To whom Satan, turning boldly, thus: "Ye Powers, "And Spirits of this nethermost abyss, 970"Chaos and ancient Night! I come no spy, "With purpose to explore, or to disturb "The secrets of your realm; but, by constraint "What readiest path leads where your gloomy bounds 980 "I travel this profound: direct my course: 995 "Made head against heaven's King, though overthrown. "Confusion worse confounded; and heaven-gates 66 66 Keep residence; if all I can will serve 1000"That little which is left so to defend, "Encroach'd on still through your intestine broils "Weak'ning the sceptre of old Night: first hell, "Your dungeon, stretching far and wide beneath; "Now lately heaven and earth, another world, 1005" Hung o'er my realm, link'd in a golden chain 1010 "To that side heaven from whence your legions fell. He ceas'd; and Satan staid not to reply, Mov'd on; with difficulty and labour he. 1025 Following his track,-such was the will of Heav'n,- Tamely endur'd a bridge of wondrous length, To tempt or punish mortals, except whom 1035 Of light appears, and from the walls of heaven A glimmering dawn: here Nature first begins Gladly the port, though shrouds and tackle torn; 1045 Or in the emptier waste resembling air Weighs his spread wings, at leisure to behold Far off the empyreal heaven, extended wide In circuit, (undetermin'd square or round,) With opal towers and battlements adorn'd 1050 Of living sapphire, once his native seat! And fast by, hanging in a golden chain, This pendent world, in bigness as a star Of smallest magnitude close by the moon. Thither, full fraught with mischievous revenge, 1055 Accurs'd, and in a cursed hour, he hies. |