Page:Paradise lost by Milton, John.djvu/234

Drew many, whom their place knows here no more.
Yet far the greater part have kept, I see,
Their station; Heaven yet populous retains
Number sufficient to possess her realms,
Though wide, and this high temple to frequent
With ministeries due, and solemn rites.
But, lest his heart exalt him in the harm150
Already done, to have dispeopled Heaven,
My damage fondly deemed, I can repair
That detriment, if such it be to lose
Self-lost, and in a moment will create
Another world, out of one man a race
Of men innumerable, there to dwell,
Not here; till, by degrees of merit raised,
They open to themselves at length the way
Up hither, under long obedience tried,
And Earth be changed to Heaven, and Heaven to Earth,160
One kingdom, joy and union without end.
Meanwhile inhabit lax, ye Powers of Heaven;
And thou my Word, begotten Son, by thee
This I perform; speak thou, and be it done!
My overshadowing Spirit and might with thee
I send along: ride forth, and bid the Deep
Within appointed bounds be heaven and earth—
Boundless the Deep, because I am to fill
Infinitude; nor vacuous the space,
Though I, uncircumscribed, myself retire,170