The Annotated Read Online

561

He views in breadth, and without longer pause

562

Down right into the world’s first region throws

563

His flight precipitant,2647 and winds2648 with ease

564

Through the pure marble2649 air his oblique way

565

Amongst innumerable stars, that shone

566

Stars distant, but nigh hand seemed other worlds—

567

Or 2650 other worlds they seemed, or happy isles,

568

Like those Hesperian gardens2651 famed of old,

569

Fortunate fields, and groves, and flowery vales,

570

Thrice happy isles. But who dwelt happy there

571

He stayed2652 not to inquire. Above them all

572

The golden sun, in splendor likest Heav’n,

573

Allured his eye. Thither his course he bends

574

Through the calm firmament, but up or down,

575

By center, or eccentric,2653 hard to tell,2654

576

Or longitude, where the great luminary2655

577

Aloof2656 the vulgar 2657 constellations thick,2658

578

That from his2659 lordly eye keep distance due, 2660

579

Dispenses light from far. They as they move

580

Their starry dance in numbers that compute

581

Days, months, and years, towards his all-cheering lamp

582

Turn swift their various2661 motions, or are turned

583

By his magnetic beam, that gently warms

584

The universe, and to each inward part

585

With gentle penetration, though unseen,

586

Shoots invisible virtue2662 ev’n to the deep,

587

So wondrously was set his station bright.

588

   There lands the fiend, a spot like which perhaps

589

Astronomer in the sun’s lucent2663 orb

590

Through his glazed2664 optic tube2665 yet never saw.

591

The place he found beyond expression2666 bright,

592

Compared with aught on earth, metal or stone,

593

Not all parts like, but all alike informed2667

594

With radiant light, as glowing iron with fire.

595

If metal, part seemed gold, part silver clear;

596

If stone, carbuncle most or chrysolite,

597

Ruby or topaz, to the twelve that shone

598

In Aaron’s breast-plate, 2668 and a stone besides

599

Imagined rather oft than elsewhere seen,2669

600

That stone, or like to that which here below

601

Philosophers in vain so long have sought—

602

In vain, though by their powerful art they bind

603

Volatile Hermes,2670 and call up unbound

604

In various shapes old Proteus2671 from the sea,

605

Drained through a limbic 2672 to his native form.

606

What wonder then if fields and regions here

607

Breathe forth elixir 2673 pure, and rivers run

608

Potable2674 gold? when with one virtuous 2675 touch

609

The arch-chemic2676 sun, so far from us remote, 2677

610

Produces, with terrestrial humor2678 mixed,

611

Here in the dark so many precious things

612

Of color glorious, and effect so rare?

613

Here matter new to gaze the Devil met,

614

Undazzled. Far and wide his eye commands,

615

For sight no obstacle found here, nor shade,

616

But all sun-shine, as when his beams at noon

617

Culminate2679 from th’equator, as they now

618

Shot upward still direct, whence no way round

619

Shadow from body opaque can fall, and the air,

620

Nowhere so clear, sharpened his2680 visual ray 2681

621

To objects distant far, whereby he soon

622

Saw within ken2682 a glorious Angel stand,

623

The same whom John saw also in the sun.2683

624

His back was turned, but not his brightness hid.

625

Of beaming sunny rays a golden tiar2684

626

Circled his head, nor less his locks behind

627

Illustrious 2685 on his shoulders fledge 2686 with wings

628

Lay waving round. On some great charge2687 employed

629

He seemed, or fixed in cogitation2688 deep.

630

   Glad was the Spirit impure, as now in hope

631

To find who might direct his wandering flight

632

To Paradise, the happy seat of man,

633

His journey’s end and our beginning woe.

634

But first he casts2689 to change his proper shape,

635

Which else might work him danger or delay.

636

And now a stripling2690 Cherub he appears,

637

Not of the prime, 2691 yet such as in his face

638

Youth smiled celestial, and to every limb

639

Suitable grace diffused,2692 so well he feigned.

640

Under a coronet 2693 his flowing hair

641

In curls on either cheek played; wings he wore

642

Of many a colored plume, 2694 sprinkled with gold;

643

His habit fit for speed succinct,2695 and held

644

Before his decent 2696 steps a silver wand.

645

He drew not nigh unheard. The Angel bright,

646

Ere he2697 drew nigh, his radiant visage turned,

647

Admonished by his ear, and straight was known

648

The Arch-Angel Uriel, one of the seven

649

Who in God’s presence, nearest to His throne,

650

Stand ready at command, and are His eyes

651

That run through all the Heav’ns, or down to th’ earth

652

Bear His swift errands over moist and dry,

653

O’er sea and land. Him Satan thus accosts:2698

654

   “Uriel, for thou of those sev’n Spirits that stand

655

In sight of God’s high throne, gloriously bright,

656

The first art wont2699 His great authentic2700 will

657

Interpreter 2701 through highest Heav’n to bring,

658

Where all His sons thy embassy2702 attend,

659

And here art likeliest by supreme decree

660

Like honor to obtain, and as His eye

661

To visit oft this new creation round.

662

Unspeakable desire to see, 2703 and know

663

All these His wondrous works, but chiefly man,

664

His chief delight and favor, him for whom

665

All these His works so wondrous He ordained,

666

Hath brought me from the choirs2704 of Cherubim

667

Alone thus wand’ring. Brightest Seraph, tell

668

In which of all these shining orbs hath man

669

His fixèd seat, or fixèd seat hath none,

670

But all these shining orbs his choice to dwell,

671

That I may find him, and with secret gaze

672

Or open admiration2705 him behold,

673

On whom the great Creator hath bestowed

674

Worlds, and on whom hath all these graces poured,

675

That both in him and all things, as is meet,2706

676

The universal Maker we may praise,

677

Who justly hath driven out His rebel foes

678

To deepest Hell and, to repair that loss,

679

Created this new happy race of men

680

To serve Him better. Wise are all His ways.

681

   So spoke the false dissembler unperceived,

682

For neither man nor Angel can discern

683

Hypocrisy, the only evil that walks

684

Invisible, except to God alone,

685

By His permissive will, through Heav’n and earth,

686

And oft, though wisdom wake, suspicion sleeps

687

At wisdom’s gate, and to simplicity2707

688

Resigns her charge, while goodness thinks no ill

689

Where no ill seems. Which now for once beguiled

690

Uriel, though regent 2708 of the sun, and held2709

691

The sharpest-sighted Spirit of all in Heav’n,

692

Who to the fraudulent impostor foul,

693

In his2710 uprightness,2711 answer thus returned:

694

   “Fair Angel, thy desire, which tends to know

695

The works of God, thereby to glorify

696

The great work-master, leads to no excess

697

That reaches2712 blame, but rather merits praise

698

The more it seems excess, that led thee hither

699

From thy empyreal 2713 mansion2714 thus alone,

700

To witness with thine eyes what some perhaps,

701

Contented with report, hear only in Heav’n.

702

For wonderful indeed are all His works,

703

Pleasant 2715 to know, and worthiest to be all

704

Had in remembrance always with delight.

705

But what created mind can comprehend

706

Their number, or the wisdom infinite

707

That brought them forth, but hid their causes deep?

708

I saw when at His word the formless mass,

709

This world’s material mould, came to a heap.2716

710

Confusion heard His voice, and wild uproar

711

Stood2717 ruled,2718 stood vast infinitude confined,

712

Till at His second bidding darkness fled,

713

Light shone, and order from disorder sprung.

714

Swift to their several quarters hasted then

715

The cumbrous2719 elements, earth, flood, air, fire,

716

And this ethereal 2720 quintessence2721 of Heav’n

717

Flew upward, spirited 2722 with various forms,

718

That rolled orbicular, 2723 and turned to stars

719

Numberless, as thou seest, and how they move.

720

Each had his place appointed, each his course.

721

The rest, in circuit, walls2724 this universe.

722

Look downward on that globe, whose hither side

723

With light from hence, though but reflected, shines.

724

That place is earth, the seat of man, that light

725

His day, which else, as th’ other hemisphere,

726

Night would invade, but there the neighboring moon

727

(So call that opposite fair star) her aid

728

Timely interposes,2725 and her monthly round

729

Still ending, still renewing, through mid Heav’n,

730

With borrowed light her countenance triform2726

731

Hence fills and empties to enlighten2727 th’ earth,

732

And in her pale dominion2728 checks2729 the night.

733

That spot, to which I point, is Paradise,

734

Adam’s abode; those lofty shades, his bow’r.

735

Thy way thou canst not miss, me mine requires.

736

   Thus said, he turned, and Satan, bowing low,

737

As to superior Spirits is wont 2730 in Heav’n,

738

Where honor due2731 and reverence none neglects,

739

Took leave, and toward the coast of earth beneath,

740

Down from th’ ecliptic,2732 sped with hoped success,

741

Throws2733 his steep flight in many an airy wheel,2734

742

Nor stayed,2735 till on Niphates’2736 top he lights.

1

   O, for that warning voice, which he, who saw

2

The Apocalypse, heard cry in Heaven aloud,

3

Then when the dragon, put to second rout,

4

Came furious down to be revenged on men,

5

“Woe to the inhabitants on earth!” 2742 that2743 now,

6

While time was,2744 our first parents had been warned

7

The coming of their secret foe, and ’scaped,

8

Haply2745 so ’scaped, his mortal snare. For now

9

Satan, now first inflamed with rage, came down,

10

The tempter ere2746 the accuser of mankind,

11

To wreak2747 on innocent frail man his2748 loss

12

Of that first battle, and his flight to Hell.

13

Yet, not rejoicing in his speed, though bold,

14

Far off and fearless, nor with cause to boast,

15

Begins his dire attempt, which night the birth

16

Now rolling, 2749 boils in his tumultuous breast,

17

And like a devilish engine2750 back recoils

18

Upon himself. Horror and doubt distract

19

His troubled thoughts, and from the bottom stir

20

The Hell within him, for within him Hell

21

He brings, and round about him, nor from Hell

22

One step, no more than from himself, can fly

23

By change of place. Now conscience wakes despair

24

That slumbered, wakes the bitter memory

25

Of what he what must be

26

Worse: of 2751 worse deeds, worse sufferings must ensue. 2752

27

Sometimes towards Eden, which now in his view

28

Lay pleasant, his grieved look he fixes sad,

29

Sometimes towards Heav’n and the full-blazing sun,

30

Which now sat high in his2753 meridian2754 tower.

31

Then much2755 revolving, 2756 thus in sighs began:

32

   “O thou,2757 that with surpassing glory crowned,

33

Look’st from thy sole dominion like the god

34

Of this new world, at whose sight all the stars

35

Hide their diminished heads, to thee I call,

36

But with no friendly voice, and add thy name,

37

O Sun! to tell thee how I hate thy beams,

38

That bring to my remembrance from what state

39

I fell, how glorious once above thy sphere, 2758

40

Till pride and worse ambition threw me down,

41

Warring in Heav’n against Heav’n’s matchless King.

42

Ah, wherefore! He deserved no such return

43

From me, whom He created what I was

44

In that bright eminence, 2759 and with His good

45

Upbraided 2760 none. Nor was His service hard.

46

What could be less than to afford 2761 Him praise,

47

The easiest recompence, 2762 and pay Him thanks—

48

How due! 2763 Yet all His good proved ill in me,

49

And wrought 2764 but malice. Lifted up so high

50

I ’sdained 2765 subjection,2766 and thought one step higher

51

Would set me highest, and in a moment quit2767

52

The debt immense of endless gratitude,

53

So burdensome still 2768 paying, still to owe,

54

Forgetful what from Him I still received,

55

And understood not that a grateful mind

56

By owing owes not, but still pays, at once

57

Indebted and discharged. What burden then?

58

O, had His powerful destiny ordained

59

Me some inferior Angel, I had stood 2769

60

Then happy: no unbounded 2770 hope had raised

61

Ambition! Yet why not? Some other Power 2771

62

As great might have aspired, and me, though mean,2772

63

Drawn2773 to his part.2774 But other Powers as great

64

Fell not, but stand unshaken from within

65

Or from without, to all temptations armed.2775

66

Hadst thou the same free will and power to stand?2776

67

Thou hadst: whom hast thou then or what t’ accuse,

68

But Heav’n’s free2777 love dealt equally to all?

69

Be then His love accursed, since love or hate,

70

To me alike, it deals2778 eternal woe.

71

Nay, cursed be thou,2779 since against His thy will

72

Chose freely what it now so justly2780 rues!2781

73

   “Me miserable! 2782 Which way shall I fly2783

74

Infinite wrath, and infinite despair?

75

Which2784 way I fly is Hell. Myself am Hell,

76

And in the lowest deep a lower deep

77

Still threat’ning to devour me opens wide,

78

To which the Hell I suffer seems a Heav’n.

79

O then, at last relent! 2785 Is there no place

80

Left for repentance, none for pardon left?

81

None left but by submission, and that word

82

Disdain forbids me, and my dread of shame

83

Among the Spirits beneath, whom I seduced

84

With other promises and other vaunts2786

85

Than to submit, boasting I could subdue

86

The Omnipotent. Ay me! they little know

87

How dearly2787 I abide 2788 that boast so vain,

88

Under what torments inwardly I groan,

89

While they adore me on the throne of Hell!

90

With diadem and scepter high advanced2789

91

The lower still I fall, only supreme

92

In misery. Such joy ambition finds!2790

93

But say I could repent, and could obtain,

94

By act of grace, my former state, how soon

95

Would height recall high thoughts, how soon unsay

96

What feigned 2791 submission swore? Ease would recant2792

97

Vows made in pain, as violent2793 and void.

98

For never can true reconcilement grow

99

Where wounds of deadly hate have pierced so deep,

100

Which would but lead me to a worse relapse

101

And heavier fall. So should I purchase dear2794

102

Short intermission, bought with double smart.2795

103

This knows my punisher, therefore as far

104

From granting He, as I from begging, peace.

105

All hope excluded thus, behold, instead

106

Of us 2796 out-cast, exiled, his new delight,

107

Mankind created, and for him 2797 this world.

108

So farewell hope and, with hope, farewell fear,

109

Farewell remorse! All good to me is lost.

110

Evil, be thou my good: by thee at least

111

Divided empire with Heav’n’s King I hold—

112

By thee, and more than half 2798 perhaps will reign,

113

As man ere long, and this new world, shall know.

114

   Thus while he spoke, each passion dimmed his face

115

Thrice changed with pale, 2799 ire, 2800 envy, and despair,

116

Which marred2801 his borrowed visage, and betrayed

117

Him counterfeit, if any eye beheld.

118

For Heav’nly minds from such distempers2802 foul

119

Are ever clear. 2803 Whereof he soon aware,

120

Each perturbation2804 smoothed with outward calm,

121

Artificer2805 of fraud, and2806 was the first

122

That practised falsehood under saintly show,

123

Deep malice to conceal, couched2807 with revenge.

124

Yet not enough had practised 2808 to deceive

125

Uriel, once warned, whose eye pursued him down

126

The way he went, and on the Assyrian mount

127

Saw him disfigured, more than could befall 2809

128

Spirit of happy sort.