BOOK SECOND
��119
��Of those Heaven-warring champions could
be found
So hardy as to proffer or accept, Alone, the dreadful voyage; till, at last, Satan, whom now transcendent glory raised Above his fellows, with monarchal pride Conscious of highest worth, unmoved thus
spake :
" O Progeny of Heaven ! Empyreal Thrones ! 430
With reason hath deep silence and demur Seized us, though undismayed. Long is
the way Ajid hard, that out of Hell leads up to
Light.
Our prison strong, this huge convex of fire, Outrageous to devour, immures us round Ninefold ; and gates of burning adamant, Barred over us, prohibit all egress. These passed, if any pass, the void pro- found
Of unessential Night receives him next, Wide-gaping, and with utter loss of be- ing 44 Threatens him, plunged in that abortive
gulf.
If thence he scape, into whatever world, Or unknown region, what remains him less Than unknown dangers, and as hard es- cape ?
But I should ill become this throne, O Peers, And this imperial sovranty, adorned With splendour, armed 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 as- sume 450 These royalties, and not refuse to reign, Refusing to accept as great a share Of hazard as of honour, due alike To him who reigns, and so much to him
due
Of hazard more as he above the rest High honoured 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 459 More tolerable ; if there be cure or charm 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 None shall partake with me." Thus say- ing, 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
feared, 470
And, so refused, might in opinion stand His rivals, winning cheap the high repute Which he through hazard huge must earn.
But they Dreaded not more the adventure than his
voice Forbidding; and at once with him they
rose.
Their rising all at once was as the sound Of thunder heard remote. Towards him
they bend
With awful reverence prone, and as a God Extol him equal to the Highest in Heaven. Nor failed they to express how much they
praised 480
That for the general safety he despised His own : for neither do the Spirits damned Lose all their virtue; lest bad men should
boast Their specious deeds on earth, which glory
excites,
Or close ambition varnished o'er with zeal. 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 489
Heaven's cheerful face, the louring element Scowls o'er the darkened lautskip 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 rings. O shame to men ! Devil with devil damned 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
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