EXPLANATIONS. THE bracketed words in the text comprise those which supply or aid the meaning of the word to which each is attached, or they furnish the elliptical word. For example (Book i. line 267), And call [exhort] them [either] not to share with us The first is inserted to aid the rendering of the preceding word; the second is the elliptical word, that which is to be understood so as to complete the sense. The intelligence of the reader will, of course, distinguish between each. I think this innovation must commend itself, as it affords no little assistance to the student as well as to the general reader. The words printed in italics in the text are my Emendations. The braces coupling two lines are intended to indicate that the two are to be regarded as one in the numbering of the lines. They occur where I have made new paragraphs, consequently some such sign was required to preserve the corresponding numbering with other editions. Where the subject permitted, or the flow of narrative or dialogue demanded a break into a fresh paragraph, I have not hesitated so to arrange it, and I think this will be found to facilitate the study of the Poem, and to give that relief to the reader which he cannot obtain from compact blocks of printed matter-in the manner it has hitherto been invariably printed. BOOK I. The First Book proposes, first in brief, the whole subject, Man's disobedience, and the loss thereupon of Paradise, wherein he was placed then touches the prime cause of his fall, the Serpent, or rather Satan in the Serpent, who, revolting from God and drawing to his side many legions of angels, was, by the command of God, driven out of Heaven, with all his crew, into the great deep. Which action passed over, the Poem hastens into the midst of things, presenting Satan with his angels now falling into Hell, described here not in the centre (for Heaven and Earth may be supposed as yet not made, certainly not yet accursed), but in a place of utter darkness, fitliest called Chaos. Here Satan, with his angels, lying on the burning lake, thunderstruck and astonished, after a certain space recovers, as from confusion, calls up him who next in order and dignity lay by him; they confer of their miserable fall; Satan awakens all his legions, who lay till then in the same manner confounded. They rise; their numbers; array of battle; their chief leaders named, according to the idols known afterward in Canaan and the countries adjoining. To these Satan directs his speech, comforts them with the hope yet of regaining Heaven, but tells them lastly of a new world, and a new kind of creature to be created, according to an ancient prophecy or report in Heaven; for that angels were long before this visible creation, was the opinion of many ancient fathers. To find out the truth of this prophecy, and what to determine thereon, he refers to a full council. What his associates thence attempt. Pandemonium, the palace of Satan, rises, suddenly built out of the deep: the infernal Peers there sit in council. Or Man's first disobedience, and the fruit That shepherd who first taught the chosen seed Delight thee more, and Siloa's brook that flowed I may assert eternal Providence, And justify the ways of God to Men! 1 Say first-for Heaven hides nothing from thy view Nor the deep tract of Hell-say first, what cause Moved our grand parents (in that happy state Favoured of Heaven so highly) to fall off From their Creator and transgress his will? [Except] For one restraint, lords of the world besides ! 1 See Book iv. lines 736-738. 10 20 30 PARADISE LOST-BK. I.] Who first seduced them to that foul revolt? To set himself in glory above his peers, He trusted to have equalled the Most High Against the throne and monarchy of God 40 [To have] Raised impious war in Heaven and battle proud, With vain attempt! Him the Almighty Power Hurled headlong flaming from the ethereal sky, With hideous ruin and combustion, down To bottomless perdition, there to dwell In adamantine chains and penal fire, Who durst defy the Omnipotent to arms! Nine times the space that measures day and night To mortal men he with his horrid crew Lay vanquished, rolling in the fiery gulf, Reserved him to more wrath); for now the thought Torments him. Round he throws his baleful eyes, That witnessed' huge affliction and dismay, Mixed with obdurate pride and steadfast hate ! The dismal situation, waste and wild— 50 60 A dungeon horrible! on all sides round As one great furnace flamed! yet from those flames 3 Served only to discover sights of woe, Regions of sorrow, doleful shades, where peace That comes to all-but torture without end Still urges, and a fiery deluge fed With ever-burning sulphur unconsumed! 1 A Latinism for when or after. See Book iv. line 712. 2 Bare testimony to, not looking at. "Teach light to counterfeit a gloom."-Il Penseroso. |