Not more almighty to refift our might, Than wife to fruftrate all our plots and wiles. Shall we then live thus vile, the race of heav'n Chains and these torments? Better these than worse, With what is punish'd: whence these raging fires Their noxious vapour; or enur'd, not feel; Of future days may bring, what chance, what change Thus BELIAL with words cloath'd in reafon's garb Either to difinthrone the King of heav'n 195 200 205 215 220 225. We war, if war be best, or to regain Our own right loft: Him to unthrone we then 230 Within heav'n's bound, unless heav'n's Lord fupreme Stand in His prefence humble, and receive 235 240 Our envy'd Sov'reign, and His altar breathes 245 To whom we hate! Let us not then pursue, By force impoffible, by leave obtain'd 250 Unacceptable, though in heav'n, our ftate Of fplendid vaffalage: but rather feek Our own good from ourselves, and from our own Live to ourselves; though in this vaft recefs, Free, and to none accountable; preferring 255 Hard liberty before the eafy yoke Of fervile pomp. Our greatnefs will appear Then moft confpicuous, when great things of small, We can create; and in what place foe'er 260 Thrive under-evil, and work eafe out of pain, Through labour, and endurance. This deep world. Thick clouds and dark doth heav'n's all-ruling Sire Covers His throne; from whence deep thunders roar 3 255 Imitate Imitate when we pleafe? This defert foil He scarce had finish'd, when fuch murmür fill'd 270 275 280 285 After the tempeft: fuch applause was heard 290 As MAMMON ended, and his fentence pleas'd, Advifing peace. For, fuch another field They dreaded worse than hell; so much the fear Of thunder, and the fword of MICHAEL, Wrought ftill within them; and no lefs defire 295 To found this nether empire, which might rife,. In emulation opposite to heav'n. Which when BEELZEBUB perceiv'd (than whom, SATAN except, none higher fat) with grave 300 Afpect he rofe, and in his rifing feem'd A pillar of ftate: deep on his front engraven 305 Or fummer's noon-tide air; while thus he fpake. Thrones, Thrones, and Imperial Pow'rs, offspring of heav'n, Ethereal Virtues! or thefe titles now 3IL Must we renounce, and changing style be call'd Princes of Hell For fo the popular vote Inclines, here to continue, and build up here A growing empire: doubtlefs! while we dream, 315 And know not that the King of heav'n hath doom'd This place our dungeon; not our safe retreat Beyond His potent arm, to live exempt From heav'n's high jurifdiction, in new league Banded against His throne: but to remain 320 In ftricteft bondage, though thus far remov'd, His captive multitude: for He, be fure, In heighth or depth, ftill first and last will reign Sole King, and of His Kingdom lofe no part 325 By our revolt; but over hell extend His empire, and with iron fceptre rule Us here, as with His golden thofe in heav'n. What fit we then projecting peace and war? War hath determin'd us, and foil'd with lofs 330 Irreparable, terins of peace yet none Vouchfaf'd or fought for what peace will be giv'n To us enflav'd, but cuftody fevere, And ftripes, and arbitrary punishment Inflicted? and what peace can we return? 335 But, to our pow'r, hoftility, and hate, Untam'd reluctance, and revenge; though flow, Yet ever plotting how the conqueror leaft May reap His conqueft; and may leaft rejoice. In doing what we moft in fuffering feel; 340 Ncr will occafion want, nor fhall we need With dangerous Expedition, to invade Heav'n, whofe high walls fear no affault or fiege, Or ambush from the Deep: what if we find Some e fier enterprize? There is a place, 345 (If antient and prophetic fame in heav'n Err not) another world, the happy feat Of fome new race call'd MAN: about this time To To be created like to us, though less In pow'r and excellence, but favour'd more · 350 Of Him who rules above: fo was his will Pronounc'd among the Gods, and by an oath, That fhook heav'n's whole circumference, confirm'd. In His own ftrength, this place may lie expos'd, To their defence who hold it: here perhaps 355 361 365 370 In His difturbance; when His darling Sons, Hurl'd headlong to partake with us, fhall curfe 375 Faded fo foon! Advise if this be worth Attempting, or to fit in darkness here Hatching vain empires-Thus BEELZEBUB By SATAN, and in part propos'd: from whence, 380 But from the author of all ill, could spring So deep a malice, to confound the race 385 They |