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His mighty Stature; on each hand the flamesDrivn backward slope their pointing spires, & rowldIn billows, leave i'th' midst a horrid Vale.Then with expanded wings he stears his flightAloft, incumbent on the dusky AirThat felt unusual weight, till on dry LandHe lights, if it were Land that ever burn'dWith solid, as the Lake with liquid fire;And such appear'd in hue, as when the force 230Of subterranean wind transports a HillTorn from Pelorus, or the shatter'd sideOf thundring Aetna, whose combustibleAnd fewel'd entrals thence conceiving Fire,Sublim'd with Mineral fury, aid the Winds,And leave a singed bottom all involv'dWith stench and smoak: Such resting found the soleOf unblest feet. Him followed his next Mate,Both glorying to have scap't the Stygian floodAs Gods, and by their own recover'd strength, 240Not by the sufferance of supernal Power.Is this the Region, this the Soil, the Clime,Said then the lost Arch Angel, this the seatThat we must change for Heav'n, this mournful gloomFor that celestial light? Be it so, since heeWho 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 FieldsWhere Joy for ever dwells: Hail horrours, hail 250Infernal world, and thou profoundest HellReceive thy new Possessor: 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 builtHere for his envy, will not drive us hence: 260Here we may reign secure, and in my choyceTo reign is worth ambition though in Hell:Better to reign in Hell, then serve in Heav'n.But 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 moreWith rallied Arms to try what may be yetRegaind in Heav'n, or what more lost in Hell? 270So Satan spake, and him BeelzebubThus answer'd. Leader of those Armies bright,Which but th' Omnipotent none could have foyld,If once they hear that voyce, their liveliest pledgeOf hope in fears and dangers, heard so oftIn worst extreams, and on the perilous edgeOf battel when it rag'd, in all assaultsTheir surest signal, they will soon resumeNew courage and revive, though now they lyeGroveling and prostrate on yon Lake of Fire, 280As we erewhile, astounded and amaz'd,No wonder, fall'n such a pernicious highth.He scarce had ceas't when the superiour FiendWas moving toward the shore; his ponderous shieldEthereal temper, massy, large and round,Behind him cast; the broad circumferenceHung on his shoulders like the Moon, whose OrbThrough Optic Glass the Tuscan Artist viewsAt Ev'ning from the top of Fesole,Or in Valdarno, to descry new Lands, 290Rivers or Mountains in her spotty Globe.His Spear, to equal which the tallest PineHewn on Norwegian hills, to be the MastOf some great Ammiral, were but a wand,He walkt with to support uneasie stepsOver the burning Marle, not like those stepsOn Heavens Azure, and the torrid ClimeSmote on him sore besides, vaulted with Fire;Nathless he so endur'd, till on the BeachOf that inflamed Sea, he stood and call'd 300His Legions, Angel Forms, who lay intrans'tThick as Autumnal Leaves that strow the BrooksIn Vallombrosa, where th' Etrurian shadesHigh overarch't imbowr; or scatterd sedgeAfloat, when with fierce Winds Orion arm'dHath vext the Red-Sea Coast, whose waves orethrewBusiris and his Memphian Chivalrie,While with perfidious hatred they pursu'dThe Sojourners of Goshen, who beheldFrom the safe shore their floating Carkases 310And broken Chariot Wheels, so thick bestrownAbject and lost lay these, covering the Flood,Under amazement of their hideous change.He call'd so loud, that all the hollow DeepOf Hell resounded. Princes, Potentates,Warriers, the Flowr of Heav'n, once yours, now lost,If such astonishment as this can siezeEternal spirits; or have ye chos'n this placeAfter the toyl of Battel to reposeYour wearied vertue, for the ease you find 320To slumber here, as in the Vales of Heav'n?Or in this abject posture have ye swornTo adore the Conquerour? who now beholdsCherube and Seraph rowling in the FloodWith scatter'd Arms and Ensigns, till anonHis swift pursuers from Heav'n Gates discernTh' advantage, and descending tread us downThus drooping, or with linked ThunderboltsTransfix us to the bottom of this Gulfe.Awake, arise, or be for ever fall'n. 330They heard, and were abasht, and up they sprung
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Upon the wing, as when men wont to watchOn duty, sleeping found by whom they dread,Rouse and bestir themselves ere well awake.Nor did they not perceave the evil plightIn which they were, or the fierce pains not feel;Yet to their Generals Voyce they soon obeydInnumerable. As when the potent RodOf Amrams Son in Egypts evill dayWav'd round the Coast, up call'd a pitchy cloud 340Of Locusts, warping on the Eastern Wind,That ore the Realm of impious Pharoah hungLike Night, and darken'd all the Land of Nile:So numberless were those bad Angels seenHovering on wing under the Cope of Hell
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'Twixt upper, nether, and surrounding Fires;Till, as a signal giv'n, th' uplifted SpearOf their great Sultan waving to directThir course, in even ballance down they lightOn the firm brimstone, and fill all the Plain; 350A multitude, like which the populous NorthPour'd never from her frozen loyns, to passRhene or the Danaw, when her barbarous SonsCame like a Deluge on the South, and spreadBeneath Gibraltar to the Lybian sands.Forthwith from every Squadron and each BandThe Heads and Leaders thither hast where stoodTheir great Commander; Godlike shapes and formsExcelling human, Princely Dignities,And Powers that earst in Heaven sat on Thrones; 360Though of their Names in heav'nly Records nowBe no memorial, blotted out and ras'dBy thir Rebellion, from the Books of Life.Nor had they yet among the Sons of EveGot them new Names, till wandring ore the Earth,Through Gods high sufferance for the tryal of man,By falsities and lyes the greatest partOf Mankind they corrupted to forsakeGod their Creator, and th' invisibleGlory of him, that made them, to transform 370Oft to the Image of a Brute, adorn'dWith gay Religions full of Pomp and Gold,And Devils to adore for Deities:Then were they known to men by various Names,And various Idols through the Heathen World.Say, Muse, their Names then known, who first, who last,Rous'd from the slumber, on that fiery Couch,At thir great Emperors call, as next in worthCame singly where he stood on the bare strand,While the promiscuous croud stood yet aloof? 380The chief were those who from the Pit of HellRoaming to seek their prey on earth, durst fixTheir Seats long after next the Seat of God,Their Altars by his Altar, Gods ador'dAmong the Nations round, and durst abideJehovah thundring out of Sion, thron'dBetween the Cherubim; yea, often plac'dWithin his Sanctuary it self their Shrines,Abominations; and with cursed thingsHis holy Rites, and solemn Feasts profan'd, 390And with their darkness durst affront his light.First Moloch, horrid King besmear'd with bloodOf human sacrifice, and parents tears,Though for the noyse of Drums and Timbrels loudTheir childrens cries unheard, that past through fireTo his grim Idol. Him the AmmoniteWorshipt in Rabba and her watry Plain,In Argob and in Basan, to the streamOf utmost Arnon. Nor content with suchAudacious neighbourhood, the wisest heart 400Of Solomon he led by fraud to buildHis Temple right against the Temple of GodOn that opprobrious Hill, and made his GroveThe pleasant Vally of Hinnom, Tophet thenceAnd black Gehenna call'd, the Type of Hell.Next Chemos, th' obscene dread of Moabs Sons,From Aroer to Nebo, and the wildOf Southmost Abarim; in HesebonAnd Heronaim, Seons Realm, beyondThe flowry Dale of Sibma clad with Vines, 410And Eleale to th' Asphaltick Pool.Peor his other Name, when he entic'dIsrael in Sittim on their march from NileTo do him wanton rites, which cost them woe.Yet thence his lustful Orgies he enlarg'dEven to that Hill of scandal, by the GroveOf Moloch homicide, lust hard by hate;Till good Josiah drove them thence to Hell.With these came they, who from the bordring floodOf old Euphrates to the Brook that parts 420Egypt from Syrian ground, had general NamesOf Baalim and Ashtaroth, those male,These Feminine. For Spirits when they pleaseCan either Sex assume, or both; so softAnd uncompounded is their Essence pure,Not ti'd or manacl'd with joynt or limb,Nor founded on the brittle strength of bones,Like cumbrous flesh; but in what shape they chooseDilated or condens't, bright or obscure,Can execute their aerie purposes, 430And works of love or enmity fulfill.For those the Race of Israel oft forsookTheir living strength, and unfrequented leftHis righteous Altar, bowing lowly downTo bestial Gods; for which their heads as lowBow'd down in Battel, sunk before the SpearOf despicable foes. With these in troopCame Astoreth, whom the Phoenicians call'dAstarte, Queen of Heav'n, with crescent Horns;To whose bright Image nightly by the Moon 440Sidonian Virgins paid their Vows and Songs,In Sion also not unsung, where stoodHer Temple on th' offensive Mountain, builtBy that uxorious King, whose heart though large,Beguil'd by fair Idolatresses, fellTo Idols foul. Thammuz came next behind,Whose annual wound in Lebanon allur'dThe Syrian Damsels to lament his fateIn amorous dittyes all a Summers day,While smooth Adonis from his native Rock 450Ran purple to the Sea, suppos'd with bloodOf Thammuz yearly wounded: the Love-taleInfected Sions daughters with like heat,Whose wanton passions in the sacred PorchEzekiel saw, when by the Vision ledHis eye survay'd the dark IdolatriesOf alienated Judah. Next came oneWho mourn'd in earnest, when the Captive ArkMaim'd his brute Image, head and hands lopt offIn his own Temple, on the grunsel edge, 460Where he fell flat, and sham'd his Worshipers:Dagon his Name, Sea Monster, upward ManAnd downward Fish: yet had his Temple highRear'd in Azotus, dreaded through the CoastOf Palestine, in Gath and Ascalon,And Accaron and Gaza's frontier bounds.Him follow'd Rimmon, whose delightful SeatWas fair Damascus, on the fertil BanksOf Abbana and Pharphar, lucid streams.He also against the house of God was bold: 470A Leper once he lost and gain'd a King,Ahaz his sottish Conquerour, whom he drewGods Altar to disparage and displaceFor one of Syrian mode, whereon to burnHis odious offrings, and adore the GodsWhom he had vanquisht. After these appear'dA crew who under Names of old Renown,Osiris, Isis, Orus and their TrainWith monstrous shapes and sorceries abus'dFanatic Egypt and her Priests, to seek 480Thir wandring Gods disguis'd in brutish formsRather then human. Nor did Israel scapeTh' infection when their borrow'd Gold compos'dThe Calf in Oreb: and the Rebel KingDoubl'd that sin in Bethel and in Dan,Lik'ning his Maker to the Grazed Ox,Jehovah, who in one Night when he pass'dFrom Egypt marching, equal'd with one strokeBoth her first born and all her bleating Gods.Belial came last, then whom a Spirit more lewd 490Fell not from Heaven, or more gross to loveVice for it self: To him no Temple stoodOr Altar smoak'd; yet who more oft then heeIn Temples and at Altars, when the PriestTurns Atheist, as did Ely's Sons, who fill'dWith lust and violence the house of God.In Courts and Palaces he also ReignsAnd in luxurious Cities, where the noyseOf riot ascends above thir loftiest Towrs,And injury and outrage: And when Night 500Darkens the Streets, then wander forth the SonsOf Belial, flown with insolence and wine.Witness the Streets of Sodom, and that nightIn Gibeah, when hospitable DoresYielded thir Matrons to prevent worse rape.These were the prime in order and in might;The rest were long to tell, though far renown'd,Th' Ionian Gods, of Javans Issue heldGods, yet confest later then Heav'n and EarthThir boasted Parents; Titan Heav'ns first born 510With his enormous brood, and birthright seis'dBy younger Saturn, he from mightier JoveHis own and Rhea's Son like measure found;So Jove usurping reign'd: these first in CreetAnd Ida known, thence on the Snowy topOf cold Olympus rul'd the middle AirThir highest Heav'n; or on the Delphian Cliff,Or in Dodona, and through all the boundsOf Doric Land; or who with Saturn oldFled over Adria to th' Hesperian Fields, 520And ore the Celtic roam'd the utmost Isles.All these and more came flocking; but with looksDown cast and damp, yet such wherein appear'dObscure som glimps of joy, to have found thir chiefNot in despair, to have found themselves not lostIn loss it self; which on his count'nance castLike doubtful hue: but he his wonted prideSoon recollecting, with high words, that boreSemblance of worth not substance, gently rais'dTheir fainted courage, and dispel'd their fears. 530Then strait commands that at the warlike soundOf Trumpets loud and Clarions be upreardHis mighty Standard; that proud honour claim'dAzazel as his right, a Cherube tall:Who forthwith from the glittering Staff unfurldTh' Imperial Ensign, which full high advanc'tShon like a Meteor streaming to the WindWith Gemms and Golden lustre rich imblaz'd,Seraphic arms and Trophies: all the whileSonorous mettal blowing Martial sounds: 540At which the universal Host upsentA shout that tore Hells Concave, and beyondFrighted the Reign of Chaos and old Night.All in a moment through the gloom were seenTen thousand Banners rise into the AirWith Orient Colours waving: with them roseA Forrest huge of Spears: and thronging HelmsAppear'd, and serried Shields in thick arrayOf depth immeasurable: Anon they moveIn perfect Phalanx to the Dorian mood 550Of Flutes and soft Recorders; such as rais'dTo highth of noblest temper Hero's oldArming to Battel, and in stead of rageDeliberate valour breath'd, firm and unmov'dWith dread of death to flight or foul retreat,Nor wanting power to mitigate and swageWith solemn touches, troubl'd thoughts, and chaseAnguish and doubt and fear and sorrow and painFrom mortal or immortal minds. Thus theyBreathing united force with fixed thought 560Mov'd on in silence to soft Pipes that charm'dThir painful steps o're the burnt soyle; and nowAdvanc't in view they stand, a horrid FrontOf dreadful length and dazling Arms, in guiseOf Warriers old with order'd Spear and Shield,Awaiting what command thir mighty ChiefHad to impose: He through the armed FilesDarts his experienc't eye, and soon traverseThe whole Battalion views, thir order due,Thir visages and stature as of Gods, 570Thir number last he summs. And now his heartDistends with pride, and hardning in his strengthGlories: For never since created man,Met such imbodied force, as nam'd with theseCould merit more then that small infantryWarr'd on by Cranes: though all the Giant broodOf Phlegra with th' Heroic Race were joyn'dThat fought at Theb's and Ilium, on each sideMixt with auxiliar Gods; and what resoundsIn Fable or Romance of Uthers Son 580Begirt with British and Armoric Knights;And all who since, Baptiz'd or InfidelJousted in Aspramont or Montalban,Damasco, or Marocco, or Trebisond,Or whom Biserta sent from Afric shoreWhen Charlemain with all his Peerage fellBy Fontarabbia. Thus far these beyondCompare of mortal prowess, yet observ'dThir dread Commander: he above the restIn shape and gesture proudly eminent 590Stood like a Towr; his form had yet not lostAll her Original brightness, nor appear'dLess then Arch Angel ruind, and th' excessOf Glory obscur'd: As when the Sun new ris'nLooks through the Horizontal misty AirShorn of his Beams, or from behind the MoonIn dim Eclips disastrous twilight shedsOn half the Nations, and with fear of changePerplexes Monarchs. Dark'n'd so, yet shonAbove them all th' Arch Angel: but his face 600Deep scars of Thunder had intrencht, and careSat on his faded cheek, but under BrowesOf dauntless courage, and considerate PrideWaiting revenge: cruel his eye, but castSigns of remorse and passion to beholdThe fellows of his crime, the followers rather(Far other once beheld in bliss) condemn'dFor ever now to have their lot in pain,Millions of Spirits for his fault amerc'tOf Heav'n, and from Eternal Splendors flung 610For his revolt, yet faithfull how they stood,Thir Glory witherd. As when Heavens FireHath scath'd the Forrest Oaks, or Mountain Pines,With singed top their stately growth though bareStands on the blasted Heath. He now prepar'dTo speak; whereat their doubl'd Ranks they bendFrom Wing to Wing, and half enclose him roundWith all his Peers: attention held them mute.Thrice he assayd, and thrice in spite of scorn,Tears such as Angels weep, burst forth: at last 620Words interwove with sighs found out their way.O Myriads of immortal Spirits, O PowersMatchless, but with th' Almighty, and that strifeWas not inglorious, though th' event was dire,As this place testifies, and this dire changeHateful to utter: but what power of mindForeseeing or presaging, from the DepthOf knowledge past or present, could have fear'd,How such united force of Gods, how suchAs stood like these, could ever know repulse? 630For who can yet beleeve, though after loss,That all these puissant Legions, whose exileHath emptied Heav'n, shall faile to re-ascendSelf-rais'd, and repossess their native seat.For me, be witness all the Host of Heav'n,If counsels different, or danger shun'dBy me, have lost our hopes. But he who reignsMonarch in Heav'n, till then as one secureSat on his Throne, upheld by old repute,Consent or custome, and his Regal State 640Put forth at full, but still his strength conceal'd,Which tempted our attempt, and wrought our fall.Henceforth his might we know, and know our ownSo as not either to provoke, or dreadNew warr, provok't; our better part remainsTo work in close design, by fraud or guileWhat force effected not: that he no lessAt length from us may find, who overcomesBy force, hath overcome but half his foe.Space may produce new Worlds; whereof so rife 650There went a fame in Heav'n that he ere longIntended to create, and therein plantA generation, whom his choice regardShould favour equal to the Sons of Heaven:Thither, if but to prie, shall be perhapsOur first eruption, thither or elsewhere:For this Infernal Pit shall never holdCaelestial Spirits in Bondage, nor th' AbysseLong under darkness cover. But these thoughtsFull Counsel must mature: Peace is despaird, 660For who can think Submission? Warr then, WarrOpen or understood must be resolv'd.He spake: and to confirm his words, out-flewMillions of flaming swords, drawn from the thighsOf mighty Cherubim; the sudden blazeFar round illumin'd hell: highly they rag'dAgainst the Highest, and fierce with grasped arm'sClash'd on their sounding shields the din of war,Hurling defiance toward the vault of Heav'n.There stood a Hill not far whose griesly top 670Belch'd fire and rowling smoak; the rest entireShon with a glossie scurff, undoubted signThat in his womb was hid metallic Ore,The work of Sulphur. Thither wing'd with speedA numerous Brigad hasten'd. As when bandsOf Pioners with Spade and Pickaxe arm'dForerun the Royal Camp, to trench a Field,Or cast a Rampart. Mammon led them on,Mammon, the least erected Spirit that fellFrom heav'n, for ev'n in heav'n his looks and thoughts 680Were always downward bent, admiring moreThe riches of Heav'ns pavement, trod'n Gold,Then aught divine or holy else enjoy'dIn vision beatific: by him firstMen also, and by his suggestion taught,Ransack'd the Center, and with impious handsRifl'd the bowels of thir mother EarthFor Treasures better hid. Soon had his crewOp'nd into the Hill a spacious woundAnd dig'd out ribs of Gold. Let none admire 690That riches grow in Hell; that soyle may bestDeserve the pretious bane. And here let thoseWho boast in mortal things, and wondring tellOf Babel, and the works of Memphian Kings,Learn how thir greatest Monuments of Fame,And Strength and Art are easily outdoneBy Spirits reprobate, and in an hourWhat in an age they with incessant toyleAnd hands innumerable scarce perform.Nigh on the Plain in many cells prepar'd, 700That underneath had veins of liquid fireSluc'd from the Lake, a second multitudeWith wondrous Art founded the massie Ore,Severing each kinde, and scum'd the Bullion dross:A third as soon had form'd within the groundA various mould, and from the boyling cellsBy strange conveyance fill'd each hollow nook,As in an Organ from one blast of windTo many a row of Pipes the sound-board breaths.Anon out of the earth a Fabrick huge 710Rose like an Exhalation, with the soundOf Dulcet Symphonies and voices sweet,Built like a Temple, where Pilasters roundWere set, and Doric pillars overlaidWith Golden Architrave; nor did there wantCornice or Freeze, with bossy Sculptures grav'n,The Roof was fretted Gold. Not Babilon,Nor great Alcairo such magnificenceEqual'd in all thir glories, to inshrineBelus or Serapis thir Gods, or seat 720Thir Kings, when Aegypt with Assyria stroveIn wealth and luxurie. Th' ascending pileStood fixt her stately highth, and strait the doresOp'ning thir brazen foulds discover wideWithin, her ample spaces, o're the smoothAnd level pavement: from the arched roofPendant by suttle Magic many a rowOf Starry Lamps and blazing Cressets fedWith Naphtha and Asphaltus yeilded lightAs from a sky. The hasty multitude 730Admiring enter'd, and the work some praiseAnd some the Architect: his hand was knownIn Heav'n by many a Towred structure high,Where Scepter'd Angels held thir residence,And sat as Princes, whom the supreme KingExalted to such power, and gave to rule,Each in his Herarchie, the Orders bright.Nor was his name unheard or unador'dIn ancient Greece; and in Ausonian landMen call'd him Mulciber; and how he fell 740From Heav'n, they fabl'd, thrown by angry JoveSheer o're the Chrystal Battlements: from MornTo Noon he fell, from Noon to dewy Eve,A Summers day; and with the setting SunDropt from the Zenith like a falling Star,On Lemnos th' Aegaean Ile: thus they relate,Erring; for he with this rebellious routFell long before; nor aught avail'd him nowTo have built in Heav'n high Towrs; nor did he scapeBy all his Engins, but was headlong sent 750With his industrious crew to build in hell.Mean while the winged Haralds by commandOf Sovran power, with awful CeremonyAnd Trumpets sound throughout the Host proclaimA solemn Councel forthwith to be heldAt Pandaemonium, the high CapitalOf Satan and his Peers: thir summons call'dFrom every Band and squared Regiment
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By place or choice the worthiest; they anonWith hundreds and with thousands trooping came 760Attended: all access was throng'd, the GatesAnd Porches wide, but chief the spacious Hall(Though like a cover'd field, where Champions boldWont ride in arm'd, and at the Soldans chairDefi'd the best of Panim chivalryTo mortal combat or carreer with Lance)Thick swarm'd, both on the ground and in the air,Brusht with the hiss of russling wings. As BeesIn spring time, when the Sun with Taurus rides,Poure forth thir populous youth about the Hive 770In clusters; they among fresh dews and flowersFlie to and fro, or on the smoothed Plank,The suburb of thir Straw-built Cittadel,New rub'd with Baume, expatiate and conferThir State affairs. So thick the aerie crowdSwarm'd and were straitn'd; till the Signal giv'n,Behold a wonder! they but now who seemdIn bigness to surpass Earths Giant SonsNow less then smallest Dwarfs, in narrow roomThrong numberless, like that Pigmean Race 780Beyond the Indian Mount, or Faerie Elves,Whose midnight Revels, by a Forrest sideOr Fountain some belated Peasant sees,Or dreams he sees, while over head the MoonSits Arbitress, and neerer to the EarthWheels her pale course, they on thir mirth & danceIntent, with jocond Music charm his ear;At once with joy and fear his heart rebounds.Thus incorporeal Spirits to smallest formsReduc'd thir shapes immense, and were at large, 790Though without number still amidst the HallOf that infernal Court. But far withinAnd in thir own dimensions like themselvesThe great Seraphic Lords and CherubimIn close recess and secret conclave satA thousand Demy-Gods on golden seat's,Frequent and full. After short silence thenAnd summons read, the great consult began.Notes:504, 505 hospitable Dores Yielded thir Matrons] the hospitabledoor Expos'd a Matron 1674.530 fainted] fa(i)nting 1674.703 founded] found out 1674.737 Herarchie] Hierarchie 1674.The End Of The First Book.
THE ARGUMENT.
The Consultation begun, Satan debates whether another Battel be to be hazarded for the recovery of Heaven: some advise it, others dissuade: A third proposal is prefer'd, mention'd before by Satan, to search the truth of that Prophesie or Tradition in Heaven concerning another world, and another kind of creature equal or much inferiour to themselves, about this time to be created: Thir doubt who shall be sent on this difficult search: Satan thir cheif undertakes alone the voyage, is honourd and applauded. The Councel thus ended, the rest betake them several wayes and to several imployments, as thir 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 op'nd, 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.
Note: who shall be sent] who should be sent 1669.
High on a Throne of Royal State, which far
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Outshon the wealth of Ormus and of Ind,Or where the gorgeous East with richest handShowrs on her Kings Barbaric Pearl & Gold,Satan exalted sat, by merit rais'dTo that bad eminence; and from despairThus high uplifted beyond hope, aspiresBeyond thus high, insatiate to pursueVain Warr with Heav'n, and by success untaughtHis proud imaginations thus displaid. 10Powers and Dominions, Deities of Heav'n,For since no deep within her gulf can holdImmortal vigor, though opprest and fall'n,I give not Heav'n for lost. From this descentCelestial vertues rising, will appearMore glorious and more dread then from no fall,And trust themselves to fear no second fate:Mee though just right, and the fixt Laws of Heav'nDid first create your Leader, next, free choice,With what besides, in Counsel or in Fight, 20Hath bin achievd of merit, yet this lossThus farr at least recover'd, hath much moreEstablisht in a safe unenvied ThroneYielded with full consent. The happier stateIn Heav'n, which follows dignity, might drawEnvy from each inferior; but who hereWill envy whom the highest place exposesFormost to stand against the Thunderers aimeYour bulwark, and condemns to greatest shareOf endless pain? where there is then no good 30For which to strive, no strife can grow up thereFrom Faction; for none sure will claim in hellPrecedence, none, whose portion is so smallOf present pain, that with ambitious mindWill covet more. With this advantage thenTo union, and firm Faith, and firm accord,More then can be in Heav'n, we now returnTo claim our just inheritance of old,Surer to prosper then prosperityCould have assur'd us; and by what best way, 40Whether of open Warr or covert guile,We now debate; who can advise, may speak.He ceas'd, and next him Moloc, Scepter'd KingStood up, the strongest and the fiercest SpiritThat fought in Heav'n; now fiercer by despair:His trust was with th' Eternal to be deem'dEqual in strength, and rather then be lessCar'd not to be at all; with that care lostWent all his fear: of God, or Hell, or worseHe reckd not, and these words thereafter spake. 50My sentence is for open Warr: Of Wiles,More unexpert, I boast not: them let thoseContrive who need, or when they need, not now.For while they sit contriving, shall the rest,Millions that stand in Arms, and longing waitThe Signal to ascend, sit lingring hereHeav'ns fugitives, and for thir dwelling placeAccept this dark opprobrious Den of shame,The Prison of his Tyranny who ReignsBy our delay? no, let us rather choose 60Arm'd with Hell flames and fury all at onceO're Heav'ns high Towrs to force resistless way,Turning our Tortures into horrid ArmsAgainst the Torturer; when to meet the noiseOf his Almighty Engin he shall hearInfernal Thunder, and for Lightning seeBlack fire and horror shot with equal rageAmong his Angels; and his Throne it selfMixt with Tartarean Sulphur, and strange fire,His own invented Torments. But perhaps 70The way seems difficult and steep to scaleWith upright wing against a higher foe.Let such bethink them, if the sleepy drenchOf that forgetful Lake benumme not still,That in our proper motion we ascendUp to our native seat: descent and fallTo us is adverse. Who but felt of lateWhen the fierce Foe hung on our brok'n RearInsulting, and pursu'd us through the Deep,With what compulsion and laborious flight 80We sunk thus low? Th' ascent is easie then;Th' event is fear'd; should we again provokeOur stronger, some worse way his wrath may findTo our destruction: if there be in HellFear to be worse destroy'd: what can be worseThen to dwell here, driv'n out from bliss, condemn'dIn this abhorred deep to utter woe;Where pain of unextinguishable fireMust exercise us without hope of endThe Vassals of his anger, when the Scourge 90Inexorably, and the torturing houreCalls us to Penance? More destroy'd then thusWe should be quite abolisht and expire.What fear we then? what doubt we to incenseHis utmost ire? which to the highth enrag'd,Will either quite consume us, and reduceTo nothing this essential, happier farrThen miserable to have eternal being:Or if our substance be indeed Divine,And cannot cease to be, we are at worst 100On this side nothing; and by proof we feelOur power sufficient to disturb his Heav'n,And with perpetual inrodes to Allarme,Though inaccessible, his fatal Throne:Which if not Victory is yet Revenge.He ended frowning, and his look denounc'dDesperate revenge, and Battel dangerousTo less then Gods. On th' other side up roseBelial, in act more graceful and humane;A fairer person lost not Heav'n; he seemd 110For dignity compos'd and high exploit:But all was false and hollow; though his TongueDropt Manna, and could make the worse appearThe better reason, to perplex and dashMaturest Counsels: for his thoughts were low;To vice industrious, but to Nobler deedsTimorous and slothful: yet he pleas'd the eare,And with perswasive accent thus began.I should be much for open Warr, O Peers,As not behind in hate; if what was urg'd 120Main reason to perswade immediate Warr,Did not disswade me most, and seem to castOminous conjecture on the whole success:When he who most excels in fact of Arms,In what he counsels and in what excelsMistrustful, grounds his courage on despairAnd utter dissolution, as the scopeOf all his aim, after some dire revenge.First, what Revenge? the Towrs of Heav'n are fill'dWith Armed watch, that render all access 130Impregnable; oft on the bordering DeepEncamp thir Legions, or with obscure wingScout farr and wide into the Realm of night,Scorning surprize. Or could we break our wayBy force, and at our heels all Hell should riseWith blackest Insurrection, to confoundHeav'ns purest Light, yet our great EnemieAll incorruptible would on his ThroneSit unpolluted, and th' Ethereal mouldIncapable of stain would soon expel 140Her mischief, and purge off the baser fireVictorious. Thus repuls'd, our final hopeIs flat despair: we must exasperateTh' Almighty Victor to spend all his rage,And that must end us, that must be our cure,To be no more; sad cure; for who would loose,Though full of pain, this intellectual being,Those thoughts that wander through Eternity,To perish rather, swallowd up and lostIn the wide womb of uncreated night, 150Devoid of sense and motion? and who knows,Let this be good, whether our angry FoeCan give it, or will ever? how he canIs doubtful; that he never will is sure.Will he, so wise, let loose at once his ire,Belike through impotence, or unaware,To give his Enemies thir wish, and endThem in his anger, whom his anger savesTo punish endless? wherefore cease we then?Say they who counsel Warr, we are decreed, 160Reserv'd and destin'd to Eternal woe;Whatever doing, what can we suffer more,What can we suffer worse? is this then worst,Thus sitting, thus consulting, thus in Arms?What when we fled amain, pursu'd and strookWith Heav'ns afflicting Thunder, and besoughtThe Deep to shelter us? this Hell then seem'dA refuge from those wounds: or when we layChain'd on the burning Lake? that sure was worse.What if the breath that kindl'd those grim fires 170Awak'd should blow them into sevenfold rageAnd plunge us in the Flames? or from aboveShould intermitted vengeance Arme againHis red right hand to plague us? what if allHer stores were op'n'd, and this FirmamentOf Hell should spout her Cataracts of Fire,Impendent horrors, threatning hideous fallOne day upon our heads; while we perhapsDesigning or exhorting glorious Warr,Caught in a fierie Tempest shall be hurl'd 180Each on his rock transfixt, the sport and preyOf racking whirlwinds, or for ever sunkUnder yon boyling Ocean, wrapt in Chains;There to converse with everlasting groans,Unrespited, unpitied, unrepreevd,Ages of hopeless end; this would be worse.Warr therefore, open or conceal'd, alikeMy voice disswades; for what can force or guileWith him, or who deceive his mind, whose eyeViews all things at one view? he from heav'ns highth 190All these our motions vain, sees and derides;Not more Almighty to resist our mightThen wise to frustrate all our plots and wiles.Shall we then live thus vile, the race of Heav'nThus trampl'd, thus expell'd to suffer hereChains and these Torments? better these then worseBy my advice; since fate inevitableSubdues us, and Omnipotent Decree,The Victors will. To suffer, as to doe,Our strength is equal, nor the Law unjust 200That so ordains: this was at first resolv'd,If we were wise, against so great a foeContending, and so doubtful what might fall.I laugh, when those who at the Spear are boldAnd vent'rous, if that fail them, shrink and fearWhat yet they know must follow, to endureExile, or ignominy, or bonds, or pain,The sentence of thir Conquerour: This is nowOur doom; which if we can sustain and bear,Our Supream Foe in time may much remit 210His anger, and perhaps thus farr remov'dNot mind us not offending, satisfi'dWith what is punish't; whence these raging firesWill slack'n, if his breath stir not thir flames.Our purer essence then will overcomeThir noxious vapour, or enur'd not feel,Or chang'd at length, and to the place conformdIn temper and in nature, will receiveFamiliar the fierce heat, and void of pain;This horror will grow milde, this darkness light, 220Besides what hope the never-ending flightOf future days may bring, what chance, what changeWorth waiting, since our present lot appeersFor happy though but ill, for ill not worst,If we procure not to our selves more woe.Thus Belial with words cloath'd in reasons garbCounsel'd ignoble ease, and peaceful sloath,Not peace: and after him thus Mammon spake.Either to disinthrone the King of Heav'nWe warr, if warr be best, or to regain 230Our own right lost: him to unthrone we thenMay hope, when everlasting Fate shall yeildTo fickle Chance, and Chaos judge the strife:The former vain to hope argues as vainThe latter: for what place can be for usWithin Heav'ns bound, unless Heav'ns Lord supreamWe overpower? Suppose he should relentAnd publish Grace to all, on promise madeOf new Subjection; with what eyes could weStand in his presence humble, and receive 240Strict Laws impos'd, to celebrate his ThroneWith warbl'd Hymns, and to his Godhead singForc't Halleluiah's; while he Lordly sitsOur envied Sovran, and his Altar breathesAmbrosial Odours and Ambrosial Flowers,Our servile offerings. This must be our taskIn Heav'n, this our delight; how wearisomEternity so spent in worship paidTo whom we hate. Let us not then pursueBy force impossible, by leave obtain'd 250Unacceptable, though in Heav'n, our stateOf splendid vassalage, but rather seekOur own good from our selves, and from our ownLive to our selves, though in this vast recess,Free, and to none accountable, preferringHard liberty before the easie yokeOf servile Pomp. Our greatness will appearThen most conspicuous, when great things of small,Useful of hurtful, prosperous of adverseWe can create, and in what place so e're 260Thrive under evil, and work ease out of painThrough labour and endurance. This deep worldOf darkness do we dread? How oft amidstThick clouds and dark doth Heav'ns all-ruling SireChoose to reside, his Glory unobscur'd,And with the Majesty of darkness roundCovers his Throne; from whence deep thunders roarMust'ring thir rage, and Heav'n resembles Hell?As he our Darkness, cannot we his LightImitate when we please? This Desart soile 270Wants not her hidden lustre, Gemms and Gold;Nor want we skill or art, from whence to raiseMagnificence; and what can Heav'n shew more?Our torments also may in length of timeBecome our Elements, these piercing FiresAs soft as now severe, our temper chang'dInto their temper; which must needs removeThe sensible of pain. All things inviteTo peaceful Counsels, and the settl'd StateOf order, how in safety best we may 280Compose our present evils, with regardOf what we are and where, dismissing quiteAll thoughts of Warr: ye have what I advise.He scarce had finisht, when such murmur filldTh' Assembly, as when hollow Rocks retainThe sound of blustring winds, which all night longHad rous'd the Sea, now with hoarse cadence lullSea-faring men orewatcht, whose Bark by chanceOr Pinnace anchors in a craggy BayAfter the Tempest: Such applause was heard 290As Mammon ended, and his Sentence pleas'd,Advising peace: for such another FieldThey dreaded worse then Hell: so much the fearOf Thunder and the Sword of MichaelWrought still within them; and no less desireTo found this nether Empire, which might riseBy pollicy, and long process of time,In emulation opposite to Heav'n.Which when Beelzebub perceiv'd, then whom,Satan except, none higher sat, with grave 300Aspect he rose, and in his rising seem'dA Pillar of State; deep on his Front engravenDeliberation sat and publick care;And Princely counsel in his face yet shon,Majestick though in ruin: sage he stoodWith Atlantean shoulders fit to bearThe weight of mightiest Monarchies; his lookDrew audience and attention still as NightOr Summers Noon-tide air, while thus he spake.Thrones and imperial Powers, off-spring of heav'n, 310Ethereal Vertues; or these Titles nowMust we renounce, and changing stile be call'dPrinces of Hell? for so the popular voteInclines, here to continue, and build up hereA growing Empire; doubtless; while we dream,And know not that the King of Heav'n hath doom'dThis place our dungeon, not our safe retreatBeyond his Potent arm, to live exemptFrom Heav'ns high jurisdiction, in new LeagueBanded against his Throne, but to remaine 320In strictest bondage, though thus far remov'd,Under th' inevitable curb, reserv'dHis captive multitude: For he, be sure,In highth or depth, still first and last will ReignSole King, and of his Kingdom loose no partBy our revolt, but over Hell extendHis Empire, and with Iron Scepter ruleUs here, as with his Golden those in Heav'n.What sit we then projecting Peace and Warr?Warr hath determin'd us, and foild with loss 330Irreparable; tearms of peace yet noneVoutsaf't or sought; for what peace will be giv'nTo us enslav'd, but custody severe,And stripes, and arbitrary punishmentInflicted? and what peace can we return,But to our power hostility and hate,Untam'd reluctance, and revenge though slow,Yet ever plotting how the Conquerour leastMay reap his conquest, and may least rejoyceIn doing what we most in suffering feel? 340Nor will occasion want, nor shall we needWith dangerous expedition to invadeHeav'n, whose high walls fear no assault or Siege,Or ambush from the Deep. What if we findSome easier enterprize? There is a place(If ancient and prophetic fame in Heav'nErr not) another World, the happy seatOf som new Race call'd Man, about this timeTo be created like to us, though lessIn power and excellence, but favour'd more 350Of him who rules above; so was his willPronounc'd among the Gods, and by an Oath,That shook Heav'ns whol circumference, confirm'd.Thither let us bend all our thoughts, to learnWhat creatures there inhabit, of what mould,Or substance, how endu'd, and what thir Power,And where thir weakness, how attempted best,By force or suttlety: Though Heav'n be shut,And Heav'ns high Arbitrator sit secureIn his own strength, this place may lye expos'd 360The utmost border of his Kingdom, leftTo their defence who hold it: here perhapsSom advantagious act may be achiev'dBy sudden onset, either with Hell fireTo waste his whole Creation, or possessAll as our own, and drive as we were driven,The punie habitants, or if not drive,Seduce them to our Party, that thir GodMay prove thir foe, and with repenting handAbolish his own works. This would surpass 370Common revenge, and interrupt his joyIn our Confusion, and our Joy upraiseIn his disturbance; when his darling SonsHurl'd headlong to partake with us, shall curseThir frail Originals, and faded bliss,Faded so soon. Advise if this be worthAttempting, or to sit in darkness hereHatching vain Empires. Thus BeelzebubPleaded his devilish Counsel, first devis'dBy Satan, and in part propos'd: for whence, 380But from the Author of all ill could SpringSo deep a malice, to confound the raceOf mankind in one root, and Earth with HellTo mingle and involve, done all to spiteThe great Creatour? But thir spite still servesHis glory to augment. The bold designPleas'd highly those infernal States, and joySparkl'd in all thir eyes; with full assentThey vote: whereat his speech he thus renews.Well have ye judg'd, well ended long debate, 390Synod of Gods, and like to what ye are,Great things resolv'd; which from the lowest deepWill once more lift us up, in spight of Fate,Neerer our ancient Seat; perhaps in viewOf those bright confines, whence with neighbouring ArmsAnd opportune excursion we may chanceRe-enter Heav'n; or else in some milde ZoneDwell not unvisited of Heav'ns fair LightSecure, and at the brightning Orient beamPurge off this gloom; the soft delicious Air, 400To heal the scarr of these corrosive FiresShall breath her balme. But first whom shall we sendIn search of this new world, whom shall we findSufficient? who shall tempt with wandring feetThe dark unbottom'd infinite AbyssAnd through the palpable obscure find outHis uncouth way, or spread his aerie flightUpborn with indefatigable wingsOver the vast abrupt, ere he arriveThe happy Ile; what strength, what art can then 410Suffice, or what evasion bear him safeThrough the strict Senteries and Stations thickOf Angels watching round? Here he had needAll circumspection, and we now no lessChoice in our suffrage; for on whom we send,The weight of all and our last hope relies.This said, he sat; and expectation heldHis look suspence, awaiting who appeer'dTo second, or oppose, or undertakeThe perilous attempt: but all sat mute, 420Pondering the danger with deep thoughts; and eachIn others count'nance red his own dismayAstonisht: none among the choice and primeOf those Heav'n-warring Champions could be foundSo hardie as to proffer or acceptAlone the dreadful voyage; till at lastSatan, whom now transcendent glory rais'dAbove his fellows, with Monarchal prideConscious of highest worth, unmov'd thus spake.O Progeny of Heav'n, Empyreal Thrones, 430With reason hath deep silence and demurrSeis'd us, though undismaid: long is the wayAnd hard, that out of Hell leads up to Light;Our prison strong, this huge convex of Fire,Outrageous to devour, immures us roundNinefold, and gates of burning AdamantBarr'd over us prohibit all egress.These past, if any pass, the void profoundOf unessential Night receives him nextWide gaping, and with utter loss of being 440Threatens him, plung'd in that abortive gulf.If thence he scape into what ever world,Or unknown Region, what remains him lessThen unknown dangers and as hard escape.But I should ill become this Throne, O Peers,And this Imperial Sov'ranty, adorn'dWith splendor, arm'd with power, if aught propos'dAnd judg'd of public moment, in the shapeOf difficulty or danger could deterreMe from attempting. Wherefore do I assume 450These Royalties, and not refuse to Reign,Refusing to accept as great a shareOf hazard as of honour, due alikeTo him who Reigns, and so much to him dueOf hazard more, as he above the restHigh honourd sits? Go therfore mighty powers,Terror of Heav'n, though fall'n; intend at home,While here shall be our home, what best may easeThe present misery, and render HellMore tollerable; if there be cure or charm 460To respite or deceive, or slack the painOf this ill Mansion: intermit no watchAgainst a wakeful Foe, while I abroadThrough all the coasts of dark destruction seekDeliverance for us all: this enterprizeNone shall partake with me. Thus saying roseThe Monarch, and prevented all reply,Prudent, least from his resolution rais'dOthers among the chief might offer now(Certain to be refus'd) what erst they feard; 470And so refus'd might in opinion standHis rivals, winning cheap the high reputeWhich he through hazard huge must earn. But theyDreaded not more th' adventure then his voiceForbidding; and at once with him they rose;Thir rising all at once was as the soundOf Thunder heard remote. Towards him they bendWith awful reverence prone; and as a GodExtoll him equal to the highest in Heav'n:Nor fail'd they to express how much they prais'd, 480That for the general safety he despis'dHis own: for neither do the Spirits damn'dLoose all thir vertue; least bad men should boastThir specious deeds on earth, which glory excites,Or close ambition varnisht o're with zeal.Thus they thir doubtful consultations darkEnded rejoycing in thir matchless Chief:As when from mountain tops the dusky cloudsAscending, while the North wind sleeps, o'respreadHeav'ns chearful face, the lowring Element 490Scowls ore the dark'nd lantskip Snow, or showre;If chance the radiant Sun with farewell sweetExtend his ev'ning beam, the fields revive,The birds thir notes renew, and bleating herdsAttest thir joy, that hill and valley rings.O shame to men! Devil with Devil damn'dFirm concord holds, men onely disagreeOf Creatures rational, though under hopeOf heavenly Grace: and God proclaiming peace,Yet live in hatred, enmitie, and strife 500Among themselves, and levie cruel warres,Wasting the Earth, each other to destroy:As if (which might induce us to accord)Man had not hellish foes anow besides,That day and night for his destruction waite.The Stygian Councel thus dissolv'd; and forthIn order came the grand infernal Peers,Midst came thir mighty Paramount, and seemdAlone th' Antagonist of Heav'n, nor lessThen Hells dread Emperour with pomp Supream, 510And God-like imitated State; him roundA Globe of fierie Seraphim inclos'dWith bright imblazonrie, and horrent Arms.Then of thir Session ended they bid cryWith Trumpets regal sound the great result:Toward the four winds four speedy CherubimPut to thir mouths the sounding AlchymieBy Haralds voice explain'd: the hollow AbyssHeard farr and wide, and all the host of HellWith deafning shout, return'd them loud acclaim. 520Thence more at ease thir minds and somwhat rais'dBy false presumptuous hope, the ranged powersDisband, and wandring, each his several wayPursues, as inclination or sad choiceLeads him perplext, where he may likeliest findTruce to his restless thoughts, and entertainThe irksome hours, till his great Chief return.Part on the Plain, or in the Air sublimeUpon the wing, or in swift race contend,As at th' Olympian Games or Pythian fields; 530Part curb thir fierie Steeds, or shun the GoalWith rapid wheels, or fronted Brigads form.As when to warn proud Cities warr appearsWag'd in the troubl'd Skie, and Armies rushTo Battel in the Clouds, before each VanPric forth the Aerie Knights, and couch thir spearsTill thickest Legions close; with feats of ArmsFrom either end of Heav'n the welkin burns.Others with vast Typhoean rage more fellRend up both Rocks and Hills, and ride the Air 540In whirlwind; Hell scarce holds the wilde uproar.As when Alcides from Oealia Crown'dWith conquest, felt th' envenom'd robe, and toreThrough pain up by the roots Thessalian Pines,And Lichas from the top of Oeta threwInto th' Euboic Sea. Others more milde,Retreated in a silent valley, singWith notes Angelical to many a HarpThir own Heroic deeds and hapless fallBy doom of Battel; and complain that Fate 550Free Vertue should enthrall to Force or Chance.Thir song was partial, but the harmony(What could it less when Spirits immortal sing?)Suspended Hell, and took with ravishmentThe thronging audience. In discourse more sweet(For Eloquence the Soul, Song charms the Sense,)Others apart sat on a Hill retir'd,In thoughts more elevate, and reason'd highOf Providence, Foreknowledge, Will, and Fate,Fixt Fate, free will, foreknowledge absolute, 560And found no end, in wandring mazes lost.Of good and evil much they argu'd then,Of happiness and final misery,Passion and Apathie, and glory and shame,Vain wisdom all, and false Philosophie:Yet with a pleasing sorcerie could charmPain for a while or anguish, and exciteFallacious hope, or arm th' obdured brestWith stubborn patience as with triple steel.Another part in Squadrons and gross Bands, 570On bold adventure to discover wideThat dismal world, if any Clime perhapsMight yeild them easier habitation, bendFour ways thir flying March, along the BanksOf four infernal Rivers that disgorgeInto the burning Lake thir baleful streams;Abhorred Styx the flood of deadly hate,Sad Acheron of sorrow, black and deep;Cocytus, nam'd of lamentation loudHeard on the ruful stream; fierce Phlegeton 580Whose waves of torrent fire inflame with rage.Farr off from these a slow and silent stream,Lethe the River of Oblivion roulesHer watrie Labyrinth, whereof who drinks,Forthwith his former state and being forgets,Forgets both joy and grief, pleasure and pain.Beyond this flood a frozen ContinentLies dark and wilde, beat with perpetual stormsOf Whirlwind and dire Hail, which on firm landThaws not, but gathers heap, and ruin seems 590Of ancient pile; all else deep snow and ice,A gulf profound as that Serbonian BogBetwixt Damiata and mount Casius old,Where Armies whole have sunk: the parching AirBurns frore, and cold performs th' effect of Fire.Thither by harpy-footed Furies hail'd,At certain revolutions all the damn'dAre brought: and feel by turns the bitter changeOf fierce extreams, extreams by change more fierce,From Beds of raging Fire to starve in Ice 600Thir soft Ethereal warmth, and there to pineImmovable, infixt, and frozen round,Periods of time, thence hurried back to fire.They ferry over this Lethean SoundBoth to and fro, thir sorrow to augment,And wish and struggle, as they pass, to reachThe tempting stream, with one small drop to looseIn sweet forgetfulness all pain and woe,All in one moment, and so neer the brink;But fate withstands, and to oppose th' attempt 610Medusa with Gorgonian terror guardsThe Ford, and of it self the water fliesAll taste of living wight, as once it fledThe lip of Tantalus. Thus roving onIn confus'd march forlorn, th' adventrous BandsWith shuddring horror pale, and eyes agastView'd first thir lamentable lot, and foundNo rest: through many a dark and drearie VaileThey pass'd, and many a Region dolorous,O're many a Frozen, many a Fierie Alpe, 620Rocks, Caves, Lakes, Fens, Bogs, Dens, and shades of death,A Universe of death, which God by curseCreated evil, for evil only good,Where all life dies, death lives, and nature breeds,Perverse, all monstrous, all prodigious things,Abominable, inutterable, and worseThen Fables yet have feign'd, or fear conceiv'd,Gorgons and Hydra's, and Chimera's dire.