第2章 1

HIgh on a Throne of Royal State, which far Outshon the wealth of Ormus and of Ind, Or where the gorgeous East with richest hand Showrs on her Kings Barbaric Pearl and Gold, Satan exalted sat, by merit raisd [ 5 ] To that bad eminence; and from despair Thus high uplifted beyond hope, aspires

Beyond thus high, insatiate to pursue Vain Warr with Heavn, and by success untaught His proud imaginations thus displaid. [ 10 ] Powers and Dominions, Deities of Heavn, For since no deep within her gulf can hold Immortal vigor, though opprest and falln, I give not Heavn for lost. From this descent

Celestial vertues rising, will appear [ 15 ] More glorious and more dread then from no fall, And trust themselves to fear no second fate: Mee though just right, and the fixt Laws of Heavn Did first create your Leader, next free choice, With what besides, in Counsel or in Fight, [ 20 ] Hath bin achievd of merit, yet this loss

Thus farr at least recoverd, hath much more Establisht in a safe unenvied Throne Yielded with full consent. The happier state In Heavn, which follows dignity, might draw [ 25 ] Envy from each inferior; but who here Will envy whom the highest place exposes Formost to stand against the Thunderers aim

Your bulwark, and condemns to greatest share Of endless pain? where there is then no good [ 30 ] For which to strive, no strife can grow up there From Faction; for none sure will claim in Hell Precedence, none, whose portion is so small Of present pain, that with ambitious mind Will covet more. With this advantage then [ 35 ]

To union, and firm Faith, and firm accord, More then can be in Heavn, we now return To claim our just inheritance of old, Surer to prosper then prosperity Could have assurd us; and by what best way, [ 40 ]