Page:Paradise Lost (1667).djvu/82

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From your Dominion won, th’ Ethereal King
Poſſeſſes lately, thither to arrive
980I travel this profound, direct my courſe;
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
Erect the Standard there of ancient Night;
Yours be th’ advantage all, mine the revenge.
Thus Satan; and him thus the Anarch old
With faultring ſpeech and viſage incompos'd
990Anſwer'd. I know thee, ſtranger, who thou art,
That mighty leading Angel, who of late
Made head againſt Heav’ns King, though overthrown.
I ſaw and heard, for ſuch a numerous hoſt
Fled not in ſilence through the frighted deep
With ruin upon ruin, rout on rout,
Confuſion worſe confounded; and Heav’n Gates
Pourd out by millions her victorious Bands
Purſuing. I upon my Frontieres here
Keep reſidence; if all I can will ſerve
1000That little which is left ſo to defend,
Encroacht on ſtill through our inteſtine broiles
Weakning the Scepter of old Night: firſt Hell
Your dungeon ſtretching far and wide beneath;
Now lately Heaven and Earth, another World
Hung ore my Realm, link'd in a golden Chain
To that ſide Heav’n from whence your Legions fell:
If that way be your walk, you have not farr;
So much the neerer danger; goe and ſpeed;
Havock and ſpoil and ruin are my gain.