405 "In search of this new world? whom shall we find "And through the palpable obscure find out "Over the vast abrupt, ere he arrive 410"The happy isle? What strength, what art, can then "Suffice, or what evasion bear him safe 415 66 Through the strict senteries, and stations thick "Of angels watching round? Here he had need "All circumspection, and we now no less "Choice in our suffrage; for, on whom we send, "The weight of all, and our last hope, relies." This said, he sat; and expectation held His look suspense, awaiting who appear'd To second, or oppose, or undertake, 420 The perilous attempt: but all sat mute, Pondering the danger with deep thoughts; and each In other's countenance read his own dismay, Astonish'd none, among the choice and prime Of those heaven-warring champions, could be found 425 So hardy as to proffer, or accept 430 Alone, the dreadful voyage; till at last Satan, whom now transcendent glory rais'd Above his fellows, with monarchal pride, Conscious of highest worth, unmov'd thus spake : "O progeny of heaven, empyreal Thrones! "With reason hath deep silence and demur "Seiz'd us, though undismay'd. Long is the way "And hard, that out of hell leads up to light: "Our prison strong, this huge convex of fire, 435 "Outrageous to devour, immures us round, "Ninefold; and gates of burning adamant, "Barr'd over us, prohibit all egress. 410 "These pass'd, (if any pass,) the void profound 66 Wide-gaping, and with utter loss of being "Threatens him, plung'd in that abortive gulf. "Or unknown region, what remains him less "With splendour, arm'd with pow'r, if aught propos'd 450 "Me from attempting. Wherefore do I assume "Of hazard as of honour, due alike "To him who reigns, and so much to him due 455 "Of hazard more, as he above the rest 66 High honour'd sits? Go, therefore, mighty powers, "Terror of heaven, though fall'n! intend at home, "(While here shall be our home,) what best may ease "The present misery, and render hell 460"More tolerable; if there be cure, or charm, "To respite, or deceive, or slack the pain "Of this ill mansion. Intermit no watch 66 Against a wakeful foe; while I abroad, "Through all the coasts of dark destruction, seek 465"Deliverance for us all: this enterprise "None shall partake with me." Thus saying, rose The monarch, and prevented all reply ; 475 Forbidding; and at once with him they rose. But they Of thunder heard remote. Towards him they bend With awful reverence prone; and as a god Extol him equal to the Highest in heaven: 480 Nor fail'd they to express how much they prais'd That for the general safety he despis'd His own for neither do the spirits damn'd Lose all their virtue; lest bad men should boast Their specious deeds on earth, which glory excites, 485 Or close ambition varnish'd o'er with zeal. Thus they their doubtful consultations dark As when from mountain-tops the dusky clouds O shame to men! devil with devil damn'd Among themselves, and levy cruel wars, Midst came their mighty Paramount, and seem'd 510 Than hell's dread emperor, with pomp supreme, A globe of fiery Seraphim enclos'd, With bright emblazonry, and horrent arms. 515 With trumpets' regal sound the great result : Toward the four winds four speedy Cherubim Thence more at ease their minds, and somewhat rais'd 525 Leads him; perplex'd where he may likeliest find Prick forth the aery knights, and couch their spears, Into the Euboïc sea. Others, more mild, 550 By doom of battle; and complain that fate Suspended hell, and took with ravishment 555 The thronging audience. In discourse more sweet, (For eloquence the soul, song charms the sense,) Others apart sat on a hill retir'd, In thoughts more elevate, and reason'd high Passion and apathy, and glory and shame; That dismal world, (if any clime perhaps Into the burning lake their baleful streams; 580 Heard on the rueful stream; fierce Phlegethon, Lethe, the river of oblivion, rolls Her watery labyrinth; whereof who drinks, 585 Forthwith his former state and being forgets,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 590 Thaws not, but gathers heap, and ruin seems Of ancient pile, or else deep snow and ice; |