Hell could no longer hold us in her bounds, 365 Nor this un voyageable gulf obscure Detain from following thy illustrious track. Within Hell-gates till now, thou us impower'd 370 With this portentous bridge the dark abyss. Thine now is all this world; thy virtue hath won WHOM thus the Prince of darkness answer'd glad. Fair Daughter, and thou Son and Grandchild both, High proof ye now have giv'n to be the race Of Satan, (for glory in the name, 380 385 Antagonist of Heav'n's almighty king) Amply have merited of me, of all Th` infernal empire, that so near Heav'n's door 390 Mine with this gloricus work, and made one realm Hell and this world, one realm, one continent Of easy thorough-fare. Therefore while I To my associate Pow'rs, them to acquaint There dwell and reign in bliss, thence on the earth 395 400 Chiefly on Man, sole lord of all declar'd, Him first make sure your thrall, and lastly kill. Plenipotent on earth, of matchless might Issuing from me: on your joint vigour now So saying he dismiss'd them; they with speed 405 410 Then suffer'd. Th' other way Satan went down 415 Disparted Chaos over-built exclaim'd, And with rebounding surge the bars assail'd, That scorn'd his indignation: through the gate 420 Appointed to sit there, had left their charge, Far to th' inland retir'd, about the walls Of Pandemonium, city and proud seat Of Lucifer, so by allusion call'd, Of that bright star to Satan paragon'd. 425 There kept their watch the legions, while the Grand In council sat, solicitous what chance Might intercept their emp'ror sent; so he Departing gave command, and they observ'd. 430 As when the Tartar from his Russian foe 435 To Tauris or Casbeen: So these the late Heav'n banish'd host, left desert utmost Hell Many a dark league, reduc'd in careful watch Round their metropolis, and now expecting Each hour their great adventurer from the search 440 Of foreign worlds: he through the midst unmask'd, In show plebeian Angel militant Of lowest order, pass'd; and from the door Of that Plutonian hall, invisible Ascended his high throne, which under state 445 And shape star bright appear'd, or brighter, clad 450 With what permissive glory since his fall Was left him, or false glitter : All amaz'd At that so sudden blaze the Stygian throng Bent their aspect, and whom they wish'd beheld, To my associate Pow'rs, them to acquaint There dwell and reign in bliss, thence on the earth Chiefly on Man, sole lord of all declar'd, Him first make sure your thrall, and lastly kill. Plenipotent on earth, of matchless might Issuing from me: on your joint vigour now So saying he dismiss'd them; they with speed 395 400 405 410 Then suffer'd. Th' other way Satan went down 415 Disparted Chaos over-built exclaim'd, And with rebounding surge the bars assail'd, 420 Appointed to sit there, had left their charge, Far to th' inland retir'd, about the walls Of Lucifer, so by allusion call'd, Of that bright star to Satan paragon'd. 425 There kept their watch the legions, while the Grand In council sat, solicitous what chance Might intercept their emp'ror sent; so he Departing gave command, and they observ'd. 439 As when the Tartar from his Russian foe Py Astracan over the snowy plains To Tauris or Casbeen: So these the late 435 Heav'n-banish'd host, left desert utmost Hell Each hour their great adventurer from the search 440 In show plebeian Angel militant Of lowest order, pass'd; and from the door Of that Plutonian hall, invisible Ascended his high throne, which under state 445 And shape star bright appear'd, or brighter, clad 450 With what permissive glory since his fall Was left him, or false glitter : All amaz'd At that so sudden blaze the Stygian throng Bent their aspect, and whom they wish'd beheld, |