P A R A D I S E  L O S T.

B O O K  I.

		Of Man's first Disobedience, and the Fruit
		Of that forbidden Tree, whose mortal taste
		Brought Death into the world and all our woe,
		With loss of Eden, till one greater Man
	5	Restore us, and regain the blissful Seat,
		Sing Heav'nly Muse; that on the secret top	sacred
		Of Horeb or of Sinai didst inspire
		That Shepherd, who first taught the chosen Seed,
		In the beginning how the Heav'ns and Earth
	10	Rose out of Chaos: Or if Sion hill
		Delight thee more, and Siloa's brook that flow'd
		Fast by the Oracle of God; I thence
		Invoke thy aid to my adventrous Song,	Wing,
		That with no middle flight intends to soar
	15	Above th' Aonian Mount, while it pursues	I pursue
		Things unattempted yet in Prose or Rime.	Song.
		And chiefly Thou, O Spirit, that dost prefer
		Before all temples th' upright heart and pure,
		Instruct me, for thou know'st: Thou from the first
	20	Wast present, and with mighty wings outspred
		Dove-like sat'st brooding on the vast Abyss
		And mad'st it pregnant: what in Me is dark,
		Illumin; what is low, raise and support;
		That to the highth of this great Argument
	25	I may assert eternal Providence,
		And justifie the ways of God to men.
		Say first, for Heav'n hides nothing from thy view,
		Nor the deep Tract of Hell; say first what cause	Gulph
		Mov'd our grand Parents, in that happy State
	30	Favour'd of Heav'n so highly, to fall off
		From their Creator; and transgress his Will
		For one restraint, Lords of the world besides?
		Who first seduc'd them to that foul revolt?
		Th' infernal Serpent: he it was, whose guile,
	35	Stirr'd up with envy and revenge, deceiv'd
		The Mother of Mankind; what time his Pride	Thee,
		Had cast him out from Heav'n, with all his host
		Of rebel Angels; by whose Aid aspiring
	*	To set himself in Glory' above his Peers,
	40	He trusted to have equal'd the Most High,
		If He oppos'd; and with ambitious aim,
		Against the Throne and Monarchy of God
		Rais'd impious war in Heav'n and battel proud
		With vain attempt. Him the Almighty Pow'r
	45	Hurl'd headlong flaming from th' ethereal Skie,
		With hideous ruin and combustion down	confusion
		To bottomless Perdition: there to dwell
		In adamantin Chains and penal Fire;
		Who durst defie th'omnipotent to arms.
	50	Nine times the space that measures day and night
		To mortal men, He with his horrid crew
		Lay vanquish'd, rolling in the fiery Gulf,	stonish'd
		Confounded, though immortal. But his doom
		Reserv'd him to more wrath: for now the thought	thoughts
	55	Both of lost Happiness and lasting Pain
		Torments him. Round he throws his baleful eyes,	Torment
		That witness'd huge affliction and dismay
		Mix'd with obdúrate pride and steadfast hate.
		At once, as far as Angels ken, he views
	60	The dismal situation waste and wild.
		A Dungeon horrible on all sides round,
		As one great furnace, flam'd: yet from those flames
		No light, but rather Darkness visible	a transpicuous Gloom
		Serv'd only to discover sights of woe:
	65	Regions of sorrow, doleful shades; where peace
		And rest can never dwell; hope never comes,
		That comes to all: but torture without end
		Still urges, and a fiery deluge fed
		With ever-burning sulphur unconsum'd.
	70	Such place eternal Justice had prepar'd
		For those Rebellious; here their pris'n ordain'd
		In utter darkness; and their portion set	outer
		As far remov'd from God and light of Heav'n;	So
	*	As from the Centre thrice to th' utmost Pole.
	75	O how unlike the place from whence they fell!
		There the Companions of his fall, o'erwhelm'd
		With floods and whirlwinds of tempestuous fire,
		He soon discerns; and weltring by his side
		One next himself in pow'r, and next in crime,
	80	Long after known in Palaestine, and nam'd
		Beëlzebub. To whom th' Arch-enemy,
		And thence in Heav'n call'd Satan, with bold words
		Breaking the horrid silence thus began:
		If thou beest He! but O how fall'n; how chang'd
	85	From Him, who in the happy realms of light
		Cloth'd with transcendent brightness did'st outshine
		Myriads tho' bright: If He whom mutual league,
		United thoughts and counsels, equal hope
		And hazard in the glorious Enterprize
	90	Join'd with me once; now Misery hath join'd	doth join
		In equal Ruin: Into what Pit thou seest	And    To what depth
		From what highth fall'n: so much the stronger prov'd
		He with his Thunder: and till then who knew
		The force of those dire arms? Yet not for those,
	95	Nor what the potent Victor in his rage
		Can else inflict, do I repent, or change
		(Though chang'd in outward lustre) that fix'd mind,
		And high disdain from sense of injur'd merit,
		That with the Mightiest rais'd me to contend;
	100	And to the fierce Contention brought along	Encounter
		Innumerable force of Spirits arm'd,
		That durst dislike His Reign; and Me preferring,
		His utmost pow'r with adverse pow'r oppos'd
		In dubious battel on the plains of Heav'n,
	105	And shook his Throne. What. tho' the field be lost?
		All is not lost; th' unconquerable Will,
		And study of Revenge, immortal hate;	Slow
		And Courage never to submit or yield:
		And what is else, Not to be overcome?
	110	That Glory never shall his wrath or might	Homage
		Extort from Me, to bow and sue for grace
		With suppliant knee; and deifie His powr',
		Who from the terror of this Arm so late
		Doubted his Empire: that were low indeed,
	115	That were an ignominy and shame beneath
		This downfal: since by fate the Strength of Gods
		And this empýreal Substance cannot fail;
		Since, through experience of this great event,
		In Arms not worse, in Foresight much advanc'd,
	120	We may with more successful hope resolve
		To wage by force or guile eternal war;
		Irreconcileable to our grand Foe,
		Who now triumphs, and in th' excess of joy
		Sole reigning holds the tyranny of Heav'n.
	*	So spake th' Apostat Angel, though in pain,
	126	Vaunting aloud, but rack'd with deep despair:
		And him thus answer'd soon his bold Compeer.	sad    old
		O Prince, O chief of many throned Pow'rs,
		That led th' embattel'd Seraphim to war	led'st
	130	Under thy conduct, and in dreadful deeds
	*	Fearless endanger'd Heav'n's perpetual King;
		And put to proof his high Supremacy,	put'st
		Whether upheld by strength, or chance, or fate,
		Too well I see and rue the dire event,
	135	That with sad overthrow and foul defeat
		Hath lost us Heav'n, and all this mighty host
		In horrible destruction laid thus low;
		As far as Gods and heav'nly Essences
		Can perish: for the mind and spirit remains
	140	Invincible, and vigour soon returns;
		Though all our glory' extinct, and happy state
		Here swallow'd up in endless Misery.
		But what, if he our Conqu'rour (whom I now
		Of force believe Almighty, since no less
	145	Than such could have o'er-pow'rd such force as ours)
		Have left us this our spirit and strength intire
		Strongly to suffer and support our pains?	Stronglier
		That we may so suffice his vengeful ire:
		Or do him mightier service, as his Thralls
	150	By right of war: whate'er his business be,	our
		Here in the heart of Hell to work in fire,
		Or do his errands in the gloomy Deep.
		What can it then avail, though yet we feel
		Strength undiminish'd, or eternal being,	have
	155	To undergo eternal Punishment?
		Whereto with speedy Words th'Arch-Fiend reply'd:
		Fall'n Cherub, To be weak is miserable,	Here to dwell
		Doing or Suffering: but of this be sure,
		To do ought Good never will be our task,	will never
	160	But ever to do Ill our sole delight,
		As being the contrary to His high will
		Whom we resist. If then his Providence
		Out of our evil seek to bring forth good,
		Our labour must be to pervert that end,
	165	And out of good still to find means of evil:
		Which oft times may succede, so as perhaps
		Shall grieve him, if I fail not; and disturb	disturn
		His inmost Counsels from their destin'd aim.
		But see the angry Victor hath recall'd	repress'd
	170	His Ministers of vengeance and pursuit	Instruments
	*	Back to the Gates of Heav'n: The sulphurous Hail,
		Shot after us in storm, o'er-blown hath laid
		The fiery Surge, that from the Precipice
		Of Heav'n receiv'd us falling; and the Thunder,
	175	Wing'd with red lightning and impetuous rage,
		Perhaps hath spent his shafts, and ceases now	its
		To bellow through the vast and boundless Deep.
		Let us not slip th' Occasion, whether scorn
		Or satiate fury yield it from our Foe.
	180	Seest thou yon dreary Plain, forlorn and wild,
		The seat of desolation, void of light,
		Save what the glimmering of these livid flames
		Casts pale and dreadful? Thither let us tend
		From off the tossing of these fiery waves;
	185	There rest, if any Rest can harbour there:
		And re-assembling our afflicted Powers,
		Consult how we may henceforth most offend
		Our Enemy, our own loss how repair;
		How overcome this dire calamity;
	190	What reinforcement we may gain from Hope;
		If not, what resolution from Despair.	none
		Thus Satan talking to his neerest Mate
		With head up-lift above the wave, and eyes
		That sparkling blaz'd; his other parts besides
	195	Prone on the flood, extended long and large,
		Lay floating many a rood; in bulk as huge	like that
		[As whom the Fables name, of monstrous size,
		Titanian, or Earth-born, that warr'd on Jove,
		Briareos, or Typhon whom the Den
	200	By ancient Tarsus held, or that Sea-beast]
	*	Leviathan, which God of all his works
		Created hugest that swim th' Ocean stream:
		Him haply slumb'ring on the Norway foam,	flood
		The Pilot of some small night-founder'd Skiff,	nigh-
	205	Deeming some Island oft, as Sea-men tell,
		With fixed Anchor in his skaly rind,	skinny
		Moors by his side under the Lee; while night
		Invests the Sea, and wished morn delays:
	*	So stretch'd out huge in length the Árch-fiend lay,
	210	Chain'd on the burning Lake: nor ever thence
		Had ris'n or heav'd his Head, but that the Will
		And high permission of all-ruling Heaven
		Left him at large to his own dark designs:
		That with reiterated crimes he might
	215	Heap on himself damnation, while he sought
		Evil to others: and enrag'd might see
		How all his malice serv'd but to bring forth
		Infinite goodness, grace and mercy shewn	New Proofs of
		On Man by him seduc'd; but on himself
	220	Treble confusion, wrath, and vengeance pour'd.
		Forthwith upright he rears from off the Pool
		His mighty Stature; on each hand the Flames
		Driv'n backward slope their pointing spires, and roll'd
		In billows, leave i' th' midst a horrid Vale.	gaping
	225	Then with expanded wings he steers his flight
		Aloft, incumbent on the dusky Air
		That felt unusual Weight, 'till on dry Land
		He lights, * if it were Land that ever burn'd
		With solid, as the Lake with liquid fire:
	230	And such appear'd in hue, as when the force
		Of subterranean Wind transports a Hill
		Torn from Pelorus, or the shatter'd side
		Of thund'ring Ætna, whose combustible
		And fuel'd entrails thence conceiving Fire,	sulfureous
	235	Sublim'd with mineral fury, aid the Winds,	take the Wing
		And leave a singed bottom all involv'd
		With stench and smoak: Such Resting found the Sole
		Of unbless'd feet.   Him follow'd his next Mate,
		Both glorying to have scap't the Stygian flood,
	240	As Gods, and by their own recover'd strength,
		Not by the sufferance of supernal Power.
		Is this the Region, this the Soil, the Clime,
		Said then the lost Arch-Angel, this the Seat
		That we must change for Heav'n? this mournful Gloom
	245	For that celestial Light? Be' it so, since He
		Who now is Sov'rain can dispose and bid
		What shall be right: farthest from him is best,
		Whom reason [hath] equal'd, Force hath made supreme
		Above his equals. Farewel happy Fields,
	250	Where Joy for ever dwells! Hail horrors, hail
		Infernal world! and Thou, profoundest Hell,	Eternal Woe!
		Receive thy new Possessor; one who brings	Welcome
		A Mind not to be chang'd by Place or Time.
		The mind is its own place, and in it self
	255	Can make a Heav'n of Hell, a Hell of Heav'n.
		What matter where, if I be still the same,
		And what I should be; all but less than he
		Whom Thunder hath made greater? Here at least
		We shall be Free; th' Almighty hath not built	no Butt
	260	Here for his Envy will not drive us hence:
		Here we may reign secure: and in my choice
		To reign is worth ambition, tho' in Hell:
		Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heav'n.
		But wherefore let we then our faithful Friends,
	265	Th' associates and copartners of our loss,
		Lye thus astonish'd on th' oblivious Pool;
		And call them not to share with us their part
		In this unhappy mansion, or once more
		With rallied Arms to try what may be yet
	270	Regain'd in Heav'n, or what more lost in Hell?
		So Satan spake, and him Beëlzebub
		Thus answer'd: Leader of those Armies bright,
		Which but th' Omnipotent none could have foil'd,
		If once they hear that Voice, their liveliest pledge
	275	Of hope in fears and dangers, heard so oft
		In worst extremes, and on the perilous edge
		Of battel when it rag'd, in all assaults
		Their surest signal; they will soon resume
		New Courage and revive, tho' now they lye
	280	Grov'ling and prostrate on yon Lake of Fire,
		As we erewhile, astounded and amaz'd:
		No wonder, fall'n such a pernicious highth.	from such prodigious
		He scarce had ceas'd, when the superiour Fiend
		Was moving toward the shore; his pond'rous Shield,
	285	Ethereal temper, massie, large and round,
		Behind him cast; the broad Circumference
	*	Hung on his Shoulders, like the Moon, whose Orb
		Thro' Optick Glass the Tuscan Artist views
		At Ev'ning from the top of Fesolé,
	290	Or in Valdarno, to descry new Lands,	Sights,
		Rivers or Mountains in her spotty Globe.	Europes or Asias
		His Spear, to equal which the tallest Pine
		Hewn on Norwegian hills to be the Mast
		Of some great Admiral were but a wand,
	295	He walk'd with to support uneasie steps
		Over the burning Marle, not like those steps
		On Heavens Azure, and the torrid Clime
		Smote on him sore besides, vaulted with Fire.
		Nathles he so endur'd, 'till on the Beach
	300	Of that inflamed Sea he stood, and call'd
		His Legions, Angel Forms; who lay entranc'd
		Thick as auctumnal Leaves that strow the brooks
		In Vallombrosa, where th' Etrurian shades
		High over-arch'd embowr; or scatterd sedge
	305	Afloat, when with fierce winds Orion arm'd
		Hath vext the Red-Sea Coast: [whose waves o'erthrew	Red-Sea Gulph,
		Busiris and his Memphian chivalry,
		While with perfidious hatred they pursu'd
		The Sojourners of Goshen, who beheld
	310	From the safe shore their floating Carcases
		And broken Chariot Wheels.] So thick bestrown,
		Abject and lost lay these, covering the Flood,
		Under amazement of their hideous change.	Under th
		He call'd so loud, that all the hollow Deep
	315	Of Hell resounded: Princes, Potentates,
		Warriours, the Flow'r of Heav'n, once yours, now lost
		If such Astonishment as this can seize
		Eternal Spirits: Or have ye chos'n this place
		After the toil of Battel to repose
	320	Your wearied vertue, for the ease you find
		To slumber here, as in the Vales of Heav'n?
		Or in this abject posture have ye sworn
		T' adore the Conqueror? who now beholds
		Cherub and Seraph rolling in the Flood,	on
	325	With scatter'd Arms and Ensigns, till anon
		His swift pursuers from Heav'n Gates discern	watchful Legions
		Th' advantage, and descending tread us down
		Thus drooping, or with linked Thunderbolts
		Transfix us to the bottom of this Gulfe.	Fast fix
	330	Awake, arise: Or be for ever fall'n.
		They heard, and were abash'd, and up they sprung
		Upon the wing; as when men wont to watch
		On duty, sleeping found by whom they dread,
		Rouse and bestir themselves ere well awake.
	335	Nor did they not perceive the evil plight
		In which they were, or the fierce pains not feel;
		Yet to their General's voice they soon obey'd
		Innumerable.   As when the potent Rod
		Of Amram's Son, in Ægypt's evil day
	340	Wav'd round the coast, up call'd a pitchy cloud
		Of Locusts, warping on the Eastern Wind,
		That o'er the realm of impious Pharaoh hung	impious Head of
		Like Night, and darken'd all the Land of Nile:
		So numberless were those bad Angels seen,
	345	Hovering on wing under the Cope of Hell
		'Twixt upper, nether, and surrounding Fires:
		Till, as a signal giv'n, th' uplifted Spear	at
		Of their great Sultan waving to direct
		Their course, in even balance down they light
	350	On the firm Brimstone, and fill all the Plain.
		[A multitude, like which the populous North
		Pour'd never from her frozen loyns, to pass
		Rhene or the Danaw, when her barbarous sons
		Came like a Deluge on the South, and spread
	355	Beneath Gibraltar to the Libyan sands.]
		Forthwith from every squadron and each band
		The Heads and Leaders thither haste where stood
		Their great Commander; God-like shapes and forms
		Excelling Human, Princely Dignities,	Chief among Myriads
	360	And Powers, that erst in Heaven sat on Thrones;
		Tho' of their names in Heav'nly records now
		Be no memorial; blotted out and ras'd,
		By their rebellion, from the Books of Life.	Book
		Nor had they yet among the Sons of Eve
	365	Got them new Names, 'till wandring o'er the Earth,
		Thro' God's high sufferance for the trial of man,
		By falsities and lyes the greatest part	wiles
		Of Mankind they corrupted to forsake	seduced
		God their Creator, and th' invisible	His
	370	Glory' of him that made them, to transform	Unfigurable Glory
		Oft to the Image of a Brute, adorn'd	senseless Brute,
		[With gay Religions full of Pomp and Gold,]
		And Devils to adore for Deities.
		Then were they known to Men by various Names,
	375	And various * Idols thro' the Heathen World.
		Say, Muse, their Names then known, who first, who last,	when
		Rouz'd from the slumber on that fiery Couch	their    off
		At their great Emperor's call; as next in worth	and
		Came singly where he stood on the bare Strand;
	380	While the promiscuous croud stood yet aloof.
		The chief were those who from the Pit of Hell
		Roaming to seek their prey on earth, durst fix
		Their seats long after next the seat of God,
		Their altars by his altar, Gods ador'd
	385	Among the Nations round; and durst abide
		Jehovah thund'ring out of Sion, thron'd
		Between the Cherubim: yea, often plac'd
		Within his Sanctuary it self their Shrines,
		Abominations; and with cursed things
	390	His holy rites and solemn feasts prophan'd,
		And with their darkness durst affront his light.
		First Moloch, horrid King, besmear'd with blood
		Of human sacrifice, and parents tears;	victims, and with
		Tho' for the noise of Drums and Timbrels loud
	395	Their childrens cries unheard, that past thro' Fire
		To his grim Idol. Him the Ammonite
		Worship'd in Rabba and her watry Plain,
		In Argob and in Basan, to the stream
		Of utmost Arnon. Nor content with such
	400	Audacious neighbourhood, the wisest heart
		Of Solomon he led by fraud to build
		His Temple right against the Temple' of God
		On that opprobrious Hill; and made his Grove
		The pleasant Valley' of Hinnom, Tophet thence
	405	And black Gehenna call'd, the type of Hell.
		Next Chemos, th' óbscene dread of Moab's sons,	Dread obscéne
		From Aroer to Nebo, and the Wild
		Of southmost Abarim; in Hesebon
		And Horonaim, Seon's realm, beyond
	410	The flow'ry Dale of Sibma, clad with Vines,
		And Eleala to th' Asphaltic Pool:
		Peor his other Name, when he entic'd
		Israel in Sittim on their march from Nile,
		To do him wanton rites, which cost them woe.
	415	Yet thence his lustful Orgies he enlarg'd
		Ev'n to that Hill of scandal, by the Grove
		Of Moloch homicide, Lust hard by Hate:
		Till good Josiah drove them thence to Hell.
		With these came they, who from the bord'ring flood
	420	Of old Euphrates to the Brook that parts
		Ægypt from Syrian ground, had general names	Bound,
		Of Bäalim and Ashtaroth, those Male,
		These Feminine. For Spirits, when they please,	Female deem'd.
		Can either Sex assume or both; so soft
	425	And uncompounded is their Essence pure,
		Not ty'd or manacl'd with joint or limb,
		Nor founded on the brittle strength of bones,
		Like cumbrous flesh: but in what shape they chuse
		Dilated or condens'd, bright or obscure,
	430	Can execute their airy purposes,
		And works of love or enmity fulfil.
		For those the Race of Israel oft forsook
		Their living Strength, and unfrequented left
		His righteous Altar, bowing lowly down
	435	To bestial Gods: for which their heads as low
		Bow'd down in Battle, sunk before the Spear
		Of despicable foes. With these in troop
		Came Astoreth, whom the Phoenicians call'd
		Astarte, Queen of Heav'n, with crescent Horns;
	440	To whose bright Image nightly by the Moon
		Sidonian Virgins paid their vows and songs;
		In Sion also not unsung, where stood
		Her Temple on th' offensive Mountain, built
		By that uxorious King, whose heart tho' large,
	445	Beguil'd by fair Idolatresses, fell
		To Idols foul. Thammuz came next behind,
		Whose annual Wound in Lebanon allur'd
		The Syrian Damsels to lament his fate
		In am'rous ditties all a Summer's day:
	450	While smooth Adonis from his native Rock	its
		Ran purple to the Sea, suppos'd with blood
		Of Thammuz yearly wounded: the Love-tale
		Infected Sion's daughters with like heat;
		Whose wanton passions in the sacred Porch
	455	Ezekiel saw, when by the Vision led
		His Eye survey'd the dark Idolatries
		Of alienated Judah. Next came One
		Who mourn'd in earnest, when the captive Ark
		Maim'd his brute Image, head and hands lopt off
	460	In his own Temple; on the grunsel edge
		Where he fell flat, and sham'd his Worshipers:
		Dagon his Name, Sea-Monster, upward Man
		And downward Fish: yet had his Temple high
		Rear'd in Azotus, dreaded through the coast
	465	Of Palaestine, in Gath and Ascalon,
		And Accaron and Gaza's frontier bounds.
		Him follow'd Rimmon, whose delightful seat
		Was fair Damascus, on the fertil banks
		Of Abbana and Pharphar, lucid streams.
	470	He also' against the House of God was bold:
		A Leper once he lost, and gain'd a King,
		Ahaz his sottish Conqueror, whom he drew
		God's Altar to disparage and displace
		For one of Syrian mode; whereon to burn
	475	His odious off'rings, and adore the Gods
		Whom he had vanquisht. After these appear'd
		A crew who under names of old renown,
		Osiris, Isis, Orus and their train,
		With monstrous shapes and sorceries abus'd
	480	Fanatick Ægypt and her Priests, to seek
		Their wandring Gods, disguis'd in brutish forms
		Rather than human. Nor did Israel 'scape
		Th' infection, when their borrow'd Gold compos'd
		The Calf in Oreb; and the Rebel King
	485	Doubled that sin in Bethel and in Dan,
		[Lik'ning his Maker to the grazed Oxe,
		Jehovah, who in one Night when he pass'd
		From Ægypt marching, equal'd with one stroke
		Both her first-born and all her bleating Gods.]
	490	Belial came last, than whom a Spirit more lewd
		Fell not from heaven, or more gross to love
		Vice for it self: To him no Temple stood
		Or Altar smok'd; yet who more oft than He
		In Temples and at Altars, when the Priest
	495	Turns Atheist; as did Eli's sons, who fill'd
		With lust and violence the house of God.
		In Courts and Palaces he also reigns;
		And in luxurious Cities, where the noise
		Of riot ascends above their loftiest tow'rs,
	500	And injury and outrage: And when Night
		Darkens the Streets, then wander forth the Sons
		Of Belial, flown with insolence and wine.
		Witness the Streets of Sodom; and that night	witness those
		In Gibeah, when the hospitable door	Of    Doors
	505	Expos'd a Matron to avoid worse rape.	Yielded their Matrons
		These were the prime in order, and in might;
		The rest were long to tell, though far renown'd.
		Th' Ionian Gods, of Javan's issue, held
		Gods, yet confess'd later than Heav'n and Earth
	510	Their boasted Parents; Titan, Heav'n's first-born
		With his enormous brood, and birthright seiz'd
		By younger Saturn; He from mightier Jove,
		His own and Rhea's Son, like measure found;
		So Jove usurping reign'd: these first in Crete
	515	And Ida known, thence on the snowy top
		Of cold Olympus rul'd the middle Air,
		Their highest Heav'n; or on the Delphian Cliff,
		Or in Dodona, and thro' all the bounds
		Of Doric Land; or who with Saturn old
	520	Fled over Adria to th' Hesperian Fields,
		And o'er the Celtic roam'd the utmost Isles.
		All these and more came flocking; but with looks
		Down cast and damp, yet such wherein appear'd
		Obscure some glimpse of joy, to' have found their Chief
	525	Not in despair, to' have found themselves not lost
		In loss it self: which on his count'nance cast
		Like doubtful hue: but he his wonted pride
		Soon recollecting, with high words, that bore
		Semblance of worth, not substance, gently rais'd
	530	Their fainting courage, and dispell'd their fears.
		Then strait commands that at the warlike sound
		Of Trumpets loud and Clarions be uprear'd
		His mighty Standard; that proud honour claim'd
		Azázel as his right, a Cherub tall:
	535	Who forthwith from the glittering Staff unfurl'd
		Th' Imperial Ensign, which full high advanc'd
		Shone like a Meteor streaming to the wind,
		With gemms and golden lustre rich emblaz'd,
		Seraphic Arms and Trophies; all the while
	540	Sonorous mettal blowing martial sounds:
		At which the universal Host up sent
		A shout that tore Hell's Concave, and beyond
		Frighted the reign of Chaos and old Night.	Realm
		All in a moment thro' the gloom were seen
	545	Ten thousand Banners rise into the air
		With orient colours waving: with them rose
		A forest huge of Spears; and thronging Helms
		Appear'd, and serried Shields in thick array,
		Of depth unmeasurable'. Anon they move
	550	In perfect Phalanx to the Dorian mood
		Of Flutes and soft Recorders; such as rais'd
		To hight of noblest temper Heroes old
		Arming to battel, and in stead of rage
		Deliberate valour breath'd, firm, and unmov'd
	555	With dread of death to flight or foul retreat:
		Nor wanting power to mitigate and swage,
		With solemn touches, troubled thoughts, and chase
		Anguish and doubt and fear and sorrow and pain
		From mortal or immortal minds. Thus they
	560	Breathing united force with fixed thought
		Mov'd on in silence to soft Pipes, that charm'd
		Their painful steps o'er the burnt soil; and now
		Advanc'd in view, they stand, a horrid Front
		Of dreadful length and dazling Arms, in guise
	565	Of Warriors old with order'd Spear and Shield,	bold with ported
		Awaiting what command their mighty Chief
		Had to impose. He thro' the armed Files
		Darts his experienc'd eye, and soon traverse
		The whole Battalion views, their order due,
	570	Their visages and stature as of Gods;
		Their number last he sums, and now his heart
		Distends with pride; and hard'ning in his strength
		Glories: For never since created Man
		Met such imbodied force, [as nam'd with these
	575	Could merit more than that small Infantry
		Warr'd on by Cranes:] tho' all the [Giant] brood
		Of Phlegra with th' Heroic Race were join'd
		That fought at Thebes and Ilium, on each side
		Mix'd with auxiliar Gods; [and what resounds
	580	In Fable or Romance of Uther's Son
		Begirt with British and Armoric Knights;
		And all who since, Baptiz'd or Infidel,
		Jousted in Aspramont or Montalban,
		Damasco, or Morocco, or Trebisond,
	585	Or whom Biserta sent from Afric shore
		When Charlemain with all his Peerage fell
		By Feuntarabia.] Thus far these beyond	These far
		Compare of mortal prowess, yet observ'd	rival
		Their dread Commander. He, above the rest
	590	In shape and gesture proudly eminent	Stature
		Stood like a Towr; his Form had yet not lost
		All her Original brightness, nor appear'd
		Less than Arch Angel ruin'd, and th' excess
		Of Glory' obscur'd. As when the Sun new-ris'n
	595	Looks thro' the horizontal misty air
		Shorn of his Beams, or from behind the Moon,
		In dim Eclipse disastrous Twilight sheds
		On half the nations, and with fear of change
		Perplexes Monarchs: Darken'd so, yet shone
	600	Above them all th' Arch-Angel. But his face
		Deep scars of Thunder had intrench'd, and Care
		Sat on his faded cheek; but under brows	brow
		Of dauntless Courage and consid'rate Pride	sat
		Waiting revenge. Cruel his Eye, but cast
	605	Signs of remorse and passion to behold	pity
	*	The fellows of his crime, the followers rather,
		(Far other once beheld in bliss) condemn'd
		For ever now to have their lot in pain;
		Millions of Spirits for his fault amerc'd
	610	Of Heav'n, and from eternal splendors flung	ethereal Splendor
		For his revolt; yet faithful how they stood,
		Their Glory wither'd. As when Heaven's Fire
		Hath scath'd the forest Oaks or mountain Pines,
		With singed top their stately growth tho' bare
	615	Stands on the blasted Heath. He now prepar'd
		To speak; whereat their doubled Ranks they bend
		From wing to wing, and half inclose him round
		With all his Peers: Attention held them mute.
		Thrice he assay'd, and thrice in spight of Scorn,
	620	Tears, such as Angels weep, burst forth: at last
		Words interwove with sighs found out their way:	interrupt
		O Myriads of immortal Spirits, O Pow'rs
		Matchless, but with th' Almighty! and that strife
		Was not inglorious, tho' th' event was dire;
	625	As this place testifies, and this dire change,	sad
		Hateful to utter: but what power of mind,
		Foreseeing or presaging, from the depth
		Of knowledge past or present, could have fear'd,	conceive
		How such united force of Gods, how such
	630	As stood like these, could ever know repulse?
		For who can yet beleeve, tho' after loss,
		That all these puissant Legions, whose exíle
		Hath emptied heav'n, shall fail to re-ascend
		Self-rais'd, and re-possess their native seat?
	635	For Me be witness all the Host of Heav'n,	this
		If counsels different, or danger shun'd	e'er differr'd
		By Me, have lost our hopes. But He who reigns
		Monarch in Heav'n, 'till then as one secure
		Sat on his Throne, upheld by old repute,
	640	Consent or custom, and his regal State
		Put forth at full; but still his Strength conceal'd,
		Which tempted our attempt, and wrought our fall.	revolt
		Henceforth His Might we know, and know our Own:
		So as not either to provoke, or dread
	645	New war, provok'd. Our better part remains
		To work in close design, by fraud or guile	and wile
		What force effected not: that he no less	Lesson He
		At length from us may find, Who overcomes	learn
		By force, hath overcome but half his foe.
	650	Space may produce new Worlds; whereof so rife
		There went a fame in Heav'n that he ere long
		Intended to create; and therein plant
		A generation, whom his choice regard
		Should favour equal to the Sons of Heaven:
	655	Thither, if but to pry, shall be perhaps
		Our first Eruption; thither or elsewhere:
		For this Infernal Pit shall never hold
		Celestial Spirits in bondage, nor th' Abyss
		Long under darkness cover. But these thoughts
	660	Full Counsel must mature: Peace is despair'd,
		For who can think Submission? War then, War
		Open or understood must be resolv'd.	underhand
		He spake: and to confirm his words outflew
		Millions of flaming swords, drawn from the thighs	Blades
	665	Of mighty Cherubim; the sudden blaze
		Far round illumin'd Hell: highly they rag'd
		Against the High'st, and fierce with grasped arms	swords
		Clash'd on their sounding shields the din of war,
		Hurling defiance toward the Vault of Heav'n.	Walls
	670	There stood a Hill not far, whose grisly top
		Belch'd fire and rolling smoke: the rest entire
		Shone with a glossy scurff, undoubted sign
		That in his womb was hid metallick Ore,
		The work of Sulphur. Thither wing'd with speed
	675	A numerous Brigad hasten'd; As when bands
		Of Pioneers with spade and pickax arm'd
		Fore-run the Royal Camp, to trench a Field,
		Or cast a Rampart.   Mammon led them on,
		Mammon, the least erected Spirit that fell
	680	From Heav'n, for ev'n in Heav'n his looks and thoughts
		Were always downward bent; admiring more
		The riches of Heav'n's Pavement, trodden Gold,
		Than ought divine or holy else enjoy'd
		In vision beatific: by him first	on Him Lost.
	685	Men also, and by his suggestion taught,	first
		Ransack'd the Center, and with impious hands	Mountains
		Rifled the bowels of their mother Earth
		For treasures better hid. Soon had his crew
		Open'd into the Hill a spacious wound,	Opening
	690	And dig'd out ribs of Gold. Let none admire	Dig'd out the Seeds
		That Riches grow in Hell; that soile may best
		Deserve the precious bane. And here let those	Befit
		Who boast in mortal things, and wond'ring tell
		Of Babel, and the works of Memphian Kings,
	695	Learn how their greatest Monuments of Fame
		And Strength and Art are easily out-done	For
		By Spirits reprobate; and in an hour,
		What in an age they with incessant toile	those
		And hands innumerable scarce perform.	perform'd.
	700	Nigh on the Plain in many cells prepar'd,
		That underneath had veins of liquid fire
		Sluc'd from the Lake: a Second multitude
		With wondrous Art founded the massy Ore,
		Severing each kind, and scum'd the Bullion Dross:	from
	705	A Third as soon had form'd within the ground
		A various Mold, and from the boiling cells
		By strange conveyance fill'd each hollow nook:
		As in an Organ from one blast of wind
		To many a row of Pipes the Sound-board breaths.
	710	Anon out of the Earth a Fabrick huge
		Rose like an Exhalation, with the sound
		Of dulcet Symphonies and voices sweet,
		Built like a Temple, where Pilasters round
		Were set, and Doric Pillars overlaid
	715	With golden Architrave: nor did there want
		Cornice or Freeze, with bossy Sculptures grav'n;
		The Roof was fretted Gold. [Not Babylon,
		Nor great Alcairo such magnificence
		Equal'd in all their glories, to inshrine
	720	Belus or Serapis their Gods, or seat
		Their Kings, when Ægypt with Assyria strove
		In wealth and luxury.] Th' ascending pile
		Stood fix'd her stately highth; and straight the doors
		Op'ning their brazen folds discover wide
	725	Within her ample spaces, o'er the smooth	And high
		And level pavement: from the arched roof
		Pendent by subtle Magic, many a row
		Of starry Lamps and blazing Cressets, fed
		With Naphtha and Asphaltos yielded light
	730	As from a Sky. The hasty multitude
		Admiring enter'd, and the work some praise
		And some the Architect: his hand was known
		In Heav'n by many a Towred structure high;
		Where Sceptred Angels held their residence,
	735	And sat as Princes: whom the supreme King	King supreme
		Exalted to such power, and gave to rule,
		Each in his Hierarchy, the Orders bright.
		Nor was his name unheard or unador'd
	*	In ancient Greece; and in Ausonian Land
	740	Men call'd him Mulciber; and how he fell	Vulcan    once he
		From Heav'n, they fabl'd; thrown by angry Jove
		Sheer o'er the Crystal Battlements: from Morn
		To Noon he fell, from Noon to dewy Eve,
		A Summer's day; and with the setting Sun
	745	Dropt from the Zenith like a falling Star,
		On Lemnos, th' Ægean Isle. Thus they relate,	thence His
		Erring; for he with this rebellious rout
		Fell long before; nor ought avail'd him now
		To' have built in Heav'n high Tow'rs: nor did he scape
	750	By all his Engins; but was headlong sent
		With his industrious crew to build in Hell.
		Mean while the winged Heralds by command
		Of Sov'rain pow'r, with awful ceremony
		And Trumpet's sound, throughout the Host proclame
	755	A solemn Council forthwith to be held
		At Pandæmonium, the high Capital
		Of Satan and his Peers. Their summons call'd
		From every Band and squared Regiment
		By place or choice the worthiest. They anon
	760	With hundreds and with thousands trooping came
		Attended: all access was throng'd, the gates
		And porches wide, but chief the spacious Hall
		[Though like a cover'd field, where Champions bold
		Wont ride in arm'd, and at the Soldan's Chair
	765	Defy'd the best of Paynim Chivalry
		To mortal Combat, or carriere with Lance]
		Thick swarm'd, both on the ground and in the air,
		Brush'd with the hiss of rusling Wings. As Bees
		In spring-time, when the Sun with Taurus rides,	in
	770	Pour forth their populous youth about the hive
		In clusters: they among fresh Dews and Flours
		Fly to and fro; or on the smoothed Plank,
		The Suburb of their Straw-built Citadel,
		New rub'd with Baum, expatiate and confer
	775	Their State affairs. So thick the aery crowd
		Swarm'd and were straiten'd; till the Signal giv'n,
		Behold a wonder, They but now who seem'd
		In bigness to surpass Earth's Giant Sons
		Now less then smallest Dwarfs, in narrow room
	780	Throng numberless: like that Pygmaean Race
		Beyond the Indian Mount; or Fairy Elves,
		Whose midnight Revels by a Forest side
		Or Fountain some belated Peasant sees,
		Or dreams he sees; while over-head the Moon
	785	Sits Arbitress, and neerer to the Earth
		Wheels her pale course: They on their mirth and dance	Carr
		Intent, with jocond Music charm his ear:
		At once with joy and fear his heart rebounds.
		Thus incorporeal Spirits to smallest forms
	790	Reduc'd their shapes immense; * and were at large,
		Though without number still amidst the Hall
		Of that infernal Court. But far within,
		And in their own dimensions like themselves,
		The great Seraphic Lords and Cherubim
	795	In close recess and secret conclave sat,
		A thousand Demi-gods on golden seats,
		Frequent and full. * After short silence then,
		And summons read, the great Consult began.

V. 6. That on the secret top Of Horeb.] Secret Valleys, secret Caves, come frequently in Poetry; but secret top of a Mountain, visible several Leagues off, is only met with here. Our Poet dictated it thus, That on the sacred top Of Horeb: from Exod. iii. 5 Moses came to the mountain of God, Horeb. And God said, Put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. So our Author, V. 619. VI. 25. Sacred Hill. And Spenser, in Fairy Queene, I. 10. 54; and as frequently in the Classic Writers, Mos Sacer, hieron oros. Some perhaps may prefer the present Reading, Secret top; because in most Countries the high Mountains have against rainy Weather their Heads surrounded with Mists. True, but yet it's questionable, whether in the wide and dry Desert of Arabia, Mount Horeb has such a cloudy Cap. I have in my Youth read several Itineraries, where the Travellers went up to the Top of Horeb; and I remember not, that they take notice of its Cloudiness. And a just Presumption lies against it from Holy Writ, Exod. xvii; where the Israelites, encamp'd a the foot of Horeb, could find no Water; which was provided miraculously, when Moses smote the Rock with this sacred Rod: for all Natural History informs us, and Reason vouches it, That a Mountain, whose Head is cloudy, has always running Springs at its Foot. But allowing all, and granting that Horeb was like the European Hill; yet not Poet hitherto has on that account said The Secret; but the Cloudy, Misty, Hazy, Grey Top. Nay, allow further, That Secret Top is a passable Epithet; yet it is common to all Mountains whatever: but Horeb, whose Ground was holy, Horeb the Mountain of God, Exod. iii. 1; I Kings xix. 8, deserved a Peculiar Epithet. If therefore (which the best Poets have adjudg'd) a Proper Epithet is always preferable to a General one; and if Secret and Sacred are of a near Sound in Pronunciation; I have such an Esteem for our Poet; that which of the two Words is the better, That, I say, was dictated by Milton.

V. 13. To my adventurous Song, &c.] Some Acquaintance of our Poet's, entrusted with his Copy, took strange Liberties with it, unknown to the blind Author, as will farther appear hereafter. 'Tis very odd, that Milton should put Rime here as equivalent to Verse, who had just before declar'd against Rime, as no true Ornament to good Verse, but the Invention of a barbarous Age, to set off wretched Matter and lame Meter. I am persuaded, this Passage was given thus:

Invoke thy aid to my adventurous wing,
That with no middle flight intends to soar
Above th' Aonian Mount; while I pursue
Things unattempted yet in Prose or song.

Let's examin the Particulars: Wing, the properest here of all Metaphors, which is justified and prov'd by the following Words, Flight, and Soar. So III. 13.

Thee I revisit now with bolder Wing.

And IX. 45.

Damp my intended Wing.

Nor let it be objected; that in the IX, the Wing is intended by the Poet, but here the Wing it self intends. For that is an allow'd Figure, and frequent in the best Writers. So II. 727.

O Father, what intends thy Hand, she cried.

And 738.

That my sudden Hand
Prevented spares to tell thee yet by Deeds,
What it intends.

V. 15. While it pursues.] The Author, I believe, gave it in the first Person. While I pursue; as III. 15.

While in my flight I sung of Chaos.

V. 16. In Prose or Rime] The Author gave it,

Things unattempted yet in Prose or Song.

But the 13th Verse being once chang'd into Adventurous Song, that Word could not be here repeated; and so for Song was substituted Rime. It may be said, He took Rime from Ariosto, Cant. I.

Cosa, non detta in Prosa mai, ne in Rima.

But Ariosto's Poem is in Rime, Milton's neither in Rime nor Prose: So that this Argument is even yet unattempted in either of them. But it's v. 150.

Flow'd from their lips in Prose or numerous Verse:

And in the Mask, one of his Juvenile Poems;

    For I will tell you now
What never yet was heard in Tale or Song.

V. 28. Nor the deep Tract of Hell.] Tract is properly not a deep, to hide from view; but a plane expanded Surface, expos'd to view;

Terrasque tractusque maris, caelumque profundum.

Better therefore, Nor the deep Gulph of Hell. So II.12.

For since no Deep within her Gulph can hold
Immortal vigour:

And often besides.

V. 33. Who first seduc'd them to that foul revolt? Th'infernal Serpent.] A manifest Imitation of Homer, Iliad, I. 8.

Tis t' ar sphôe theôn eridi xuneêke machesthai
Lêtous kai Dios huios.

V. 35. Deceiv'd The Mother of Mankind.] I believe the Author spoke it thus, in address to Eve: which will raise the Sense;

      Deceiv'd
Thee, Mother of Mankind.

V. 39. To set himself in Glory' above his Peers.] Our Poet had not at first so settled his whole Scheme, as to be uniform and selfconsistent in all its Parts. Satan's Crime was not, to aim above his Peers: God himself had plac'd him above them; as Abdiel the good Angel says to Satan, V. 812.

     Ingrate,
In place thy self so high above thy Peers.

His Ambition was to be above the Messiah, as it is at large shewn in the Sequel. Put it therefore thus,

      Aspiring
To Place and Glory' above the Son of God.

So V. 662.

     Satan fraught,
With Envy' against the Son of God, &c.

Aspiring to a Throne is a juster Phrase, than Aspiring to set ones self on a Throne.

V. 46. With hideous ruin and combustion down.] Having said in Verse before, Hurl'd headlong Flaming; he superfluously adds Combustion. But I doubt not, he gave it thus,

With hideous ruin and Confusion down.

So II. 995. Spoken of the same Event;

With Ruin upon ruin, rout on rout,
Confusion worse confounded.

V. 52. Lay vanquish'd] Vanquish'd is too low a Word for the Occasion. They were more than vanquish'd, even while in Heaven, VI. 851.

     Of their vigour drain'd
Exhausted, spiritless, afflcited, fall'n.

Our Author gave it, Lay Stonish'd. Stonish'd, stonied, stounded, stunn'd; common in the elder Poets. So here, v. 266.

Lie thus astonish'd on th'oblivious Pool.

v. 281.

As we erewhile astounded and amaz'd.

And in the Argument: Satan with his Angels, lying on the burning Lake, thunderstruck and astonish'd.

Ibid. Rolling in the fiery Gulf.] The Poet gave it,

Rolling on the fiery Gulf.

As it has been twice quoted already. So v. 195.

His other parts behind Prone on the flood.

v. 210.

Chain'd on the burning Lake.

v. 280.

Grov'ling and prostrate on yon Lake of Fire.

V. 54.     But now the thought
Both of lost Happiness and Lasting Pain
Torments him.]

The Thought of Happiness, and then the Thought of Pain, are not One, but Two. So that it's probable, Milton gave it in the Plural, The Thoughts torment him.

V. 63. No Light, but rather Darkness visible.] Darkness visible and Darkness palpable are in due place very good Expressions: but the next Line makes visible here a flat Contradiction. Darkness visible will not serve to discover Sights of Woe through it, but to cover and hide them. Nothing is visible to the Eye, but so far as it is Opake, and not seen through; not by transmitting the Rays, but by reflecting them back. To come up to the Author's Idea, we may say thus,

No Light, but rather A transpicuous Gloom

Gloom is equivalent to Darkness; yet so as to be in some measure transparent. So here, v. 544.

All in a moment through the Gloom were seen.

v. 244.

     This mournful Gloom
For that celestial Light.

II. 858.

Into this Gloom of Tartarus profound.

VIII. 14.

Through the wide transpicuous Air.

V. 72. In utter Darkness, As far remov'd from God.] Utter Darkness is absolute Darkness, and gives no notion of Place and Remoteness. The Poet therefore gave it, outer Darkness, as in Scripture, To skotos ti exôteron. So III. 16, read,

Through outer, and through middle Darkness born.

V. 74. As from the Center thrice to th'utmost Pole] From the Center to the utmost Pole is vitious: The Distance is much too little, and might have been doubled thus with ease,

As thrice from Arctic to Antarctic Pole.

I would thus express it without any Comparison from things known to Us; which, though never so excessive, must needs fall too short:

So far remov'd from God and Light of Heav'n;
Distance, which to express all Measure fails.

V. 87. In the brightness didst outshine Myriads, tho' bright.] Imitated from Homer, Odys. z. 110, where Diana excels all her Nymphs in Beauty, though all of them be beautiful.

Reia t' arignôtê peletai, kalai de te pasai.

V. 91. Now Misery hath join'd In equal ruin.] See the Series of the whole Sentence; Whom mutual League, united Counsels, equal Hope and Hazard in our Revolt join'd with me once, viz. in close Friendship; Now Misery has join'd; in what? in closer Friendship? no, in equal Ruin. Great Sense, and great Comfort in this dire Calamity. Our Author spoke it,

Now Misery doth join
And equal Ruin.

Equal Ruin, in reddition to equal Hope, now again joins us in a stricter Friendship. He had in view that celebrated Passage of Ovid's Metam. I,

O soror, O conjux, O femina sola superstes,
Quam commune mihi genus & patruelis origo,
Deinde torus junxit; nunc ipsa pericula jugunt.

Ibid. In equal Ruin. Into what Pit thou seest.] The Measure of this Verse is wrong; unless you make Ruin a Monosyllable; which no Poet, I believe, has yet done. Milton always allows it two Syllables: as here, v. 46. With hideous Ruin and combustion down. He spoke it thus,

And equal Ruin. To what Depth thou seest
From what Highth fall'n!

Depth is the natural Opposition to Highth, and not Pit. V. 542.

To disobedience fall'n,
And so from Heaven to deepest Hell.

V. 100. Rais'd me to contend, And to the fierce Contention.] Very dry this, and jejune. Contend, and presently again Contention, I believe our Author gave it,

And to the fierce Encounter brought along.

So II. 718.

Millions of fierce encountring Angels fought.

Spenser's Fairy Queen. I. 1. 1.

As one for Knightly Justs, and fierce Encounters fit.

V. 107. And study of Revenge, immortal Hate.] And comes not well here; when Hate, that follows, has no Conjunction; and it slackens the course of Passion, which loves Asyndeta. Besides, Study wants its Epithet. Perhaps he gave it, slow, as II. 337. Revenge, tho' Slow. And I. 604. Waiting Revenge.

V. 100. That Glory never shall his wrath or might
Extort from me, to bow and sue for grace.]

Glory is improper here: what is extorted from Satan, should be something from within him, his own Act, his Submission to sue for Grace. But Glory, viz. of God, is extrinsical to Satan, not extorted from him, but a remote Consequence of his Submission. Better therefore in my Opinion thus,

That Homage never shall his wrath or might
Extort from me.

V. 125.     Though in pain;
Vaunting aloud, but rack'd with deep Despair.]

This is embarrass'd: Though in pain, But in despair, which But is Though again; and a contrary Idea coming in the middle. Besides,

Though in pain is low and vulgar. And Aloud is unnecessary, when he spake to one close by his Side. Better thus, at once:

So spake th' Apostat proud, with outward Vaunt,
But inly rack'd with Pain and deep Despair.

V. 127. And him thus answer'd soon his bold Compeer.] From the Words soon and bold, one would conceive a Character of the following Speech, as breathing Courage and Defiance. Milton, except here, always answers the Expectation he raises. But Belzebub in his following Answer is quite heartless and desponding. Who'll not believe the Author gave it thus?

And him thus answer'd sad his old Compeer.

As V. 94.

Thus Adam answer'd sad.

His old dear Companion; as Satan calls him, V. 673.

V. 129. That led; and 131, endanger'd.] If led and endanger'd, and put, be right; then the Sense is, Thrones, Powers, that led, &c. But it's better applied to Satan alone; and not make Belzebub commend himself and other Thrones for what Satan had made his own sole Glory. Therefore the Poet gave it, ledst, and endanger'dst, and put'st: as V. 737. Laugh'st; Par. Reg. IV. 156. Reflect'st; 493. Storm'st; 619. Hold'st.

V. 131. And in dreadful deeds, fearless.] If fearless be the right Reading; then the dreadful deeds must be those of Michael and the good Angels. But it's plain that they are here meant of

Satan's Crew; for so II. 549;

     Others sing
Their own Heroic deeds, but hapless fall.

The Author therefore gave it,

    And in dreadfull deeds
Peerless, endangerd'st Heaven's perpetual King.

So here, Satan says, v. 113.

Who from the terror of this Arm so late
Doubted his Empire.

Peerless, matchless; as IV. 608.

     'Till the Moon
Apparent Queen, unvail'd her peerless light.

And so II. 487. Satan is call'd, Their matchless Chief; and VI. 246, spoken of the same Battel:

     Till Satan who that Day
Prodigious power had shown, and met in arms
No equal.

Paradise Regain'd, I. 233.

By matchless deeds Express thy matchles Sire.

Fairfax in Tasso, III. 59.

Peerless in fight, in counsel grave and sound.

Ibid. Endanger'd Heaven's perpetual King.] The Word perpetual does not accord with the rest: for by Them who acknowledg'd him perpetual, he could not be thought endanger'd. Better thus,

Peerless, endangerd'st Heaven's original King.

King from time immemorial; none heard of before him; as here, v. 639.

Monarch in Heaven, upheld by old Repute.

V. 147. Strongly to suffer and support our Pains.] The Sense plainly requires, What, if God has left us our Strength entire, to suffer our Pains the more strongly? Therefore the Author gave it,

Stronglier to suffer and support our pains?

So he always uses to contract such Words into two Syllables; as in the following Verse,

And do him mightier service in the deep.

And VI. 731.

And gladlier shall resign.

So happier, worthier, &c.

V. 150. Whate'er his business be.] His Business? God to work in Fire, or to do his own Errands in Hell? These Businesses Belzebub supposes God would injoin the Devils. He gave it therefore,

Whate'er our business be.

As v. 159. our task.

V. 154. Or eternal being.] To feel Strength or eternal being, is an improper Expression: for if Being in general may be felt; yet they could not feel it as it is Eternal: for then they could not have feard Annihilation, as Belzebub does, II. 146. The Author spoke it,

have eternal being.

So II.98.

       Happier far,
Than miserable to have eternal being.

Or it may be varied thus,

Strength unimpair'd; enjoy eternal being.

V. 157. To be weak is miserable.] The Printer here has bestowed upon our Poet absolute Nonsense. To be weak is not by consequence to be miserable. Adam was frail and weak, even while he was happy in Paradise. But it's not Answer to Belzebub's Speech. He complain'd not of Weakness; on the contrary, he own'd that Vigour was return'd, and their Strength was undiminsh'd: but he doubted what God's Design was in placing them in Hell, whether they should work for him, or merely suffer pain. To which Satan here should answer, That either way, working or suffering, 'twas miserable for them to live in Hell. The Author therefore gave it,

To be here is miserable.

Or rather thus,

Fall'n Cherub, here to dwell is miserable.

As II. 57.

And for their dwelling place
Accept this dark opprobrious den of shame.

And II. 86.

What can be worse, Than to dwell here?

And I. 47.

To bottomless Perdition, there to dwell
Enchain'd in adamant and circling Fire.

V. 159. Never will be our task.] Smoother and stronger Accent thus,

To do ought Good will never be our task.

V. 167. And disturb ---- from their destin'd aim.] To disturb from aim, instead of divert, avert, does not reach up to our Poet's usual Exactness. I persuade my self, he gave it,

To disturn
His inmost counsels from their destin'd aim.

The Sense is unexceptionable, and the Word is authoris'd by our Chaucer, in Troilus and Cressid. III. 719.