455 Of hazard more, as he above the rest Terror of Heaven, though fallen; intend at home, While here shall be our home, what best may ease The present misery, and render Hell Deliverance for us all. This enterprise 465 None shall partake with me." Thus saying, rose The Monarch, and prevented all reply; Prudent, lest, from his resolution raised,1 Others among the chief might offer now, Certain to be refused, what erst they feared, 470 The Stygian council thus dissolved; and forth In order came the grand Infernal Peers: Midst came their mighty Paramount, and seemed Alone the antagonist of Heaven, nor less Than Hell's dread Emperor, with pomp Forbidding; and at once with him they And god-like imitated state; him round rose. 475 Their rising all at once was as the sound Of thunder heard remote. Towards him they bend With awful reverence prone, and as a god Extol him equal to the Highest in Heaven. Nor failed they to express how much they praised 1 encouraged by his resolution. 480 Medusa with Gorgonian terror guards 615 With shuddering horror pale, and eyes aghast, Viewed first their lamentable lot, and found No rest. Through many a dark and dreary vale They passed, and many a region dolorous, O'er many a frozen, many a fiery Alp, 620 Rocks, caves, lakes, fens, bogs, dens, and shades of death A universe of death, which God by curse Created evil, for evil only good; womb, Distinguishable in member, joint, or limb; Or substance might be called that shadow seemed, For each seemed either-black it stood as Night, 670 Fierce as ten Furies, terrible as Hell, And shook a dreadful dart; what seemed his head The likeness of a kingly crown had on. Satan was now at hand, and from his seat The monster moving onward came as fast, With horrid strides; Hell trembled as he strode. 676 The undaunted Fiend what this might be admired1 Admired, not feared-God and his Son except, Created thing naught valued he nor shunned And with disdainful look thus first began: "Whence and what art thou, execrable Shape, 681 Shakes pestilence and war. Each at the head Levelled his deadly aim; their fatal hands No second stroke intend; and such a frown Each cast at the other as when two black clouds, 715 With Heaven's artillery fraught, come Hovering a space, till winds the signal blow Grew darker at their frown; so matched they stood; 720 For never but once more was either like To meet so great a foe. And now great deeds For him who sits above, and laughs the while At thee, ordained his drudge to execute Whate'er his wrath, which he calls justice, bids His wrath, which one day will destroy ye both!" Clear victory; to our part loss and rout 770 She spake, and at her words the hellish Through all the Empyrean. Down they |