Princes of Hell? for so the popular vote

Inclines, here to continue', and build up here

A growing empire; doubtless; while we dream,

315

And know not that the King of Heav'n hath doom'd This place our dungeon, not our safe retreat

Beyond his potent arm, to live exempt

From Heav'n's high jurisdiction, in new league
Banded against his throne, but to remain

320

In strictest bondage, though thus far remov'd
Under th' inevitable curb, reserv'd

His captive multitude: for he, be sure,

In height or depth, still first and last will reign
Sole king, and of his kingdom lose no part

325

By our revolt, but over Hell extend
His empire, and with iron sceptre rule
Us here, as with his golden those in Heaven.
What sit we then projecting peace and war?

War hath determin'd us, and foil'd with loss

330

Irreparable; terms of peace yet none

Vouchsaf'd or sought; for what peace will be given
To us enslav'd, but custody severe,

In doing what we most in suffering feel?
Nor will occasion want, nor shall we need
With dang'rous expedition to invade

340

Heav'n, 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
Err not) another world, the happy seat

345

Of some new race call'd Man, about this time
To be created like to us, though less

In pow'r and excellence, but favour'd more

350

Of him who rules above; so was his will

Pronounc'd among the Gods, and by an oath,

That shook Heav'n's whole circumference, confirm'd.
Thither let us bend all our thoughts, to learn
What creatures there inhabit, of what mould
Or substance, how endued, and what their power,
And where their weakness, how attempted best,

355

By force or subtlety. Though Heav'n be shut,
And Heav'n's high arbitrator sit secure

In his own strength, this place may lie expos'd,

360

The utmost border of his kingdom, left

To their defence who hold it: here perhaps

Some advantageous act may be achiev'd
By sudden onset, either with Hell fire

To waste his whole creation, or possess

365

All as our own, and drive, as we were driven,

The puny habitants, or if not drive,

Seduce them to our party, that their God

May prove their foe, and with repenting hand
Abolish his own works. This would surpass
Common revenge, and interrupt his joy
In our confusion, and our joy upraise

370

In his disturbance; when his darling sons,

Hurl'd headlong to partake with us, shall curse

Their frail original, and faded bliss,

Faded so soon. Advise if this be worth
Attempting, or to sit in darkness here
Hatching vain empires. Thus Beelzebub
Pleaded his devilish counsel, first devis'd

375

By Satan, and in part propos'd: for whence,

380

But from the author of all ill, could spring

So deep a malice, to confound the race

Of mankind in one root, and Earth with Hell
To mingle and involve, done all to spite
The great Creator? But their spite still serves
His glory to augment. The bold design
Pleas'd highly those infernal States, and joy
Sparkled in all their eyes; with full assent
They vote whereat his speech he thus renews.

385

WELL have ye judg'd, well ended long debate, 390

Synod of Gods, and like to what ye are,

Great things resolv'd, which from the lowest deep
Will once more lift us up in spite of fate,

Nearer our ancient seat; perhaps in view

Of those bright confines, whence with neighb'ring arms And opportune excursion we may chance

396

Re-enter Heav'n; or else in some mild zone

Dwell not unvisited of Heav'n's fair light

Secure, and at the brightning orient beam

Purge off this gloom; the soft delicious air,

400

To heal the scar of these corrosive fires,

Shall breathe her balm. But first whom shall we send

In search of this new world? Whom shall we find
Sufficient? Who shall tempt with wand'ring feet
The dark unbottom'd infinite abyss,

And through the palpable obscure find out
His uncouth way, or spread his airy flight
Upborne with indefatigable wings

Over the vast abrupt, ere he arrive

405

The happy isle? What strength, what art can then 410 Suffice, or what evasion bear him safe

Through the strict senteries and stations thick

Of Angels watching round? Here he had need
All circumspection, and we now no less

Choice in our suffrage; for on whom we send,

415

The weight of all our last hope relies.

THIS said, he sat; and expectation held
His look suspense, awaiting who appear'd
To second, or oppose, or undertake
The perilous attempt: but all sat mute,

420

Pond'ring the danger with deep thoughts; and each

In others count'nance read his own dismay

Astonish'd: none among the choice and prime

Of those Heav'n-warring champions could be found
So hardy as to proffer or accept

425

Alone the dreadful voyage; till at last

Satan, whom now transcendent glory rais'd

Above his fellows, with monarchal pride

Conscious of highest worth, unmov'd thus spake.
O PROGENY of Heav'n, empyreal Thrones,

430

With reason hath deep silence and demur

Seiz'd us, though undismay'd: long is the way

And 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
Barr'd over us prohibit all egress.

These pass'd, if any pass, the void profound
Of unessential Night receives him next
Wide gaping, and with utter loss of being
Threatens him, plung'd in that abortive gulf.
If thence he 'scape into whatever world,
Or unknown region, what remains him less
Than unknown dangers, and as hard escape?
But I should ill become this throne, O Peers,
And this imperial sov'reignty, adorn'd

435

440

445

With splendour, arm'd with pow'r, if ought propos'd And judg'd of public moment, in the shape

Of difficulty' or danger, could deter

Me from attempting. Wherefore do I assume

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

455

High honour'd sits? Go, therefore, mighty Powers,
Terror of Heav'n, though fall'n; intend at home
While here shall be our home, what best may ease
The present misery, and render Hell

More tolerable; if there be cure or charm
To respite, or relieve, or slack the pain

Of this ill mansion intermit no watch

460