Of future we may deem him, though till now Omniscient thought. True is, less firmly arm'd, Some disadvantage we endur'd and pain,
Till now not known; but known, as soon con
Since now we find this our empyreal form Incapable of mortal injury,
Imperishable, and though pierc'd with wound, Soon closing, and by native vigour heal'd. Of evil then so small, as easy think The remedy; perhaps more valid arms, Weapons more violent, when next we meet, May serve to better us, and worse our foes; 440 Or equal what between us made the odds, In nature none. If other hidden cause Left them superior, while we can preserve Unhurt our minds and understanding sound, Due search and consultation will disclose. 445 He sat; and in th' assembly next upstood Nisroch, of principalities the prime.
As one he stood escap'd from cruel fight, Sore toil'd, his riven arms to havoc hewn, And cloudy in aspect, thus answ'ring spake: 450 Deliverer from new lords, leader to free Enjoyment of our right as Gods; yet hard For Gods, and too unequal work we find, Against unequal arms to fight in pain, Against unpain'd, impassive; from which evil Ruin must needs ensue; for what avails Valour or strength, though matchless, quell'd
Which all subdues, and makes remiss the hands Of mightiest? Sense of pleasure we may well Spare out of life perhaps, and not repine, But live content, which is the calmest life: But pain is perfect misery, the worst Of evils, and excessive, overturns
All patience. He who therefore can invent With what more forcible we may offend Our yet unwounded enemies, or arm Ourselves with like defence, to me deserves No less than for deliverance what we owe. Whereto, with look compos'd, Satan reply'd: Not uninvented that, which thou aright Believ'd so main to our success, I bring. Which of us who beholds the bright surface Of this ethereous mould whereon we stand, This continent of spacious Heav'n, adorn'd With plant, fruit, flow'r ambrosial, gems, and gold; Whose eye so superficially surveys
476 These things, as not to mind from whence they
Deep under ground, materials dark and crude, Of spiritous and fiery spume, till touch'd With Heaven's ray, and temper'd, they shoot forth So bounteous, op'ning to the ambient light? 481 These in their dark nativity the deep Shall yield us, pregnant with infernal flame; Which into hollow engines, long and round, Thick ramm'd, at th' other bore with touch of fire Dilated and infuriate, shall send forth
From far, with thund'ring noise among our foes, Such implements of mischief, as shall dash To pieces, and o'erwhelm whatever stands Adverse, that they shall fear we have disarm'd The Thund'rer of his only dreaded bolt. Nor long shall be our labour; yet ere dawn, Effect shall end our wish. Mean while revive; Abandon fear; to strength and council join'd Think nothing hard, much less to be despair'd. 495 He ended, and his words their drooping cheer Enlighten'd, and their languish'd hope reviv'd. Th' invention all admir'd, and each, how he To be th' inventor miss'd; so easy' it seem'd Once found, which yet unfound most would have thought
Impossible; yet haply of thy race
In future days, if malice should abound, Some one intent on mischief, or inspir'd With dev'lish machination, might devise Like instrument to plague the sons of men 505 For sin, on war and mutual slaughter bent. Forthwith from council to the work they flew; None arguing stood; innumerable hands Were ready; in a moment up they turn'd Wide the celestial soil, and saw beneath Th' originals of nature in their crude Conception; sulphurous and nitrous foam
They found, they mingled, and with subtle art, Concocted and adusted they reduc’d
To blackest grain, and into store convey'd. 515
Tophiel, of Cherubim the swiftest wing,
in mid-air aloud thus
Printed for J.Parsons, Paternoster Row. Oct 11795
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