Paradiſe loſt. Book I.
Both glorying to have ſcap’t the Stygian flood240As Gods, and by their own recover'd ſtrength.Not by the ſufferance of ſupernal Power. Is this the Region, this the Soil, the Clime,Said then the loft Arch Angel, this the featThat we muſt change for Heav'n, this mournful gloomFor that celeſtial light? Be it ſo, ſince hee Who now is Sovran can diſpoſe and bidWhat ſhall be right : fardeſt from him is beſtWhom reaſon hath equald, force hath made ſupreamAbove his equals. Farewel happy Fields 250Where Joy for ever dwells ; Bail horrours, hailInfernal world, and thou profoundeſt HellReceive thy new Poffeſſor : One who bringsA mind not to be chang’d by Place or Time.The mind is its own place, and in it ſelfCan make a Heav’n of Hell, a Hell of Heav’n.What matter where, if I be ſtill the ſame.And what I ſhould be, all but leſs then heeWhom Thunder hath made greater? Here at leaſtWe ſhall be free; th’ Almighty hath not built260Here for his envy, will not drive us hence:Here we may reign ſecure, and in my choyceTo reign is worth ambition though in Hell:Better to reign in Hell, then ſerve in Heav’nBut wherefore let we then our faithful friends,Th’ aſſociates and copartners of our loſsLye thus aſtoniſht on th’ oblivious Pool,And call them not to ſhare with us their partIn this unhappy Manſion , or once more With rallied Arms to try what may be yet270Regaind in Heav’n, or what more loſt in Hell?
So!
