7

O Son, why sit we here each other viewing [ 235 ]

Idlely, while Satan our great Author thrives

In other Worlds, and happier Seat provides

For us his ofspring deare? It cannot be

But that success attends him; if mishap,

Ere this he had returnd, with fury drivn [ 240 ]

By his Avengers, since no place like this

Can fit his punishment, or their revenge.

Methinks I feel new strength within me rise,

Wings growing, and Dominion givn me large

Beyond this Deep; whatever drawes me on, [ 245 ]

Or sympathie, or som connatural force

Powerful at greatest distance to unite

With secret amity things of like kinde

By secretest conveyance. Thou my Shade

Inseparable must with mee along: [ 250 ]

For Death from Sin no power can separate.

But least the difficultie of passing back

Stay his return perhaps over this Gulfe

Impassable, Impervious, let us try

Adventrous work, yet to thy power and mine [ 255 ]

Not unagreeable, to found a path

Over this Maine from Hell to that new World

Where Satan now prevailes, a Monument

Of merit high to all th infernal Host,

Easing thir passage hence, for intercourse, [ 260 ]

Or transmigration, as thir lot shall lead.

Nor can I miss the way, so strongly drawn

By this new felt attraction and instinct.

Whom thus the meager Shadow answerd soon.

Goe whither Fate and inclination strong [ 265 ]

Leads thee, I shall not lag behinde, nor erre

The way, thou leading, such a sent I draw

Of carnage, prey innumerable, and taste

The savour of Death from all things there that live:

Nor shall I to the work thou enterprisest [ 270 ]

Be wanting, but afford thee equal aid,

So saying, with delight he snuffd the smell

Of mortal change on Earth. As when a flock

Of ravenous Fowl, though many a League remote,

Against the day of Battel, to a Field, [ 275 ]

Where Armies lie encampt, come flying, lurd

With sent of living Carcasses designd

For death, the following day, in bloodie fight.