第2章 1

O For that warning voice, which he who saw Th Apocalyps, heard cry in Heaven aloud, Then when the Dragon, put to second rout, Came furious down to be revengd on men, Wo to the inhabitants on Earth! that now, [ 5 ] While time was, our first-Parents had bin warnd The coming of thir secret foe, and scapd

Haply so scapd his mortal snare; for now Satan, now first inflamd with rage, came down, The Tempter ere th Accuser of man-kind, [ 10 ] To wreck on innocent frail man his loss Of that first Battel, and his flight to Hell: Yet not rejoycing in his speed, though bold, Far off and fearless, nor with cause to boast,

Begins his dire attempt, which nigh the birth [ 15 ] Now rowling, boiles in his tumultuous brest, And like a devillish Engine back recoiles Upon himself; horror and doubt distract His troubld thoughts, and from the bottom stirr The Hell within him, for within him Hell [ 20 ] He brings, and round about him, nor from Hell

One step no more then from himself can fly By change of place: Now conscience wakes despair That slumberd, wakes the bitter memorie Of what he was, what is, and what must be [ 25 ] Worse; of worse deeds worse sufferings must ensue. Sometimes towards Eden which now in his view Lay pleasant, his grievd look he fixes sad,

Sometimes towards Heavn and the full-blazing Sun, Which now sat high in his Meridian Towre: [ 30 ] Then much revolving, thus in sighs began. O thou that with surpassing Glory crownd, Lookst from thy sole Dominion like the God Of this new World; at whose sight all the Starrs Hide thir diminisht heads; to thee I call, [ 35 ]

But with no friendly voice, and add thy name O Sun, to tell thee how I hate thy beams That bring to my remembrance from what state I fell, how glorious once above thy Spheare; Till Pride and worse Ambition threw me down [ 40 ] Warring in Heavn against Heavns matchless King: Ah wherefore! he deservd no such return

From me, whom he created what I was In that bright eminence, and with his good Upbraided none; nor was his service hard. [ 45 ] What could be less then to afford him praise, The easiest recompence, and pay him thanks, How due! yet all his good provd ill in me, And wrought but malice; lifted up so high

I sdeind subjection, and thought one step higher [ 50 ] Would set me highest, and in a moment quit The debt immense of endless gratitude, So burthensome, still paying, still to ow; Forgetful what from him I still receivd, And understood not that a grateful mind [ 55 ] By owing owes not, but still pays, at once

Indebted and dischargd; what burden then?