Page:The Complete Poetical Works of John Milton.djvu/161

 BOOK SECOND

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��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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