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Paradise Lost
by John Milton
Chapter 1
for the complete work go to:   http://www.literature.org/Works/John-Milton/paradise-lost/index.html
     Of Mans First Disobedience, and the Fruit
     Of that Forbidden Tree, whose mortal tast
     Brought Death into the World, and all our woe,
     With loss of EDEN, till one greater Man
     Restore us, and regain the blissful Seat,
     Sing Heav'nly Muse, that on the secret top
     Of OREB, or of SINAI, didst inspire
     That Shepherd, who first taught the chosen Seed,
     In the Beginning how the Heav'ns and Earth
     Rose out of CHAOS: Or if SION Hill
     Delight thee more, and SILOA'S Brook that flow'd
     Fast by the Oracle of God; I thence
     Invoke thy aid to my adventrous Song,
     That with no middle flight intends to soar
     Above th' AONIAN Mount, while it pursues
     Things unattempted yet in Prose or Rhime.
     And chiefly Thou O Spirit, that dost prefer
     Before all Temples th' upright heart and pure,
     Instruct me, for Thou know'st; Thou from the first
     Wast present, and with mighty wings outspread
     Dove-like satst brooding on the vast Abyss
     And mad'st it pregnant: What in me is dark
     Illumine, what is low raise and support;
     That to the highth of this great Argument
     I may assert th' Eternal Providence,
     And justifie the wayes of God to men.
     Say first, for Heav'n hides nothing from thy view
     Nor the deep Tract of Hell, say first what cause
     Mov'd our Grand Parents in that happy State,
     Favour'd of Heav'n so highly, to fall off
     From their Creator, and transgress his Will
     For one restraint, Lords of the World besides?
     Who first seduc'd them to that fowl revolt?
     Th' infernal Serpent; he it was, whose guile
     Stird up with Envy and Revenge, deceiv'd
     The Mother of Mankinde, what time his Pride
     Had cast him out from Heav'n, with all his Host
     Of Rebel Angels, by whose aid aspiring
     To set himself in Glory above his Peers,
     He trusted to have equal'd the most High,
     If he oppos'd; and with ambitious aim
     Against the Throne and Monarchy of God
     Rais'd impious War in Heav'n and Battel proud
     With vain attempt. Him the Almighty Power
     Hurld headlong flaming from th' Ethereal Skie
     With hideous ruine and combustion down
     To bottomless perdition, there to dwell
     In Adamantine Chains and penal Fire,
     Who durst defie th' Omnipotent to Arms.
     Nine times the Space that measures Day and Night
     To mortal men, he with his horrid crew
     Lay vanquisht, rowling in the fiery Gulfe
     Confounded though immortal: But his doom
     Reserv'd him to more wrath; for now the thought
     Both of lost happiness and lasting pain
     Torments him; round he throws his baleful eyes
     That witness'd huge affliction and dismay
     Mixt with obdurate pride and stedfast hate:
     At once as far as Angels kenn he views
     The dismal Situation waste and wilde,
     A Dungeon horrible, on all sides round
     As one great Furnace flam'd, yet from those flames
     No light, but rather darkness visible
     Serv'd only to discover sights of woe,
     Regions of sorrow, doleful shades, where peace
     And rest can never dwell, hope never comes
     That comes to all; but torture without end
     Still urges, and a fiery Deluge, fed
     With ever-burning Sulphur unconsum'd:
     Such place Eternal Justice had prepar'd
     For those rebellious, here their Prison ordain'd
     In utter darkness, and their portion set
     As far remov'd from God and light of Heav'n
     As from the Center thrice to th' utmost Pole.
     O how unlike the place from whence they fell!
     There the companions of his fall, o'rewhelm'd
     With Floods and Whirlwinds of tempestuous fire,
     He soon discerns, and weltring by his side
     One next himself in power, and next in crime,
     Long after known in PALESTINE, and nam'd
     BEELZEBUB. To whom th' Arch-Enemy,
     And thence in Heav'n call'd Satan, with bold words
     Breaking the horrid silence thus began.
     If thou beest he; But O how fall'n! how chang'd
     From him, who in the happy Realms of Light
     Cloth'd with transcendent brightnes didst outshine
     Myriads though bright: If he whom mutual league,
     United thoughts and counsels, equal hope,
     And hazard in the Glorious Enterprize,
     Joynd with me once, now misery hath joynd
     In equal ruin: into what Pit thou seest
     From what highth fal'n, so much the stronger provd
     He with his Thunder: and till then who knew
     The force of those dire Arms? yet not for those
     Nor what the Potent Victor in his rage
     Can else inflict do I repent or change,
     Though chang'd in outward lustre; that fixt mind
     And high disdain, from sence of injur'd merit,
     That with the mightiest rais'd me to contend,
     And to the fierce contention brought along
     Innumerable force of Spirits arm'd
     That durst dislike his reign, and me preferring,
     His utmost power with adverse power oppos'd
     In dubious Battel on the Plains of Heav'n,
     And shook his throne. What though the field be lost?
     All is not lost; the unconquerable Will,
     And study of revenge, immortal hate,
     And courage never to submit or yield:
     And what is else not to be overcome?
     That Glory never shall his wrath or might
     Extort from me. To bow and sue for grace
     With suppliant knee, and deifie his power
     Who from the terrour of this Arm so late
     Doubted his Empire, that were low indeed,
     That were an ignominy and shame beneath
     This downfall; since by Fate the strength of Gods
     And this Empyreal substance cannot fail,
     Since through experience of this great event
     In Arms not worse, in foresight much advanc't,
     We may with more successful hope resolve
     To wage by force or guile eternal Warr
     Irreconcileable, to our grand Foe,
     Who now triumphs, and in th' excess of joy
     Sole reigning holds the Tyranny of Heav'n.
     So spake th' Apostate Angel, though in pain,
     Vaunting aloud, but rackt with deep despare:
     And him thus answer'd soon his bold Compeer.
     O Prince, O Chief of many Throned Powers,
     That led th' imbattelld Seraphim to Warr
     Under thy conduct, and in dreadful deeds
     Fearless, endanger'd Heav'ns perpetual King;
     And put to proof his high Supremacy,
     Whether upheld by strength, or Chance, or Fate,
     Too well I see and rue the dire event,
     That with sad overthrow and foul defeat
     Hath lost us Heav'n, and all this mighty Host
     In horrible destruction laid thus low,
     As far as Gods and Heav'nly Essences
     Can Perish: for the mind and spirit remains
     Invincible, and vigour soon returns,
     Though all our Glory extinct, and happy state
     Here swallow'd up in endless misery.
     But what if he our Conquerour, (whom I now
     Of force believe Almighty, since no less
     Then such could hav orepow'rd such force as ours)
     Have left us this our spirit and strength intire
     Strongly to suffer and support our pains,
     That we may so suffice his vengeful ire,
     Or do him mightier service as his thralls
     By right of Warr, what e're his business be
     Here in the heart of Hell to work in Fire,
     Or do his Errands in the gloomy Deep;
     What can it then avail though yet we feel
     Strength undiminisht, or eternal being
     To undergo eternal punishment?
     Whereto with speedy words th' Arch-fiend reply'd.
     Fall'n Cherube, to be weak is miserable
     Doing or Suffering: but of this be sure,
     To do ought good never will be our task,
     But ever to do ill our sole delight,
     As being the contrary to his high will
     Whom we resist. If then his Providence
     Out of our evil seek to bring forth good,
     Our labour must be to pervert that end,
     And out of good still to find means of evil;
     Which oft times may succeed, so as perhaps
     Shall grieve him, if I fail not, and disturb
     His inmost counsels from their destind aim.
     But see the angry Victor hath recall'd
     His Ministers of vengeance and pursuit
     Back to the Gates of Heav'n: The Sulphurous Hail
     Shot after us in storm, oreblown hath laid
     The fiery Surge, that from the Precipice
     Of Heav'n receiv'd us falling, and the Thunder,
     Wing'd with red Lightning and impetuous rage,
     Perhaps hath spent his shafts, and ceases now
     To bellow through the vast and boundless Deep.
     Let us not slip th' occasion, whether scorn,
     Or satiate fury yield it from our Foe.
     Seest thou yon dreary Plain, forlorn and wilde,
     The seat of desolation, voyd of light,
     Save what the glimmering of these livid flames
     Casts pale and dreadful? Thither let us tend
     From off the tossing of these fiery waves,
     There rest, if any rest can harbour there,
     And reassembling our afflicted Powers,
     Consult how we may henceforth most offend
     Our Enemy, our own loss how repair,
     How overcome this dire Calamity,
     What reinforcement we may gain from Hope,
     If not what resolution from despare.
     Thus Satan talking to his neerest Mate
     With Head up-lift above the wave, and Eyes
     That sparkling blaz'd, his other Parts besides
     Prone on the Flood, extended long and large
     Lay floating many a rood, in bulk as huge
     As whom the Fables name of monstrous size,
     TITANIAN, or EARTH-BORN, that warr'd on JOVE,
     BRIARIOS or TYPHON, whom the Den
     By ancient TARSUS held, or that Sea-beast
     LEVIATHAN, which God of all his works
     Created hugest that swim th' Ocean stream:
     Him haply slumbring on the NORWAY foam
     The Pilot of some small night-founder'd Skiff,
     Deeming some Island, oft, as Sea-men tell,
     With fixed Anchor in his skaly rind
     Moors by his side under the Lee, while Night
     Invests the Sea, and wished Morn delayes:
     So stretcht out huge in length the Arch-fiend lay
     Chain'd on the burning Lake, nor ever thence
     Had ris'n or heav'd his head, but that the will
     And high permission of all-ruling Heaven
     Left him at large to his own dark designs,
     That with reiterated crimes he might
     Heap on himself damnation, while he sought
     Evil to others, and enrag'd might see
     How all his malice serv'd but to bring forth
     Infinite goodness, grace and mercy shewn
     On Man by him seduc't, but on himself
     Treble confusion, wrath and vengeance pour'd.
     Forthwith upright he rears from off the Pool
     His mighty Stature; on each hand the flames
     Drivn backward slope their pointing spires, & rowld
     In billows, leave i'th' midst a horrid Vale.
     Then with expanded wings he stears his flight
     Aloft, incumbent on the dusky Air
     That felt unusual weight, till on dry Land
     He lights, if it were Land that ever burn'd
     With solid, as the Lake with liquid fire;
     And such appear'd in hue, as when the force
     Of subterranean wind transports a Hill
     Torn from PELORUS, or the shatter'd side
     Of thundring AETNA, whose combustible
     And fewel'd entrals thence conceiving Fire,
     Sublim'd with Mineral fury, aid the Winds,
     And leave a singed bottom all involv'd
     With stench and smoak: Such resting found the sole
     Of unblest feet. Him followed his next Mate,
     Both glorying to have scap't the STYGIAN flood
     As Gods, and by their own recover'd strength,
     Not by the sufferance of supernal Power.
     Is this the Region, this the Soil, the Clime,
     Said then the lost Arch Angel, this the seat
     That we must change for Heav'n, this mournful gloom
     For that celestial light? Be it so, since hee
     Who now is Sovran can dispose and bid
     What shall be right: fardest from him is best
     Whom reason hath equald, force hath made supream
     Above his equals. Farewel happy Fields
     Where Joy for ever dwells: Hail horrours, hail
     Infernal world, and thou profoundest Hell
     Receive thy new Possessor: One who brings
     A mind not to be chang'd by Place or Time.
     The mind is its own place, and in it self
     Can make a Heav'n of Hell, a Hell of Heav'n.
     What matter where, if I be still the same,
     And what I should be, all but less then hee
     Whom Thunder hath made greater? Here at least
     We shall be free; th' Almighty hath not built
     Here for his envy, will not drive us hence:
     Here we may reign secure, and in my choyce
     To reign is worth ambition though in Hell:
     Better to reign in Hell, then serve in Heav'n.
     But wherefore let we then our faithful friends,
     Th' associates and copartners of our loss
     Lye thus astonisht on th' oblivious Pool,
     And call them not to share with us their part
     In this unhappy Mansion, or once more
     With rallied Arms to try what may be yet
     Regaind in Heav'n, or what more lost in Hell?
     So SATAN spake, and him BEELZEBUB
     Thus answer'd. Leader of those Armies bright,
     Which but th' Omnipotent none could have foyld,
     If once they hear that voyce, their liveliest pledge
     Of hope in fears and dangers, heard so oft
     In worst extreams, and on the perilous edge
     Of battel when it rag'd, in all assaults
     Their surest signal, they will soon resume
     New courage and revive, though now they lye
     Groveling and prostrate on yon Lake of Fire,
     As we erewhile, astounded and amaz'd,
     No wonder, fall'n such a pernicious highth.
     He scarce had ceas't when the superiour Fiend
     Was moving toward the shore; his ponderous shield
     Ethereal temper, massy, large and round,
     Behind him cast; the broad circumference
     Hung on his shoulders like the Moon, whose Orb
     Through Optic Glass the TUSCAN Artist views
     At Ev'ning from the top of FESOLE,
     Or in VALDARNO, to descry new Lands,
     Rivers or Mountains in her spotty Globe.
     His Spear, to equal which the tallest Pine
     Hewn on NORWEGIAN hills, to be the Mast
     Of some great Ammiral, were but a wand,
     He walkt with to support uneasie steps
     Over the burning Marle, not like those steps
     On Heavens Azure, and the torrid Clime
     Smote on him sore besides, vaulted with Fire;
     Nathless he so endur'd, till on the Beach
     Of that inflamed Sea, he stood and call'd
     His Legions, Angel Forms, who lay intrans't
     Thick as Autumnal Leaves that strow the Brooks
     In VALLOMBROSA, where th' ETRURIAN shades
     High overarch't imbowr; or scatterd sedge
     Afloat, when with fierce Winds ORION arm'd
     Hath vext the Red-Sea Coast, whose waves orethrew
     BUSIRIS and his MEMPHIAN Chivalrie,
     VVhile with perfidious hatred they pursu'd
     The Sojourners of GOSHEN, who beheld
     From the safe shore their floating Carkases
     And broken Chariot Wheels, so thick bestrown
     Abject and lost lay these, covering the Flood,
     Under amazement of their hideous change.
     He call'd so loud, that all the hollow Deep
     Of Hell resounded. Princes, Potentates,
     Warriers, the Flowr of Heav'n, once yours, now lost,
     If such astonishment as this can sieze
     Eternal spirits; or have ye chos'n this place
     After the toyl of Battel to repose
     Your wearied vertue, for the ease you find
     To slumber here, as in the Vales of Heav'n?
     Or in this abject posture have ye sworn
     To adore the Conquerour? who now beholds
     Cherube and Seraph rowling in the Flood
     With scatter'd Arms and Ensigns, till anon
     His swift pursuers from Heav'n Gates discern
     Th' advantage, and descending tread us down
     Thus drooping, or with linked Thunderbolts
     Transfix us to the bottom of this Gulfe.
     Awake, arise, or be for ever fall'n.
     They heard, and were abasht, and up they sprung
     Upon the wing, as when men wont to watch
     On duty, sleeping found by whom they dread,
     Rouse and bestir themselves ere well awake.
     Nor did they not perceave the evil plight
     In which they were, or the fierce pains not feel;
     Yet to their Generals Voyce they soon obeyd
     Innumerable. As when the potent Rod
     Of AMRAMS Son in EGYPTS evill day
     Wav'd round the Coast, up call'd a pitchy cloud
     Of LOCUSTS, warping on the Eastern Wind,
     That ore the Realm of impious PHAROAH hung
     Like Night, and darken'd all the Land of NILE:
     So numberless were those bad Angels seen
     Hovering on wing under the Cope of Hell
     'Twixt upper, nether, and surrounding Fires;
     Till, as a signal giv'n, th' uplifted Spear
     Of their great Sultan waving to direct
     Thir course, in even ballance down they light
     On the firm brimstone, and fill all the Plain;
     A multitude, like which the populous North
     Pour'd never from her frozen loyns, to pass
     RHENE or the DANAW, when her barbarous Sons
     Came like a Deluge on the South, and spread
     Beneath GIBRALTAR to the LYBIAN sands.
     Forthwith from every Squadron and each Band
     The Heads and Leaders thither hast where stood
     Their great Commander; Godlike shapes and forms
     Excelling human, Princely Dignities,
     And Powers that earst in Heaven sat on Thrones;
     Though of their Names in heav'nly Records now
     Be no memorial, blotted out and ras'd
     By thir Rebellion, from the Books of Life.
     Nor had they yet among the Sons of EVE
     Got them new Names, till wandring ore the Earth,
     Through Gods high sufferance for the tryal of man,
     By falsities and lyes the greatest part
     Of Mankind they corrupted to forsake
     God their Creator, and th' invisible
     Glory of him, that made them, to transform
     Oft to the Image of a Brute, adorn'd
     With gay Religions full of Pomp and Gold,
     And Devils to adore for Deities:
     Then were they known to men by various Names,
     And various Idols through the Heathen World.
     Say, Muse, their Names then known, who first, who last,
     Rous'd from the slumber, on that fiery Couch,
     At thir great Emperors call, as next in worth
     Came singly where he stood on the bare strand,
     While the promiscuous croud stood yet aloof?
     The chief were those who from the Pit of Hell
     Roaming to seek their prey on earth, durst fix
     Their Seats long after next the Seat of God,
     Their Altars by his Altar, Gods ador'd
     Among the Nations round, and durst abide
     JEHOVAH thundring out of SION, thron'd
     Between the Cherubim; yea, often plac'd
     Within his Sanctuary it self their Shrines,
     Abominations; and with cursed things
     His holy Rites, and solemn Feasts profan'd,
     And with their darkness durst affront his light.
     First MOLOCH, horrid King besmear'd with blood
     Of human sacrifice, and parents tears,
     Though for the noyse of Drums and Timbrels loud
     Their childrens cries unheard, that past through fire
     To his grim Idol. Him the AMMONITE
     Worshipt in RABBA and her watry Plain,
     In ARGOB and in BASAN, to the stream
     Of utmost ARNON. Nor content with such
     Audacious neighbourhood, the wisest heart
     Of SOLOMON he led by fraud to build
     His Temple right against the Temple of God
     On that opprobrious Hill, and made his Grove
     The pleasant Vally of HINNOM, TOPHET thence
     And black GEHENNA call'd, the Type of Hell.
     Next CHEMOS, th' obscene dread of MOABS Sons,
     From AROER to NEBO, and the wild
     Of Southmost ABARIM; in HESEBON
     And HERONAIM, SEONS Realm, beyond
     The flowry Dale of SIBMA clad with Vines,
     And ELEALE to th' ASPHALTICK Pool.
     PEOR his other Name, when he entic'd
     ISRAEL in SITTIM on their march from NILE
     To do him wanton rites, which cost them woe.
     Yet thence his lustful Orgies he enlarg'd
     Even to that Hill of scandal, by the Grove
     Of MOLOCH homicide, lust hard by hate;
     Till good JOSIAH drove them thence to Hell.
     With these came they, who from the bordring flood
     Of old EUPHRATES to the Brook that parts
     EGYPT from SYRIAN ground, had general Names
     Of BAALIM and ASHTAROTH, those male,
     These Feminine. For Spirits when they please
     Can either Sex assume, or both; so soft
     And uncompounded is their Essence pure,
     Not ti'd or manacl'd with joynt or limb,
     Nor founded on the brittle strength of bones,
     Like cumbrous flesh; but in what shape they choose
     Dilated or condens't, bright or obscure,
     Can execute their aerie purposes,
     And works of love or enmity fulfill.
     For those the Race of ISRAEL oft forsook
     Their living strength, and unfrequented left
     His righteous Altar, bowing lowly down
     To bestial Gods; for which their heads as low
     Bow'd down in Battel, sunk before the Spear
     Of despicable foes. With these in troop
     Came ASTORETH, whom the PHOENICIANS call'd
     ASTARTE, Queen of Heav'n, with crescent Horns;
     To whose bright Image nightly by the Moon
     SIDONIAN Virgins paid their Vows and Songs,
     In SION also not unsung, where stood
     Her Temple on th' offensive Mountain, built
     By that uxorious King, whose heart though large,
     Beguil'd by fair Idolatresses, fell
     To Idols foul. THAMMUZ came next behind,
     Whose annual wound in LEBANON allur'd
     The SYRIAN Damsels to lament his fate
     In amorous dittyes all a Summers day,
     While smooth ADONIS from his native Rock
     Ran purple to the Sea, suppos'd with blood
     Of THAMMUZ yearly wounded: the Love-tale
     Infected SIONS daughters with like heat,
     Whose wanton passions in the sacred Porch
     EZEKIEL saw, when by the Vision led
     His eye survay'd the dark Idolatries
     Of alienated JUDAH. Next came one
     Who mourn'd in earnest, when the Captive Ark
     Maim'd his brute Image, head and hands lopt off
     In his own Temple, on the grunsel edge,
     Where he fell flat, and sham'd his Worshipers:
     DAGON his Name, Sea Monster, upward Man
     And downward Fish: yet had his Temple high
     Rear'd in AZOTUS, dreaded through the Coast
     Of PALESTINE, in GATH and ASCALON,
     And ACCARON and GAZA's frontier bounds.
     Him follow'd RIMMON, whose delightful Seat
     Was fair DAMASCUS, on the fertil Banks
     Of ABBANA and PHARPHAR, lucid streams.
     He also against the house of God was bold:
     A Leper once he lost and gain'd a King,
     AHAZ his sottish Conquerour, whom he drew
     Gods Altar to disparage and displace
     For one of SYRIAN mode, whereon to burn
     His odious offrings, and adore the Gods
     Whom he had vanquisht. After these appear'd
     A crew who under Names of old Renown,
     OSIRIS, ISIS, ORUS and their Train
     With monstrous shapes and sorceries abus'd
     Fanatic EGYPT and her Priests, to seek
     Thir wandring Gods disguis'd in brutish forms
     Rather then human. Nor did ISRAEL scape
     Th' infection when their borrow'd Gold compos'd
     The Calf in OREB: and the Rebel King
     Doubl'd that sin in BETHEL and in DAN,
     Lik'ning his Maker to the Grazed Ox,
     JEHOVAH, who in one Night when he pass'd
     From EGYPT marching, equal'd with one stroke
     Both her first born and all her bleating Gods.
     BELIAL came last, then whom a Spirit more lewd
     Fell not from Heaven, or more gross to love
     Vice for it self: To him no Temple stood
     Or Altar smoak'd; yet who more oft then hee
     In Temples and at Altars, when the Priest
     Turns Atheist, as did ELY'S Sons, who fill'd
     With lust and violence the house of God.
     In Courts and Palaces he also Reigns
     And in luxurious Cities, where the noyse
     Of riot ascends above thir loftiest Towrs,
     And injury and outrage: And when Night
     Darkens the Streets, then wander forth the Sons
     Of BELIAL, flown with insolence and wine.
     Witness the Streets of SODOM, and that night
     In GIBEAH, when hospitable Dores
     Yielded thir Matrons to prevent worse rape.
     These were the prime in order and in might;
     The rest were long to tell, though far renown'd,
     Th' IONIAN Gods, of JAVANS Issue held
     Gods, yet confest later then Heav'n and Earth
     Thir boasted Parents; TITAN Heav'ns first born
     With his enormous brood, and birthright seis'd
     By younger SATURN, he from mightier JOVE
     His own and RHEA'S Son like measure found;
     So JOVE usurping reign'd: these first in CREET
     And IDA known, thence on the Snowy top
     Of cold OLYMPUS rul'd the middle Air
     Thir highest Heav'n; or on the DELPHIAN Cliff,
     Or in DODONA, and through all the bounds
     Of DORIC Land; or who with SATURN old
     Fled over ADRIA to th' HESPERIAN Fields,
     And ore the CELTIC roam'd the utmost Isles.
     All these and more came flocking; but with looks
     Down cast and damp, yet such wherein appear'd
     Obscure som glimps of joy, to have found thir chief
     Not in despair, to have found themselves not lost
     In loss it self; which on his count'nance cast
     Like doubtful hue: but he his wonted pride
     Soon recollecting, with high words, that bore
     Semblance of worth not substance, gently rais'd
     Their fainted courage, and dispel'd their fears.
     Then strait commands that at the warlike sound
     Of Trumpets loud and Clarions be upreard
     His mighty Standard; that proud honour claim'd
     AZAZEL as his right, a Cherube tall:
     Who forthwith from the glittering Staff unfurld
     Th' Imperial Ensign, which full high advanc't
     Shon like a Meteor streaming to the Wind
     With Gemms and Golden lustre rich imblaz'd,
     Seraphic arms and Trophies: all the while
     Sonorous mettal blowing Martial sounds:
     At which the universal Host upsent
     A shout that tore Hells Concave, and beyond
     Frighted the Reign of CHAOS and old Night.
     All in a moment through the gloom were seen
     Ten thousand Banners rise into the Air
     With Orient Colours waving: with them rose
     A Forrest huge of Spears: and thronging Helms
     Appear'd, and serried Shields in thick array
     Of depth immeasurable: Anon they move
     In perfect PHALANX to the Dorian mood
     Of Flutes and soft Recorders; such as rais'd
     To highth of noblest temper Hero's old
     Arming to Battel, and in stead of rage
     Deliberate valour breath'd, firm and unmov'd
     With dread of death to flight or foul retreat,
     Nor wanting power to mitigate and swage
     With solemn touches, troubl'd thoughts, and chase
     Anguish and doubt and fear and sorrow and pain
     From mortal or immortal minds. Thus they
     Breathing united force with fixed thought
     Mov'd on in silence to soft Pipes that charm'd
     Thir painful steps o're the burnt soyle; and now
     Advanc't in view they stand, a horrid Front
     Of dreadful length and dazling Arms, in guise
     Of Warriers old with order'd Spear and Shield,
     Awaiting what command thir mighty Chief
     Had to impose: He through the armed Files
     Darts his experienc't eye, and soon traverse
     The whole Battalion views, thir order due,
     Thir visages and stature as of Gods,
     Thir number last he summs. And now his heart
     Distends with pride, and hardning in his strength
     Glories: For never since created man,
     Met such imbodied force, as nam'd with these
     Could merit more then that small infantry
     Warr'd on by Cranes: though all the Giant brood
     Of PHLEGRA with th' Heroic Race were joyn'd
     That fought at THEB'S and ILIUM, on each side
     Mixt with auxiliar Gods; and what resounds
     In Fable or ROMANCE of UTHERS Son
     Begirt with BRITISH and ARMORIC Knights;
     And all who since, Baptiz'd or Infidel
     Jousted in ASPRAMONT or MONTALBAN,
     DAMASCO, or MAROCCO, or TREBISOND,
     Or whom BISERTA sent from AFRIC shore
     When CHARLEMAIN with all his Peerage fell
     By FONTARABBIA. Thus far these beyond
     Compare of mortal prowess, yet observ'd
     Thir dread Commander: he above the rest
     In shape and gesture proudly eminent
     Stood like a Towr; his form had yet not lost
     All her Original brightness, nor appear'd
     Less then Arch Angel ruind, and th' excess
     Of Glory obscur'd: As when the Sun new ris'n
     Looks through the Horizontal misty Air
     Shorn of his Beams, or from behind the Moon
     In dim Eclips disastrous twilight sheds
     On half the Nations, and with fear of change
     Perplexes Monarchs. Dark'n'd so, yet shon
     Above them all th' Arch Angel: but his face
     Deep scars of Thunder had intrencht, and care
     Sat on his faded cheek, but under Browes
     Of dauntless courage, and considerate Pride
     Waiting revenge: cruel his eye, but cast
     Signs of remorse and passion to behold
     The fellows of his crime, the followers rather
     (Far other once beheld in bliss) condemn'd
     For ever now to have their lot in pain,
     Millions of Spirits for his fault amerc't
     Of Heav'n, and from Eternal Splendors flung
     For his revolt, yet faithfull how they stood,
     Thir Glory witherd. As when Heavens Fire
     Hath scath'd the Forrest Oaks, or Mountain Pines,
     With singed top their stately growth though bare
     Stands on the blasted Heath. He now prepar'd
     To speak; whereat their doubl'd Ranks they bend
     From Wing to Wing, and half enclose him round
     With all his Peers: attention held them mute.
     Thrice he assayd, and thrice in spite of scorn,
     Tears such as Angels weep, burst forth: at last
     Words interwove with sighs found out their way.
     O Myriads of immortal Spirits, O Powers
     Matchless, but with th' Almighty, and that strife
     Was not inglorious, though th' event was dire,
     As this place testifies, and this dire change
     Hateful to utter: but what power of mind
     Foreseeing or presaging, from the Depth
     Of knowledge past or present, could have fear'd,
     How such united force of Gods, how such
     As stood like these, could ever know repulse?
     For who can yet beleeve, though after loss,
     That all these puissant Legions, whose exile
     Hath emptied Heav'n, shall faile to re-ascend
     Self-rais'd, and repossess their native seat.
     For me, be witness all the Host of Heav'n,
     If counsels different, or danger shun'd
     By me, have lost our hopes. But he who reigns
     Monarch in Heav'n, till then as one secure
     Sat on his Throne, upheld by old repute,
     Consent or custome, and his Regal State
     Put forth at full, but still his strength conceal'd,
     Which tempted our attempt, and wrought our fall.
     Henceforth his might we know, and know our own
     So as not either to provoke, or dread
     New warr, provok't; our better part remains
     To work in close design, by fraud or guile
     What force effected not: that he no less
     At length from us may find, who overcomes
     By force, hath overcome but half his foe.
     Space may produce new Worlds; whereof so rife
     There went a fame in Heav'n that he ere long
     Intended to create, and therein plant
     A generation, whom his choice regard
     Should favour equal to the Sons of Heaven:
     Thither, if but to prie, shall be perhaps
     Our first eruption, thither or elsewhere:
     For this Infernal Pit shall never hold
     Caelestial Spirits in Bondage, nor th' Abysse
     Long under darkness cover. But these thoughts
     Full Counsel must mature: Peace is despaird,
     For who can think Submission? Warr then, Warr
     Open or understood must be resolv'd.
     He spake: and to confirm his words, out-flew
     Millions of flaming swords, drawn from the thighs
     Of mighty Cherubim; the sudden blaze
     Far round illumin'd hell: highly they rag'd
     Against the Highest, and fierce with grasped arm's
     Clash'd on their sounding shields the din of war,
     Hurling defiance toward the vault of Heav'n.
     There stood a Hill not far whose griesly top
     Belch'd fire and rowling smoak; the rest entire
     Shon with a glossie scurff, undoubted sign
     That in his womb was hid metallic Ore,
     The work of Sulphur. Thither wing'd with speed
     A numerous Brigad hasten'd. As when bands
     Of Pioners with Spade and Pickaxe arm'd
     Forerun the Royal Camp, to trench a Field,
     Or cast a Rampart. MAMMON led them on,
     MAMMON, the least erected Spirit that fell
     From heav'n, for ev'n in heav'n his looks & thoughts
     Were always downward bent, admiring more
     The riches of Heav'ns pavement, trod'n Gold,
     Then aught divine or holy else enjoy'd
     In vision beatific: by him first
     Men also, and by his suggestion taught,
     Ransack'd the Center, and with impious hands
     Rifl'd the bowels of thir mother Earth
     For Treasures better hid. Soon had his crew
     Op'nd into the Hill a spacious wound
     And dig'd out ribs of Gold. Let none admire
     That riches grow in Hell; that soyle may best
     Deserve the pretious bane. And here let those
     Who boast in mortal things, and wondring tell
     Of BABEL, and the works of MEMPHIAN Kings,
     Learn how thir greatest Monuments of Fame,
     And Strength and Art are easily outdone
     By Spirits reprobate, and in an hour
     What in an age they with incessant toyle
     And hands innumerable scarce perform
     Nigh on the Plain in many cells prepar'd,
     That underneath had veins of liquid fire
     Sluc'd from the Lake, a second multitude
     With wondrous Art founded the massie Ore,
     Severing each kinde, and scum'd the Bullion dross:
     A third as soon had form'd within the ground
     A various mould, and from the boyling cells
     By strange conveyance fill'd each hollow nook,
     As in an Organ from one blast of wind
     To many a row of Pipes the sound-board breaths.
     Anon out of the earth a Fabrick huge
     Rose like an Exhalation, with the sound
     Of Dulcet Symphonies and voices sweet,
     Built like a Temple, where PILASTERS round
     Were set, and Doric pillars overlaid
     With Golden Architrave; nor did there want
     Cornice or Freeze, with bossy Sculptures grav'n,
     The Roof was fretted Gold. Not BABILON,
     Nor great ALCAIRO such magnificence
     Equal'd in all thir glories, to inshrine
     BELUS or SERAPIS thir Gods, or seat
     Thir Kings, when AEGYPT with ASSYRIA strove
     In wealth and luxurie. Th' ascending pile
     Stood fixt her stately highth, and strait the dores
     Op'ning thir brazen foulds discover wide
     Within, her ample spaces, o're the smooth
     And level pavement: from the arched roof
     Pendant by suttle Magic many a row
     Of Starry Lamps and blazing Cressets fed
     With Naphtha and ASPHALTUS yeilded light
     As from a sky. The hasty multitude
     Admiring enter'd, and the work some praise
     And some the Architect: his hand was known
     In Heav'n by many a Towred structure high,
     Where Scepter'd Angels held thir residence,
     And sat as Princes, whom the supreme King
     Exalted to such power, and gave to rule,
     Each in his Herarchie, the Orders bright.
     Nor was his name unheard or unador'd
     In ancient Greece; and in AUSONIAN land
     Men call'd him MULCIBER; and how he fell
     From Heav'n, they fabl'd, thrown by angry JOVE
     Sheer o're the Chrystal Battlements: from Morn
     To Noon he fell, from Noon to dewy Eve,
     A Summers day; and with the setting Sun
     Dropt from the Zenith like a falling Star,
     On LEMNOS th' AEGAEAN Ile: thus they relate,
     Erring; for he with this rebellious rout
     Fell long before; nor aught avail'd him now
     To have built in Heav'n high Towrs; nor did he scape
     By all his Engins, but was headlong sent
     With his industrious crew to build in hell.
     Mean while the winged Haralds by command
     Of Sovran power, with awful Ceremony
     And Trumpets sound throughout the Host proclaim
     A solemn Councel forthwith to be held
     At PANDAEMONIUM, the high Capital
     Of Satan and his Peers: thir summons call'd
     From every and Band squared Regiment
     By place or choice the worthiest; they anon
     With hundreds and with thousands trooping came
     Attended: all access was throng'd, the Gates
     And Porches wide, but chief the spacious Hall
     (Though like a cover'd field, where Champions bold
     Wont ride in arm'd, and at the Soldans chair
     Defi'd the best of Panim chivalry
     To mortal combat or carreer with Lance)
     Thick swarm'd, both on the ground and in the air,
     Brusht with the hiss of russling wings. As Bees
     In spring time, when the Sun with Taurus rides,
     Poure forth thir populous youth about the Hive
     In clusters; they among fresh dews and flowers
     Flie to and fro, or on the smoothed Plank,
     The suburb of thir Straw-built Cittadel,
     New rub'd with Baume, expatiate and confer
     Thir State affairs. So thick the aerie crowd
     Swarm'd and were straitn'd; till the Signal giv'n,
     Behold a wonder! they but now who seemd
     In bigness to surpass Earths Giant Sons
     Now less then smallest Dwarfs, in narrow room
     Throng numberless, like that Pigmean Race
     Beyond the INDIAN Mount, or Faerie Elves,
     Whose midnight Revels, by a Forrest side
     Or Fountain fome belated Peasant sees,
     Or dreams he sees, while over head the Moon
     Sits Arbitress, and neerer to the Earth
     Wheels her pale course, they on thir mirth & dance
     Intent, with jocond Music charm his ear;
     At once with joy and fear his heart rebounds.
     Thus incorporeal Spirits to smallest forms
     Reduc'd thir shapes immense, and were at large,
     Though without number still amidst the Hall
     Of that infernal Court. But far within
     And in thir own dimensions like themselves
     The great Seraphic Lords and Cherubim
     In close recess and secret conclave sat
     A thousand Demy-Gods on golden seat's,
     Frequent and full. After short silence then
     And summons read, the great consult began.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Copyright (c) 1972 by Ray Bradbury
 "There, do you see it, lads?"
 
"What?"
 
"The Undiscovered Country. Out there. Look long, look deep, make a feast. The Past, boys, the Past. Oh, it's dark, yes, and full of nightmare. Everthing that Halloween ever was lies buried there. Will you dig for bones, boys? Do you have the stuff?"
 
He burned his gaze at them.
 
"What is Halloween? How did it start? Where? Why? What for? Witches, cats, mummy dusts, haunts. It's all there in that country from which no one returns. Will you dive into the dark ocean, boys? Will you fly in the dark sky?"
 
The boys swallowed hard.
 
 
Published (then) by Bantum Books, Inc 666 Fifth Avenue  - New York, NY - USA - 10019
who are NOW Bantum Boubleday Dell 1540 Broadway - New York, NY - USA - 10036
http://www.bdd.com/
This book is no longer in print but is worth the effort to locate
check out other books by Ray Bradbury at the website above
 
  
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
"Go to hell!" or other insult direct is all the answer a snoopy question rates."
 
from:  " The Notebooks of Lazarus Long"   by Robert Heinlein