11

Whereto with look composd Satan replid.

Not uninvented that, which thou aright [ 470 ]

Believst so main to our success, I bring;

Which of us who beholds the bright surface

Of this Ethereous mould whereon we stand,

This continent of spacious Heavn, adornd

With Plant, Fruit, Flour Ambrosial, Gemms & Gold, [ 475 ]

Whose Eye so superficially surveyes

These things, as not to mind from whence they grow

Deep under ground, materials dark and crude,

Of spiritous and fierie spume, till toucht

With Heavns ray, and temperd they shoot forth [ 480 ]

So beauteous, opning to the ambient light.

These in thir dark Nativitie the Deep

Shall yield us pregnant with infernal flame,

Which into hallow Engins long and round

Thick-rammd, at th other bore with touch of fire [ 485 ]

Dilated and infuriate shall send forth

From far with thundring noise among our foes

Such implements of mischief as shall dash

To pieces, and orewhelm whatever stands

Adverse, that they shall fear we have disarmd [ 490 ]

The Thunderer of his only dreaded bolt.

Nor long shall be our labour, yet ere dawne,

Effect shall end our wish. Mean while revive;

Abandon fear; to strength and counsel joind

Think nothing hard, much less to be despaird. [ 495 ]

He ended, and his words thir drooping chere

Enlightnd, and thir languisht hope revivd.

Th invention all admird, and each, how hee

To be th inventor missd, so easie it seemd

Once found, which yet unfound most would have thought [ 500 ]

Impossible: yet haply of thy Race

In future dayes, if Malice should abound,

Some one intent on mischief, or inspird

With devlish machination might devise

Like instrument to plague the Sons of men [ 505 ]

For sin, on warr and mutual slaughter bent.