10

Well have ye judgd, well ended long debate, [ 390 ]

Synod of Gods, and like to what ye are,

Great things resolvd; which from the lowest deep

Will once more lift us up, in spight of Fate,

Neerer our ancient Seat; perhaps in view

Of those bright confines, whence with neighbouring Arms [ 395 ]

And opportune excursion we may chance

Re-enter Heavn; or else in some milde Zone

Dwell not unvisited of Heavns fair Light

Secure, and at the brightning Orient beam

Purge off this gloom; the soft delicious Air, [ 400 ]

To heal the scarr of these corrosive Fires

Shall breath her balme. But first whom shall we send

In search of this new world, whom shall we find

Sufficient? who shall tempt with wandring feet

The dark unbottomd infinite Abyss [ 405 ]

And through the palpable obscure find out

His uncouth way, or spread his aerie flight

Upborn with indefatigable wings

Over the vast abrupt, ere he arrive

The happy Ile; what strength, what art can then [ 410 ]

Suffice, or what evasion bear him safe

Through the strict Senteries and Stations thick

Of Angels watching round? Here he had need

All circumspection, and we now no less

Choice in our suffrage; for on whom we send, [ 415 ]

The weight of all and our last hope relies.

This said, he sat; and expectation held

His look suspence, awaiting who appeerd

To second, or oppose, or undertake

The perilous attempt; but all sat mute, [ 420 ]

Pondering the danger with deep thoughts; and each

In others countnance read his own dismay

Astonisht: none among the choice and prime

Of those Heavn-warring Champions could be found

So hardie as to proffer or accept [ 425 ]

Alone the dreadful voyage; till at last

Satan, whom now transcendent glory raisd

Above his fellows, with Monarchal pride

Conscious of highest worth, unmovd thus spake.

O Progeny of Heavn, Empyreal Thrones, [ 430 ]

With reason hath deep silence and demurr

Seisd us, though undismaid: long is the way

And hard, that out of Hell leads up to light;

Our prison strong, this huge convex of Fire,

Outrageous to devour, immures us round [ 435 ]

Ninefold, and gates of burning Adamant

Barrd over us prohibit all egress.