BOOK SECOND
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��Nor want we skill or art from whence to
raise Magnificence; and what can Heaven shew
more ?
Our torments also may, in length of time, Become our elements, these piercing fires As soft as now severe, our temper changed Into their temper; which must needs re- move
The sensible of pain. All things invite To peaceful counsels, and the settled state Of order, how in safety best we may 280 Compose our present evils, with regard Of what we are and where, dismissing quite All thoughts of war. Ye have what I
advise."
He scarce had finished, when such mur- mur filled
The assembly as when hollow rocks re- tain The sound of blustering winds, which all
night long
Had roused the sea, now with hoarse ca- dence lull Seafaring men o'erwatched, whose bark by
chance,
Or pinnace, anchors in a craggy bay After the tempest. Such applause was heard 290
As Mammon ended, and his sentence
pleased,
Advising peace: for such another field They dreaded worse than Hell; so much
the fear
Of thunder and the sword of Michael "Wrought still within them; and no less
desire To found this nether empire, which might
rise,
By policy and long process' of time, In emulation opposite to Heaven. Which when Beelzebub perceived than
whom,
Satan except, none higher sat with grave 300
Aspect he rose, and in his rising seemed A pillar of state. Deep on his front en- graven
Deliberation sat, and public care; Aud princely counsel in his face yet shon, Majestic, though in ruin. Sage be stood, With Atlantean shoulders, fit to bear The weight of mightiest monarchies; his
look Drew audience and attention still as night
��Or summer's noontide air, while thus he
spake :
" Thrones and Imperial Powers, Off- spring of Heaven, 310 Ethereal Virtues ! or these titles now Must we renounce, and, changing style, be
called
Princes of Hell ? for so the popular vote Inclines here to continue, and build up
here A growing empire; doubtless ! while we
dream, And know not that the King of Heaven
hath doomed This place our dungeon not our safe
retreat
Beyond his potent arm, to live exempt From Heaven's high jurisdiction, in new
league
Banded against his throne, but to re- main 320 In strictest bondage, though thus far re- moved,
Under the inevitable curb, reserved His captive multitude. For He, be sure, In highth or depth, still first and last will
reign
Sole king, and of his kingdom lose no part By our revolt, but over Hell extend His empire, and with iron sceptre rule Us herW, as with his golden those in Heaven. What sit we then projecting peace and war ? War hath determined us and foiled with
loSS 330
Irreparable ; terms of peace yet none Voutsafed or sought; for what peace will
be given
To us enslaved, but custody severe, And stripes and arbitrary punishment Inflicted ? and what peace can we return, But, to our power, hostility and hate, Untamed reluctance, and revenge, though
slow,
Yet ever plotting how the Conqueror least May reap his conquest, and may least
rejoice
In doing what we most in suffering feel ? 340 Nor will occasion want, nor shall we need With dangerous expedition to invade Heaven, whose high walls fear no assault
or siege, Or ambush from the Deep. What if we
find
Some easier enterprise ? There is a place (If ancient and prophetic fame in Heaven
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