Pleaded his devilish counfel, first devis'd By SATAN, and in part propos'd: for whence, 380 385 Well have ye judg'd, well ended long debate, 390 Synod of Gods! and, like to what ye are, Great things refolv'd; which from the loweft deep Will once more lift us up, in fpight of fate, Nearer our ancient feat; perhaps in view 394 Of those bright confines, whence with neighbouring And opportune excurfion, we may chance [arms, Re-enter Heav'n: or elfe in fome mild Zone Dwell not unvifited of Heav'n's fair light Secure, and at the brightning orient beam Purge off this gloom: the foft delicious air, To heal the fear of these corrofive fires 400 Shall breathe her balm. But first whom shall we fend And through the palpable obfcure find out Over the vaft abrupt, e'er he arrive 405 The happy ifle? What ftrength, what art can then 410 Through the ftrict fenteries, and stations thick Choice in our fuffrage: for on whom we fend, 415 This 420 This faid, he fat; and expectation held Alone the dreadful voyage: till at last O Progeny of Heav'n, empyreal Thrones! 425 430 435 440. 445 With fplendor, arm'd with pow'r, if ought propos'd Me from attempting. Wherefore do I affume 450 To -- 455 460 465 Thus faying rose 470 To him who reigns, and fo much to him due Of hazard more, as he above the reft High honor'd fits? Go therefore mighty Pow'rs, Terror of Heav'n, though fall'n; intend at home, (While here shall be our home) what beft may ease. The prefent mifery, and render Hell More tolerable; if there be cure or charm To refpite or deceive, or flack the pain Of this ill manfion. Intermit no watch Against a wakeful foe, while I abroad Through all the coaft of dark deftruction feek Deliverance for us all: this enterprize None fhall partake with me. The Monarch, and prevented all reply; Prudent, left from his refolution rais'd Others among the chief might offer now (Certain to be refus'd) what erft they fear'd; And fo refus'd might in opinion stand His rivals, winning cheap the high repute Which he through hazard huge muft earn. But they Dreaded not more th' adventure than his voice Forbidding; and at once with him they rofe: Their rifing all at once was as the found Of thunder heard remote. Towards him they bend With awful reverence prone; and as a God Extol him equal to the highest in Heav'n: Nor fail'd they to exprefs how much they prais'd, 480 That for the general fafety he defpis'd His own: (for neither do the fpirits damn'd Lofe all their virtue; left bad men fhould boaft Their fpecious deeds on earth, which glory excites; Or clofe ambition varnish'd o'er with zeal.) Thus they their doubtful confultations dark Ended, rejoicing in their matchlefs Chief: As when from mountain tops the dusky clouds Afcending, while the north-wind fleeps, o'er-fpread Heav'n's chearful face, the lowring element 490 Scowls o'er the darken'd landscape fnow, or fhowre: 475 485 |