THE ARGUMENT. The First Book proposes first [1] in brief the whole subject — Man's disobedience, and the loss thereupon of Paradise, wherein he was placed; then touches the prime cause [27] of his fall, the Serpent, or rather Satan in the Serpent; who revolting [36] from God, and drawing to his side many legions of Angels, was by the command of God driven out of Heaven, with all his crew, into the great Deep. Which action passed over, the poem hastes into the midst of things, presenting Satan [50] with his Angels now fallen into Hell, described here not in the Centre (for Heaven and Earth may be supposed as yet not made, certainly not yet accursed), but in a place of utter darkness, fitliest called Chaos. Here Satan with his Angels lying on the burning lake, thunderstruck and astonished, after a certain space recovers, as from confusion, calls up him [79] who next in order and dignity lay by him; they confer of their miserable fall. Satan awakens all his legions [299], who lay till then in the same manner confounded. They rise [331]; their numbers [338]; array of battle [347, 522]; their chief leaders named [376], according to the idols known afterwards in Canaan and the countries adjoining. To these Satan [589] directs his speech [621], comforts them with hope yet of regaining Heaven [637], but tells them lastly of a new World and new kind of creature to be created [651], according to an ancient prophecy or report in Heaven; for that Angels were long before this visible creation was the opinion of many ancient Fathers. To find out the truth of this prophecy, and what to determine thereon, he refers to a full council [660]. What his associates thence attempt [671]. Pandemonium, the palace of Satan, rises [710], suddenly built out of the Deep; the infernal Peers there sit [752] in council. PARADISE LOST. BOOK I. Or Man's first disobedience, and the fruit 5 10 15 That shepherd who first taught the chosen seed 53 21 Theme and invocation. Fall demanded. I may assert Eternal Providence, And justify the ways of God to men. 25 Say first for Heaven hides nothing from thy view, Cause of the Nor the deep tract of Hell say first what cause Satan; his overthrow and its result. 30 35 The infernal Serpent; he it was whose guile, To bottomless perdition, there to dwell In adamantine chains and penal fire, Who durst defy the Omnipotent to arms. 40 Nine times the space that measures day and night To mortal men, he, with his horrid crew, Lay vanquished, rolling in the fiery gulf, 50 Confounded, though immortal. But his doom 55 Torments him; round he throws his baleful eyes, A dungeon horrible on all sides round 60 As one great furnace flamed; yet from those flames No light; but rather darkness visible Served only to discover sights of woe, Regions of sorrow, doleful shades, where peace 65 With ever-burning sulphur unconsumed. For those rebellious; here their prison ordained 70 74 80 Satan in the fiery prison of Hell. Beelzebub, And thence in Heaven called Satan, with bold Satan's near words est mate. Breaking the horrid silence, thus began: If thou beest he- but oh how fallen! how changed From him who, in the happy realms of light, 85 shine Myriads, though bright!-if he, whom mutual league, United thoughts and counsels, equal hope And hazard in the glorious enterprise, Joined with me once, now misery hath joined 90 proved He with His thunder; and till then who knew those, Yet not for Satan reveals Nor what the potent Victor in His rage his character. Can else inflict, do I repent, or change, 95 Though changed in outward lustre, that fixed And high disdain from sense of injured merit 100 That durst dislike His reign, and, me preferring, be lost? All is not lost the unconquerable will, And study of revenge, immortal hate, 105 |