ARGUMENT. The consultation begun, Satan debates whether another battle be to be hazarded for the recovery of Heaven: Some advise it, others dissuade. A third proposal is preferred, mentioned before by Satan, to search the truth of that prophecy or tradition in Heaven concerning another world, and another kind of creature, equal, or not much inferior, to themselves, about this time to be created. Their doubt who shall be sent on this difficult search. Satan, their chief, undertakes alone the voyage; is honoured and applauded. The council thus ended, the rest betake them several ways, and to several employments, as their inclinations lead them, to entertain the time till Satan return. He passes on his journey to Hell gates; finds them shut, and who sat there to guard them; by whom at length they are opened, and discover to him the gulf between Hell and Heaven: with what difficulty he passes through, directed by Chaos, the Power of that place, to the sight of this new world which he sought. Paradise Lost. BOOK II. HIGH on a throne of royal state, which far Outshone the wealth of Ormus and of Ind, To that bad eminence; and, from despair Vain war with Heav'n; and, by success untaught, 10 15 "Pow'rs and Dominions, Deities of Heav'n! For, since no deep within her gulf can hold Immortal vigour, though oppress'd and fall'n, I give not Heav'n for lost. From this descent Celestial virtues, rising, will appear More glorious and more dread than from no fall, And trust themselves to fear no second fate. Me, though just right and the fix'd laws of Heaven Did first create your leader, next free choice, With what besides, in council or in fight, Hath been achiev'd of merit, yet this loss, Thus far at least recover'd, hath much more Establish'd in a safe unenvied throne, Yielded with full consent. The happier state 20 In Heav'n, which follows dignity, might draw 25 Envy from each inferior; but who here Will envy whom the highest place exposes Surer to prosper than prosperity 35 Could have assur'd us; and by what best way, 40 Whether of open war or covert guile, We now debate; who can advise may speak." He ceas'd; and next him Moloch, scepter'd king, Stood up; the strongest and the fiercest Spirit That fought in Heav'n, now fiercer by despair: 45 His trust was with th' Eternal to be deem'd Equal in strength, and rather than be less, Car'd not to be at all; with that care lost Went all his fear: of God, or Hell, or worse, He reck'd not, and these words thereafter spake. 50 "My sentence is for open war; of wiles, More unexpert, I boast not; them let those Heav'n's fugitives, and for their dwelling-place By our delay? No, let us rather choose, 60 65 |