The first book proposes, firft in brief, the whole fubject, man's difobedience, and the lofs thereupon of Paradife wherein he was plac'd. Then touches the prime caufe of his fall, the ferpent, or rather Satan in the ferpent; who revolting from GOD, and drawing to his fide many legions of Angels, was by the command of GOD driven out of heaven with all his crew into the great deep. Which action pass'd over, the Poem haftes into the midst of things, prefenting Satan with his Angels now fallen into hell, defcrib'd here, not into the centre (for heav'n and earth may be fuppos'd as yet'n't made, certainly not yet accurs'd) but in a place of utter darkness, fitlieft call'd Chaos: Here Satan with his Angels Lying on the burning lake, thunderfruck and aftonif'd, after a certain space recovers, as from confufion, calls up him whe next in order and dignity lay by him: they confer of their miferable fall. Satan awakens all his legions, who lay 'till then in the fame manner confounded: they rife; their num Bers, array of battle, their chief leaders nam'd, according to C the the idols known afterwards in Canaan, and the countries adjoining. To thefe Satan directs his fpeech, comforts them with hopes yet of regaining heaven; but tells them laftly of a new world, and a new kind of creature to be created, according to an antient prophefy or report in heaven: for that Angels were long before this vifible creation, was the opinion of many antient Fathers. To find out the truth of this prophefy, and what to determine thereon, he refers to a full council. What his associates thence attempt. Pandamonium, the palace of Satan, rifes, fuddenly built out of the deep: the infernal Peers there fit in council. F Man's firft disobedience, and the fruit our woe, With lofs of EDEN, till one Greater MAN Of OREB, or of SINAI, didft infpire That fhepherd, who first taught the chofen feed, And chiefly thou, O SPIRIT! that doft prefer 10 15 200 Say Say firft, (for heav'n hides nothing from thy view, $33 40 $45 Nine times the fpace that measures day and night 50% Confounded though immortal! But his doom Referv'd him to more wrath: for now the thought Both of loft happiness, and lafting pain, 55 Torments him. Round he throws his baleful eyes,, That witness'd huge affliction and difmay, Mix'd with obdurate pride, and stedfast hate. At once, as far as angels ken, he views. The difmal fituation waste and wild :: $60 A dungeon horrible, on all fides round, As one great furnace, flam'd: yet from those flames Regions of forrow! doleful fhades! where peace 65 That That comes to all: but torture without end Still urges, and a fiery deluge, fed With ever-burning fulphur unconfum'd! For thofe rebellious; here their prifon ordain'd, (And thence in heav'n call'd SATAN) with bold words If thou beeft He-But O how fall'n! how chang'd From him, who in the happy realms of light Cloath'd with tranfcendent brightness, didst outshine Myriads tho' bright! If He, whom mutual league, United thoughts and counfels, equal hope, And hazard in the glorious enterprize, Join'd with me once, now mifery hath join'd In equal ruin! Into what pit thou feeft, From what height fall'n; fo much the stronger prov’d Can elfe inflict, do I repent, or change (Though chang'd in outward luftre) that fix'd mind That durft dislike his reign; and me preferring, And fhook his throne. What tho' the field be loft ? 70 75: 80 85 go 95 100 All All is not loft; th' unconquerable will, So fpake th' apoftate Angel, though in pain; O Prince! O chief of many throned Powers, That led th' imbattel'd Seraphim to war Under thy conduct! and in dreadful deeds Fearless, indanger'd heav'ns perpetual King, And put to proof His high fupremacy: Whether upheld by ftrength, or chance, or fate, Too well I fee and rue the dire event, That with fad overthrow and foul defeat 135 Hath loft us heav'n: and all this mighty hoft. In horrible deftruction laid thus low, As far as Gods, and heav'.ly effences, Can perifh: for the mind and spirit remains Ce 3 140 of |