Obrázky na stránke
PDF
ePub

Doctrine which we would know whence learn'd: who faw
When this creation was? remember'st thou

Thy making, while the Maker gave thee being?
We know no time when we were not as now;
Know none before us; felf-begot, felf-rais'd
By our own quick'ning pow'r, when fatal courfe
Had circled his full orb, the birth mature
Of this our native heav'n, ethereal fons.

Our puiffance is our own; our own right hand
Shall teach us highett deeds, by proof to try
Who is our equal: then thou shalt behold
Whether by fupplication we intend

860

865

L. 861. When fatal course, &c.] We may obferve, that our author makes Satan a fort of fatalift. We angels (fays he) were felf-begot, felf-raised by our own quickening power, when the course of fate had completed its full round and period; then we were the birth mature, the production in due feason, of this our native heaven. No compliment to fatalism to put it into the mouth of the devil. New»

[ocr errors]

L. 864. Our puiffance is our own.] It has been wondered, that Milton fhould conftantly pronounce this word, and puissant the adjective, with two fyllables, when they would be more fonorous with three; but in this he conforms to the practice and example of the best writers. So Fairfax, in his Taffo, cant. 18. stan. 55.

And 'gain the northern gate my paissance bend;

and cant. 19. ftan. 72.

Of this your terrible and puissant knight.

Though Spenfer, I find, makes them fometimes three, as well as fometimes two fyllables. As Shakespear does likewife, 2 Hen. IV. aa I.

[merged small][merged small][ocr errors]

And come against us in fall puiffance.

In the former line, puissance is used as two fyllables, and in the lat ter as three. It was certainly better in Milton to make it all the one, or all the other.

Address, and to begirt th' almighty throne
Befeeching or befieging. This report,
These tidings carry to th' anointed King;
And fly, ere evil intercept thy flight!

He faid, and, as the found of waters deep,
Hoarfe murmur echo'd to his words applaufe
Through the infinite hoft; nor less for that
The flaming Seraph fearless, though alone

870

875

Incompass'd round with foes, thus answer'd bold :
O alienate from God, O fpi'rit accurs'd,

Forfaken of all good; I fee thy fall
Determin'd, and thy haplefs crew involv'd
In this perfidious fraud, contagion spread
Both of thy crime and punishment: henceforth
No more be troubled how to quit the yoke
Of God's Meffiah; thofe indulgent laws
Will not be now vouchsaf'd; other decrees
Against thee are gone forth without recal :
That golden fceptre, which thou didst reject,
Is now an iron rod to bruife and break
Thy difobedience. Well thou didst advise :
Yet not for thy advice, or threats, I fly
Thefe wicked tents devoted; left the wrath
Impendent, raging into fudden flame
Distinguish not; for foon expect to feel
His thunder on thy head, devouring fire!
Then, who created thee lamenting learn,

880

885

890

When who can uncreate thee thou shalt know.
So fpake the Seraph Abdiel, faithful found

895

Among the faithlefs, faithful only he :
Among innumerable false, unmov'd,
Unfhaken, unfeduc'd, unterrify'd,
His loyalty he kept, his love, his zeal;

Nor number, nor example, with him wrought

[blocks in formation]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

To swerve from truth, or change his constant mind Though fingle. From amidft them forth he pafs'd, Long way through hoftile fcorn; which he fuftain'd Superior, nor of violence fear'd ought;

And with retorted scorn his back he turn'd

On thofe proud tow'rs to fwift destruction doom'd.

905

End of BooK FIFTH.

PARADISE LOS T.

BOOK THE SIXTH.

1

R 2

The ARGUMENT of Book VI.

RAPHAEL continues to relate how Michael and Gabriel were fent forth to battle against Satan and his angels. The firft fight defcribed: Satan and his powers retire under night: he calls a council, invents devilish engines, which in the fecond day's fight put Michael and his angels to fome diforder; but they at length pulling up mountains, overwhelmed both the force and machines of Satan: yet the tumult not fo ending, God on the third day fends Meffiah his Son, for whom he had referved the glory of that victory: be in the power of his Father coming to the place, and caufing all his legions to ftand ftill on either fide, with his chariot and thunder driving into the midst of his enemies, purfues them, unable to refift, towards the wall of heaven; which opening, they leap down with horror and confufion into the place of punishment prepared for them in the deep: Meiab returns with triumph to bis Father.

« PredošláPokračovať »