and Man, immortal Eve ! For such thou art ; from sin and biame entire : Not diffident of thee do I dissuade Thy absence from my sight, but to avoid The attempt itself, intended by our foe. 295
For he who tempts, though in vain, at least asperses The tempted with dishonour foul ; supposed Not incorruptible of faith, not proof Against temptation : thou thyself with scorn And anger wouldst resent the ofFer'd wrong, 300
Though iueffectual found : misdeem not then, If such affront I labour to avert From thee alone, which on us both at once The enemy, though bold, will hardly dare ? Or daring, first on me the assault shall light. 305
Nor thou his malice and false guile contemn ; Subtle he needs must be, who could seduce Angels ; nor think superfluous others' aid. I, from the influence of thy looks, receive Access in every virtue ; in thy sight 310
More wise, more watchful, stronger, if need were Of outward strength ; while shame, thou looking on, Shame to be overcome or overreach'd, Would utmost vigour raise, and raised unite. Why shculdst not thou like sense within thee feel 31o Wl'.en I am present, and thy trial choose With me, best witness of thy virtue tried ?
So spake domestic Adam in his care And matrimonial love ; but Eve, who thought 17*
198 PARADISE LOST. b. is
Less dttributed to lier faith sincere, 320
Thus her reply with accent sweet renew'-d •
If this be our condition, thus to dwell In narrow circuit straiten'd by a foe, Subtle or violent, we not endued Single with like defence, wherever met ; 325
How are we happy, still in f«ar of harm? But harm precedes not sin : only our foe, Tempting, affronts us with his foul esteem Of our integrity : his foul esteem
Sticks no -dishonour on our front, but turns 330
Foul on himself; then wherefore shunn'd or fear'd By us ? who rather double ]\onour gain From his surmise proved false ; find p^ace within, Favour from Heaven, our witness, from the event. And what is faith, love, virtue, unassay'd 335
Alone, without exterior help sustain'd ? Let us not then suspect our happy state Left so imperfect by the Maker wise. As not secure to single or combined. Frail is our happiness, if this be so, 340
And Eden were no Eden, thus exposed.
To whom thus Adam fervently replied : O Woniau, best arc all things as the will Of God ordain'd them : His creating hand Nothing imperfect or deficient left 345
Of all that he created, much less Man, Or aught that might his happy state secure, Secure from outward foixe ; within himself The danger lies, yet lies within his power : Against his will he can receive no harm. 350
But God left free the will ; for what obeys Reason, is free : and Reason he made right, But bid her v/ell beware, and still erect ; Lest, by some fair-appearing good surprised, She dictate false ; and misinform the will 355
To do what God expressly hath forbid. Not then mistrust, but tender love, enjomp,
PARADISE LOST. VJ9
That I should mind thee oft ; and mind thou me,
Firm we subsist, yet possible to swerve;
Since Reason not impossibly may meet 360
Some specious object by the foe suborn'd,
And fall into deception unaware,
Not keeping strictest watch, as she was warn'd.
Seek not temptation then, w^hicli to avoid
Were better, and most likely if from me 365
Thou sever not : trial will come unsought.
Wouldst thou approve thy constancy, approve
First thy obedience ; the other who can know.
Not seeing thee attempted, who attest ?
But, if thou think, trial unsought may find 370
Us both securer than thus warn'd thou seem'st,
Go ; for thy stay, not free, absents thee more ;
Go in thy native innocence, rely
On what thou hast of virtue ; summon all !
For God towards thee hath done his part : do thine.
So spake the patriarch of mankind ; but Eve 375 Persisted ; yet submiss, though last, replied :
With thy permission then, and thus forewarn'd Chiefly by w^hat thy own last reasoning words Touch'd only ; that our trial, when least sought, May find us both perhaps far less prepared, 380
The willinger I go, nor much expect A foe so proud will first the w^caker seek ; So bent, the more shall shame him his repulse.
Thus saying, from her husband's hand her hand Soft she withdrew ; and, like a Woodnymph light, 385 Oread or Dryad, or of Delia's train. Betook her to the groves ; but Delia's self In gait surpass'd, and goddesshke deport. Though not as she with bow and quiver arm'd, But with such gardening tools as Art yet rude, 390 Guiltless of fire, had form'd, or Angels brought. To Pales, or Pomona, thus adorn d, Likest she seem'd, Pomona when she fied Vertumnus, or to Ceres in her prime,
200 PARADISE LOST b. is.
Yet virgin of Prcjserpina from Jove. 395
Her long with ardent look his eye pursued
Delighted, but desiring more her stay.
Oft he to her his charge of quick return
Repeated ; she t,o him as oft engaged
To be ret urn 'd by noon amid the bower, 400
And all things in best order to invite
Noontide repast, or afternoon's repose.
O much deceived, much failiiig, hapless Eve,
Of thy presumed return ! event perverse !
Thou never from that hour in Paradise 405
Found'st either sweet repast or sound repose ;
Such ambush, hid among sweet flowers and shades,
Waited with hellish rancour imminent
To intercept thy way, or send thee back
Despoil'd of innocence, of faith, of bliss ! 410
For now, and since first break of dawn, the Fiend,
Mere serpent in appearance, forth was come j
And on his quest, where likeliest he might find
The only two of mankind, but in them
The whole included race, his purposed prey. 415
In bower and field he sought, where any tuft
Of grove or garden plot more pleasant lay,
Their tendance, or plantation for delight j
By fountain or by shady rivulet
He sought them both, but wish'd his hap might find
Eve separate ; he wish'd, but not with hope 421
Of what so seldom chanced ; v/hen to his wish,
Beyond his hope, Eve separate he spies,
Veil'd in a cloud of fragrance, where she stood.
Half spied, so thick the roses blushing round 42?
About her glow'd, oft stooping to support
Each flower of slender stalk, whose head, though gajf
Carnation, purple, azure, or speck'd with gold.
Hung drooping unsustain'd ; them she upstays
Gently with myrtle band, mindless the while 430
Herself, though faireat unsupported flower,
From her best prop so far, and storm so nigh.
PARADISE LOST. 201
ISGnrer he drew, and many a walk traversed
Of staiclicst covert, cedar, pine, or palm ;
Then voluble and bold, now hid, now seen, 435
Among thick-woven crborets, and flowers
Erabroider'd on each bank, the hand of Eve :
Spot more delicious than those gardens feign'd
Or of revived Adonis, or renown'd
Alcinous, host of old Laertes' son ; 440
Or that, not mystic, where the sapient king
Held dalliance with his fair Egyptian spouse.
Much he the place admired, the person more.
As one who long in populous city ]>ent,
Where houses thick and sewers annoy the air, 445
Forth issuing on a summer's morn, to breaths
Among the pleasant villages and farms
Adjoin'd, from each thing met conceives delight;
The smell of grain, or tedded grass, or kine,
Or dairy, each rural sight, each rural sound j 450
If chance, with nymphlike step, fair virgin pass.
What pleasing seem'd, for her now pleases more ;
She most, and in her look suras all delight :
Such pleasure took the Serpent to behold
This flowery plat, the sweet recess of Eve, 455
Thus early, thus alone : her heavenly form
Angelic, but more soft and feminine,
Her graceful innocence, her every air
Of gesture, or least action, overawed
His malice, and with rapine sweet bereaved 460
His fierceness of the fierce intent it brought :
That space the Evil One abstracted stood
From his own evil, and for the time remain 'd
Stupidly good; of enmity disarm'd.
Of guile, of hate, of envy, of revenge : 465
But the hot Hell that always in him burns,
Though in mid Heaven, soon ended his delight,
And tortures him now more, the more he sees
Of pleasure, not for him ordain'd • then soon
202 PARADISE LOST. b. ix.
Fierce hate he recollects, and all his thoughts 470 Of mischief, gratulating, thus excites.
Thoughts, whither have ye led me ! with what sweet Compulsion thus transported, to forget What hither brought us I hate, not love ; nor hope Of Paradise for Hell, hope here to taste 475
Of pleasure ; but all pleasure to destroy, Save what is in destroying ; other joy To me is lost. Then, let me not let pass Occasion which now smiles; behold alone The woman, opportune to all attempts, 480
Her husband, for T view far round, not nigh, Whose higher intellectual more I shun. And strength, of courage haughty, and of limb Heroic built, though of terrestrial mould ; Foe not informidable ! exempt from wound, 485
1 not ; so much hatli Hell debased, and pam Enfeebled me, to what I was in Heaven. She fair, divinely fair, fit love for Gods I Not terrible, though terror be in love And beauty, not approach'd by stronger hate, 490
Hate stronger, under show of love well feign'd ; The way which to her ruin now I tend.
So spake the enemy of mankind, enclosed In serpent, inmate bad ! and toward Eve Address'd his way : not with indented wave, 495
Prone on the ground, as since ; but on his rear, Circular base of rising folds, that tower'd Fold above fold, a surging maze ! his head Crested aloft, and carbuncle his eyes ; With burnish 'd neck of verdant gold, erect 500
Amidst his circling spires, that on the grass Floated redundant : pleasing was his shape And lovely ; never since of serpent-kind Lovelier, not those that in Illyria changed, Hermione and Cadmus, or the god 505
In Epidaurus ; nor to which transform'd
PARADISE LOST. 20:J
Aramonian Jove, or Capitoline, was seen ;
He with Olympias ; this with her who bore
Scipio, the lieight of Rome. Witli tract oblique
At first, as one who sought accessj but fear'd 510
To interrupt, sidelong he works his way,
As when a ship, by skilful steersmen wrought
Nigh rivers mouth or foreland, w^here the wind
Vetrs oft, as oft so steers, and shifts her sail :
So varied he, and of his tortuous train 515
Curl'd many a wanton wreath in sight of Eve,
To lure her eye ; she, busied, heard the sound
Of rustling leaves, but minded not, as used
To such disport before her through the field.
From every beast ; more duteous at her call 520
Than at Circean call the herd disguised.
lie, bolder now, uncall'd before her stood,
Rut as in gaze admiring : oft he bow'd
His turret crest, and sleek enamel neck.
Fawning ; and lick'd the ground whereon she trod. 525
His gentle dumb expression turn'd at length
The eye of Eve to mark his play : he, glad
Of her attention gain'd, wath serpent-tongue
Organic, or impulse of vocal air.
His fraudulent temptation thus began : 530
Wonder not, sov'reign Mistress, if perhaps Thou canst, who art sole wonder ! much less arm Thy looks, the Heaven of mildness, with disdain, Displeased that I approach thee thus, and gaze Insatiate ; I thus single ; nor have fear'd 535
Thy awful brow, more av/ful thus retired. Fairest resemblance of thy Maker fair. Thee all things living gaze on, all things thine By gift, and thy celestial beauty adore With ravishment beheld ! there best beheld, 540
Where universally admired ; but here In this enclosure wild, these beasts among, lie.holders rude, and shallow to discern Half what in thee is fair, one man except,
204 PARADISE LOST. b. ix.
Who sees thee ? (and what is one ?) who should be seen A Goddess among Gods, adored and served 546
By Angels numberless, thy dail}' train.
So glozed the Tempter, and his proem tuned : Into the heart of Eve his words made way, Though at the voice much marveUng ; at length 550 Not unamazed, she thus in answer spake :
What may this mean ? language of man pronctmcad By tongue of brute, and human senso express'd ? The first, at least, of these I tliought denied To beasts ; whom God, on their creation-day, 555 Created mute to all articulate sound : The latter I demur ; for in their looks Much reason, and in their actions, oft appears. Thee, Serpent, subtlest beast of all the field I knev/, but not with human voice endued ; 560
Redouble then this miracle, and say, How earnest thou speakable of mute, and how To me so friendly grown above the rest Of brutal kind, that daily are in sight .' Say, for such wonder claims attention due. 565
To whom the guileful Tempter thus replied : Empress of this fair world, resplendent Eve ! Easy to me it is to tell thee all [obey'd :
What thou command'st ; sjid right thou shouldst bo I was at first as other beasts that graze 570
The trodden herb, of abject thoughts and low, As was ]ny food ; nor aught but food discern'd Or sex, and apprehended nothing high : Till, on a day roving the field, I chanced A goodly tree far distant to behold 575
Loaden with fruit of fairest colours mix'd, Ruddy and gold : I nearer drew to gaze ; When from the boughs a savoury odour blown, Grateful to appetite, more pleased my sense Than smell of sweetest fennel, or the teats 580
Of ewe or goat dropping with milk at even; Unsuck'd of lamb or kid, that tei7d their piay.
PARADISE LOST. 205
To satisfy the sharp desire I had Of tasting those fair apples, I resolved Not to defer ; hunger and thirst at once, 585
Powerful persuaders, quickened at the scent Of that alluring fruit, urged me so keen. About the mossy trunk I wound me soon ; For, high from ground the branches would require Thy utmost reach or Adam's : round the tree o90
All other beasts that saw, with like desire Longing and envying stood, but could not reach. Amid the tree now got, where plenty hung Tempting so nigh, to pluck and eat my fill I spared not ; for, such pleasure till that hour, 595 At feed or fountain, never had I found. Sated at length, ere long I might perceive Strange alteration in me, to degree Of reason in my inward powers ; and speech Wanted not long ; though to this shape retain'd. 600 Thenceforth to speculations high or deep I turn'd my thoughts, and with capacious mind Consider'd all things visible in Heaven, Or Earth, or Middle ; all things fair and good : But all that fair and good in thy divine COS
Semblance, and in thy beauty's heavenly ray, United I beheld ; no fair to thine Equivalent or second ! which compell'd Me thus, though importune perhaps, to come And gaze, and worship thee of right declared 610
Sov'reis_ni of creatures, universal Dame !
So talk'd the spirited sly Snake ; and Eve, Yet more amazed, unwary thus replied : Serpent, thy overpraising leaves in doubt The virtue of that fruit, in thee first proved : 615
But say, where grows the tree ? from nence how rar.-* For many are the trees of God that grow In Paradise, and various, yet unknown To us ; in such abundance lies our choice, As leaves a greater store of fruit untouch'd, 020
18
206 PARADISE LOST. e.n
Still hanging incorruptible, till men
Grow up to their provision, and more hands
Help to disburden Nature of her birth.
To whom the wily Adder, blithe and glad : Empress, the way is ready, and not long ; 625
Beyond a row of myrtles, on a flat, Fast by a fountain, one small thicket pass'd Of blowing myrrh and balm : if thou accept My conduct, I can bring thee thither soon.
Lead then, said Eve. He, leading, swiftly rcl'd 630 In tangles, and made intricate seem straight. To mischief swift. Hope elevates, and joy Brightens his crest ; as when a wandering fire, Compact of unctuous vapour, which the night Condenses, and the cold environs round. 635
^ Kindled through agitation to a flame,
Which oft, they say, some evil Spirit attends, Hovering and blazing with delusive light, Misleads the amazed night-wanderer from his way To bogs and mires, and oft through pond or pool ; 640 There swallow'd up and lost, from succour far. So glister'd the dire Snake, and into fraud Led Eve, our credulous mother, to the tree Of prohibition, root of all our woe ; 644
Which when she saw, thus to her guide she spake :
Serpent, we might have spared our coming hither, Fruitless to me, though fruit be here to excess, The credit of whose virtue Kest with thee ; Wondrous indeed, if cause of such effects. But of this tree we may not taste nor touch ; 650
G od so commanded, and left that command Sole daughter of his voice ; the rest, we live Law to ourselves ; our reason is our law.
To v:hom the Tempter guilefully replied : Indeed ! hath God then said that of the fruit 655
Of all these garden-trees ye shall not eat, Yet Lords declared of all in earth or air ?
To whom thus Eve, yet sinless • Of the fruit
PARADISE LOST. 207
Of each tree in the garden we may eat ; But of the fruit of this fair tree amidst 660
The garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat Thereof, nor shall ye touch it, lest ye die. [bold
She scarce had said, though brief, when now more The Tempter, but with show of zeal and love To Man, and indignation at liis wrong, 665
New part puts on ; and, as to passion moved, Fluctuates disturb'd, yet comely and in act Raised, as of some great matter to begin. As when of old some orator renown'd, In Athens or free Rome, where eloquence 670
Flourish'd, since mute ! to some great cause address'd, Stood in himself collected ; while each part, Motion, each act won audience ere the tongue : Sometimes in height began, as no delay Of preface brooking, through his zeal of right : 675 So standing, moving, or to height up grown, The Tempter, all impassion'd, thus began :
O sacred, wise, and wi.-;<iom-giving Plant, Mother of science ! now 1 feel thy power Within me clear ; not only to discern 680
Things in their causes, but to trace the ways Of highest agents, deem'd however wise. Queen of this universe ! do not believe Those rigid threats of death : ye shall not die : How should you .'' by the fruit .'' it gives you life €85 To knowledge; by the threatener ? look on me. Me, who have touch'd and tasted ; yet both live, And life more perfect have attained than Fate Meant me, by venturing higher than my lot. Shall that be shut to Man, v/hich to the Beast 690 Is open .'' or will God incense his ire For such a petty trespass ? and not praise Rather your dauntless virtue, whom the pain Of death denounced, whatever thing death be, Detcrr'd not from achieving what might lead 095
To happier life, knowledge of good and evil
208 PARADISE LOST. b. ix
Of good how just ? of evil, if what is evil Be real, why not known, since easier shunn'd ? God therefore cannot hurt ye, and be just ; Not just ; not God ; not fear'd then, nor obey'd: 700 Your fear itself of death removes the fear. Why then was this forbid ? Why, but to awe ? Why, but to keep ye low and ignorant His worshippers r He knows that in the day Ye eat thereof, your eyes that seem so clear, 705
Yet are but dim, shall perfectly be then Open'd and clear'd, and ye shall be as Gods, Knowing both good and evil, as they know. That ye shall be as Gods, since I as Man, Internal Man, is but proportion meet ; 710
I, of brute, human ; ye, of human, Gods. So ye shall die perhaps, by putting off Human, to put on Gods ; death to be wished, Though threatcn'd, which no worse than this can bring. And what are Gods, that Man may not become 715 As they, participating Godlike food ? The Gods aio first, and that advantage use On our bellei', that all from them proceeds • I question it ; for this fair earth I see, Warm'd by the sun, producing every kind : 720
Them, nothing : if they all things, who enclosed Knowledge of good and evil in this tree. That whoso eats thereof forthwith attains Wisdom without their leave ? and wherein lies The offence, that Man should thus attain to know ? What can your knowledge hurt him, or this tree 726 Impart against his will, if all be his ? Or is it envy ? and can envy dwell In heavenly breasts ? — These, these, and many more Causes import your need of this fair fruit. 730
Goddess humane, reach then, and fi-eely taste ! He ended ; and his words, replete with guile, Into her heart too easy entrance won ; Fix'd on the fruit she gazed, which to behold
PARADISE LOST 209
Might tempt alone ; and in her ears the sound 735 Yet rung of his persuasive words, inipregn'd With reason to her seeming, and with truth : Meanwhile the hour of noon drew on, and waked An eager appetite, raised by the smell So savoury of that fruit, wliich with desire, 740
Inclinable now grown to touch or taste, Solicited her longing eye ; yet first Pausing awhile, thus to herself she mused*
Great are thy virtues, doubtless, best of fruits, Though kept from man, and worthy to be admired ; Whose taste, too long forborne, at first essay 746
Gave elocution to the mute, and taught The tongue not made for speech to speak thy praise Thy praise he also, who forbids thy use. Conceals not from us, naming thee the tree 750
Of knowledge, knowledge both of good and evil; Forbids us then to taste ! but his forbidding Commends thee more, while it infers the good By thee communicated, and our want ; For good unknown sure is not had : or, had 755
/Vnd yet unknown, is as not had at all. Jn plain then, what forbids he but to know, Forbids us good, forbids us to be wise ? Such prohibitions bind not. But if death Bind us with after-bands, what profits then 760
Our inward freedom ; In the day we eat Of this fair fruit, our doom is, we shall die ! How dies the Serpent ^ he hath eaten, lives, And knows, and speaks, and reasons, and discerns, [rrational till then. For us alone 765
Was death invented .'* or to us denied This intellectual food, for beasts reserved 1 For beasts it seems : yet that one beast which first Hath tasted envies not, but brings with joy The good befallen him, author unsuspect, 770
Friendly to man, far from deceit or guile. What fear 1 then r rather, what knoAv to fear
210 PARADISE LOST. b. w.
Under this ignorance of good and evil,
Of God or death, of law or penalty ?
Here grows the cure of all, this fruit divine, 775
Fair to the eye, inviting to the taste,
Of virtue to make wise : What hinders then
To reach, and feed at once both body and mind ?
So saying, her rash hand in evil hour Forth reaching to the fruit, slie pluck'd, she eat ! 780 Earth felt the wound ; and Nature from her seat, Sighmg through all her works, gave signs of woe, That all was lost. Back to the thicket slunk The guilty Serpent ; and well might ; for Eve, Intent now wliolly on her taste, nought else 785
Regarded ; such delight till then, as s^em'd, In fruit she never tasted, v/hether true Or fancied so, through expectation high Of knowledge ; nor was Godhead from her thought. Greedily she ingorged without restraint, 790
And knew not eating death; Satiate at length, And heighten'd as with wine, jocund and boon. Thus to herself she pleasingly began :
O sov'reign, virtuous, precious of all trees In Paradise ! of operation bless'd 795
To sapience, hitherto obscured, infamed. And thy fair fruit let hang, as to no end Created ; but henceforth my early care, Not without song, each morning, and due praise, Shall tend thee, and the fertile burden ease 800
Of thy full branches ofTer'd free to all ; Tillj dieted by thee, 1 grow mature In knowledge, as the Gods, who all things know : Though others envy what they cannot give : For, had the gift been theirs, it had not here 805
Thus grown. Experience next, to thee I owe, Best guide ; not following thee, I had remain'd In ignorance ; thou open'st wisdom's: way, And oivest access, though secret she retire. And I perhaps am secret : Heaven is high, 810
PARADISE LOST. 211
High, and remote to see from thence distinct Each thing on Earth ; and other care perhaps May have diverted from continual watch Our great Forbidder, safe with all his spies About him. But to Adam in what sort 815
Shall I appear ? shall I to him make known As yet my change, and give him to partake Full happiness with me, or rather not, But keep the odds of knowledge in my power Without copartner ? so to add what wants 820
In female sex, the more to draw his love, And render me more equal ; and perhaps, A thing not undesirable, sometime Superior : for inferior, v/ho is free ? This may be well : But what if God have seen, 825 And death ensue ? Then I shall be no more ! And Adam, wedded to another Eve, Shall live with her enjoying, I extinct ; A death to think ! Confirm'd then I resolve, Adam shall share with me in bliss or Avoe : 830
So dear I love him, that with hira all deaths 1 could endure, without him live no life.
So saying, from the tree her step she turn'd ; But first low reverence done, as to the Power That dwelt within, whoso presence had infused 835 Into the plant sciential sap, derived From nectar, drink of Gods. Adam the while. Waiting desirous her return, had wove Of clioicest flowers a garland, to adorn Her tresses, and her rural labours crown ; 840
As reapers oft are wont their harvest-queen. Great joy he promised to his thoughts, and new- Solace in her return, so long delay 'd : Yet oft his heart, divine of something ill, Misgave him ; he the faltering measure felt ; 845
And forth to meet her went, the way she took That morn when first they parted : by the tree Of knowledge he must pass ; there he her met
m2 PARADISE LOST. b. ix.
Scarce from the tree returning ; in her hand
A bough of fairest fruit, that downy smiled, 850
New gather'd, and ambrosial smell diffused.
To him she hasted ; in her face excuse
Came prologue and apology, too prompt ;
Which, with bland words at will, she thus address'd :
Hast thou not wonder'd, Adam, at my stay ? 855 Thee I have miss'd, and thought it long, deprived Tliy presence ; agony of love till now Not felt, nor shall be twice ; for never more Mean I to tr}^, what rash untried I sought. The pain of absence from thy sight. But strange 860 Hath been the cause, and wonderful to hear : This tree is not, as we are told, a tree Of danger tasted, or to evil unknown Opening the way, but of divine effect To open eyes, and make them Gods who taste .; 805 And hath been tasted such : The serpent wise, Or not restrain'd as we, or not obeying, Hath eaten of the fruit ; and is become, Not dead, as we are threaten'd, but thenceforth Endued with human voice and human sense, 870
Reasoning to admiration ; and with me Persuasively hath so prevail'd that I Have also tasted, and have also found The effects to correspond ; opener mine eyes. Dim erst, dilated spirits, ampler heart, 275
And growing up to Godhead ; which for thee Chiefly I sought, without thee can despise. For bliss, as thou hast part, to me is bliss; Tedious, unshared with thee, and odious soon. Thou therefore also taste, that equal lot ^0
May join us, equal joy, as equal love ; Lest, thou not tasting, different degree Disjoin us, and I then too late renounce Deity for thee, when Fate will not permit.
Thus Eve, with countenance blithe her story told ;* But m her choek distemper jlurhing ^rlow'd. 886
PARADISE LOST. 213
On the other side Adam, soon as he heard The fatal trespass done by Eve, amazed, Astonied stood and blank, while horror cliill Ran through his veins, and all his joints relax'd ; 890 From his slack hand the garland wreathed for Eve Down dropp'd, and all the faded roses shed; Speechless he stood and pale, till thus at length First to himself he inward silence broke :
O fairest of Creation, last and best 895
Of all God"s works, Creature in whom cxcell'd Whatever can to sight or thought be form'd, Holy, divine, good, amiable, or sweet ! How art thou lost ! now on a sudden lost. Defaced, deflower'd, and now to death devote ! 900 Rather, how hast thou yielded to transgress The strict forbiddance, how to violate The sacred fruit forbidden ! Some cursed fraud Of enemy hath beguiled thee, yet unknown, And me with thee hath ruin'd ; for v/ith thee 905
Certain my resolution is to die : How can I live without thee ! how forego Thy sweet converse, and love so dearly join'd, To live again in these wild woods forlorn ! Should God create another E\e, and 1 910
Another rib afford, yet loss of thee Would never from my heart : no, no ! I feel The link of Nature draAV me : flesh of flesh, Bor.e of my bone thou art, and from thy state Mine never shall be parted, bliss or woe. 915
So having said, as one from sad dismay Recomforted, and after thoughts disturb'd Submitting to what seem'd remediless, Thus in calm mood his words to Eve he turn'd :
Bold deed thou hast presumed, adventurous Eve, 920 And peril great provoked, who thus hast dared, Had it been only coveting to eye That sacred fruit, sacred to abstinence, Much more to taste it under ban to touch.
214 PARADISE LOST. b. ix.
But past who can recal, or done undo ? 925
Not God omnipotent, nor Fate ; yet so Perhaps thou shalt not die, perhaps the fact Is not so heinous now, foretasted fruit, Profaned first by the serpent, by him first Made common, and unhallow'd, ere our taste ; 930 Nor yet on him found deadly ; yet he Uves ; Lives, as thou saidst, and gains to Hve, as Man, Jligher degree of hfe ; inducement strong To us, as likely tasting to attain
Proportional ascent ; which cannot be 935
But to be Gods, or Angels demi-Gods. Nor can I think that God, Creator wise, Though threatening, will in earnest so destroy Us his prime creatures, dignified so high, Set over all his works ; v;hich in our fall, 940
For us created, needs with us must fail. Dependent made ; so God shall uncreate, Be frustrate, do, undo, and labour lose ; Not well conceived of God, who, though his power Creation could repeat, yet would be loath 945
Us to abolish, lest the Adversary Triumph, and say : '' Fickle their state whom God Most favours ; who can please him long ? Me first He ruin'd, now Mankind ; whom will he next ?" Matter of scorn, not to be given the Foe. 950
However I with thee have fix'd my lot, Certain to undergo like doom : If death Consort with thee, death is to me as life , So forcibly within my heart I feel The bond of Nature draw me to my own ; 955
My own in thee, for what thou art is mine } Our state cannot be sever'd ; we are one, One flesh ; to lose thee were to lose myself. So Adam ; and thus Eve to him replied : O glorious trial of exceeding love, 960
Illustrious evidence, example high ' Engaging me to emulato ; but, short
PARADISE LOST. 215
Of thy perfection, how shall 1 attain, Adam, from whose dear side I boast me sprung, And gladly of our union hear thee speak, 965
One heart, one soul in both ; whereof good proof This day affords, declaring thee resolved, Rather than death, or aught than death more dread, Shall separate us, link'd in love so dear, To undergo with me one guilt, one crime, 070
If any be, of tasting this fair fruit ; Whose virtue (for of good still good proceeds, Direct, or by occasion) hath presented This happy trial of thy love, which else So eminently never had been known ? 975
Were it I thought death menaced would ensue This my attempt, I would sustain alone The worst, and not persuaded thee, rather die Deserted, than oblige thee with a fact Pernicious to thy peace : chiefly assured 980
Remarkably so late of thy so true, So faithful, love unequal'd : but 1 feel Far otherwise the event ; not death, but life Augmented, open'd eyes, new hopes, new joys. Taste so divine that what of sweet before 985
Hath touch'd my sense fiat seems to this, and harsh. On my experience, Adam, freely taste, And fear of death deliver to the winds.
So saying, she embraced him, and for joy Tenderly wept ; much won, that he his love 990
Had so ennobled, as of choice to incur Divine displeasure for her sake, or death. In recompense (for such compliance bad Such recompense best merits) from the bough She gave him of that fair enticing fruit 995
With liberal haiid : he scrupled not to eat, Against his better knowledge ; not deceived. But fondly overcome with female charm. Earth trembled from her entrails, as again [n pangs ; and Nature gave a second groan ; lOOO
21G PARADISE LOST. b. ix.
Sky lour'd ; and, muttering thunder, some sad drops
Wept at completing of the mortal sm
Original : while Adam took no thought,
Eating his fill ; nor Eve to iterate
Her former trespass fear'd, the more to sooth 1005
Him with her loved society ; that now,
As with new wine intoxicated both,
They swim in mirth, and fancy that they feel
Divinity within them breeding wings,
Wherewith to scorn the earth : But that false fruit
Far other operation first display'd, 1011
Carnal desire inflaming; he on Eve
Began to cast lascivious eyes ; she him
As wantonly repaid ; in iust they burn :
Till Adam thus 'gan Eve to dalliance move : 1015
Eve, novv'^ I see thou art exact of taste And elegant, of sapience no small part ; Since to each meaning savour we apply. And palate call judicious ; I the praise Yield thee, so well this da}?^ thou hast purvey'd. 1020 Much pleasure we have lost, while we abstain'd From this delightful fruit, nor known till now True relish, tasting ; if such pleasure be In things to us forbidden, it might be wish'd For this one tree iiad been forbidden ten. 1025
But come, so well refreshed, now let us play, As meet is, after such delicious fare ; For never did thy beauty, since the day I sav; thee first and wedded thee, adorn'd With all perfections, so inflame my sense 1030
With ardour to enjoy thee, fairer now Than ever ; bounty of this virtuous tree !
So said he, and forbore not glance or toy Of amorous intent ; well understood Of Eve, whose eye darted contagious fire. 1035
Her hand he seized ; and to a shady bank Thick overhead with verdant roof imbower'd, He led her notliing loath : flowers were the couch.
PARADISE LOST. 21
Pansies, and violets, and asphodel,
And hyacinth ; Earth's freshest softest lap. 1040
There they their fill of love and love's disport
Took largely, of their mutual guilt the seal,
The solace of their sin ; till dewy sleep
Oppress'd them, wearied with their amorous play.
Soon as the force of that fallacious fruit, 1045
That with exhilarating vapour bland
About their spirits had pla-y'd, and inmost powers
Made err, was now exhaled ; and grosser sleep,
Bred of unkindly fumes, with conscious dreams
Incumber'd, now had left them : up they rose 1050
As from unrest ; and, each the other viewing,
Soon found their eyes how open'd, and their minds
How darken'd ; innocence, that as a veil
Had shadow 'd them from knowing ill, was gone :
Just confidence, and native righteousness, 1055
And honour, from about them, naked left
To guilty Shame ; he cover'd, but his robe
Uncover'd more So rose the Danite strong,
Herculean Samson, from the harlot lap
Of Philistean Dalilah, and M^aked 1060
Shorn of his strength, They destitute and bare
Of all their virtue : Silent, and in face
Confounded, long they sat, as stricken mute :
Till Adam, though not less than Eve abash 'd,
At length gaA'e utterance to these words constrain'd :
O Eve, in evil hour thou didst give ear 1066
To that false worm, of whomsoever taught To counterfeit Man's voice ; true in our fall. False in our promised rising ; since our eyes Open'd we find indeed, and find we know 1070
Both good and evil : good lost, and evil got ; Bad fruit of knowledge, if this be to know ; Which leaves us naked thus, of honour void, Of innocence, of faith, of purity. Our wonted ornaments now soil'd and stain'd, 1075 And in our faces evident the signs 19
218 PARADISE LOST. b. ix.
Of foul concupiscence ; whence evil store } Even shame, the last of evils ; of the first Be sure then. — How shall I behold the face Henceforth of God or Angel, erst with joy 1080
And rapture so oft beheld ? Those heavenly shapes Will dazzle now this earthly with their blaze rnsufferably bright. O ! might I here In. solitude live savage ; in some glade Obscured, where highest woods, impenetrable 1085 To star or sunlight, spread their umbrage broad And brown as evening : Cover me, ye Pines ! Yb Cedars, with innumerable boughs Hide me, where I may never see them more ! — But let us now, as in bad plight, devise 1090
What best may for the present serve to hide The parts of each from other, that seem most To shame obnoxious, and unseemliest seen ; Some tree, v/hose broad smooth leaves together sew'd, And girded on our loins, may cover round 1095
Those middle parts ; that this new comer, Shame, There sit not, and reproach us as unclean. So counsel'd he, and both together went Into the thickest wood ; there soon they chose The fig tree ; not that kind for fruit renown 'd, 1100 But such as at this day, to Indians known, In Malabar or Decan spreads her arms Branching so broad and long, that in the ground The bended twigs take root, and daughters grow About the mother tree, a pillar'd shade 1105
High overarched, and echoing walks between . There oft the Indian herdsmen, shunning heat, Shelters in cool, and tends his pasturing herds At loopholes cut through thickest shade : Those leaves They gather'd, broad as Amazonian targe ; 1110
And, with what skill they had, together sew'd. To gird their w^ist ; vain covering, if to hide Their guilt and dreaded sh ime ! O, how unlike To that first naked glory ! Such of late
PARADISE LOST. 219
Columbus found the American, so girt 1115
With feather'd cincture ; naked else, and wild Among the trees on isles and woody shores. Thus fenced, and, as they thought, their shame in part Cover'd, but not at rest or ease of mind, They sat them down to weep ; nor only tears 1120 Rain'd at their eyes, but high winds worse within Began to rise, high passions, anger, hate. Mistrust, suspicion, discord ; and shook sore Their inward state of mind, calm region once And full of peace, now toss'd and turbulent : 1125
For Understanding ruled not, and the Will Heard not her lore ; both in subjection now To sensual appetite, who from beneath Usurping over sov'reign Reason claim'd Superior sway : From thus distemper'd breast, 1130 Adam, estranged in look and alter'd style. Speech intermitted thus to Eve renew'd :
Would thou hadst hearken'd to my words, and staid With me, as I besought thee, when that strange Desire of wandering, this unhappy morn, 1135
I know not whence possessed thee ; we had then Remained still happy ; not as now^, despoiFd Of all our good ; shamed, naked, miserable ! Let none henceforth seek needless cause to approve The faith they owe ; when earnestly they seek 1140 Such proof, conclude, they then begin to fail. [Eve :
To whom, soon moved with touch of blame, thus What words have pass'd thy lips, Adam, severe ! Imputest thou that to my default, or will Of wandering as thou call'st it, which who knows 1145 But might as ill have happened thou being by, Or to thyself perhaps ? Hadst thou been there, Or here the attempt, thou couldst not have discern'd Fraud in the Serpent, speaking as he spake ; No ground of enmity between us known, 1150
Why he should mean me ill, or seek to harm- Was I to have never parted from thy side ?
i.'2l) PARADISE LOST. b
As good have grown there still a lifeless rib. Being as I ani, why didst not thou, the head, Command me absolutely not to go, ]
Going into such danger, as thou saidst ? Too facile then, thou didst not much gainsay ; Nay, didst permit, approve, and fair dismiss. Hidst thou been firm and fix'd in thy dissent, Neither had I transgress'd, nor thou with me. j
To Vv'hom, then first incensed, Adam replied : Is this the love, is this the recompense Of mine to thee, ingrateful Eve I express'd Immutable, when thou v/ert lost, not I ; Who might have lived, and joy'd immortal bliss, J Yet willingly chose rather death with thee .'' And am I now upbraided, as the cause Of thy transgressing ? Not enough severe, It seems, in thy restraint ; What could I more .'' I warn'd thee, I admonish'd thee, foretold ]
The danger, and the lurking enemy That lay in wait ; beyond this had been force ; And force upon free will hath here no place. But confidence then bore thee on ; secure Either to meet no danger, or to find '
Matter of glorious trial ; and perhaps 1 also err'd, in overmuch admiring What seem'd in thee so perfect, that I thought No evil durst attempt thee ; but I rue The error now, which is become my crime, ]
And thou the accuser. Thus it shall befal Him, who, to worth in women overtrusting, Lets her will rule : restraint she will not brook, And, left to herself, if evil thence ensue. She first his weak indulgence will accuse. ]
Thus they in mutual accusation spent The fruitless hours, but neither self-condemning; And of their vain contest appear'd no end.
PARADISE LOST.
BOOK X.
ttan's transgression known, the guardian Ar.ge.s forsake Paradise, and return up to Heaven to approve their vigi.ance, and are ap- proved ; God declarinij that the entrance of Satan could not be oy them prevented. He sends his Son to judge the transgressors , who descends and gives sentence accordingly ; then in pity clothes them both, and reascends. Sin and Death, sitting till then at the gates of Hell, by wondrous sympathy feeling the success of Satan in this new world, and the sin by Man there committed, resolve to sit no longer confined in Hell, but to follow Satan their eire up to the place of Man : To make the way easier from Hell to this world to and fro, they pave a broad highway or bridge over Chaos, according to tho tract that Satan first made ; then, preparing for Earth, they meet him. proud of his success, return ing to Hell; their mutual gratuiation. Satan arrives at Panda monium, in full assembly relates with boasting his success against Man ; instead of applause is entertained with a general hiss by all his audience, transformed with himself also suddenly into serpents, according to his doom given in Paradise ; then, de- luded with a show of the forbidden tree springing up before them, they, greedily reaching to take of the fruit, chew dust and bitter ashes. The proceedings of Sin and Death : God ibretels the final victory of his Son over them, and the renewing of all things; but, for the present, commands his Angels to make seve- ral alterations in the Heavens and elements. Adam, more and more perceiving his fallen condition, heavily bewails, rejects the condolement of Eve; she persists, and at length appeases him: then, to evade the curse likely to fall on their oftspring, proposes to Adam violent ways, which he approves not ; but, conceiving better hope, puts her in mind of the (ate promise made thein, that her seed should be revenged on the Serpent: and exhorts her with him to seek peace of the offended Deity, by repentance and supplication.
Meanwhile the heinous and despiteful act Of Satan, done in Paradise ; and how He, in the Serpent, had perverted Eve, Her husband she, to taste the fatal fruit, Was known in Heaven ; for what can scape the eye 5 Of God all-seeing, or deceive h:s heart Omniscient .' who, in all things wise and just 19 *
222 PARADISE LOST. b. x
Hinder'd not Satan to attempt the mind
Of Man, with strength entire and free will arm'd,
Complete to have discover'd and repulsed 10
Whatever wiles of foe or seeming friend.
For still they knew, and ought to have still remember'd,
The high injunction, not to taste that fruit,
Whoever tempted ; which they not obeying,
Incurr'd (what could they less :) the penalty ; 15
And, manifold in sin, de;;crved to fall.
Up into Keaven from Paradise in haste
The Angelic guards ascended, mute and sad,
For Man ; for of his state by this they knew,
Much wondering how the subtle Fiend had stolen 20
Entrance unseen. Soon as the unwelcome news
From Earth arrived at Heaven-gate, displeased
All were who heard ; dim Sadness did not spare
That time celestial visages, yet, mix'd
With pity, violated not their bliss. 25
About the nev.'-arrived, in multitudes
The ethereal people ran. to hear and know
How all befel : They towards the throne supreme,
Accountable, made haste, to make appear,
With righteous plea, their utmost vigilance, 30
And easily approved : when the Most High
Eternal Father, from his secret cloud.
Amidst in thunder utter'd thus his voice :
Assembled Angels, and ye Powers return'd Frojn unsuccessful charge, be not dismay 'd, 35
Nor troubled at these tidings from the earth, Which your sincerest care could not prevent ; Foretold so lately what would come to pass. When first this Tempter cross'd the gulf from Hell. I told ye then he should prevail, and speed 40
On his bad errand ; Man should be seduced, And flatter'd out of all, believing lies Against his Maker ; no decree of mine Concurrmg to necessitate his fall. Or touch with lightest moment of impulse 45
PARADISE LOST. 223
His free will, to her own inclining left In even scale. But fallen he is ; and now What rests, but that the mortal sentence pass On his transgression, death denounced that day •* Which he presumes already vain and void, 50
Because not yet inflicted, as he fear'd, By some immediate stroke ; but soon shall find Forbearance no acquittance, ere day end. Justice shall not return as bounty scorn'd. But whom send I to judgo them ? whom but thee, 55 Vicegerent Son ? To thee I have transferr'd All judgment, vv^hether in Heaven, or Earth, or Hell. Easy it may be seen that I intend Mercy colleague with Justice, sending thee, Man's friend, his Mediator, his design'd 60
Both ransom and Redeemer voluntary. And destined Man himself to judge Man fallen.
So spake the Father } and, unfolding bright Toward the right hand his glory, on the Son Blazed forth unclouded Deity : He full 65
Resplendent all his Father manifest Expressed, and thus divinely answer'd mild :
Father Eternal, thine is to decree ; Mine, both in Heaven and Earth, to do thy will Supreme ; that thou in me, thy Son beloved, 70
Mayst ever rest well pleased. I go to judge On earth these thy transgressors ; but thou know'st, Whoever judged, the worst on me must light, When time shall be ; for so T undertook Before thee ; and, not repenting, this obtain 75
Of right, that I may mitigate their doom On me derived ; yet I shall temper so Justice with mercy as may illustrate most Them fully satisfied, and thee appease. Attendance none shall need, nor train, where none 80 Are to behold the judgment, but the judged, Those two ; the third best absent is condemn d,
224 PARADISE LOST. b. x.
Convict by flight, and rebel to all law : Conviction to the serpent none belongs.
Thus saying, from his radiant seat he rose 85
Of high collateral glory ; flim Thrones, and Powers, Princedoms, and Dominations ministrant, Accompanied to Heaven-gate ; from whence Eden and all the coast in prospect lay. Down he descended straight ; the speed of Gods 90 Time counts not, though with swiftest minutes wing'd. Now was the sun in western cadence low From noon, and gentle airs, due at their hour, To fan the earth now waked, and usher in The evening cool ; when he, from wrath more cool, 95 Game the mild judge, and Intercessor both, To sentence Man : The voice of God they heard Now walking in the garden, by soft winds Brought to their ears, while day declined ; they heard, And from his presence hid themselves among 100
The thickest trees, both man and wife ; till God, Approaching, thus to Adam call'd aloud :
Where art thou, Adam wont with joy to meet My coming seen far off? 1 miss thee here, Not pleased, thus entertain'd with solitude, 105
Where obvious duty ere while appear 'd unsought : Or come I less conspicuous, or what change Absents thee, or what chance detains ? — Come forth !
He came ; and with him Eve, more loath, though first To offend ; discountenanced both, and discomposed ; Love was not in their looks, either to God, 111
Or to each other ; but apparent guilt, And shame, and perturbation, and despair. Anger, and obstinacy, and hate, and guile. Whence Adam, faltering long, thus answer'd brief:
1 heard thee in the garden, and of thy voice 116 Afraid, being naked, hid myself To whom The gracious Judge without revile replied :
My voice thou oft hast heard, and hast not fear'd,
PARADISE LOST. 225
But still rejoiced ; how is it now become 120
So dreadful to thee ! That thou art naked, who Hath told tliee ? Hast thou eaten of the tree Whereof I gave thee charge thou shouldst not eat ? To whom thus Adam sore beset replied :
0 Heaven ! in evil strait this day I stand 125 Before my Judge ; either to undergo
Myself the total crime, or to accuse My other self, the partner of my life ; Whose failing, while her faith to me remains,
1 should conceal, and not expose to blame 130 By my complaint : but strict necessity
Subdues me, and calamitous constraint ;
Lest on my head both sin and punishment
HoAvever insupportable, be all
Devolved ; though should I hold my peace, yet thou
Wouldst easily detect what I conceal. — 136
This Woman; whom thou madest to be my help,
And gavcst me as thy perfect gift, so good.
So fit, so acceptable, so divine,
That from her hand I could suspect no ill, 140
And what she did, Avhatever in itself,
Her doing seera'd to justify the deed ;
Slie gave me of the tree, and I did eat.
To whom the Sov'reign Presence thus replied * Was she thy God, that her thou didst obey 145
Before his voice ? or was she made thy guide, Superior, or but equal, that to her Thou didst resign thy manhood, and the place Wherein God set thee above her made of thee. And for thee, whose perfection far excell'd 150
Hers in all real dignity ? Adorn'd She was indeed, and lovely, to attract Thy love, not thy subjection ; and her gifts Were such, as undnr government well seem'd ; Unseemly to bear rule ; Avhich was thy part ^
And person, hadst thou known thyself aright /
226 PARADISE LOST. b. x.
So having said, he thus to Eve in few : &ay, Woman, what is this which thou hast done ?
To whom sad Eve, with shame nigh overwhelm'd, Confessing soon, yet not before her Judge 160
Bold or loquacious, thus abash'd replied : The Serpent me beguiled, and I did eat.
Which when the Lord God heard, without delay To judgment he proceeded on the accused Serpent, though brute ; unable to transfer l6o
The guilt on him who made him instrument Of mischief, and polluted from the end Of his creation ; justly then accursed, As vitiated in nature : More to know Concern'd not man (since he no further knew,) 170 Nor alter 'd his offence ; yet God at last To Satan first in sin his doom applied, Though in mysterious terms, judged as then best : And on the Serpent thus his curse let fall :
Because thou hast done this thou art accursed 175 Above all citlle, each beast of the field ; Upon thy bi;iiy grovelling thou shalt go, And dust shalt eat all the days of thy life. Between thee and the woman I will put Enmity, and between thine and her seed ; 180
Her seed shall bruise thy head, thou bruise his heel.
So spake this oracle, then verified When Jesus, Son of Mary, second Eve, Saw Satan fall like lightning down from Heaven, Prince of the air, then, rising from his grave, 185
Spoil'd Principalities and Powers, triumph'd In open show } and, with ascension bright, Captivity led captive through the air. The realm itself of Satan, long usurp'd ; Whom he shall tread at last under our feet ; 19**
Even he, who now foretold his fatal bruise ;
nd to the woman thus his sentence turn d ' ""hy sorrow I will greatly multiply
PARADISE LOST. 227
By thy conception ; children thou shalt bring In sorrow forth ; and to thy husband's will 195
Thine shall submit ; he over thee shall rule.
On Adam last thus judgment he pronounced : Because thou hast hearken'd to the voice of thy wife, And eaten of the tree, concerning which I charged thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat thereof: 200 Cursed is the ground for thy sake ; thou in sorrow Shalt eat thereof, all the days of thy life ; Thorns also and thistles it shall bring thee forth Unbid ; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field ; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, 205
Till thou return unto the ground ) for thou Out of the ground wast taken, know thy birth, For dust thou art, and shalt to dust return.
So judged he Man, both Judge and Saviour sent ; And the instant stroke of death, denounced that day. Removed far off; then, pitying how they stood 213 Before him naked to the air, that now Must suffer change, disdain'd not to begin Thenceforth the form of servant to assume ; As when he wash'd his servants* feet \ so now 215 As father of his family, he clad Their nakedness with skins of beasts, or slain, Or as the snake with youthful coat repaid ; And thought not much to clothe his enemies : Nor he their outward only vrith the skins 220
Of beasts, but inward nakedness much more Opprobrious, with his robe of righteousness Arraying, cover'd from his Father's sight. To him w-th swift ascent he up return'd. Into his blissful bosom rcassumed 225
In glory, as of old ; to him appeased All, though all-knowing, what had pass'd with Man Recounted, mixing intercession sweet.
Meanwhile, ere thus was sinn'd and judged on Earth, Within the gates of Holl sat Sin and Death, 230
In counterview within the gates, that now
228 PARADISE LOST. b. k
Stood open wido, belching outrageous flame Far into Chaos, since the Fiend pass'd through, Sin opening ; wlio thus now to Death began :
O Son, why sit we here each other vie\\'ing 235 Idly, while Satan, our great author, thrives In other worlds, and happier seat provides For us, his offspring dear ? It cannot be But that success attends him ; if mishap, Ere this he had return'd, with fury driven 240
By his avengers ; since no place like this Can fit his pmiishment, or their revenge. Methinks I feel new strength within me rise, Wings growing, and dominion given me large Beyond this deep ; whatever draws me on, 245
Or sym.pathy, or some connatural force, Powerful at greatest distance to unite. With secret amity things of like kind, By SGcretest conveyance. Thou, my shade Inseijarable, must with me along : 250
For Death from Sin no power can separate. But, lest the difficulty of passing- back Stay his return perhaps over this gulf Impassable, impervious ; let us try Adventurous work, yet to thy poAver and mine 255 Not unagreeable, to found a path Over this main from Hell to that new world, Where Satan nov*? prevails : a monument Of merit high to all the infernal host, Easing their passage hence, for intercourse, 260
Or transmigration, as their lot shall lead. Nor can I miss the way, so strongly dr^wn By this nev/-felt attraction and instinct.
Whom thus the meagre shadow answer'd soon : Go, whitner Fate and inclination strong 2G5
Leads thee ; I shall not lag behind, nor err The way, thou leading ; such a scent I draw Of carnage, prey innumerable, and taste The savour of death from all things there that live
PARADISE LOST. 229
Nor shall 1 to the work thou enterprisest 270
Be wanting, but afford thee equal aid.
So saying, with delight he snufTd the smell Of mortal change on earth. As when a flock Of ravenous fowl, though many a league remote. Against the day of battle, to a field, 275
Where armies lie encamp'd, come flying, lured With scent of living carcasses design'd For death, the following day, in bloody fight : So scented the grim Feature, and upturn'd His nostril wide into the murky air; 28(}
Sagacious of his quarry from so far. Them both from out Hell gates, into the waste Wide anarchy of Chaos, damp and dark, Flew diverse ; and with power (their power was great) Hq .ering upon the waters, what they met 285
Solid or slimy, as in raging sea Toss'd up ond dovvm, together crowded drove, From each side shoaling towards the mouth of Hell : As when two polar winds, blovv'ing adverse Upon the Cronian sea, together drive 290
Mountains of ice, that stop the imagined way Beyond Petsora eastward, to the rich Cathaian coast. The aggregated soil Death with his mace petrifie, cold and dry, As with a trident, smote ; and fix'd as firm 295
As Del OS, floating once ; the rest his look Bound with Gorgonian rigour not to move j And with Asphaltic slime, broad as the gate, Deep to tlie roots of Hell the gather'd beach They fasten'd, and the mole immense wrought on 300 Over the foaming deep high-areh'd, a bridge Of length pi odigious, joining to the wall Immovable of this now fenceless world, Forfeit to Death ; from hence a passage broad, Smooth, easy, inoffensive, down to Hell. 305
So, if great things to pmall may bo compared, Xerxes, the liberty of Greece to yoke, 20
230 PARADISE LOST b. x
From Susa, his Menmonian palace high,
Came to the sea ; and, over Hellespont
Bridging his way, Europe with Asia join'd, 310
And scourged with many a stroke the indignant waves
Now had they brought the work by wondrous art
Pontifical, a ridge of pendent rock,
Over the vex'd abyss, following the track
Of Satan to the selfsame place where he 315
First lighted from his wing, and landed safe
From out of Chaos to the outside bare
Of this round world : wuth pins of adamant
And chains they made all fast, too fast they made
And durable ! and now in little S})ace 320
The confines met of empyrean Heaven,
And of this World ; and, on the left hand, Hell.
With long reach interposed ; three several wa,j3
In sight, to each of these three places led.
And now their way to Earth they had descried, 325
To Paradise first tending ; when, behold !
Satan, in likeness of an Angel bright.
Betwixt the Centaur and the Scorpion steering
His zenith, while the sun in Aries rose :
Disguised he came ; but those his children dear 330
Their parent soon discern'd, though in disguise.
He after Eve seduced, unminded slunk
Into the wood fast by ; and, changing shape,
To observe the sequel, saw his guileful act
By Eve, though all unweeting, seconded 335
Upon her husband ; saw their shame that sought
Vain covertures ; but when he saw descend
The Son of God to judge them, terrified
He fled ; not hoping to escape, but shun
The present ; fearing, guilty, what his wrath 340
Might suddenly inflict ; that pass'd, return'd
By night, and listening where the hapless pair
Sat in their sad discourse, and various plaint,
Thence gather'd his own doom ; which understood
Not instant, but of future time, with joy 345
PARADISE LOST. 231
And tidings fraught, to Hell he now return'd ', And at the brink of Chaos, near the foot Of this new wondrous pontifice, unhoped Met, who to meet him came, his offspring dear. Great joy was at their meeting, and at sight 350
Of that stupendous bridge his joy increased. Long he admiring stood, till Sin, his fair Enchanting daughter, thus the silence broke :
O Parent, these are thy magnific deeds. Thy trophies ! which thou view'st as not thine own ; Thou art their author, and prime architect : 356
For I no sooner in my heart divined, My heart, which by a secret harmony Still moves v/itli thine, join'd in connexion sweet, That thou on earth hadst prosper'd, which thy looks Now also evidence, but straight 1 felt, 3G0
Though distant from thee worlds between, yet felt. That I must after thee, with this thy son ; Such fatal consequence unites us three ! Hell could no longer hold us in our bounds, 365
Nor this unvoyageable gulf obscure Detain from following thy illustrious track. Thou hast achieved our liberty, confined Within Hell-gates till nov/ ; thou us impower'd To fortify thus far, and overlay, 370
With this portentous bridge, the dark abyss, Thine now is all this world ; thy virtue hath won What thy hands builded not ; thy wisdom gain'd With odds what war hath lost, and fully avenged Our foil in Heaven ; here thou shalt monarch reign, There didst not ; there let him still victor sway, 376 As battle hath adjudged ; from this new world Retiring, by his own doom alienated ; And henceforth monarchy with thee divide Of all things, parted by the empyreal boimds, 380
His quadrature, from thy orbicular world ; Or try thee now more dangerous to his throne
232 PARADISE LOST. b. x.
"Whom thus the Prince of darkness answer'd glad: Fair Daughter, and thou Son and Grandchild both j High proof ye now have given to be the race 385
Of Satan (for I glory in the name, Antagonist of Heaven's Almighty King,) Amply have merited of me, of all The infernal empire, that so near Heaven's door Triumphal with triumphal act have met, 390
Mine, with this glorious work ; and made one realm; Hell and this world, one realm, one continent Of easy thoroughfare. Therefore, while I Descend through darkness, on yonr road with ease, To my associate Powers, them to acquaint 395
With these successes, and with them rejoice ; You too this way, among these numerous orbs, All 3^ours, right down to Paradise descend ; There dwell, and reign in bliss ; thence on thSj^carth Dominion exercise and in the air, 400
Chiefly on Man, solo lord of all declared ; Him first make sure your thrall, and lastly kill. My substitutes I send ye, and create "Plenipotcnt on earth, of matchless might issuing from me ; on your joint vigour now 405
My hold of this new kingdom all depends, Through Sin to Death exposed by my exploit. If your joint power prevail, the affairs of Hell No detriment need fear ; go, and be strong !
So saying he dismiss'd them ; they with speed 410 Their course through thickest constellations held, Spreading their bane ; the blasted stars look'd wan, And planets, planet-struck, real eclipse Then suffer'd. The other way Satan went down The causey to Hell gate : On either side 415
Disparted Chaos overbuilt exclaim'd, And with rebounding surge the bars assail'd, That scorn'd his indignation : through the gate. Wide open and -unguarded, Satan pass'd, And all about found desolate ; for those, 420
PARADISE LOST. 233
Appointed to sit there, had left their charge, Flown to the upper world ; the rest were all Far to the inland retired, about the walls Of Pandemonium ; city and proud seat O^ Lucifer, so by allusion call'd 425
Of that bright star to Satan paragon'd ; There kept their watch the legions, while the Grand In council sat, solicitous what chance Might intercept their emperor sent ; so he Departing gave command, and they observed. 430
As when the Tartar from his Russian foe. By Astracan, over the snowy plains, Retires ; or Bactrian Sophi, from the horns Of Turkish crescent, leaves all waste beyond The realm of Aladule, in his retreat 435
To Tauris or Casbeen : So these, the late Heaven-banish'd host, left desert utmost Hell Many a dark league, reduced in careful watch Round their metropolis ; and now expecting Each hour their great adventurer, from the search 440 Of foreign worlds : He through the midst unmark'd In show plebeian Angel militant Of lowest order pass'd ; and from the door Of that Plutonian hall, invisible
Ascended his high throne ; which, under state 445 Of richest texture spread, at the upper end Was placed in regal lustre. Down awhile He sat, and round about him saw unseen ; At last, as from a cloud, his fulgent head And shape star -bright appear'd, or brighter ; clad 450 With what permissive glory since his fall Was left him, or false glitter : All amazed At that so sudden blaze the Stygian throng Bent their aspect, and whom they wish'd beheld, Their mighty Chief returned : loud was the acclaim : Forth rush'd in haste the great consulting peers, 450 Raised from their dark Divan, and with like joy
S34 PARADISE LOST. s. x.
Congiatulant approach'd him ; who with hand Silence, and with these words attention, won.
Thrones, Dominations, Princedoms, Virtues, Powers; For in possession such, not only of right, 461
I call ye, and declare ye now ; return'd Successful beyond hope, to lead ye forth Triumphant out of this infsrnal pit Abominable, accursed, the house of woe, 465
And dungeon of our tyrant : Now possess, As Lords, a spacious world, to our native Heaven Little inferior, by my adventure hard "With peril great achieved. Long were to tell What I have done, what suffer 'd ; with what paiii 470 Voyaged the' unreal, vast, unbounded deep Of horrible confusion ; over which By Sin and Death a broad way now is paved, To expedite your glorious march ; but I Toil'd out my uncouth passage, forced to ride 475
The untractable abyss, plunged in the womb Of unoriginal Night and Chaos wild ; That, jealous of their secrets, fiercely opposed My journey strange, Vv'ith clamorous uproar Protesting Fate supreme ; thence how I found 480 The new created v/orld, which fame in'Heaven Long had foretold, a fabric wonderful Of absolute perfection ! therein Man Placed in a Paradise, by our exile Made happy ; Him by fraud I have seduced 485
From his Creator ; and, the more to increase Your wonder, with an apple ; he, thereat Offended, worth your laughter ! hath given up 3oth his beloved Man, and all his world. To Sin and Death a prey, and so to us, 490
Without our ha'/iard, labour, or alarm, To range in, and to dwell, and over Man To rule, as over all he should have ruled. True is, me also he hath judged, or rather
PARADISE LOST. 235
Me not, but. the brute serpent in whose shape 495
Man 1 deceived : that which to me belongs,
Is enmity which he will put between
Me and mankind ; I am to bruise liis heel ;
His seed (when is not set) shall bruise my head :
A world who would not purchase with a bruise, 500
Or much more grievous pain ? — Ye have the account
Of my performance ; What remains, ye Gods,
But up, and enter now into full bliss ?
So having said, awhile he stood, expecting Their universal shout and high applause 505
To fill his ear ; when, contrary, he hears On all sides, from innumerable tongues, A dismal universal hiss, the sound On public scorn ; he wonder 'd, but not long Had leisure, wondering at himself now more ,• 510
Plis visage drawn he felt to sharp and spare ; His arms clung to his ribs ; his legs entwining Each other, till supplanted down he fell A monstrous serpent on his belly prone, Reluctant, but in vain ; a greater power 515
Now ruled him, punish'd in the shape he sinn'd, According to his doom : he would have spoke, But hiss for hiss return'd with forked tongue To forked tongue ; for nov/ were all transform'd Alike, to serpents all, as accessories 520
To his bold riot : Dreadful was the din Of hissing through the hall, thick swarming now With complicated monsters head and tail, Scorpion, and Asp, and Amphisbaf3na dire. Cerastes horn'd, Hydrus, and Elops drear, 525
And Dipsas (not so thick swarm'd once the soil Bedropp'd with blood of Gorgon, or the isle Ophiusa ;) but still greatest he the midst. Now Dragon grown, larger than whom the sun Engender 'd in the Pythian vale or slime, 530
Huge Python, and his power no less he seem'd A^bove the reet still to retam . they all
236 PARADISE LOST. b.x
Him foUow'd, issuing forth to the open field,
"Where all yet left of that revolted rout,
Heaven-fallen, in station stood or just arraj' 535
Sublime with expectation when to see
In triumph issuing forth their glorious Chief
They saw, but other sight instead ! a crowd
Of ugly serpents : horror on them fell,
And horrid sympathy ; for, what they saw, 540
They felt themselves, now changing ; down their arms^
Down fell both spear and shield ; down they as fast ;
And the dire hiss renew'd, and the dire form
Catch'd by contagion ; like in punishment.
As in their crime. Thus was the applause they meant
Turn'd to exploding hiss, triumph to shame 546
Cast on themselves from their own mouths. There stood
A grove hard by, sprung up with this their change,
His will v/ho reigns above, to aggravate
Their penance, laden with fair fruit, like that 550
Which grew in Paradise, the bait of Eve
Used by the Tempter ; on that prospect strange
Their earnest eyes they fix'd, imagining
For one forbidden tree a muUitude
Now risen, to work them further woe or shame ; 555
Yet, parch'd with scalding thirst and hunger fierce,
Though to delude them sent, could not abstain';
But on they roll'd in heaps, and, up the trees
Climbing, sat thicker than the snaky locks
I'hat curl'd Megasra ; greedily they pluck'd 560
The fruitage fair to sighc, like that which grew
Near that bituminous lake where Sodom flamed ;
This, more delusive, not the touch, but taste
Deceived ; they, fondly thinking to allay
Their appetite with gust, instead of fruit 565
Chew'd bitter ashes, which the offended taste
With spattering noise rejected ; oft they essay'd,
Himger and thirst constraining ; drugg'd as ofl,
With hatefulest disreli-oh writhed their jaws,
^Vit}» so.jt and cmders filld , so oft (hey fell 570
PARADISE LOST. 237
Into the same illusion, not as Man [plagued
Whom they triumph'd once lapsed. Thus were thej
And worn with famine, long and ceaseless hiss,
Till their lost shape, permitted, they resumed ;
Yearly enjoin'd, some say, to undergo 575
This annual humbling certain number'd days,
To dash their pride and joy, for Man seduced.
However, some tradition they dispersed
Among the Heathen of their purchase got,
And fabled how the Serpent, who)n they eall'd 580
Ophion, with Eurynome, the wide
Encroaching Eve perhaps, had first the rule
Of high Olympus; thence by Saturn driven
And Orps, ere yet Dictcean Jove was born.
Meanwhile in Paradise the hellish pair 585
Too soon arrived ; Sin, there in power before,
Once actual ; now in body, and to dwell
Habitual habitant ; behind her Death,
Close following pace for pace, not mounted yet
On his pale horse ; to whom Sin thus began : 590
Second of Satan sprung, all conquering Death! What thinkst thou of our empire now, though earn'd With travel difficult, not better far Than still at Hell's dark threshold to have set watch, Unnamed, undreaded, and thyself half starved .'' 595
Whom thus the Sin-born monster answer 'd soon: To me, who with eternal famine pine, Ahke is Hell, or Paradise, or Heaven ; There best, where most with ravine I may meet ; Which there, though plenteous, all too little seems 600 To stuff this maw, this vast unhide-bound corpse.
To whom the incestuous mother thus replied : Thou therefore on these herbs, and fruits, and flowers Feed first ; on each beast next, and fish, and fowl ; No homely morsels ! and, whatever thing 605
The scythe of Time mows down, devour unspared : Till 1, in Man residing, through the race. His thoughts, his looks, words, actions, all infect ;
238 PARADISE LOST. b. x
And season him thy last and sweetest prey.
This said, they both betook them several ways, 610
Both to destroy, or unimmortal make
All kinds, and for destruction to mature
Sooner or later ; which the Almighty seeing,
From his transcendent seat the Saints among,
To those bright Orders utter'd thus his voice : 615
See, with what heat these dogs of Hell advance To waste and havoc yonder world, which I So fair and good created ; and had still Kept in that state, had not the folly of Man Let in these wasteful furies, who impute 620
Folly to me ; so doth the Prince of Hell And his adherents, that with so much ease I suffer them to enter and possess A place so heavenly ; and, conniving, seem To gratify my scornful enemies, 625
That laugh, as if, transported with some fit Of passion, I to them had quitted all, At random yielded up to their misrule ; And know not that I call'd, and drew them thither, My Hell-hounds, to lick up the draff and filth 630
Which Man's polluting sin with taint hath shed On what was pure ; till, cramm'd and gorged, nigh With suck'd and glutted offal, at one sling [burst,
Of thy victorious arm, well pleasing Son, Both Sin, and Death, and yawning Grave, at last, 635 Through Chaos hurl'd, obstruct the mouth of Hell For ever, and seal up his ravenous jaws. Then Heaven and Earth renew'd shall be made pure To sanctity, that shall receive no stain : Till then, the curse pronounced on both precedes. 640
He ended, and the heavenly audience loud Sung Hallelujah, as the sound of seas, Through multitude that sung : Just are thy ways, Righteous are thy decrees on all thy works ; Who can extenuate thee ? Next, to the Son 645
Destined restorer of mankind, by whom
PARADISE LOST. 239
New Heaven and Earth shall to the ages rise,
Or down from Heaven descend. — Such was their son^ j
While the Creator, calling forth by name
His mighty Angels, gave them several charge, 650
As sorted best with present things. The sun
Had first his precept so to move, so shine,
As might affect the earth with cold and heat
Scarce tolerable ; and from the north to call
Decrepit winter ; from the south to bring 655
Solstitial summer's heat. To the blanc moon
Her office they prescribed ; to the other five
Their planetary motions, and aspects,
Jn sextile, square, and trine, and opposite,
or noxious efficacy, and when to join G60
In synod unbenign ; and taught the fix'd
Their influence malignant when to shower,
Whicii of them rising with the sun, or falling,
Should prove tempestuous : To the winds they set
Their corners, when with bluster to confound 665
Sea, nir, and shore ; the thunder when to roll
With terror through the dark aerial hall.
Some say, he bid his Angels turn askance
The pole': of earth, twice ten degrees and more,
From the sun's axle ; they with labour push'd 670
Oblique the centric globe : Some say, the sun
Was bid turn reins from the' equinoctial road
Like distant breadth to Taurus with the seven
Atlantic Sisters, and the Spartan Twins,
Up to the Tropic Crab ; thence down amain 675
By Leo, and the Virgm, and the Scales,
As deep as Capricorn ; to bring in change
Of seasons to each clime ; else had the spring
Perpetual smiled on earth with verdant flowers
Equal in days and nights, except to those 680
Beyond the polar circles ; to them day
Had unbenighted shone, while the low sun,
To recompense his distance, in their sight
Had rounded still the horizon, and not knowu
240 PARADISE LOST. b. x.
Or east or west ; which had forbid the snow 685
From cold Estotiland, and south as far
Beneath Magellan. At that tasted frait
The sun, as from Thyestean banquet, turn'd
His course intended ; else how had the world
Inhabited, though sinless, more than now 690
Avoided pinching cold and scorching heat ?
These changes in the Heavens, though slow, produced
Like change on sea and land ; sideral blast,
Vapour, and mist, and exhalation hot,
Corrupt and pestilent ; Nov/ from the north 695
Of Norumbega, and the Sameod shore,
Bursting their brazen dungeon, arm'd with ice,
And snow, and hail, and stormy gust and flaw,
Boreas, and Csecias, and Argestes loud.
And Thrascias, rend the Avoods, and seas upturn ; 700
With adverse blast upturns them from the south
Notus, and Afer black wiih thunderous clouds
From Serraliona ; thwart of these, as fieicft,
Forth rush the Levant and the Ponent winds,
Eurus and Zephyr, %vith their lateral noise, WS
Sirocco and Libecchio. Thus began
Outrage from lifeless things ; but Discord first,
Daughter of Sin, among tlie irrational
Death introduced, through fierce antipathy :
Beast now with beast 'gan war, and fowl with fowl, 710
And fish with fish ; to graze the herb all leaving,
Devourd each other ; nor stood much in awe
Of Man, but fled him ; or, with countenance grim,
Glared on him passing. These were from without
The growing miseries, which Adam saw 715
Already in part, though hid in gloomiest shade.
To sorrow abandon'd, but worse felt within ;
And, in a troubled sea of passion toss'd,
Thus to disburden sought v/ith sad complaint :
O miserable of happy ! Is this the end 720
Of this new glorious w^orld, and me so late The glory of that glory, who now become
PARADISE LOST. 241
Accursed of blessed ? hide me from the face Of God, whom to behold was then my height Of happiness ! — Yet well, if here would end 725
The misery ; 1 deserved it, and would bear My own deservings ; but this will not serve : All that I eat or drink, or shall beget, Is propagated curse. O voice, once heard Delightfully, Increase and multiply : 730
New death to hear ! for what can I increase, Or multiply, but curses on my head ? Who of all ages to succeed, but, feeling The evil on him brought by me, will curse My head ? Ill fare our ancestor impure, 735
For this we may thank Adam ! but his thanks Shall be the execration : so, besides Mine own that bide upon nie, all from me Shall with a jfierce reflux on me rebound ; On me, as on their natural centre, light 740
Heavy, though in their place. O fleeting joys Of Paradise, dear bought with lasting woes ! Did I request thee, Maker, from my clay To mould me Man .'' did I solicit thee From darkness to promote me, or here place 745
In this delicious garden ? As my will Concurr'd not to my being, it were but right And equal to reduce me to my dust : Desirous to resign and render back All I received ; unable to perform 750
Thy terms too hard, by which I was to hold The good I sought not. To the loss of that, Suflicient penalty, why hast thou added The sense of endless woes .? Inexplicable Thy justice seems ; yet, to say truth, too late 755 I thus contest ; then should have been refused Those terms, whatever, when they were proposed : Thou didst accept them : wilt thou enjoy the good, Then cavil the conditions ? and, though God Made thee without thy leave, what if thy son 769
21
242 PARADISE LOST. b. x.
Prove disobedient ; and, reproved, retort,
Whe.refore didst thou beget me ? I sought it not :
Wouldst thou admit for his contempt of thee :
That proud excuse ? yet him not thy election,
But natural necessity begot, 765
God made thee of choice his own, and of his own
To serve him; thy reward was of his grace ;
Thy punishment then justly is at his will.
Be it so, for I submit ; his doom is fair,
That dust I am, and shall to dust return : 7?t)
O welcome hour whenever ! Why delays
His hand to execute what his decree
Fix'd on this day ? Why do I overlive .''
Why am I mock'd with death, and lengthen'd out
To deathless pain ? How gladly would I meet 775
Mortality my sentence, and be earth
Insensible ! How glad would lay me'^down
As in my mother's lap ! There I should rest,
And sleep secure ; his dreadful voice no moro
Would thunder in my ears ; no fear of worse 780
To me and to my offspring would torment me
With cruel expectation. Yet one doubt
Pursues me still, Jest all I cannot die ;
Lest that pure breath of life, the spirit of Man
Which God inspired, cannot together perish 785
With this corporeal clod ; then, in the grave
Or in some other dismal place, who knows
But I shall die a living death ? O thought
Horrid, if true ! Yet why ? It was but breath
Of life that sinn'd ; what dies but what had life 790
And sin ? The body properly had neither.
All of me then shall die : let this appease
The doubt, since human reach no further knows.
For though the Lord of all be infinite,
Is his wrath also ? Be it, Man is not so, 795
But mortal doom'd. How can he exercise
Wrath without end on Man, whom daath must end?
Can he make deathless death ? That were to make
PARADISE LOST. 243
Strange contradiction, which to God himself Impossible is held ; as argument 800
Of weakness, not of power. Will he draw out For anger's sake, finite to infinite, In punish'd Man, to satisfy his rigour, Satisfied never .? That were to extend His sentence beyond dust and Nature's law ; 805
By which all causes else, according still To the reception of their matter, act ; Not to the extent of their own sphere. But say That death be not one stroke, as I supposed, Bereaving sense, but endless misery 810
From this day onward ; which I feel begun Both in me, and without me ; and so last To perpetuity ; — Ah me ! that fear Comes thundering back with dreadful revolution On my defenceless head ; both Death and I 815
Are found eternal, and incorporate both j Nor I on my part single ; in me all Posterity stands cursed ; fair patrimony That I must leave ye, Sons ! O, were I able To waste it all myself, and leave ye none ! 820
So disinherited, how would you bless Me, now your curse ' Ah, why should all mankind, For one man's fault, thus guiltless be conderan'd, If guiltless ? But from me what can proceed, But all corrupt ; both mind and will depraved 825
Not to do only, but to will the same With me ? How can they then acq-iitted stand In sight of God ? Him, after all disputes, Forced I absolve : all my evasions vain, And reasonings, though through mazes, lead me still But to my own conviction : first and last 831
On me, me only, as the source and spring Of all corruption, all the blame lights due j So might the wrath ! Fond wish ! couldst thou support That burden, heavier than the earth to bear ; 835
Than all the world much heavier, though divided
244 PARADISE LOST. b. x
With that bad Woman ? Thus, what thou desirest,
And what thou fear'st, ahke destroys all hope
Of refuge, and concludes thee miserable
Beyond all past example and future ; 840
To Satan only like both crime and doom.
0 Conscience ! into what abyss of fears
And horrors hast thou driven me : out of which
1 find no way, from deep to deeper plunged !
Thus Adam to himself lamented loud, 845
Through the still night ; not now, as ere Man fell, Wholesome, and cool, and mild, but with black air Accompanied ; with damps, and dreadful gloom j Which to his evil conscience represented All things with double terror : on the ground 850
Outstretch'd he lay, on the cold ground ; and oft Cursed his creation ; Death as oft accused Of tardy execution, since denounced The day of his oiFence. Why comes not Death, Said he, with one thrice-acceptable stroke 855
To end me ? Shall Truth fail to keep her word. Justice Divine not hasten to be just? But Death comes not at call ; Justice Divine Mends not her slowest pace for prayers or cries.
0 woods, O fountains, hillocks, dales, and bowers ' 860 With other echo late I taught your shades
To answer, and resound far other song, —
Whom thus afflicted when sad Eve beheld,
Desolate where she sat, approaching nigh,
Soft words to his fierce passion she essay'd : 865
But her w' )h stern regard he thus repell'd :
Out of my sight, thou Serpent ! That name best Befits thee with him leagued, thyself as false And hateful; nothing wants, but that thy shape, Like his, and colour serpentine, may show 870
Thy inward fraud ; to warn all creatures from thee Henceforth; lest that too heavenly form, pretended, To hellish falsehood snare them I But for thee
1 had persisted happy ; had not thy pride
PARADISE LOST. 245
And wandering vanity, when least was safe, 875
Rejected my forewarning, and disdain'd
Not to be trusted ; longing to be seen,
Though by the Devil himself; him overweening
To overreach ; but, with the serpent meeting,
Fool'd and beguiled ; by him thou, I by thee, 380
To trust thee from my side ; imagined wise.
Constant, mature, proof against all assaults ;
And understood not all was but a show,
Rather than solid virtue ; all but a rib
Crooked by nature, bent, as now appears, 885
More to the part sinister, from me drawn j
Well if thrown out, as supernumerary
To my just number found. O ! why did God,
Creator wise, that peopled highest Heaven
With Spirits masculine, create at last 890
This novelty on earth, this fair defect
Of nature, and not fill the world at once
With Men, as Angels, without feminine ;
Or find some other way to generate
Mankind ? This mischief had not then befallen, 895
And more that shall befal ; innumerable
Disturbances on earth through female snares,
And strait conj unction with this sex : for either
He never shall find out fit mate, but such
As some misfortune brings him, or mistake ; 900
Or whom he wishes most shall seldom gain
Through her perverseness, but shall see her gain'd
By a far worse ; or, if she love, withheld
By parents ; or his happiest choice too late
Shall meet, already link'd and wedlock bound 905
To a fell adversary, his hate or shame :
W^hich infinite calamity shall cause
To human life, and household peace confound.
He added not, and from her turn'd : but Eve, Not so repulsed, with tears that ceased not flowing. And tresses all disorder'd, at his feet 911
21*
246 PARADISE LOST. b. x
Fell humble j and, embracing them, besought His peace, and thus proceeded in her plaint :
Forsake me not thus, Adam ! witness, Heaven, What love sincere and reverence in my heart 915 I bear thee, and unweeting have offended, Unhappily deceived ! Thy suppliant I beg, and clasp thy knees ; bereave me not, Whereon I live, thy gentle looks, thy aid, Thy counsel, in this uttermost distress, 920
My only strength and stay : forlorn of thee, Whither shall I betake me, where subsist ? While yet we live, scarce one short hour perhaps, Between us two let there be peace ; both joining, As join'd in injuries, one enmity 925
Against a foe by doom express assign'd us, That cruel Serpent : on me exercise not Thy hatred for this misery befallen ; On me already lost, mo than thyself More miserable ! Both have sinn'd ; but thou 930
Against God only ; I against God and thee ; And to the place of judgment will return, There with my cries importune Heaven, that all The sentence, from thy head removed, may light On me, sole cause to thee of all this woe ; 935
Me, me only, just object of his ire !
She ended weeping ; and her lowly plight, Immovable, till peace obtain'd from fault Acknowledged and deplored, in Adam wrought Commiseration : soon his heart relented 940
lowards her, his life so late, and sole delight. Now at his feet submissive in distress ; Creature so fair his reconcilement seeking, His counsel, whom she had displeased, his aid : As one disarm'd, his anger all he lost, 94&
And thus with peaceful words upraised her soon :
Unwary, and too desirous, as before. So now of what thou know'st not, who desirest
PARADISE LOST. 247
The punishment all on thyself; alas ! Bear thine own first, ill able to sustain 950
His full wrath, whose thou feel'st as yet least part, And my displeasure bear'st so ill. If prayers Could alter high decrees, I to that place Would speed before thee, and be louder heard, That on my head all might be visited ; 055
Thy frailty and infirmer sex forgiven, To me committed; and by me exposed. But rise ; — let us no more contend, nor blame Each other, blamed enough elsewhere ; but strive In offices of love, how we may lighten 960
Each other's burden, in our share of woe ; Since this day's death denounced, if aught I see, Will prove no sudden, but a slow-paced evil ; A long day's dying, to augment our pain ; And to our seed (O hapless seed !) derived. 9G5
To v/hom thus Eve, recovering heart, replied : Adam, by sad experiment I know How little weight my words with thee can find, Found so erroneous ; thence by just event Found so unfortunate : nevertheless, 970
Restored by thee, vile as I am, to place Of new acceptance, hopeful to regain Thy love, the sole contentment of my heart Jjiving or dying, from thee I will not hide What thoughts in my unquiet breast are risen, 975 Tending to some relief of our extremes. Or end ; though sharp and sad, yet tolerable, As in our evils, and of easier choice. If care of our descent perplex us most. Which must be born to certain woe, devour'd 980 By Death at last ; and miserable it is To be to others cause of misery. Our own begotten, and of our loins to bring Into this cursed world a woful race. That after wretched life must be at last 985
Food for so foul a monster j in thy power
248 PARADISE LOST. b.i,
It lies, yet ere conception to prevent
The race unbless'd, to being yet unbegot.
Childless thou art, childless remain : so Death
Shall be deceived his glut, and with us two 990
Be forced to satisfy his ravenous maw.
But if thou judge it hard and difficult,
Conversing, looking; loving, to abstain
From love's due rights, nuptial embraces sweet ',
And with desire to languish without hope, 995
Before the present object languishing
With like desire ; which would be misery
And torment less than none of what we dread ;
Then, both ourselves and seed at once to free
From what we fear for both, let us make short, 1000
Let us seek Death ; — or, he not found, supply
With our own hands his office on ourselves :
Why stand we longer shivering under fears,
That show no end but death, and have the power,
Of many ways to die the shortest choosing, 1005
Destruction with destruction to destroy ? —
She ended here, or vehement despair Broke off the rest ; so much of death her thoughts Had entertain'd, as dyed her cheeks with pale. But Adam, with such counsel nothing sway'd, 1010 To better hopes his more attentive mind Labouring had raised ; and thus to Eve replied •
Eve, thy contempt of life and pleasure seems To argue in thee something more sublime And excellent, than wliat thy mind contemns; 1015 But self-destruction therefore sought refutes That excellent thought in thee ; and implies, Not thy contempt, but anguish and regret For loss of life and pleasure overloved. Or if thou covet death, as utmost end 1020
Of misery, so thinking to evade The penalty pronounced ; doubt not but God Hath wiselier arm'd his vengeful ire than so To be forestall'd •• much more I fear lest death,
PARADISE LOST. 249
So snatch'd, will not exempt us from the pain 1025 We are by doom to pay; rather, such acts Of contumacy v;ill provoke the Highest To make death in us live : then let us seek Some safer resolution, which melhinks I have in view, calling to mind with heed 1030
Part of our sentence, that thy seed shall bruise The Serpent's head ; piteous amends ! unless Be meant, whom I conjecture, our grand foe, Satan ; who, in the serpent, hath contrived Against us this deceit : to crash his head 1035
Would be revenge indeed ! which will be lost By death brought on ourselves, or childless days Resolved, as thou proposest ; so our foe ghall scape his punishment ordain'd, and we Instead shall double ours upon our heads. 1040
No more be mention'd then of violence Against ourselves ; and wilful barrenness, That cuts us off from hope ; and savours only Rancour and pride, impatience and despite, Reluctance against God and his just yoke 1045
Laid on our necks. Remember with what mild And gracious temper he both heard, and judged, Without wrath or reviling ; we expected Immediate dissolution, which we thought Was meant by death that day : when lo ! to thee 1050 Pains only in childbearing were foretold, And bringing forth ; soon recompensed with joy, Fruit of thy womb : on me the curse aslope Glanced on the ground ; with labour I must earn My bread ; what harm .'' Idleness had been worse. 1055 My labour will sustain me ; and, lest cold Or heat should injure us, his timely care Hath, unbesought, provided ; and his hands Clothed us unworthy, pitying while he judged j How much morei, if we pray him, will his ear 1000 Be open, and his heart to pity incline. And teach us further by what means to shun
250 PARADISE LOST. b. x.
The inclement seasons, rain, ice, hail, and snow !
Which now the sky, with various face, begins
To show us in this mountain ; while the winds 1065
Blow moist and keen, shattering the graceful locks
Of these fair spreading trees ; which bids us seek
Some better shroud, some better warmth to cherish
Our limbs benumb'd, ere this diurnal star
Leave cold the night, how we his gather'd beams 1070
Reflected may with matter sere foment ;
Or, by collision of two bodies, grind
The air attrite to fire ; as late the clouds
Justling, or push'd with winds, rude in their shock,
Tine the slant lightning ', whose thwart flame, driven
down, Kindles the gummy bark of fir or pine ; 1076
And sends a comfortable heat from far. Which might supply the sun : such fire to use, And what may else be remedy or cure To evils which our own misdeeds have wrought, 1080 He will instruct us praying, and of grace Beseeching him ; so as we need not fear To pass commodiously this life, sustain'd By him with many comforts, till we end In dust, our final rest and native home. 1085
What better can we do than, to the place Repairing where he judged us, prostrate fall Before him reverent ; and there confess Humbly our faults, and pardon beg j with tears Watering the ground, and with our sighs the air 1090 Frequenting, sent from hearts contrite, in sign Of sorrow unfeign'd, and humiliation meek ? Undoubtedly he will relent, and turn From his displeasure ; in whose look serene. When angry most he seem'd and most severe, 1095 What else but favour, grace, and mercy, shone ?
So spake our father penitent ; nor Eve Felt less remorse : they, forthwith to the place Repairing where he judged them, prostrate fell
PARADISE LOST. 251
Before him reverent ; and both confessed 1100
Humbly their faults, and pardon begg'd : with tears Watering the ground, and with their sighs the air Frequenting, sent from hearts contrite, in sign Of sorrow imfeign'd and humiliation meek
PARADISE LOST
BOOK XI.
The Son of God presents to his Father the prayers of our firpt pa- rents now repenting, and intercedes for them: God accepts them, but declares that they must no longer abide in Paradise ; sends Michael with a band of Cherubim to dispossess them; but first to reveal to Adam future things : Michael's coming down. Adam shows to Eve certain ominous signs ; he discerns Michael's apjEoach; goes out to meet him; the Angel denounces their de- parture. Eve's Lamentation. Adam pleads, but submits : The Angel leads him up to a high hill; sets before him in vision what shall happen till the Flood.
Thus they, in lowliest plight, repentant stood
Praying ; for from the mercy-seat above
Prevenient grace descending had removed
The stony from their hearts, and made new flesh
Regenerate grow instead ; that sighs now breathed 5
Unutterable ; which the Spirit of prayer
Inspired, and wing'd for Heaven with speedier flight
Than loudest oratory : yet their port
Not of mean suitors ; nor important less
Seem'd their petition, than when the ancient pair 10
in fables old, less ancient yet than these,
Deucalion and chaste Pyrrha, to restore
The race of mankind drown'd, before the shrine
Of Themis stood devout. To Heaven their prayers
Flew u^, nor miss'd the way, by envious winds 15
Blown vagabond or frustrate : in they pass'd
Dimensionless through heavenly doors ; then clad
With incense, where the golden altar fumed
By their great Intercessor, came in sight
Before the Father's throne : them the glad Son 20
rtescnting, thus to intercede began :
PARADISE LOST. 253
See, Father, what first-fruits on earth are sprung From thy implanted grace in Man ; these sighs And prayers, which in this golden censer, mix'd With incense, I thy priest before thee bring : 25
Fruits of more pleasing savour, from thy seed a.own with contrition in his heart, than those Which, his own hand manuring, all the trees Of Paradise could have produced, ere fkllen From innocence. Now, therefore, bend thine ear 30 To supplication ; hear his sighs, though mute ; Unskilful with what words to pray, let me Interpret for him ; me, his advocate And propitiation ; all his works on me, Good or not good, ingraft ; my merit those 35
Shall perfect, and for these my death shall pay. Accept me ; and, in me, from these receive The smell of peace toward mankind : let him live Before thee reconciled, at least his days Number "d, though sad ; till death, his doom (which I To mitigate thus plead, not to reverse,) 41
To better life shall yield him : w^here with me All my redeem"d may dwell in joy and bliss ; Made one with me, as I with thee am one.
To whom the Father, without cloud, serene ; 45 All tliy request for Man, accepted Son, Obtain ; all thy request was my decree : But, longer in that Paradise to dwell, The law I gave to nature him forbids : Those pure immortal elements, that know 50
No gross, no unharmonious mixture foul, Eject him, tainted now ; and purge him off, As a distemper, gross, to air as gross, And mortal food ; as may dispose him best Tor dissolution wrought by sin, that first 55
Distemper'd all things, and of incorrupt Corrupted. I, at first, with too fair gifts Created him endow'd ; with happiness 22
254 PARADISE LOST. b.xi^
And immortality : tliat fondly lost,
This other served but to eternize woe ; 60
Till I provided death : so death becomes
His final remedy ; and, after life.
Tried in sharp tribulation, and refined
By faith and faithful works, to second life,
Waked in the renovation of the just, 65
R,esigns him up with Heaven and Earth renew d.
But let us call to synod all the Bless'd [hide
Through Heaven's wide bounds : from them I Avill not
My judgments ; how with mankind I proceed,
As how with peccant Angels late they saw, 70
And in their state, though firm, stood more confirm'd.
He ended, and the Son gave signal high To the bright minister that watch'd ; he blew His trumpet, heard in Orcb since perhaps When God descended, and perhaps once more 75
To sound at general doom. The angelic blast Fill'd all the regions : from their blissful bowers Of amarantine shade, fountain or spring, By the waters of life, where'er tliey sat In fellowships of joy, the sons of light 80
Hasted, resorting to the summons high ; And took their seats : till from his throne supreme The Almighty thus pronounced his sov'reign will :
O Sons, like one of us Man is becomo To know both good and evil, since his taste 85
Of that defended fruit ; but let him boast His knowledge ot good lost, and evil got ; Happier, had it sufficed him to have known Good by itself, and evil not at all.
He sorrows now, repents, and prays contrite, 90
My motions in him ; longer than they move, His heart I know, how variable and vain, Self-left. Lest therefore his now bolder hand Reach also of the tree of life, and eat, And live for ever, dream at least to live 95
I
• AHADISE LOST 255
For ever, to remove him I decree,
And send him from tlie garden forth to till
The ground whence he was taken, fitter soil.
Michael, this my behest have thou in charge , Take to thee from among the Cherubim 100
Thy choice of flaming warriors, lest the Fiend, Or in behalf of Man, or to invade Vacant possession, some new trouble raise : Haste thee, and from the Paradise of God Without remorse drive out the sinful pair ; 105
From hallow'd ground the unholy ; and denounce To them, and to their progeny, from thence Perpetual banishment. Yet, lest they faint At the sad sentence rigorously urged (For I behold them soften'd, and with tears 110
Bewailing their excess,) all terror hide. If patiently thy bidding they obey, Dismiss them not disconsolate ; reveal To Adam what shall come in future days, As I shall thee enlighten ; intermix 115
My covenant in the Woman's seed renew'd ; So send them forth, though sorrowing, yet in peace And on the east side of the garden place. Where entrance up from Eden easiest climbs, Cherubic watch ; and of a sword the flame 120
Wide-waving ; all approach far off" to fright, And guard all pp^sage to the tree of life : Lest Paradise a receptacle prove To Spirits foul, and all my trees their prey : With whose stolen fruit Man once more to delude. 125
He ceased ; and the archangelic Power prepared For swift descent ; with him the cohort bright Of watchful Cherubim : four faces each Had, like a double Janus ; all their shape Spangled with eyes more numerous than those 130 Of Argus, and more wakeful than to drowse, Charm'd with Arcadian pipe, the pastoral reed Of Hermes, or his opiate rod. Meanwhile,
25C PARADISE LOST. b. a.
To resalute the world with sacred light,
Leucothea waked ; and with fresh dews ombalm'd 135
The earth ; when Adam and first matron Eve
Had ended now tJieir orisons, and found
Strength added from above ; new hope to spring
Out of despair ; joy, but with fear yet link'd ;
Which thus to Eve his welcome words renew'd : 140
Eve, easily may faith admit, that all The good which we enjoy from Heaven descends j But, that from us aught should ascend to Heaven So prevalent as to concern the mind Of God high-bless'd, or to incline his will, 145
Hard to belief may seem ; yet this will prayer Or one short sight of human breath, upborne Even to the seat of God. For since I sought By prayer the offended Deity to appease ; Kneel'd, and before him humbled all my heart ; 150 Methought I saw him placable and mild, Bending his ear ; persuasion in me grew That I was heard with favour; peace return'd Home to my breast, and to my memory His promise, that thy seed shall bruise our foe ; 155 Which, then not minded in dismay, yet now Assures me that the bitterness of death Is pass'd, and we shall live. Whence hail to thee, Eve rightly call'd, mother of all mankind. Mother of all things living, since by *hee 160
Man iw to live ; and all things live for Man.
To whom thus Eve with sad demeanour meek : 111 worthy I such title should belong To me transgressor ; who, for thee ordain'd A help, became thy snare ; to me reproach 165
Rather belongs, distrust, and all dispraise j But infinite in pardon was my Judge, That I, who first brought death on all, am graced . The source of life ; next favourable thou, Who highly thus to entitle me vouchsafest, 17^
Far other name deserving. But the field
PARADISE LOST. 257
To labour calls us, now with sweat imposed, Though after sleepless night ; for see ! the morn, All uncoDcern'd with our unrest, begins Her rosy progress smiling : let us fcn-th ; 175
I never from thy side henceforth to stray, Where'er our day's work lies, though now enjoin'd Laborious, till day droop ; while here we dwell, Wliat can be toilsome in these pleasant walks ? Here let us live, though in. fallen state, content. 180
So spake, so wish'd much humbled Eve ; but Fate Subscribed not : Nature first gave signs, impress'd On bird, beast, air ; air suddenly eclipsed, After short blush of morn ; nigh in her sight The bird of Jove,-stoop'd from his aery tour, 185
Two birds of gayest plume before him drove ; Down from a hill the beast that reigns in woods, First hunter then, pursued a gentle brace, Goodliest of all the forest, hart and hind ; Direct to the eastern gate v/as bent their flight. 190 Adam observed, and with his eye the chase Pursuing, not unmoved, to Eve thus spake :
O Eve, some further change awaits us nigh. Which Heaven, by these mute signs in Nature, shows Forerunners of his purpose ; or to warn 195
Us, haply too secure of our discharge From penalty, because from death released Some days : how long, and what till then our life, Who knows ? or more than this, that we are dust, And thither must return, and be no more ? 200
Why else this double object in our sight Of flight pursued in the air, and o'er the ground, One way the selfsame hour ? why in the east Darkness ere day's mid-course, and morning-light More orient in yon western cloud, that draws 205
O'er the blue firmament a radiant white, And slow descends with something heavenly fraught ?
He err'd not ; for by this the heavenly bands Down from a sky of jasper lighted now 2v>*
258 PARADISE LOST. b. xi.
In Paradise, and on a hill made halt ; 210
A glorious apparition, had not doubt
And carnal fear that day dimm'd Adam's eye.
Not that more glorious, v/hen the Angels met
Jacob in Mahanaim, where he saw
The field pavilion'd with his guardians bright : 215
Nor that, which on the flaming mount appear'd
In Dothan, cover'd with a camp of fire.
Against the Syrian king, who to surprise
One man, assassin-like, had levied war,
War unproclaim'd. The princely Ilierarch 220
In their bright stand there left his Powers, to seize
Possession of the garden ; he alone,
To find where Adam shelter'd, took his way.
Not unperceived of Adam : who to Eve,
While the great visitant approach'd, thus spake : 225
Eve, now expect great tidings, which perhaps Of us will soon determine, or impose New laws to be observed ; for I descry, From yonder blazing cloud that veils the hill, One of the heavenly liost ! and, by his gait, 230
None of the meanest 5 some great Potentate Or of the Thrones above ; such majesty Invests him coming ! yet not terrible, That I should fear ; nor sociably mild. As Raphael, that I should much confide ; 235
But solemn and sublime ; whom not to offend, With reverence I must meet, and thou retire.
He ended : and the Archangel soon drew nigh, Not in his shape celestial, but as man Clad to meet man ; over his lucid arms 240
A military vest of purple flow'd. Livelier than Melibcean, or the grain Of Sarra, worn by kings and heroes old In time of truce ; Iris had dipp'd the woof; His starry helm unbuckled show'd him prime 245
111 manhood where youth ended ; by his side, As in a glistering zodiac, hung the sword,
PARADISE LOST. 259
Satan's dire dread ; and in his hand the spear. Adam bow'd low ; he, kingly, from his state Inclined not, but his coming thus declared : 250
Adam ! Heaven's high behest no preface needs • SufScient that thy prayers are heard ; and Death, Then due by sentence v/hen thou didst transgress, Defeated of his seizure many days Given thee of grace ; wherein thou mayst repent, 255 And one bad act with many deeds well done Mayst cover : well may then thy Lord, appeased, Redeem thee quite from Death's rapacious claim ; But longer in this Paradise to dwell Permits not : to remove thee I am come, 260
And send thee from the garden forth to till The ground whence thou wast taken, fitter soil.
He added not ; for Adam at the news Heart-struck with chilling gripe of sorrow stood. That all his senses bound ; Eve, who unseen 265
Yet all had heard, with audible lament Discover'd soon the place of her retire.
O unexpected stroke, worse than of Death ! Must I thus leave thee, Paradise ? thus leave Thee, native soil ! these happy walks and shades, 270 Fit haunt of Gods ? where I had hope to spend, Quiet though sad, the respite of that day That must be mortal to us both. O flowers, That never will in other climate grow, My early visitation, and my last 275
At even, which I bred up with tender hand From the first opening bud, and gave ye names ! Who now shall rear ye to the sun, or rank Your tribes, and water from the ambrosial fount ? Thee lastly, nuptial bower ! by me adorn'd 280
With what to sight or smell was sweet ! from thee How shall I part, and whither wander down Into a lower world ; to this obscure And wild ? how shall \ve breathe in other air Less pure, accustom'd to ijrouortal fruits ? 285
260 PARADISE LOST. b. xi.
Whom thus the Angel interrupted mild : Lament not, Eve, but patiently resign What justly thou hast lost, nor set thy heart, Thus overfond, on that which is not thine : Thy going is not lonely ; with thee goes 290
Thy husband ; him to follow thou art bound ; Where he abides, think there thy native soil.
Adam, by this from the cold sudden damp Recovering, and his scatter'd spirits return'd. To Michael thus his humble words address'd : 295
Celestial, whether among the Thrones, or named Of them the highest ; for such of shape may seem Prince above princes : gently hast thou told Thy message, which might else in telling wound, And in performing end us ; what besides 300
Of sorrow, and dejection, and despair, Our frailty can sustain, thy tidings bring. Departure from this happy place, our sweet Recess, and only consolation left
Familial to our eyes ! all places else 305
Inhospitable appear, and desolate ; Nor knowing us, nor known : and, if by prayer Incessant I could hope to change the will Of Him who all things can, I would not cease To weary him with my assiduous cries : 310
But prayer against his absolute decree No more avails than breath against the wind. Blown stifling back on him that breathes it forth : Therefore to his great bidding I submit. This most afflicts me, that, departing hence, 315
As from his face I shall be hid, deprived His blessed countenance : here I could frequent With worship place by place where he vouchsafed Presence Divine ; and to my sons relate, On this mount he appear'd ; under this tree 320
Stood visible ; among these pines his voice I heard ; here with him at this fountain talk'd • So many grateful altars I would rear
PARADISE LOST. 26)
Of grassy turf, and pile up every stone
Of lustre from the brook, in memory, 325
Or monument to ages , and thereon
Offer sweet-smelling gums, and fruits, and flowers :
In yonder nether world where shall I seek
His bright appearances, or footstep trace ?
For though I fled him angry, yet, recall'd 330
To life prolong 'd and promised race, I now
Gladly behold though but his utmost skirts
Of glory ; and far off" his steps adore.
To whom thus Michael with regard benign : Adam, thou know'st Heaven his, and all the Earth; Not this rock only ; his Omnipresence fills 336
Land, sea, and air, and every kind that lives, Fomented by his virtual power and warm'd : All the earth he gave thee to possess and rule, No despicable gift ; surmise not then 3-10
His presence to these narrow bounds confined Of Paradise, or Eden , this had been Perhaps thy capital seat, from whence had spread All generations; and had hither come From all the ends of the earth, to celebrate 345
And reverence thee, their great progenitor. But this preeminence thou hast lost, brought down To dwell on even ground now with thy sons ; Yet doubt not but in valley and on plain God is, as here , and will be found alike 35C
Present ; and of his presence many a sign Still following thee, still compassing thee round With goodness and paternal love, his face Express, and of his steps the track divine. Which that thou mayst believe, and be confirm'd 355 Ere thou from hence depart ; know, 1 am sent To show thee what shall come in future days To thee and to thy offspring ; good with bad Expect to hear ; supernal grace contending With sinfulness of men ; thereby to learn 360
True patience, and to temper joy with fear
262 PARADISE LOST b. xi
And pious sorrow ; equally inured
By moderation either state to bear,
Prosperous or adverse : so shalt thou lead
Safest thy life, and best prepared endure 365
Thy mortal passage when it comes. — Ascend
This hill ; let Eve (for I have drench'd her eyes)
Here sleep below ; while thou to foresight wakest ;
As once thou slept'st, while she to life was form'd.
To w^hom thus Adam gratefully replied : 370
Ascend ; I follow thee, safe Guide, the path Thou lead'st me ; and to the hand of Heaven submit, However chastening ; to the evil turn My obvious breast ; arming to overcome By suffering, and earn rest from labour won, 375
If so I may attain. — So both ascend In the visions of God. It was a hill, Of Paradise the highest ; from whose top The hemisphere of earth, in clearest ken, Stretch'd out to the amplest reach of prospect lay. 380 Not higher that hill, nor wider looking round, Whereon, for different cause, the Tempter set Our second Adam, in the wilderness ; To show him all Earth's kingdoms and their glory. His eye might there command wherever stood 385 City of old or modern fame, the seat Of mightiest empire, from the destined wall Of Gambalu, seat of Cathaian Can, And Samarchand b}' Oxus, Temir's throne, To Paquin of Sinsean kings ; and thence 390
To Agra and Labor of great Mogul, Down to the golden Chersonese ; or where The Persian in Ecbatan sat, or since In Hispahan ; or where the Russian Ksar In Mosco; oi the Sultan in Bizance, 395
Turchestan-born ; nor could his eye not ken The empire of Negus to his utmost port Ercoco, and the less maritime kings Mombaza, and Quiloa, and Melind,
PARADISE LOST. 263
And Sofala. thought Ophir, to the realm 400
Of Congo, and Angola furthest south ; Or thence from Niger flood to Atlas mount The kingdoms of Almansor, Fez and Sus, Morocco, and Algiers, and Tremisen : On Europe thence, and where Rome was to sway 405 The world : in spirit perhaps he also saw Rich Mexico, the seat of Montezume, And Cusco in Peru, the richer seat Of Atabalipa ; and yet unspoil'd
Guiana, whose great city Geryon's sons 410
Call El Dorado. But to nobler sights Michael from Adam's eyes the film removed, Which that false fruit that promised clearer sight Had bred ; then purged with euphrasy and rue The visual nerve, for he had much to see ; 415
And from the well of life three drops instill'd. So deep the power of these ingredients pierced, Even to the inmost seat of mental sight. That Adam, now enforced to close his eyes. Sunk down, and all his spirits became entranced ; 420 But him the gentle Angel by the hand Soon rallied, and his attention thus reoall'd :
Adam, now ope thine eyes ; and first behold The effects which thy original crime hath wrought In some to spring from thee ; who never touched 425 The excepted tree ; nor with the snake conspired ; Nor sinned thy sin ; yet from that sin derive Corruption, to bring forth more violent deeds.
His eyes he opened, and beheld a field. Part arable and tilth, whereon were sheaves 430
New reap'd ; the other part sheep-walks and folds ; r the midst an altar as the landmark stood, Rustic, of grassy sord : thither anon A sweaty reaper from his tillage brought First fruits, the green ear, and the yeDow sheaf, 435 Uncull'd, as came to hand : a shepherd next
264 PARADISE LOST. b. si.
More meek, came with the firsthngs of his flock,
Choicest and best : then, sacrificing, laid
The inwards and their fat, with incense strow'd,
On the cleft wood, and a.ll due rites performed. 440
His offering soon propitious fire from Heaven
Consumed with nimble glance and grateful steam ;
The other's not, for his was not sincere ;
Whereat he inly raged, and, as they talk'd,
Smote him into the midriff with a stone 445
That beat out life ; he fell ; and, deadly pale,
Groan'd out his soul with gushing blood effused.
Much at that sight was Adam in his heart
Dismay'd, and thus in haste to the Angel cried :
O Teacher ! some great mischief hath befallen 450 To that meek man, who well had sacrificed ; Is piety thus and pure devotion paid ?
To whom Michael thus, he also moved, replied : These two are brethren, Adam, and to come Out of thy loins ; the unjust the just hath slain, 455 For envy that his brother's offering found From Heaven acceptance ; but the bloody fact Will be avenged ; and the other's faith, approved, Lose no reward ; though here thou see him die, Rolling in dust and gore. To which our sire : 4C0
Alas ! both for the deed and for the cause ; But have I now seen Death ? Is this the way I must return to native dust ? O sight Of terror, foul and ugly to behold. Horrid to think, how horrible to feel ! 465
To whom thus Michael : Death thou hast seen In his first shape on man ; but many shapes Of Death, and many are the ways that lead To his grim cave, all dismal : yet to sense More terrible at the entrance, than within, 470
Some, as thou saw'st, by violent stroke shall die ; By fire, flood, famine, by intemperance more In meals and drinks, which on the earth shall bring
PARADISE LOST. 265
Diajases dire, of which a monstrous crew Before thee shall appear ; that thou may'st know 475 What misery the inabstinence of Eve Shall bring on Men, Immediately a place Before his eyes appear'd, sad, noisome, dark ; A lazar-house it seem'd ; wherein were laid Numbers of all diseased ; all maladies 480
Of ghastly spasm, or racking torture, qualms Of heartsick agony, all feverous kinds, Convulsions, epilepsies, fierce catarrhs, Intestine stone and ulcer, coUc-pangs, Demoniac frenzy, moping melaiicholy, 485
And moon-struck madness, pining atrophy. Marasmus, and wide-v/asting pestilence, Dropsies, and asthmas, and joint-racking rheums. Dire was the tos^iing, deep the groans ; Despair Tended the sick busiest from couch to couch ; 490 And over them triumpiiant Death his dart Shook, but delay'd to strike, though oft invoked With vows, as their chief good and fiial hope. Sight so deform what heart of rock could long Dry eyed behold ^ Adam could not, but wept, 495
Though not of woman born ; compassion quell'd best of man, and gave him up to tears oacc, till firmer thoughts restrain'd excess ; 1, scarce recovermg words, his plaint renew'd : > miserable mankind, to what fall 500
graded, to what wretched state reserved ! ;tter end here unborn. Why is life given o be thus wrested from us ? rather, why ibtruded on us thus ? who, if we knew ^Vhat we receive, would either not accept 505
Life ofFer'd, or soon bog to lay it down ; Glad to be so dismiss'd in peace. Can thus The image of God in Man, created once So goodly and erect, though faulty since, 1') such unsightly suiTc rings be debased 510
Under inhuman paiiis ? Why should not Man,
J
266 • PARADISE LOST. b. xi.
Retaining still divine similitude
In part, from snch deformities be free,
And, for his Maker's image sake, exempt ?
Their Maker's image, answer'd Michael, then 515 Forsook them, wlien themselves they vilified To serve ungovern'd Appetite ; and took His image whom they served, a brutish vice, Inductive mainly to the sin of Eve. Therefore so abject is their punishment, 520
Disfiguring not God's likeness, but their own j Or if his likeness, by themselves defaced ; While they pervert pure Nature's healthful rules To loathsome sickness ; worthily since they God's image did not reverence in themselves. 525
I yield it just, said Adaip, and submit. But is there yet no other way, besides These painful passages, how we may come To death, and mix with our conno,tural dust .''
There is, said MichaCl, if thou well observe 530 The rule of S<'ot too inuch ; by temperance taught, In what thou eat'st and drink'st ; seeking from thence Due nourishment, not gluttonous delight, Till many years over thy head return : So mayst thou live ; till, like ripe fruit, thou drop 535 Into thy mother's lap ; or be with ease Gather'd, not harshly pluck'd ; for death mature : This is Old Age ; but then thou must outlive [change Thy youth, thy strength, thy beauty ; which will To wither'd, weak, and gray ; thy senses then, 540 Obtuse, all taste of pleasure must forego, To what thou hast ; and, for the air of youth, Hopeful and cheerful, in thy blood will reign A melancholy damp of cold and dry To weigh tliy spirits down, and last consume 545
The balm of life. To whom our ancestor :
Henceforth I fly not death, nor would prolong Life much ; bent rather, how I may be quit, Fairest and easiest, of this cumbrous cliarge ; •
PARADISE LOST. 267
Which I must keep till my appointed day 550
Of rendering up, and patiently attend My dissolution. Michael replied :
Nor love thy life, nor hate ; but what thou liyest Live well ; how long, or short, permit to Heaven : And now prepare thee for another sight. 555
He look'd, and saw a spacious plain, whereon Were tents of various hue ; by some were herds Of cattle grazing ; others, whence the sound Of instruments, that made melodious chime. Was heard, of harp and organ ; and, who moved 560 Their stops and chords, was seen ; his volant touch, Instinct through all proportions, low and high, Fled and pursued transverse the resonant fugue. In other part stood one who, at the forge Labouring, two massy clods of iron and brass 565
Had melted (whether found where casual fire Had wasted woods on mountain or in vale, Down to the veins of earth ; thence gliding hot To some cave's mouth ; or whether wash'd by stream From miderground ;) the liquid ore he drain'd 570
Into fit moulds prepared ; from which he form'd First his own tools ; then, vrhat might else be wrought Fusil or graven in metal. After these, But on the hither side, a different sort [seat
From the high neighbouring hills, which was their Down to the plain descended ; by their guise 576
Just men they seem'd, and all their study bent To worship God aright, and know his works Not hid ; nor those things last, which might preserve Freedom and peace to Men ; they on the plain 5S0 Long had not walk'd, when from the tents, behold ! A bevy of fair women, richly gay. In gems and wanton dress ;- to the harp they sung Soft amorous ditties, and in dance came on : The men, though grave, eyed them ; and let their eyes Rove without rein ; till, in the amorous net 586
Fast caught, they liked ; and each his liking chose ;
268 PARADISE LOST. b. 5i>
And now of love they treat, till the evenhig star,
Love's harbinger, appear'd ; then, all in heat
They light the nuptial torch, and bid invoke 590
Hymen, then first to marriage rites invoked .
With feast and music all the tents resound.
Such happy interview, and fair event
Of love and youth not lost, sungs, garlands, flowers,
And charming sympnonies, attach'd the heart 595
Of Adam, soon inclined to admit delight.
The bent of nature ; which he thus express'd :
True opener of mine eyes, prime Angel bless'd j Much better seems this vision, and more hope Of peaceful days portends, than those two pass'd ; 600 Those were of hate and death, or pain much worse ; Here Nature seems fulfill'd in all her ends.
To whom thus Michael : J\idge not what is best By pleasure, though to nature seeming meet ; Created, as thou art, to nobler end 605
Holy and pure, conformity divine. Those tents thou saw'st so pleasant were the tentfl Of wickedness, wherein shall dwell his race Who slew his brother ; studious they appear Of arts that polish life, inventors rare; 610
Unmindful of their Maimer, though his Spirit Taught them ; but they his gifts acknowledged none. Yet they a beauteous ofispring sliall beget ; For that fair female troop thou saw'st, that seem'd Of Goddesses so blithe, so smooth, so gay, 615
Yet empty of all good wherein consists Woman's domestic honour and chief praise ; Bred only and completed to the taste 'Of lustful appetence, to sing, to dance, To dress, and troll the tongue, and roll the eye : 620 To thiese tliat sober race of men, whose lives Religious tilled them the sons of God, "Shall yield up all their virtue, all their fame Ignobly, to Ihe trains and to the smiles Of tliesc (air atJicists ; and now swiixi in joy, 625
PARADISE LOST. 2G9
Erelong to swim at large ; and laugh for which The world erelong a world of tears must weep.
To whom thus Adam, of short joy bereft : O pity and shame, that they, who to live well Enter d so fair, should turn aside to tread 630
Paths indirect, or in the mid way faint ! But still I see the tenor of Man's woe Holds on the same, from Woman to begin
From Man's effeminate slackness it begins, Said the Angel, who should better hold his place 635 By wisdom, and superior gifts received. But now prepare thee for another scene.
He look'd, and saw wide territory spread Before him, towns, and rural works between , Cities of Men with lofty gates and towers, 640
Concourse in arms, fierce faces tlireatening war, Giants of mighty bone and bold emprise ; Part wield their arms, part curb the foaming steed, Single or in array of battle ranged Both horse and foot, nor idly mustering stood \ 645 One waj' a band select from forage drives A herd of beeves, fair oxen and fair kine, From a fat meadow ground ; or fleecy flock. Ewes and their bleating lambs over the plain, Their booty ; scarce with life the shepherds fly, 650 But call in aid, which makes a bloody fray ; With cruel tournament the squadrons join ; Where cattle pastured late, now scatter'd lies With carcasses and arms the ensanguined field, Deserted : Others to a city strong 655
Lay siege, encamp'd ; by battery, scale, and mine, Assaulting : others from the wall defend With dart and javelin, stones, and sulphurous fire \ On each hand slaughter and gigantic deeds- 3n other part the sceptred heralds call 660
To council, in tlie city -gates ; anon Gray-headed men and grave, with warriors mix'd Assemble, and harangues are hetird : but soon, 23"
mQ PARADISE LOST. b. x«.
In factious opposition ; till at last,
Of middle age one rising, eminent 665
In wise deport, spake much of right and wrong,
Of justice, of religion, truth, and peace,
And judgment from above : him old and young
Exploded, and had seized with violent hands,
Had not a cloud descending snatch'd him thonce €>7Q
"Unseen amid the throng ; so violence
Proceeded, and oppression, and sword-law,
Through all the plain, and refuge none was found
Adam v/as all in tears, and to his guide
Lamenting turn'd full sad : O ! what are these, 675
Death's ministers, not men ? who thus deal death
Inhum.anl^^ to men, and multiply
Ten thousandfold the sin of him who slev/
His brother ; for of whom such massacre
Make they, but of their brethren ; men of men ? 680
But who was that just man, whom had not Heaven
Rescued, had in his righteousness been lost ?
To whom thus Michael : These are the product Of those ill mated marriages thou saw'st ; [selves
Where good with bad were match'd, who of thera- Abhor to join ; and, by imprudence mix'd, 686
Produce prodigious births of body or mind. Such were these giants, men of high renown ; For in those days might only shall be admired. And valour and heroic virtue call'd ; 690
To overcome in battle, and subdue Nations, and bring home spoils with infinite Man-slaughter, shall be held the highest pitch Of human glory ; and for glory done Of triumph, to be styled great conquerors, 695
Patrons of mankind, Gods, and sons of Gods 9 Destroyers rightlier call'd, and plagues of men. Tlius fame shall be achieved, renown on Earth > And what most merits fame, in silence hid. But he, the seventh from thee, whom thou b^ljeldst The only ri|»hteo\is in a vrorld perverfie, yOl
PARADISE LOST. 271
And therefore hated, therefore so beset
With foes, for daring single to be just,
And utter odious truth, that God would come
To judge them with his Saints ; him the Most High
Wrapp'd in a balmy cloud with winged steeds 706
Did, as thou saw'st, receive, to walk with God
High in salvation and the climes of bliss.
Exempt from death ; to show thee what reward
Awaits the good ; the rest what punishment ; 710
Which now direct thine eyes and soon behold.
He look'd, and saw the face of things quite changed ;
The brazen throat of war had ceased to roar ;
All now was turn'd to jollity and game,
To luxury and riot, feast and dance ; 71&
Marrying or prostituting, as befel,
Rape or adultery, where passing fair
Allured them ; thence from cups to civil broils.
At length a reverend sire among them came,
And of their doings great di.slike declared, 7Q0
And testified against their ways ; he oft
Frequented their assemblies, whereso met,
Triumphs or festivals ; and to them preach'd
Conversion and repentance, as to souls
In prison, under judgments imminent : 725-
But all in vain : which when he saw, he ceased
Contending, and removed his tents far off j
Then, from the mountain hev/ing timber tall,
Began to build a vessel of huge bulk ;
Measured b}"- cubit, length, and breadth, and height ,
Smear 'd round Avith pitch : and in the side a door 731'
Contrived ; and of provisions laid in large.
For man and beast : when lo, a wonder strange !
Of every beast, and bird, and insect small
Came sevens, and pairs : and entcr'd in as taught 735
Their order : last the sire and his three sons.
With their four wives ; and God made fast the door.
Meanwhile the south-wind rose, and, with black wings
Wide-hovering, all the clouds together drovg
272 PARADISE LOST. b. xi.
From under Heaven ; the hills to their supply 740
Vapour, and exhalation dusk and i^ftoist,
Sent up amain ; and now the tliicken'd sky
Like a dark ceiling stood ; down rush'd the rain
Impetuous ; and continued, till the earth
No more was se~'n ; the floating vessel swum 745
Uplifted, and secure with beaked prow
Rode tilting o'er the waves ; all dwellings else
Flood overwhelra'd, and them, with all their pomp
Deep under water roll'd ; sea cover'd sea,
Sea without shore ; and in their palaces, 750
Where luxury late reign'd, sea-monsters whelp'd
And stabled ; of mankind, so numerous late,
All left in one small bottom swum embark'd.
How didst thou grieve then, Adam, to behold
The end of all thy offs])ring, end so sad, 755
Depopulation ! Thee another flood,
Of tears and sorrov/ a flood, thee also drown'd,
And sunk thee as thy sons ; till, gently rear'd
By the Angel, on thy feet thou stood'st at last,
Though comfortless ; as when a father mourns 760
His children, all in viev/ destroy 'd at once ;
And scarce to the Angel utter'dst thus thy plaint •
O visions ill foreseen ! Better had I Lived ignorant of future ! so had borne My part of evil only, each day's lot 765
Enough to bear ; those now, that were dispensed The burden of many ages, on me light At once, by my foreknov/ledge gaining birth Abortive, to torment me ere their being, With thought that they must be. Let no man seek Henceforth to be foretold what shall befal 771
Him or his children ; evil he may be sure. Which neither his foreknowing can prevent ; And he tne future evil sliali no less In apprehension than in substance feel, 775
Grievous to bear : but that care now is pass'd, Man is not whom to warn ; those few escaped
PARADISE LOST. 273
Famine and anguish will at last consume, Wandering that watery desert : I had hope, "When violence was ceased, and war on earth, 780 All would have then gone well ; peace would have
crown'd With length of happy days the race of man } But I was far deceived ; for now I. see Peace to corrupt no less than war to waste. How comes it thus .'' unfold, celestial Guide, 785
And whether here the race of Man will end.
To whom thus Michael : Those, whom last thou
saw'st in triumph and luxurious wealth, are they First seen in acts of prowess eminent And great exploits, but of true virtue void } 790
Who, having spilt much blood, and done much waste, Subduing nations, and achieved thereby Fame in the world, high titles, and rich prey ; Shall change their course to pleasure, ease, and sloth, Surfeit, and lust ; till wantonness and pride 795
Raise out of friendship hostile deeds in peace. The conquer'd also, and enslaved by war. Shall, with their freedom lost, all virtue lose And fear of God ; from whom their piety feign'd In sharp contest of battle found no aid 800
Against invaders ; therefore, cool'd in zeal, Thenceforth shall practise how to live secure, Worldly or dissolute, on what their lords Shall leave them to enjoy ; for the earth shall bear More than enough, that temperance may be tried : 805 So all shall turn degenerate, all depraved ; Justice and temperance, truth and faith, forgot ; One man except, the only son of light In a dark age, against example good. Against allurement, custom, and a work 810
Offended : fearless of reproach and scorn Or violence, he of their wicked ways Shall them admonish ; and before them set
274 PARADISE LOST. b. xi
The paths of righteousness, how much more safe
And full of peace ; denouncing wrath to come 815
On their impenitence ; and shall return
Of them derided, but of God observed
The one just man alive ; by his command
Shall build a wondrous ark, as thou beheldst,
To save himself and household from amidst 82C
A world devote to universal wrack.
No sooner he, v/ith them of man and beast
Select for life, shall in the ark be lodged,
And shelterd round, but all the cataracts
Of Heaven set open on the Earth shall pour 825
Rain, day and night ; all fountains of the deep,
Broke up, shall heave the ocean to usurp
Beyond all bounds ; till inundation rise
Above the highest hills : then shall this mount
Of Paradise by might of waves be moved 830
Out of his place, push'd by the horned flood,
With ail his verdure spoil'd, and trees adrift,
Down the great river to the opening gulf.
And there take root an island salt and bare.
The haunt of seals, and ores, and seamews' clang : 835
To teach thee that God Attributes to place
No sanctity, if none be thither brought
By men who there frequent or therein dwell.
And now, what further should ensue, behold.
He look'd, and saw the ark hull on the flood, 840 Which now abated ; for the clouds were fled, Driven by a keen north Avind, that, blowing dry, Wrinkled the face of deluge, as decay'd ; And the clear sun on his wide watery glass Gazed hot, and of the fresh wave largely drew, 845 As after thirst ; which made their flowing shrink From standing lake to tripping ebb, that stole With soft fo jt towards the deep ; who now had stopp'd His sluices, as the Heaven his windows shut. The ark no more now floats, but seems on ground, 850 Fast on the top <^f some high mountain fix'd.
PARADISE LOST. 275
And now the tops of hil^s, as rocks, appear ; With clamour thence the rapid currents drive, Towards the retreating sea, their furious tide Forthwith from out the ark a raven flies, 855
And after him, the surer messenger, A dov0" sent forth once and again to spy- Green tree or ground, whereon his foot may light : The second time returning, in his bill An olive-leaf he brings, pacific sign : 8G0
Anon dry ground appears, and from his ark The ancient sire descends, with all his train : Then with uplifted hands, and eyes devout, Grateful to Heaven, over his head beholds A dewy cloud, and in tlie cloud a bow 865
Conspicuous witli three listed colours gay, I>etokening peace from God, and covenant new. Whereat the heart of Adam, erst so sad, Greatly rejoiced ; and thus his joy broke forth :
O thou, who future things canst represent 870
■ As present, heavenlj^ Instrncter 1 I revive At this last sight ; assured that Man shall live, "With all the creatures, and their seed preserve. Far less I now lament for one wJiolc world Of wicked sons destroy'd, than I rejoice 875
For one man found so perfect nnd so just That God vouchsafes to raise another world From him, and all his anger to forget. But say, what mean those colour'd streaks in Heavon Distended, as the brow of God appeased ? 880
Or serve they, as a flowery verge, to bind The fluid skirts of that same watery cloud. Lest it again dissolve, and shower the earth -'
To whom the Archangel : Dexterously thou aira'st ; So willingly doth God remit his ire, 885
Though late repenti.ng him of Man depraved ; Grieved at his heart, when looking down he saw The whole earth fill'd with violence, and all flesh Corrupting each their way ; vet, those removed.
276 PARADISE LOST. b. xi.
Such grace shall one just man find in his sight, 890 That he relents, not to blot out mankind j And makes a covenant never to destroy The earth again by flood ; nor let the sea Surpass his bounds ; nor rain to drown the world, With man therein or beast ; but, when he brings 895 Over the eaiiti a cloud, will therein set His triple-colour'd bow, whereon to look, And call to mind his covenant : day and night, Seed-time and harvest, heat and hoary frost, 899
Shall hold their course ; till fire purge all things new, Both Heaven and Earth, wherein the just shall dwell.
PARADISE LOST.
BOOK XII.
The Argel Michael continues, from the Flood, to relate wnat shall succeed; then, in the mention of Abraham, comes hy degrees to explain who that Seed of the Woman shall be, which was pro- mised Adam and Eve in the Fall; his incarnation, death, resur- rection, and ascension ; llie state of the church till his second coming. Adam, greatly satisfied and recomforted by these rela- tions and promises, descends tiie hill with IMichael ; wakens Eve, who all this while had slept, but with gentle dreams composed to quietness of mind and submission. Michael in either hand leads them out of Pavadiie, the tiery sword waving behind thorn, and the Cherubim taking their stations to guard the place.
As one who in his journey bates at noon,
Though bent on speed ; so here the Archangel paused
Betwixt the world destroy'd and world restored,
If Adam aught perhaps might interpose ;
Then, with transition sweet, new speech resumes : 5
Thus thou hast seen one world begin and end ; And Man, as from a second stock, proceed. Much thou hast yet to see ; but 1 perceive Thy mortal sight to fail ; objects divine Must needs impair and weary human sense : 10
Henceforth what is to come I will relate ; Thou therefore give due audience, and attend.
This second source of Men, while yet but few, And while the dread of judgment past remains Fresh in their minds, fearing the Deity, 15
With some regard to what is just and right Shall lead their lives, and multiply apace ; Labouring the soil, and reaping plenteous crop, Corn, wine, and oil ; artd, from the herd or flock, Oft sacrificing bullock; lamb, or kid, 20
24
278 PARADISE LOST. b. xii
With large wine-ofFerings pour'd, and sacred feast,
Shall spend their days in joy unblanied ; and dwell
Long time in peace, by families and tribes
Under paternal rule : till one shall rise
Of proud ambitious heart ; who, not content 25
With fair equality, fraternal state,
Will arrogate dominion undeserved
Over his brethren, a.nd quite dispossess
Concord and law of nature from the earth ;
Hunting (and men not beasts shall be his game) 30
With war and hostile snare such as refuse
Subjection to his empire tyrannous .
A mighty hunter thence he shall be styled
Before the Lord : as in despite of Heaven,
Or from Heaven claiming second sovereignty ; 35
And from rebellion shall derive his name,
Though of rebellion others he accuse.
He with a crew, whom like ambition joins
With him or under him to tyrannize,
Marciiing from Eden towards the west, shall find 40
The plain, wherein a black bituminous gurge
Boils out from under ground, the mouth of Hell :
Of brick, and of that stuff, they cast to build
A city and tower, whose top may reach to Heaven ;
And get themselves a name ; lest, far dispersed 45
Li foreign lands, their memory be lost ;
Regardless whether good or evil fame.
But God, wlio oft descends to visit men
Unseen, and through their habitations walks
To mark their doings, them beholding soon, 50
Comes down to see their city, ere the tower
Obstruct Heaven-towers ; and in derision sets
Upon their tongues a various spirit, to rase
Quite out their native language ; and, instead,
To sow a jangling noise of words unknown: 55
Forthwith a hideous gabble rises loud,
Among the builders ; each to other calls
Not understood, till hoarse, and all in rage,.
PARADISE LOST. 279
As iiiock'd they storm : great laughter was in Heaven, And looking down, to see the hubbub strange, CO
And hear the din : thus was the building left Ridiculous, and the work Confusion named.
Whereto thus Adam, fatherly displeased : O execrable son ! so to aspire
Above his brethren ; to himself assuming G5
Authority usurp'd, from God not given • He gave us only over beast, fish, fowl. Dominion absolute ; that right we hold By his donation ; but man over men He made not lord ; such title to himself 70
Reserving, human left from human free. But this usurper his encroachment proud Stays not on Man ; to God his tower intends Siege and defiance : wretched man ! what food Will he convey up thither, to sustain 75
Himself and his rash army ; where thin air Above the clouds will pine his entrails gross, And famish him of breath, if not of bread .'
To whom thus Michael : Justly thou abhorr'st That son, who on the quiet state of men 80
Such trouble brought, affecting to subdue Rational liberty ; yet know withal, Since thy original lapse, true liberty Is lost, whicli always with right reason dwells Twinn'd, and from her hath no dividual being - 85
Reason in man obscured or not obey'd, [mmediately inordinate desires And upstart passions catch the government From reason ; and to servitude reduce Man, till then free. Therefore, since he permits 00 Within himself unworthy powers to reign Over free reason, God, in judgment just, Subjects him from without to violent lords , Who oft as undeservedly enthral His outward freedom : tyranny must be ; 95
Though to the tyrant thereby no excuse.
280 PARADISE LOST. b. xii
Yet sometimes nations will decline so Igw
From virtue, which is reason, that no wrong,
But justice and some fatal curse annex'd,
Deprives them of their outward liberty ; 100
Their inward lost : witness the irreverent son
Of him who built the ark ; who, for the shame
Done to his father, heard this heavy curse,
Servant of servants, on his vicious race.
Thus will this latter, as the former world, 105
Still tend from bad to worse ; till God at last,
Wearied with their iniquities, withdraw
His presence from among them, and avert
His holy eyes ; resolving from thenceforth
To leave them to their own polluted ways ; 110
And one peculiar nation to select
From all the rest, of whom to bo- invoked,
A nation from one faithful man to spring :
Him on this side Euphrates yet residing,
Bred up in idol-worship : O, that men 115
(Canst thou believe ?) should be so stupid grown.
While yet O.o patriarch lived who scaped the flood,
As to forsar.e the living God, and fall
To worship their own work in wood and stone
For Gods ! Yet him God the Most High vouchsafes
To call by vision, from his father's house, 121
His kindred, and false Gods, into a land
Which he will show him ; and from him will raise
A mighty nation ; and upon him shower
His benediction so that in his seed 125
All nations shall be bless'd : he straight obeys ;
Not knowing to what land, yet firm believes •
I see him, but thou canst not, with what faith
He leaves his Gods, his friends, and native soil,
Ur of Chaldea, passing now the ford 130
To Haran ; after him a cumbrous train
Of herds and flocks, and numerous servitude ;
Not wandering poor, but trusting all his wealth
With God, who call'd him, in a land unknown.
PARADISE LOST. 281
Canaan lie now attains ; I see his tents 135
Pitch'd about Sechem, and the neighbouring plain Of Moreh ; there by promise he receives Gift to his progeny of all that land, From Hamath northward to the Desert south (Things by their names 1 call, thou yet unnamed ;) From Hermon east to the great western Sea ; 141
Mount Hermon, yonder sea ; each place behold In prospect, as I point them ; on the shore Mount Carmel ; here, the double-founted stream, Jordan, true limit eastward ; but his sons 145
Shall dwell to Senir, that long ridge of hills. This ponder, that all nations of the earth Shall in his seed be blessed : by that seed Is meant thy great Deliverer, who shall bruise The Serpent's head ; whereof to thee anon 150
Plainlier shall be reveald. This patriarch bles«^'d, Whom faithful Abraham due time shall call, A son, and of his son a grandchild, leaves ■, Like him in faith, in wisdom, and renown : The grandchild, with twelve sons increased, departs From Canaan, to a land hereafter call'd 156
Egypt, divided by the river Nile ; See where it flows, disgorging at seven mouths Into the sea : to sojourn in that land He comes, invited by a younger son 160
In time of dearth ; a son, whose worthy deeds Raise him to be the second in that realm Of Pharaoh : there he dies, and leaves his race Growing into a nation, and now grown Suspected to a sequent king, who seeks 165
To stop their overgrowth, as inmate guests Too numerous ; whence of guests he makes them slaves Inhospitably, and kills their infant males : Till by two brethren fthese two brethren call'd Moses and Aaron) sent from God to claim 170
His people from enthralment, they return, With glory and spoil, back to their promised land. 24 *
28S PARADISE LOST. b. xii
But first, the lawless tyrant, who denies
To know their God, or message to regard.
Must be compell'd by signs and judgments dire ; 175
To blood ushed the rivers must be turn'd ;
Frogs, lice, and flies must all his palace fill
With loathed intrusion, and fill all the land ;
His cattle must of rot and murrain die ;
Botches and blains must all his flesh emboss, 190
And all his people ; thunder mix'd with hail,
Hail mix'd with fire, must rend the Egyptian sky,
And wheel on the earth, devouring where it rolls ;
What it devours not, herb, or fruit, or grain,
A darksome cloud of locusts swarming down 185
Must eat, and on the ground leave nothing green ;
Darkness must overshadow all his bounds,
Palpable darkness, and blot out three days ;
Last, with one midnight stroke, all the first-born
Of Egypt must lie dead. Thus with ten wounds 190
The river-dragon tamed at length submits
To let his sojourners depart, and oft
Humbles his stubborn heart ; but still, as ice
More harden'd after thaw ; till, in his rage
Pursuing whom he late dismiss'd, the sea 195
Swallows him with his host ; but them lets pass,
As on dry land, between two crystal walls ;
Awed by the rod of Moses so to stand
Divided, till his rescued gain their shore :
Such wondrous power God to his saint will lend, 200
Though present in his Angel ; who shall go
Before them in a cloud, and pillar of fire ;
By day a cloud, by night a pillar of fire ;
To guide them in their journey, and remove
Behind them, while the obdurate king pursues 205
All night he will pursue ; but his approach
Darkness defends between till morning watch ;
Then through the fieiy pillar, and tiie cloud,
God looking forth will trouble all his host, 209
And craze their chariot-v/heels : when by command
PARADISE LOST. 288
Moses once more his potent rod extends
Over the sea ; the sea his rod obeys ;
On their embattled ranks the waves return
And overwhehn their vi^ar : the race elect
Safe towards Canaan from the shore advance 215
Through the wild Desert, not the readiest way ;
Lest, entering on the Canaanite alarm'd,
War terrify them inexpert, aiKl fear
Return them back to Egypt, choosing rather
Inglorious life with servitude ; for life 220
To noble and ignoble is more sweet
Untrain'd in arms, where rashness leads not on.
This also shall they gain by their delay
In the wide wilderness ; there they shall found
Their government, and their great senate choose 225
Through the twelve tribes, to rule by laws ordain'd :
God from the mount of Sinai, whose gray top
Shall tremble, he descending, will himself
In thunder, lightning, and loud trumpets' sound,
Ordain them laws ; part, sach as appertain 230
To civil justice ; part, religious rites
Of sacrifice ; informing them , by types
And shadows, of that destined Seed to bruise
The Serpent, by what means he shall achieve
Mankind's deliverance. But the voice of God 235
To mortal ear is dreadful : they beseech
That Moses might report to them his will,
And terror cease ; he grants what they besought,
Instructed that to God is no access
Without Mediator, whose high office now 240
Moses in figure bears ; to introduce
One greater, of whose day he shall foretel,
And all the Prophets in their age the times
Of great Messiah shall sing. Thus, laws and rites
Establish'd, such delight hath God in men 245
Obedient to his will, that he vouchsafes
Among them to set up his tabernacle ;
The Holy One with mortal men to dwell .
2S4 PARADISE LOST. b. xii.
By his prescript a sanctuary is framed
Of cedar, overlaid with gold ; therein 250
An ark, and in the ark his testimony,
The records of his covenant ; over these
A mercy-seat of gold, betvireen the wings
Of two bright Cherubim ; before him burn
Seven lamps as in a zodiac representing 255
The heavenly fires ; over the tent a cloud
Shall rest by day, a fiery gleam by night ;
Save when they journe}'^, and at length they come,
Conducted by his Angel, to the land
Promised to Abraham and his seed : — the rest 2G0
Were long to tell ; how many battles fought ;
How many kuigs destroy'd ; and kingdoms won ;
Or how the sun shall in mid Heaven stand still
A day entire, and night's due course adjourn,
Man's voice commanding, Sun, in Gibeon stand, 2G5
And thou, moon, in the vale of Aialon,
Till Israel overcome ! so call the third
From Abraham, son of Isaac ; and from him
His whole descent, who thus shall Canaan win.
Here Adam interposed : O send from Heaven, 270 Enlightener of my darkness, gracious things Thou hast reveal'd ; those chiefly which concern Just Abraham and his seed ; now first I find Mine eyes true-opening, and my heart much eased ; Erewhile perplex'd with thoughts, what would become Of me and all mankind : but now I see 276
His day, in whom all nations shall be bless'd } Favour unmerited by me, who sought Forbidden knowledge by forbidden means. This yet 1 apprehend not, why to those 280
Among whom God will deign to dwell on earth So many and so various laws are given ; So many laws argue so many sins Among them ; how can God with such reside ^
To whom thus Michael : Doubt not but that sin 285 Will reign among them, as of thee begoi ,
PARADISE LOST. 285
And therefore was law given them, to evince
Their natural pravity, by stirring up
Sin against law to fight : that when they see
Law can discover sin, but not remove, 290
Save by those shadowy expiations weak,
The blood of bulls and goats, they may conclude
Some blood more precious must be paid for Man ,
Just for unjust ; that in such righteousness
To them by faith imputed, they may find 295
Justification towards God, and peace
Of conscience ; which the law by ceremonies
Cannot appease ; nor Man the mortal part
Perform ; and, not performing, cannot live.
So law appears imperfect ; and but given 300
With purpose to resign them, in full time,
Up to a better covenant ; disciplined
From shadowy types to truth } from flesh to spirit ;
From imposition of strict laws to free
Acceptance of large grace ; from servile fear 305
To filial ; works of law to works of faith.
And therefore shall not Moses, though of God
Highly beloved, being but the minister
Of law, his people into Canaan lead ;
But Joshua, whom the Gentiles Jesus call, 310
His name and ofiice bearing, who shall quell
The Adversary Serpent, and bring back
Through the world's wilderness long-v»^ander'd Man
Safe to eternal Paradise of rest.
Meanwhile they, in their earthly Canaan placed, 315
Long time shall dwell and prosper ; but when sins
National interrupt their public peace,
Provoking God to raise them enemies ;
From whom as oft he saves them penitent
By judges first, then under kings ; of whom iJ20
The second, both for piety renown'd
And puissant deeds, a promise shall receive
Irrevocable, that his regal throne
For ever shall endure ; the like shall sing
286 PARADISE LOST e xii
All Prophecy, that of the royal stock 325
Of David (so I name this king), shall rise A Son, tlie Woman's seed to thee foretold, Foretold to Abraham, as in whom shall trust All nations ; and to kings foretold of kings The last ; for of his reign shall be no end. 330
But first, a long succession must ensue ; And his next son, for wealth and wisdom famed, The clouded ark of God, till then in tents Wandering, shall in a glorious temple enshrine. Such follow him, as shall be register'd 335
Part good, part bad ; of bad the longer scroll ; Whose foul idolatries, and other faults Heap'd to the popular sum, will so incense God, as to leave them, and expose their land, Their city, his temple, and his holy ark, 340
With all his sacred things, a scorn and prey- To that proud city, whose high walls thou saw'st Left in confusion ; Babylon thence call'd. There in captivity he lets them dwell The space of seventy years ; then brings thera back, Remembering mercy, and his covenant sworn 346
To David, stablish'd as the days of Heaven. Return'd from Babylon by leave of kings Their lords, whom God disposed, the house of God They first reedify ; and for awhile 350
In mean estate live moderate ; till, grown in wealth and multitude, factious they grow ; But first among the priests dissension springs, Men who attend the altar, and should most Endeavour peace : their strife pollution brmgs 355 Upon the temple itself: at last they seize The sceptre, and regard not David's sons; Then lose it to a stranger, tliat the true Anointed King Messiah might be born Barr'd of his right ; yet at his birth a star, 360
Unseen before in Heaven, proclaims him come j And guides the eastern sages, who inquire
PARADISE LOST. 287
His place, to offer incense, myrrh, and gold :
His place of birth a solemn Angel tells
To simple shepherds, keeping watch by night ; 365
They gladly thither haste, and by a choir
Of squadron'd Angels hear his carol sung.
A virgin is his mother, but his sire
The powei of the Most High : He shall ascend
The throne hereditary, and bound his reign 370
With Earth's wide bounds, his glory with the Heavens
He ceased, discerning Adam with such joy Surcharged, as had like grief been dew'd in tears, Without the vent of wocds ; Avhich these he breathed .
O prophet of glad tidings, finisher 375
Of utmost hope ! now clear I understand What oft my steadiest thoughts have search'd m vain ; Why our great Expectation should be call'd The seed of Woman : Virgin Mother, hail, High in the love of Heaven ; yet from my loins 380 Thou shalt proceed, and from thy womb the Son Of God Most High : so God with Man unites ! Needs must the Serpent now his capital bruise Expect with mortal pain : say where and when 384 Their fight, what stroke shall bruise the victor's heel.
To whom thus Michael : Dream not of their fight, As of a duel, or the local wounds Of head or heel : not therefore joins the Son Manhood to Godhead, with more strength to foil Thy enemy; nor so is overcome 390
Satan, whose fall from Heaven, a deadlier bruise, Disabled, not to give thee thy death's wound : Which he, who comes thy Saviour, shall recure Not by destroying Satan, but his works in thee and in thy seed : nor can this be, 395
'But by fulfilling that which thou didst want, '
' Obedience to the law of God, iinposed On penalty of death, and suffering death ; The penalty to thy transgression due, And due to theirs which out of thine will grow ; dOO
288 PARADISE LOST. b. xii
So only can high Justice rest appaid.
The law of God exact he shall fulfil
Both by obedience and by love, though love
Alone fulfil the law ; thy punishment
He shall endure, by coming in the flesh 405
To a reproachful life and cursed death ;
Proclaiming life to all who shall believe
In his redemption ; and that his obedience,
Imputed, becomes theirs by faith ; his merits
To save them, not their own, though legal, works. 410
For this he shall live hated, be blasphemed.
Seized on by force, judged, and to death conderan'd
A shameful and accursed, nail'd to the cross
By his own nation ; slain for bringing life -
But to the cross he nails thy enemies, 415
The law that is against tliee, and the sins
Of all mankind, v/ith him there crucified.
Never to hurt them more who rightly trust
In this his satisfaction ; so he dies,
But soon revives : Death over him no power 420
Shall long usurp ; ere the third dawning light
Return, the stars of morn shall see him rise
Out of his grave, fresh as the dawning light,
Thy ransom paid, which Man from death redeems ;
His death for Man, as many as offer'd life 425
Neglect not, and the benefit embrace
By faith not void of works : this godlike act
Annuls thy doom, the death thou shouldst have died,
In sin for ever lost from life ; this act
Shall bruise the head of Satan, crush his strength, 430
Defeating Sin and Death, his two main arms ;
And fix far deeper in his head their stings
Than temporal death shall bruise the victor's heel,
Or theirs whom he redeems ; a death, like sleep,
A gentle wafting to immortal life. 435
Nor after resurrection shall he stay
Longer on earth than certain times to appear
To his disciples, men who in his life
JPARADISE LOST. 289
Still follow'd him ; to them sha\] leave in charge To teach all nations \vli-it of him they learn'd 44G And his salvation ; them who shall believe Baptizing in the profiuent stream, the sign Of washing them from guilt of sin to life Pure, and in mind prepared, if so befal, For death, like that which the Redeemer died 445 All nations they shall teach ; for, from that day Not only to the sons of Abraham's loins Salvation shall be preach'd, but to the sons Of Abraliam's faith wherever through the world; So in his seed all nations shall be bless'd. 450
Then to the Heaven of Heavens he shall ascend With victory, triumphing through the air Over his foes and thine ; there shall surprise The Serpent, prince of air, and drag in chains Through all his realm, and there confounded leave ; Then enter into glory, and resume 45(i
His seat at God's right hand, exalted high Above all names in Heaven ; and thence shall come, When this world's dissolution shall be ripe. With glory and power to judge both quick and dead ; To judge the unfaithful dead, but to reward 461
His faithful, and receive them into bliss, Whether in Heaven or Earth ; for then the Earth Shall all be Paradise, far happier place Than this of Eden, and far happier days. 46S5
So spake the Archangel Michael ; then paused, As at the world's great period ; and our sire, Replete with joy and wonder, thus replied :
O Goodness infinite, Goodness immense ! That all this good of evil shall produce, 476
And evil turn to good ; more wonderful /Than that which by creation first brought forth / Light out of darkness ! Full of doubt I stand, Whether I should repent me now of sin B^ me done and occasion'd ; or rejoice 475
Much more, that much more good thereof shall springs '25
'^90 1>ARADISE LOST. b. xu.
To God more glory, more good-will to Men
From God, and over wrath grace shall abound.
But say, if our Deliverer up to Heaven
Must reascend, what will betide the few 480
His faithful, left among the unfaithful herd,
The enemies of truth ? Who then shall guide
His people, who defend ? Will they not deal
Worse with his followers than with him they dealt ?
Be sure they will, said the Angel ; but from Heaven He to his own a Comforter will send, 486
The promise of the Father, who shall dv/ell His Spirit within them ; and the law of faith. Working through love, upon their hearts shall write, To guide them in all truth ; and also arm 490
With spiritual armour, able to resist Satan's assaults, and quench his fiery darts; What man can do against them, not afraid, Though to the death ; against such cruelties Witli inward consolations recompensed, 495
And oft supported so as shall amaze Their proudest persecutors : for the Spirit, PouT'd first oii his Apostles, whom he sends To evangelize the nations, then on all Baptized, shall them with wondrous gifts endue 500 To speak all tongues, and do all miracles. As did thsir Lord bsfore them. Thus they win Great numbers of each nation to receive With joy ths tidings brought from Heaven : at length. Their ministry perform'd, and race well run, 505
Their doctrine and their story written left, They die ; but in their room, as tliey forewarn, Wolves shall succeed for teachers, grievous wolves, Who all the saured mysteries cf HeaveK To their own vile advantages shall turn 510
Of lucre and ambition ; aad the truth With superstitions and traditions taint. Left only in those written records pure, Though not but by the Spirit understood.
PARADISE LOST. 291
Then they shall seek to avail themselves of names, Places, and titles, and with these to join 516
Secular power ; though feigning still to act By spiritual, to themselves appropriating The Spirit of God, promised alilte and given To all believers ; and, from that pretence, 520
Spiritual laws by carnal power shall force On every conscience ; laws which none shall find Left them inrcU'd, or what the Spirit within Shall on the heart engrave. What will they then But force the Spirit of Grace itself, and bind 525
His consort Liberty ? What, but unbuild His living temples, built by faith to stand. Their own faith, not another's ? For, on earth, Who against faith and conscience can be heard Infallible ? yet many will presume : 530
Whence heavy persecution shall arise On all, who in the worship persevere Of spirit and truth ; the rest, far greater part, Will deem in outward rites and specious forms Religion satisfied ; truth shall retire 535
Bestuck with slanderous darts, and works of faith Rarely be found : so shall the world go on, To good malignant, to bad men benign ; Under her own weight groaning ; till the day Appear of respiration to the just, 540
And vengeance to the wicked, at return Of him so lately promised to thy aid, The Woman's Seed ; obscurely then foretold. Now ampler known thy Saviour and thy Lord ; Last, in the clouds, from Heaven to be roveal'd 545 In glory of the Father, to dissolve Satan with his perverted world ; then raise From the conflagrant mass, purged and refined. New Heavens, new Earth, ages of endless date, Founded in righteousness, and peace, and love ; 550 To bring forth fruits, joy and eternal bliss. He ended ; and thus Adam last replied
292 r aRADISE lost. b. XII
How soon hath thy prediction, Seer bless'd,
Measured this transient world, the race of time,
Till time stand fix'd ! Beyond is all abyss, 555
Eternity, whose end no eye can reach.
Greatly instructed I shall hence depart ;
Greatly in peace of thought ; and have my fill
Of knowledge,, what this vessel can contain ;
Beyond which was my folly to aspire. 560
Henceforth I learn, that to obey is best,
And love with fear the only God ; to walk
As in his presence ; ever to observe
His providence ; and on liim sole depend,
Merciful over all his works, with good 565
Still overcoming evil, and by small
Accomplishing great things, by things deem'd weak
Subverting worldly strong, and worldly wise
By simply meek : that suffering for truth's sake
Is fortitude to highest victory, 570
And, xo the faithful, death the gate of life ;
Taught this by his example, whom I now
Acknowledge my Redeemer ever bless'd.
To whom thus also the Angel last replied . This having Icarn'd, thou hast attain'd the sum 575 Of wisdom ; hope no higher, though all the stars Thou knew'st by name, and aU the ethereal powers, All secrets of the deep, all Nature's works, Or works of God in Heaven, air, earth, or sea, And all the riches of this world enjoy'dst, 580
And all the rule, one empire : only add Deeds to thy knowledge answerable ; add faith, Add virtue, patience, temperance ; add love, By name to come call'd charity, the soul Of all the rest : then wilt thou not be loath 585
To leave this Paradise, but shalt possess A Paradise within thee, happier far. — Let us descend now therefore from this top Of speculation ; for the hour precise Exacts our parting hence ; and see ! the guards, 590
PARADISE LOST 293
By me encarap'd on yonder hill, expect Their motion ; at whose front a flaming sword. In signal of remove, waves fiercely round : We may no longer stay : go, waken Eve ; Her also I with gentle dreajns have calra'd 595
Portending good, and all her spirits composed To meek submission : thou, at season fit, Let her with thee partake what thou hast heard ; Chiefly what may concern her faith to knovv, Tho great deUverance by her seed to come 600
(For by the Woman's seed) on ail mankind • That ye may live, wliich will be many days, Both in one faith unanimous, ihough sad, With cause, for evils past , yet much more cheer'd With meditation on the happy end. 605
He ended, and they both descend the hill j Descended, Adam to the bower, v/here Eve Lay sleeping, ran before ; but found her waked ; And tlius with words not sad she him received :
Whence thou return'st, and whither went'st, I know; For God is also in sleep ; and dreams advise, 611
Which he hath sent propitious, some great good Presaging, since with sorro;/ and heart's distress Wearied I fell asleep : but now lead on ; In me is no delay } with thee to go, 615
Is to stay here ; without thee hers to stay Is to go hence unwilling ; thou to ma Art all things under Heaven, all places thou, Wlio for ray wilful crime art banish'd hence. This further consolation yet secure 620
I carry hence ; though all by me is lost, Such favour I unworthy am vouchsafed. By me the Promised Seed shall all restore.
So spake our mother Eve ; and Adam heard Well pleased, but answer'd not : for now too nig 626 The Archangel stood ; and, from the other hill To their fix'd station, all iu bright array The Cherubim descended on the ground 25*
294 PARADISE LOST. b. xk
Gliding mettjorous, aa evening mist
Risen from a river o'er the marish glides, 630
And gathers ground fast at the labourer's heel
Homeward returning. High in front advanced,
The brandish'd sword of God before them blazed,
Fierce as a comet ; which with torrid heat
And vapour, as the Libyan air adust, 635
Began to parch that temperate clime ; whereat
In either hand the hastening Angel caught
Our lingering parents, and to the eastern gate
Led them direct, aind down the cliffs first
To the subjected plain ; then disappeared. G40
They, looking bick, all the eastern side beheld Of Paradise, so latfe their happy seat, Waved over by thajt Naming brand j the gate With dreadful face^ throng'd, and fiery arms : Some natural tears they dropp'd, but wiped thorn Boon ; The world was all before them, where to choose 646 Their place of rest, and Providence their guide : They, hand in hand, with wandering steps and slow, Through Eden took their sohtary way
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