His red right hand to plague us? What if all 175 180 185 Ages of hopeless end? This would be worse. My voice dissuades; for what can force or guile Views all things at one view? He from Heaven's height All these our motions vain sees and derides; 191 Not more almighty to resist our might Than wise to frustrate all our plots and wiles. Shall we then live thus vile, the race of Heavǝn Thus trampled, thus expell'd to suffer here 195 Chains and these torments? better these than worse, By my advice; since fate inevitable Subdues us, and omnipotent decree, The Victor's will To suffer, as to do, 200 Our strength is equal, nor the law unjust Our doom; which if we can sustain and bear, Our Supreme Foe in time may much remit 216 Not mind us not offending, satisfied With what is punish'd; whence these raging fires Our purer essence then will overcome Their noxious vapour; or, inured, not feel; Or changed at length, and to the place conform'd Familiar the fierce heat, and void of pain; 215 This horror will grow mild, this darkness light; 220 of future days may bring, what chance, what change Thus Belial, with words clothed in reason's garb, Either to disenthrone the King of Heaven 225 230 235 Within Heaven's bound, unless Heaven's Lord supreme We overpower? Suppose he should relent, And publish grace to all, on promise made Of new subjection; with what eyes could we 240 Stand in his presence humble, and receive To whom we hate! Let us not then presume 245 By force impossible, by leave obtain'd Our own good from ourselves, and from our own Hala liberty before the easy yoke Of servile pomp. Our greatness will appear 250 255 Then most conspicuous, when great things of small, Useful of hurtful, prosperous of adverse, We can create; and in what place soe'er 260 265 Through labour and endurance. This deep world Into their temper; which must needs remove He scarce had finish'd, when such murmur fill'd 270 275 280 285 Seafaring men o'erwatch'd, whose bark by chance, After the tempest: Such applause was heard They dreaded worse than Heli: so much the fear 290 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 300 A pillar of state; deep on his front engraven And princely counsel in his face yet shone, 305 With Atlantean shoulders fit to bare The weight of mightiest monarchies; his look Drew audience and attention still as night Or summer's noontide air, while thus he spake. Thrones and Imperial Powers, Offspring of Heaven, Ethereal Virtues! or these titles now 311 Must we renounce, and, changing style, be call'd Inclines, here to continue, and build up here A growing empire; doubtless! while we dream, 315 From Heaven's high jurisdiction, in new league 320 In strictest bondage, though thus far removed 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. War hath determined us, and foil'd with loss 330 Irreparable; terms of peace yet none Vouchsafed or sought; for what peace will be given 'lo us enslaved, but custody severe, And stripes, and arbitrary punishment Inflicted? and what peace can we return, 335 But to our power hostility and hate, Untamed reluctance, and revenge though slow May reap his conquest, and may least rejoice In doing what we most in suffering feel? 340 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 355 That shook Heaven's whole circumference, confirm'd. In his own strength, this place may lie exposed, 360 The utmost border of his kingdom, left To their defence who hold it: Here perhaps Some advantageous act may be achieved |