Since now we find this our empyreal form
Incapable of mortal injury,
Imperishable, and though pierc'd with wound,

435
Soon closing, and by native vigour healid.
Of evil then so small as easy think
The remedy; perhaps more valid arms,
Weapons more violent, when next we meet,
May serve to better us, and worse our foes,

440 Or equal what between us made the odds, In nature none : if other hidden cause Left them superior, while we can preserve Unhurt our minds and understanding sound, Due search and consultation will disclose.

445 He sat; and in th' assembly next upstood Nisroch, of Principalities the prime ; As one he stood escap'd from cruel fight, Sore toil'd, his riven arms to havoc hewn, And cloudy in aspect thus answ'ring spake. Deliverer from new Lords, leader to free Enjoyment of our right as Gods; yet hard For Gods, and too unequal work we find, Against unequal arms to fight in pain, Against unpain’d, impassive; from which evil 455 Ruin must needs ensue ; for what avails Valour or strength, though matchless, quell’d with pain Which all subdues, and makes remiss the hands Of mightiest ? Sense of pleasure we may well Spare out of life perhaps, and not repine,

460 But live content, which is the calmest life : But pain is perfect misery, the worst

450 476

Of evils, and excessive, overturns
All patience. He who therefore can i vent
With what more forcible we may offend

465
Our yet unwounded enemies, or arm
Ourselves with like defence, to me deserves
No less than for deliverance what we owe.

WHERE TO with look compos’d Satan reply'd. Not uninvented that, which thou aright

470 Believ’st 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 Heav'n, adorn'd With plant, fruit, flow'r ambrosial, gems and gold; Whose eye so superficially surveys These things, as not to mind from whence they grow Deep under ground, materials dark and crude, Of spirituous and fiery spume, till touch'd With Heaven's ray, and temper'd they shoot forth So beauteous, opening to the ambient light? These in their dark nativity the deep Shall yield us pregnant with infernal flame; Which into hollow engines long and round Thick ramm’d, at th' other bore with touch of fire Dilated and infuriate, shall send forth From far with thund'ring noise among our foes Such implements of mischief, as shall dash To pieces, and o’erwhelm whatever stands Adverse, that they shall fear we have disarm'd 490 The Thund'rer of his only dreaded bolt.

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486

Nor long shall be our labour; yet ere dawn,
Effect shall en tour wish. Meanwhile revive;
Abandon fear ; to strength and counsel join'd
Think nothing hard, much less to be despair’d. 495

He ended, and his words their drooping cheer
Enlighten'd, and their languish'd hope reviv'd.
Th'invention all admir'd, and each, how he
To be th' inventor miss'd ; sa easy' it seem'd
Once found, which yet unfound most would have thought
Impossible : yet haply of thy race

501 In future days, if malice should abound, Some one intent on mischief, or inspir’d With devilish machination, might devise Like instrument to plague the sons of men 505 For sin, on war and mutual slaughter bent. Forthwith from council to the work they flews None arguing stood s innumerable hands Were ready; in a moment up they turn'd Wide the celestial soil, and saw beneath Th' originals of nature in their crude Conception; sulphurous and nitrous foam They found, they mingled, and with subtle art, Concocted and adusted they reduc'd To blackest grain, and into store convey'd 515 Tart hidden veins digg'd up (nor hath this earth Entrails unlike) of mineral and stone, Whereof to found their engines and their balls Of missive ruin ; part incentive reed Frovide, pernicious with one touch to fire.

510

520

So all ere day-spring, under conscious night,
Secret they finish'd, and in order set,
With silent circumspection unespy'd.

Now when fair morn orient in Heav'n appear’d,
Up rose the victor Angels, and to arms

525 The matin trumpet sung ; in arms they stood Of golden panoply, refulgent host, Soon banded; others from the dawning hills Look'd round, and scouts each coast light-armed scour, Each quarter, to descry the distant foe

530 Where lodg’d, or whither fled, or if for fight, In motion, or in halt. him soon they met Under spread ensigns moving nigh, in slow But firm battalion; back with specdiest sail Zophiel, of Cherubim the swiftest wing,

535 Came fly'ing, and in mid air aloud thus cry'd.

Arm, warriors, arm for fight; the foe at hand,
Whom fled we thought, will save us long pursuit
This day ; fear not his flight; so thick a cloud
He comes, and settled in his face I see

570
Sad resolution and secure : let each
His adamantine coat gird well, and each
Fit well his helm, gripe fast his orbed shield
Borne ev'n or high; for this day will pour down,
If I conjecture ought, no drizzling shower,

545 But rattling storm of arrows barb'd with fire.

So warn'd he them aware themselves, and soon
In order, quit of all impediment;
Instant without disturb they took alarm,
And onward move embattled : when behold

550 555

560

Not distant far with heavy pace the foe
Approaching gross and huge, in hollow cube
'Training his devilish enginry, impal'd
On every side with shadowing squadrons deep,
To hide the fraud. At interview both stood
Awhile ; but suddenly at head appear’d
Satan, and thus was heard commanding loud.

VANGUARD, to right and left the front unfold;
That all may see who hate us, how we seek
Peace and composure, and with open breast
Stand ready to receive them, if they like
Our overture, and turn not back perverse ;
But that I doubt; however witness Heaven,
Heav'n witness thou anon, while we discharge
Freely our part; ye who appointed stand,
Do as you have in charge, and briefly touch
What we propound, and loud that all may hear.

So scoffing in ambiguous words, he scarce
Had ended; when to right and left the front
Divided, and to either flank retir'd :
Which to our eyes discover'd, new and strange,
A triple mounted row of pillars laid
On wheels (for like to pillars most they seeni’d,
Or hollow'd bodies made of oak or fir,
With branches lopt, in wood or mountain fell®d)
Brass, iron, stony mould, had not their mouths
With hideous orifice gap'd on us wide,
Portending hollow truce : at each behind
A Seraph stood, and in his hand a reed
Stood waving tipt with fire ; while we suspense

565

570

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580