The organs of her fancie, and with them forge
Illufions as he lift, phantafms and dreams,
Or if, inspiring venom, he might taint
Th'animal spirits that from pure blood arise
Like gentle breath from rivers pure, thence raise
At least distemper'd, discontented thoughts,
Vain hopes, vain aimes, inordinate defires
Blown up with high conceits ingendring pride.
Him thus intent Ithuriel with his spear
Touch'd lightly; for no falfhood can endure
Touch of celestial temper, but returns
Of force to its own likeness: up he starts
Discover'd and furpriz'd. As when a spark
Lights on a heap of nitrous powder, laid
Fit for the tun fome magazine to store
Against a rumour'd war, the smuttie graine
With fudden blaze diffus'd, inflames the air :
So ftarted up in his own fhape the fiend.
Back ftept those two fair angels half amaz'd
So fudden to behold the grieflie king;
Yet thus, unmov'd with fear, accost him soon.
Which of those rebel spirits adjudg'd to hell
Com'st thou, escap'd thy prison, and transform'd,
Why fatst thou like an enemie in waite
Here watching at the head of these that sleep?
Know ye not then, said Satan, fill'd with fcorn,
Know ye not me? ye knew me once no mate
For you, there fitting where ye durft not soare;
Not to know me argues yourselves unknown,
The lowest of your throng; or if ye know,
Why afk ye, and fuperfluous begin
Your meffage, like to end as much in vain ?
To whom thus Zephon, answering scorn with scorn.
Think not, revolted spirit, thy shape the fame,
Or undiminisht brightness, to be known
As when thou ftoodt in heav'n upright and pure ;
That glorie then, when thou no more wast good,,
Departed from thee, and thou refemblift now
Thy fin and place of doom obfcure and foule.
But come, for thou, befure, fhalt give account
To him who fent us, whofe charge is to keep
This place inviolable, and thefe from harm.
So fpake the cherube, and his grave rebuke.
Severe in youthful beautie, added grace
Invincible abafht the devil ftood,
And felt how awful goodness is, and faw
Virtue in her shape how lovely, faw, and pin'd
His lofs; but chiefly to find here obferv'd
His luftre vifibly impair'd; yet feem'd
Undaunted. If I must contend, faid he,
Beft with the best, the fender not the fent,
Or all at once; more glory will be won,
Or lefs be loft. Thy fear, faid Zephon bold,.
Will fave us trial what the least can do
Single against thee wicked, and thence weak..
The fiend repli'd not, overcome with rage;
But like a proud steed rein'd, went hautie on,
Chaumping his iron curb to ftrive or flie
He held it vain; awe from above had quell'd
His heart, not elfe difmai'd. Now drew they nigh
The western point, where those half-rounding guards
Juft met, and closing stood in squadron join'd
To whom their chief
Gabriel from the front thus call'd aloud.
friends, I hear the tread of nimble feet
Hafting this way, and now by glimps difcern
Ithuriel and Zephon through the fhade,
And with them comes a third of regal port,
But faded fplendor wan; who by his gate
And fierce demeanour feems the prince of hell,
Not likely to part hence without conteft;
Stand firm, for in his look defiance lours.
He scarce had ended, when thofe two approach'd And brief related whom they brought, where found, How bufied, in what form and pofture coucht. To whom with stern regard thus Gabriel spake. Why haft thou, Satan, broke the bounds prefcrib'd To thy tranfgreffions, and disturb'd the charge Of others, who approve not to tranfgrefs By thy example, but have power and right To question thy bold entrance on this place; Imploy'd it feems to violate fleep, and thofe Whofe dwelling God hath planted here in blifs ?` To whom thus Satan with contemptuous brow. Gabriel, thou had'ft in heav'n th'eftcem of wife, And fuch I held thee; but this question afkt Puts me in doubt. Lives there who loves his pain? Who would not, finding way, break loofe from hell, Though thither doom'd? thou wouldft thyself, no doubt, And boldly venture to whatever place
Fartheft from pain, where thou mightst hope to change Torment with eafe, and foonest recompence
Dole with delight, which in this place I fought ;
To thee no reason; who knowft only good,
But evil haft not tried and wilt object
His will who bound us? let him furer bar
His iron gates, if he intends our stay
In that dark durance: thus much what was afkt.
The reft is true, they found me where they fay;
But that implies not violence or harm.
Thus he in fcorn. The warlike angel mov'd, Difdainfully half fmiling thus repli'd: O lofs of one in heav'n to judge of wife, Since Satan fell, whom follie overthrew, And now returns him from his prison scapt. Gravely in doubt whether to hold them wife Or not, who afk what boldness brought him hither Unlicenc't from his bounds in hell prescrib'd; So wife he judges it to fly from pain
However, and to scape his punishment:
So judge thou ftill, prefumptuous, till the wrauth,
Which thou incur'ft by flying, meet thy flight,
Sevenfold, and scourge that wisdom back to hell,
Which taught thee yet no better, that no pain
Can equal anger infinite provok't.
But wherefore thou alone? wherefore with thee
Came not all hell broke loofe? is pain to them
Lefs pain, lefs to be fled, or thou then they
Lefs hardie to endure? couragious chief,
The first in flight from pain, hadft thou alledg'd
To thy deferted hoft this caufe of flight,
Thou surely hadit not come fole fugitive.
To which the fiend thus anfwer'd frowning ftern.
Not that I lefs endure, or flirink from pain.
Infulting angel, well thou knowst I stood
Thy fierceft, when in battle to thy aid
The blasting volied thunder made all speed
And feconded thy else not dreaded spear.
But ftill thy words at random, as before,
Argue thy inexperience what behoves
From hard affaies and ill fucceffes past
A faithful leader, not to hazard all
Through ways of danger by himself untri'd.
I therefore, I alone first undertook
To wing the defolate abyfs, and spie
This new created world, whereof in hell
Fame is not filent, here in hope to find
Better abode, and my afflicted powers
To fettle here on earth, or in mid aire;
Though for poffeffion put to try once more
What thou and thy gay legions dare against ;
Whofe eafier bufinefs were to ferve their lord
High up in heav'n, with fongs to hymne his throne.
And practis'd distances to cringe, not fight.
To whom the warriour angel foon repli'd.
To say and strait unfay, pretending first
Wife to flie pain, profeffing next the spie,
Argues no leader, but a lyar trac't,
Satan, and couldft thou faithful add? O name,
O facred name of faithfulness profan'd!
Faithful to whom? to thy rebellious crew?
Armie of fiends, fit body to fit head;
Was this your discipline and faith ingag'd,
Your military obedience, to diffolve
Allegiance to the acknowledg'd power fupream?
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