Page:The Complete Poetical Works of John Milton.djvu/159

 BOOK SECOND

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��Nor want we skill or art from whence to

raise Magnificence; and what can Heaven shew

more ?

Our torments also may, in length of time, Become our elements, these piercing fires As soft as now severe, our temper changed Into their temper; which must needs re- move

The sensible of pain. All things invite To peaceful counsels, and the settled state Of order, how in safety best we may 280 Compose our present evils, with regard Of what we are and where, dismissing quite All thoughts of war. Ye have what I

advise."

He scarce had finished, when such mur- mur filled

The assembly as when hollow rocks re- tain The sound of blustering winds, which all

night long

Had roused the sea, now with hoarse ca- dence lull Seafaring men o'erwatched, whose bark by

chance,

Or pinnace, anchors in a craggy bay After the tempest. Such applause was heard 290

As Mammon ended, and his sentence

pleased,

Advising peace: for such another field They dreaded worse than Hell; so much

the fear

Of thunder and the sword of Michael "Wrought still within them; and no less

desire To found this nether empire, which might

rise,

By policy and long process' of time, In emulation opposite to Heaven. Which when Beelzebub perceived than

whom,

Satan except, none higher sat with grave 300

Aspect he rose, and in his rising seemed A pillar of state. Deep on his front en- graven

Deliberation sat, and public care; Aud princely counsel in his face yet shon, Majestic, though in ruin. Sage be stood, With Atlantean shoulders, fit to bear The weight of mightiest monarchies; his

look Drew audience and attention still as night

��Or summer's noontide air, while thus he

spake :

" Thrones and Imperial Powers, Off- spring of Heaven, 310 Ethereal Virtues ! or these titles now Must we renounce, and, changing style, be

called

Princes of Hell ? for so the popular vote Inclines here to continue, and build up

here A growing empire; doubtless ! while we

dream, And know not that the King of Heaven

hath doomed This place our dungeon not our safe

retreat

Beyond his potent arm, to live exempt From Heaven's high jurisdiction, in new

league

Banded against his throne, but to re- main 320 In strictest bondage, though thus far re- moved,

Under the inevitable curb, reserved His captive multitude. For He, be sure, In highth or depth, still first and last will

reign

Sole king, and of his kingdom lose no part By our revolt, but over Hell extend His empire, and with iron sceptre rule Us herW, as with his golden those in Heaven. What sit we then projecting peace and war ? War hath determined us and foiled with

loSS 330

Irreparable ; terms of peace yet none Voutsafed or sought; for what peace will

be given

To us enslaved, but custody severe, And stripes and arbitrary punishment Inflicted ? and what peace can we return, But, to our power, hostility and hate, Untamed reluctance, and revenge, though

slow,

Yet ever plotting how the Conqueror least May reap his conquest, and may least

rejoice

In doing what we most in suffering feel ? 340 Nor will occasion want, nor shall we need With dangerous expedition to invade Heaven, whose high walls fear no assault

or siege, Or ambush from the Deep. What if we

find

Some easier enterprise ? There is a place (If ancient and prophetic fame in Heaven

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