55 To mortal men, he with his horrid crew A dungeon horrible, on all sides round, 60 As one great furnace, flam'd; yet from those flames No light, but rather darkness visible Serv'd only to discover sights of woe, Regions of sorrow, doleful shades, where peace 65 That comes to all; but torture without end 70 For those rebellious; here their prison ordain'd 63 darkness visible] v. Senecæ Ep. 57. de Crypt, Neapol. 'Nihil illis faucibus obscurius; quæ nobis præstant, ut non per tenebras videamus, sed ut ipsas.' Bentl. MS. 66 hope] Compare Jer. Taylor's Contemplations, p. 211, and see Todd's Note, p. 18. There the companions of his fall, o'erwhelm'd 80 And thence in heav'n call'd Satan, with bold words Breaking the horrid silence, thus began. 85 If thou beest he-But O how fall'n! how chang'd From him, who in the happy realms of light, Cloath'd with transcendent brightness, didst out shine 90 Myriads, though bright! If he, whom mutual league, 95 Can else inflict, do I repent, or change, 85 Isaiah, xiv. 12. Virg. Æn. ii. 274. 100 Hei mihi! qualis erat! quantum mutatus ab illo!' Newton. 98 high] Spens. F. Queen. b. i. c. i. s. 19. grief, and high disdain.' Innumerable force of spirits arm'd, That durst dislike his reign; and, me preferring, His utmost power with adverse power oppos'd And shook his throne. What though the field be [lost? And study of revenge, immortal hate Who now triumphs, and in th' excess of joy 110 115 120 So spake th' apostate angel, though in pain, 125 Vaunting aloud, but rack'd with deep despair: And him thus answer'd soon his bold compeer. O Prince, O chief of many throned Powers, That led th' imbattell'd seraphim to war Under thy conduct, and, in dreadful deeds 130 135 Fearless, endanger'd heaven's perpetual King, And put to proof his high supremacy; Whether upheld by strength, or chance, or fate, Too well I see and rue the dire event, 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 heavenly essences Can perish for the mind and spirit remains 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 conqueror, whom I now Of force believe almighty, since no less [ours, Than such could have o'erpower'd such force as Have left us this our spirit and strength entire, Strongly to suffer and support our pains, That we may so suffice his vengeful ire, Or do him mightier service, as his thralls 140 181 perpetual] Consult Newton's note on the word 'perpetual.' 139 mind and spirit] So Satan in the Adamus Exsul of Grotius, p. 32, ed. Lauder. -Abstulit sortem Deus Quam potuit, animis pristinum mansit decus, Et cor, profunda providum sapientia; Sunt reliqua nobis regna, sunt vires suæ, Multa et potestas' 140 Invincible] v. Æschyli Prometheus, ver. 1060. Ἔς τε κελαινον Τάρταρον ἄρδην ρίψειε δέμας Τοὐμὸν, ἀνάγκης στερῥαῖς δίναις. By right of war, whate'er his business be, To undergo eternal punishment? 150 155 Whereto with speedy words th' arch-fiend reply'd. Doing or suffering: but of this be sure, 160 165 His ministers of vengeance and pursuit 170 Back to the gates of heav'n: the sulphurous hail, 158 Doing or suffering] Quodvis pati, quidvis facere.' Plauti Miles. v. 9. See Pricæum ad Apulei Apolog. p. 165. |