Page:The Complete Poetical Works of John Milton.djvu/155

 BOOK SECOND

��Thus incorporeal Spirits to smallest forms Reduced their shapes immense, and were at large, 790

Though without number still, amidst the

hall

Of that infernal court. But far within, And in their own dimensions like them- selves,

��The great Seraphic Lords and Cherubim In close recess and secret conclave sat, A thousand demi-gods on golden seats, Frequent and full. After short silence

then,

And summons read, the great consult be- gan.

��BOOK II

THE ARGUMENT

The consultation begun, Satan debates whether another battle be to be hazarded for the recovery of Heaven : some advise it, others dissuade. A third pro- posal is preferred, mentioned before by Satan to search the truth of that prophecy or tradition in Hea- ven concerning another world, and another kind of creature, equal, or not much inferior, to themselves, about this time to be created. Their doubt who shall be sent on this difficult search : Satan, their chief, un- dertakes alone the voyage ; is honoured and applauded. The council thus ended, the rest betake them several ways and to several imployments, as their inclinations lead them, to entertain the time till Satan return. He passes on his journey to Hell-gates ; finds them shut, and who sat there to guard them ; by whom at length they are opened, and discover to him the great gulf between Hell and Heaven. With what difficulty he passes through, directed by Chaos, the Power of that place, to the sight of this new World which he sought.

HIGH on a throne of royal state, which far Outshon the wealth of Ormus and of Ind, Or where the gorgeous East with richest

hand Showers on her kings barbaric pearl and

gold,

Satan exalted sat, by merit raised To that bad eminence; and, from despair Thus high uplifted beyond hope, aspires Beyond thus high, insatiate to pursue Vain war with Heaven; and, by success

untaught, 9

His proud imaginations thus displayed : " Powers and Dominions, Deities of

Heaven !

For, since no deep within her gulf can hold Immortal vigour, though oppressed and

fallen,

I give not Heaven for lost: from this de- scent

Celestial Virtues rising will appear More glorious and more dread than from

no fall, And trust themselves to fear no second

fate ! Me though just right, and the fixed laws

of Heaven,

��Did first create your leader next, free

choice,

With what besides in council or in fight 20 Hath been achieved of merit yet this loss, Thus far at least recovered, hath much

more

Established in a safe, unenvied throne, Yielded with full consent. The happier

state In Heaven, which follows dignity, might

draw

Envy from each inferior; but who here Will envy whom the highest place exposes Foremost to stand against the Thunderer's

aim Your bulwark, and condemns to greatest

share Of endless pain ? Where there is, then, no

good 30

For which to strive, no strife can grow up

there )

From faction: for none sure/ will claim in

HeU

Precedence; none whose portion is so small Of present pain that with ambitious mind Will covet more ! With this advantage,

then,

To union, and firm faith, and firm accord, More than can be in Heaven, we now re- turn

To claim our just inheritance of old, Surer to prosper than prosperity Could have assured us; and by what best

way, 4 o

Whether of open war or covert guile, We now debate. Who can advise may

speak."

He ceased; and next him Moloch, scep- tred king, Stood up the strongest and the fiercest

Spirit That fought in Heaven, now fiercer by

despair. His trust was with the Eternal to be

deemed

�� �