Complete Poetry and Selected Prose of John Milton

  725

  Maker Omnipotent, and thou the Day,

  Which we in our appointed work imployd

  Have finisht happie in our mutual help

  And mutual love, the Crown of all our bliss

  Ordaind by thee, and this delicious place

  730

  For us too large, where thy abundance wants

  Partakers, and uncropt falls to the ground.

  But thou hast promis’d from us two a Race

  To fill the Earth, who shall with us extoll

  Thy goodness infinite, both when we wake,

  735

  And when we seek, as now, thy gift of sleep.

  This said unanimous, and other Rites

  Observing none, but adoration pure

  Which God likes best, into thir inmost bowr

  Handed they went; and eas’d the putting off

  740

  These troublesom disguises which wee wear,

  Strait side by side were laid, nor turnd I ween

  Adam from his fair Spouse, nor Eve the Rites

  Mysterious of connubial Love refus’d:

  Whatever Hypocrites austerely talk

  745

  Of puritie and place and innocence,

  Defaming as impure what God declares

  Pure, and commands to som, leaves free to all.

  Our Maker bids increase, who bids abstain

  But our Destroyer, foe to God and Man?

  750

  Hail wedded Love, mysterious Law, true sourse

  Of human ofspring, sole proprietie,

  In Paradise of all things common else.

  By thee adulterous lust was driv’n from men

  Among the bestial herds to raunge, by thee

  755

  Founded in Reason, Loyal, Just, and Pure,

  Relations dear, and all the Charities

  Of Father, Son, and Brother first were known.

  Farr be it, that I should write thee sin or blame,

  Or think thee unbefitting holiest place,

  760

  Perpetual Fountain of Domestic sweets,

  Whose bed is undefil’d and chast pronounc’t,

  Present, or past, as Saints and Patriarchs us’d.

  Here Love his golden shafts imploies, here lights

  His constant Lamp, and waves his purple wings,

  765

  Reigns here and revels; not in the bought smile

  Of Harlots, loveless, joyless, unindeard,

  Casual fruition, nor in Court Amours

  Mixt Dance, or wanton Mask, or Midnight Ball,

  Or Serenate, which the starv’d Lover sings

  770

  To his proud fair, best quitted with disdain.

  These lulld by Nightingales imbracing slept,

  And on thir naked limbs the flowrie roof

  Showrd Roses, which the Morn repair’d.54 Sleep on

  Blest pair; and O yet happiest if ye seek

  775

  No happier state, and know to know no more.

  Now had night measur’d with her shaddowie Cone55

  Half way up Hill this vast Sublunar Vault,

  And from thir Ivorie Port the Cherubim

  Forth issuing at th’ accustomd hour stood armd

  780

  To thir night watches in warlike Parade,

  When Gabriel to his next in power thus spake.

  Uzziel,56 half these draw off, and coast the South

  With strictest watch; these other wheel the North,

  Our circuit meets full West. As flame they part

  785

  Half wheeling to the Shield,57 half to the Spear.58

  From these, two strong and suttle Spirits he calld

  That neer him stood, and gave them thus in charge.

  Ithuriel and Zephon,69 with wing’d speed

  Search through this Garden, leav unsearcht no nook,

  790

  But chiefly where those two fair Creatures Lodge,

  Now laid perhaps asleep secure of harm.

  This Eevning from the Sun’s decline arriv’d

  Who tells of som infernal Spirit seen

  Hitherward bent (who could have thought?) escap’d

  795

  The barrs of Hell, on errand bad no doubt:

  Such where ye find, seise fast, and hither bring.

  So saying, on he led his radiant Files,

  Daz’ling the Moon; these to the Bower direct

  In search of whom they sought: him there they found

  800

  Squat like a Toad, close at the ear of Eve;

  Assaying by his Devilish art to reach

  The Organs of her Fancie, and with them forge

  Illusions as he list, Phantasms and Dreams,

  Or if, inspiring venom, he might taint

  805

  Th’ animal Spirits60 that from pure blood arise

  Like gentle breaths from Rivers pure, thence raise

  At least distemperd, discontented thoughts,

  Vain hopes, vain aimes, inordinate desires

  Blown up with high conceits ingendring pride.

  810

  Him thus intent Ithuriel with his Spear

  Touch’d lightly; for no falshood can endure

  Touch of Celestial temper, but returns

  Of force to its own likeness: up he starts

  Discoverd and surpriz’d. As when a spark

  815

  Lights on a heap of nitrous Powder, laid

  Fit for the Tun som Magazin to store

  Against a rumord Warr, the Smuttie grain

  With sudden blaze diffus’d, inflames the Air:

  So started up in his own shape the Fiend.

  820

  Back stept those two fair Angels half amaz’d

  So sudden to behold the grieslie King;

  Yet thus, unmov’d with fear, accost him soon.

  Which of those rebell Spirits adjudg’d to Hell

  Com’st thou, escap’d thy prison, and transform’d,

  825

  Why satst thou like an enemie in wait

  Here watching at the head of these that sleep?

  Know ye not then said Satan, fill’d with scorn,

  Know ye not mee? ye knew me once no mate

  For you, there sitting where ye durst not soar;

  830

  Not to know mee argues your selves unknown,

  The lowest of your throng; or if ye know,

  Why ask ye, and superfluous begin

  Your message, like to end as much in vain?

  To whom thus Zephon, answering scorn with scorn.

  835

  Think not, revolted Spirit, thy shape the same,

  Or undiminisht brightness, to be known

  As when thou stoodst in Heav’n upright and pure;

  That Glorie then, when thou no more wast good,

  Departed from thee, and thou resembl’st now

  840

  Thy sin and place of doom obscure and foul.

  But come, for thou, be sure, shalt give account

  To him who sent us, whose charge is to keep

  This place inviolable, and these from harm.

  So spake the Cherub, and his grave rebuke

  845

  Severe in youthful beautie, added grace

  Invincible: abasht the Devil stood,

  And felt how awful goodness is, and saw

  Vertue in her shape how lovely, saw, and pin’d

  His loss; but chiefly to find here observ’d

  850

  His lustre visibly impar’d; yet seemd

  Undaunted. If I must contend, said he,

  Best with the best, the Sender not the sent,

  Or all at once; more glorie will be wonn,

  Or less be lost. Thy fear, said Zephon bold,

  855

  Will save us trial what the least can doe

  Single against thee wicked, and thence weak.

  The Fiend repli’d not, overcom
e with rage;

  But like a proud Steed reind, went hautie on,

  Chaumping his iron curb: to strive or flie

  860

  He held it vain; awe from above had quelld

  His heart, not else dismai’d. Now drew they nigh

  The western Point, where those half-rounding guards

  Just met, and closing stood in squadron joind

  Awaiting next command. To whom thir Chief

  865

  Gabriel from the Front thus calld aloud.

  O friends, I hear the tread of nimble feet

  Hasting this way, and now by glimps discern

  Ithuriel and Zephon through the shade,

  And with them comes a third of Regal port,

  870

  But faded splendor wan; who by his gate

  And fierce demeanour seems the Prince of Hell,

  Not likely to part hence without contest;

  Stand firm, for in his look defiance lours.

  He scarce had ended, when those two approach’d

  875

  And brief related whom they brought, wher found,

  How busied, in what form and posture coucht.

  To whom with stern regard thus Gabriel spake.

  Why hast thou, Satan, broke the bounds prescrib’d

  To thy transgressions, and disturb’d the charge

  880

  Of others, who approve not to transgress

  By thy example, but have power and right

  To question thy bold entrance on this place;

  Imploi’d it seems to violate sleep, and those

  Whose dwelling God hath planted here in bliss?

  885

  To whom thus Satan, with contemptuous brow.

  Gabriel, thou hadst in Heav’n th’ esteem of wise,

  And such I held thee; but this question askt

  Puts me in doubt. Lives ther who loves his pain?

  Who would not, finding way, break loose from Hell,

  890

  Though thither doomd? Thou wouldst thy self, no doubt,

  And boldly venture to whatever place

  Farthest from pain, where thou mightst hope to change

  Torment with ease, and soonest recompence

  Dole with delight, which in this place I sought;

  895

  To thee no reason; who knowst only good,

  But evil hast not tri’d: and wilt object

  His will who bound us? let him surer barr

  His Iron Gates, if he intends our stay

  In that dark durance: thus much what was askt

  900

  The rest is true, they found me where they say;

  But that implies not violence or harm.

  Thus he in scorn. The warlike Angel mov’d,

  Disdainfully half smiling thus repli’d.

  O loss of one in Heav’n to judge of wise,

  905

  Since Satan fell, whom follie overthrew,

  And now returns him from his prison scap’t,

  Gravely in doubt whether to hold them wise

  Or not, who ask what boldness brought him hither

  Unlicenc’t from his bounds in Hell prescrib’d;

  910

  So wise he judges it to fly from pain

  However, and to scape his punishment.

  So judge thou still, presumptuous, till the wrauth,

  Which thou incurr’st by flying, meet thy flight

  Seavenfold, and scourge that wisdom back to Hell,

  915

  Which taught thee yet no better, that no pain

  Can equal anger infinite provok’t.

  But wherefore thou alone? wherefore with thee

  Came not all Hell broke loose? is pain to them

  Less pain, less to be fled, or thou then they

  920

  Less hardie to endure? courageous Chief,

  The first in flight from pain, had’st thou alledg’d

  To thy deserted host this cause of flight,

  Thou surely hadst not come sole fugitive.

  To which the Fiend thus answerd frowning stern.

  925

  Not that I less endure, or shrink from pain,

  Insulting Angel, well thou knowst I stood

  Thy fiercest, when in Battel to thy aid

  The blasting volied Thunder made all speed

  And seconded thy else not dreaded Spear.

  930

  But still thy words at random, as before,

  Argue thy inexperience what behooves

  From hard assaies and ill successes past

  A faithful Leader, not to hazard all

  Through wayes of danger by himself untri’d

  935

  I therefore, I alone first undertook

  To wing the desolate Abyss, and spie

  This new created World, whereof in Hell

  Fame is not silent, here in hope to find

  Better abode, and my afflicted Powers

  940

  To settle here on Earth, or in mid Air;

  Though for possession put to try once more

  What thou and thy gay Legions dare against;

  Whose easier business were to serve thir Lord

  High up in Heav’n, with songs to hymn his Throne,

  945

  And practis’d distances to cringe, not fight.

  To whom the warriour Angel soon repli’d.

  To say and strait unsay, pretending first

  Wise to flie pain, professing next the Spie,

  Argues no Leader, but a lyar trac’t,

  950

  Satan, and couldst thou faithful add? O name,

  O sacred name of faithfulness profan’d!

  Faithful to whom? to thy rebellious crew?

  Armie of Fiends, fit body to fit head;

  Was this your discipline and faith ingag’d,

  955

  Your military obedience, to dissolve

  Allegeance to th’ acknowledg’d Power supream?

  And thou sly hypocrite, who now wouldst seem

  Patron of liberty, who more then thou

  Once fawn’d, and cring’d, and servilly ador’d

  960

  Heav’ns awful Monarch? wherefore but in hope

  To dispossess him, and thy self to reigne?

  But mark what I arreed61 thee now, avant;

  Flie thither whence thou fledst: if from this hour

  Within these hallowd limits thou appeer,

  965

  Back to th’ infernal pit I drag thee chaind,

  And Seal thee so, as henceforth not to scorn

  The facil gates of hell too slightly barrd.

  So threatn’d hee, but Satan to no threats

  Gave heed, but waxing more in rage repli’d.

  970

  Then when I am thy captive talk of chains,

  Proud limitarie62 Cherub, but ere then

  Farr heavier load thy self expect to feel

  From my prevailing arm, though Heavens King

  Ride on thy wings, and thou with thy Compeers,

  975

  Us’d to the yoak, draw’st his triumphant wheels

  In progress through the rode of Heav’n Star-pav’d.

  While thus he spake, th’ Angelic Squadron bright

  Turnd fierie red, sharpning in mooned horns

  Thir Phalanx, and began to hemm him round

  980

  With ported Spears, as thick as when a field

  Of Ceres ripe for harvest waving bends

  Her bearded Grove of ears, which way the wind

  Swayes them; the careful63 Plowman doubting stands

  Least on the threshing floor his hopeful sheaves

  985

  Prove chaff. On th’ other side Satan allarm’d

  Collecting all his might dilated stood,

  Like Teneriff or Atlas64 unremov’d:

  His stature reacht the Skie, and on his Crest

  Sat horror Plum’d; nor wanted in his grasp br />
  990

  What seemd both Spear and Shield: now dreadful deeds

  Might have ensu’d, nor onely Paradise

  In this commotion, but the Starrie Cope

  Of Heav’n perhaps, or all the Elements

  At least had gon to rack, disturb’d and torn

  995

  With violence of this conflict, had not soon

  Th’ Eternal to prevent such horrid fray

  Hung forth in Heav’n his golden Scales,65 yet seen

  Betwixt Astrea and the Scorpion signe,

  Wherein all things created first he weigh’d,

  1000

  The pendulous round Earth with ballanc’t Air

  In counterpoise, now ponders all events,

  Battels and Realms: in these he put two weights

  The sequel each of parting and of fight;

  The latter quick up flew, and kickt the beam;

  1005

  Which Gabriel spying, thus bespake the Fiend.

  Satan, I know thy strength, and thou knowst mine,

  Neither our own but giv’n; what follie then

  To boast what Arms can doe, since thine no more

  Then Heav’n permits, nor mine, though doubl’d now

  1010

  To trample thee as mire: for proof look up,

  And read thy Lot in yon celestial Sign

  Where thou art weigh’d, and shown how light, how weak,

  If thou resist. The Fiend lookt up and knew

  His mounted scale aloft: nor more; but fled

  1015

  Murmuring, and with him fled the shades of night

  * * *

  1 See Rev. xii. 7-13; the voice is that of St. John the Divine.

  2 literally, “pleasure.”

  3 both “unequaled” and “not to be contested.”

  4 disdained.

  5 Compare Isa. v. 20: “Woe unto them that call evil good and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness.…”

  6 that is, “saw him lose his former appearance” and “saw him in his ugliness.”

  7 plateau.

  8 of Sheba, part of Arabia Felix.