第11章 10
Well have ye judgd, well ended long debate, [ 390 ]
Synod of Gods, and like to what ye are,
Great things resolvd; which from the lowest deep
Will once more lift us up, in spight of Fate,
Neerer our ancient Seat; perhaps in view
Of those bright confines, whence with neighbouring Arms [ 395 ]
And opportune excursion we may chance
Re-enter Heavn; or else in some milde Zone
Dwell not unvisited of Heavns fair Light
Secure, and at the brightning Orient beam
Purge off this gloom; the soft delicious Air, [ 400 ]
To heal the scarr of these corrosive Fires
Shall breath her balme. But first whom shall we send
In search of this new world, whom shall we find
Sufficient? who shall tempt with wandring feet
The dark unbottomd infinite Abyss [ 405 ]
And through the palpable obscure find out
His uncouth way, or spread his aerie flight
Upborn with indefatigable wings
Over the vast abrupt, ere he arrive
The happy Ile; what strength, what art can then [ 410 ]
Suffice, or what evasion bear him safe
Through the strict Senteries and Stations thick
Of Angels watching round? Here he had need
All circumspection, and we now no less
Choice in our suffrage; for on whom we send, [ 415 ]
The weight of all and our last hope relies.
This said, he sat; and expectation held
His look suspence, awaiting who appeerd
To second, or oppose, or undertake
The perilous attempt; but all sat mute, [ 420 ]
Pondering the danger with deep thoughts; and each
In others countnance read his own dismay
Astonisht: none among the choice and prime
Of those Heavn-warring Champions could be found
So hardie as to proffer or accept [ 425 ]
Alone the dreadful voyage; till at last
Satan, whom now transcendent glory raisd
Above his fellows, with Monarchal pride
Conscious of highest worth, unmovd thus spake.
O Progeny of Heavn, Empyreal Thrones, [ 430 ]
With reason hath deep silence and demurr
Seisd us, though undismaid: long is the way
And hard, that out of Hell leads up to light;
Our prison strong, this huge convex of Fire,
Outrageous to devour, immures us round [ 435 ]
Ninefold, and gates of burning Adamant
Barrd over us prohibit all egress.