Side 54 af 239

Choice in our suffrage; for, on whom we send,

The weight of all, and our last hope, relies.

The weight of all, and our last hope, relies.

This said, he sat; and expectation held

This source, awaiting who appeared

His looks suspense, awaiting who appeared

To second, or oppose, or undertake,

The perilous attempt. But all sat mute,

Pondering the danger with deep thoughts; and each

In other's countenance read his own dismay,

Astonished. None among the choice and prime

Of those heaven-warring champions could be found

So hardy, as to proffer or accept

Alone the dreadful voyage; till at last

Satan, whom now transcendent glory raised

Above his fellows, with monarchal pride,

Conscious of highest worth, unmoved thus spake:

38

O progeny of Heaven! empyreal Thrones! With reason hath deep silence and demur Seized us, though undismayed. Long is the way And hard, that out of hell leads up to light; Our prison strong; this hugh convex of fire, Outrageous to devour, immures us round Ninefold, and gates of burning adamant, Barred over us, prohibit all egress. These passed, if any pass, the void profound Of unessential night receives him next Wide gaping, and with utter loss of being Threatens him, plunged in that abortive gulf. If thence he 'scape into whatever world, Or unknown region, what remains him less Than unknown dangers, and as hard escape? But I should ill become this throne, O peers, And this imperial sovereignty, adorned With splendour, armed with power, if aught proposed And judged of public moment, in the shape Of difficulty or danger, could deter Me from attempting. Wherefore do I assume

These royalties, and not refuse to reign, Refusing to accept as great a share Of hazard as of honour, due alike To him who reigns, and so much to him due Of hazard more, as he above the rest High honoured sits? Go, therefore, mighty powers, Terror of heaven, though fallen! intend at home-While here shall be our home,-what best may ease The present misery, and render Hell More tolerable; if there be cure or charm To respite, or deceive, or slack the pain Of this ill mansion. Intermit no watch Against a wakeful Foe, while I abroad, Through all the coasts of dark destruction seek Deliverance for us all. This enterprise None shall partake with me. Thus saying, rose The monarch, and prevented all reply; Prudent, lest from his resolution raised, Others among the chief might offer now-Certain to be refused-what erst they feared, And, so refused, might in opinion stand His rivals, winning cheap the high repute, Which he through hazard huge must earn. But they Dreaded not more the adventure, than his voice Forbidding; and at once with him they rose. Their rising all at once was as the sound Of thunder heard remote. Toward him they bend With awful reverence prone; and as a god Extol him equal to the Highest in heaven. Nor failed they to express how much they praised, That for the general safety he despised His own. For neither do the spirits damned Lose all their virtue; lest bad men should boast Their specious deeds on earth, which glory excites, Or close ambition, varnished o'er with zeal. Thus they their doubtful consultations dark