By force impossible, by leave obtain❜'d Our own good from ourselves, and from our own Of servile pomp. Our greatness will appear 250 255 Then most conspicuous, when great things of small, 260 Through labour and endurance. This deep world And with the majesty of darkness round 265 Covers his throne; from whence deep thunders roar Initate when we please? This desert soil ` 270 Our torments also may in length of time 275 280 Of what we are, and where; dismissing quite All thoughts of war: Ye have what I advise. 235 He scarce had finish'd, when such murmur fill'd The assembly as when hollow rocks retain The sound of blustering winds, which all night long Had roused the sea, now with hoarse cadence lull Seafaring men o'erwatch'd, whose bark by chance, After the tempest: Such applause was heard 290 They dreaded worse than Hell: so much the fear Wrought still within them; and no less desire 295 To found this nether empire, which might rise In emulation opposite to Heaven. Which when Beelzebub perceived, than whom And princely counsel in his face yet shone, The weight of mightiest monarchies; his look 300 305 Or summer's noontide air, while thus he spake. Must we renounce, and, changing style, be call'd Inclines, here to continue, and build up here 311 A growing empire; doubtless! while we dream, 315 And know not that the King of Heaven hath doom'd 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 remain 320 In strictest bondage, though thus far removed Under the inevitable curb, reserved His captive multitude: For he, be sure In height or depth, still first and last will reign 325 By our revolt; but over Hell extend His empire, and with iron sceptre rule Us here, as with his golden those in Heaven. 330 Vouchsafed or sought; for what peace will be given And stripes, and arbitrary punishment Untamed reluctance, and revenge though slow, 335 May reap his conquest, and may least rejoice 340 Nor will occasion want, nor shall we need With dangerous expedition to invade Heaven, whose high walls fear no assault nor siege, Or ambush from the deep. What if we find Some easier enterprise? There is a place 345 (If ancient and prophetic fame in Heaven Err not,) another world, the happy seat Of some new race call'd Man, about this time In power and excellence, but favour'd more 350 Of Him who rules above; so was his will Pronounced among the Gods, and by an oath, That shook Heaven's whole circumference, confirm'd. 355 In his own strength, this place may lie exposed, 360 PARADISE LOST. By sudden onset; either with Hell fire To waste his whole creation, or possess All as our own, and drive, as we were driven, In our confusion, and our joy upraise In his disturbance; when his darling sons, Hurl'd headlong to partake with us, shall curse Their frail original, and faded bliss, 375 Faded so soon. Advise, if this be worth Attempting, or to sit in darkness here 360 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 385 His glory to augment. The bold design Pleased highly those infernal States, and joy Well have ye judged, well ended long debate, 390 Synod of Gods! and, like to what ye are, Great things resolved, which, from the lowest deep, Will once more lift us up, in spite of fate, Nearer our ancient seat; perhaps in view [arms Of those bright confines, whence, with neighbouring And opportune excursion, we may chance 396 • Reenter Heaven; or else in some mild zone 400 Shall breathe her balm. But first whom shall we send And through the palpable obscure find out 405 Over the vast abrupt, ere he arrive The happy isle? What strength, what art can then Suffice, or what evasion bear him safe 411 Through the strict senteries and stations thick Of Angels watching round? Here he had need All circumspection; and we now no less 415 The weight of all, and our last hope, relies. 420 Pordering the danger with deep thought; and each In other's countenance read his own dismay, Astonish'd: None among the choice and prime Of those heaven-warring champions could be found Alone, the dreadful voyage; till at last 425 Satan, whom now transcendent glory raised Conscious of highest worth, unmoved thus spake : 430 435 |