66 By secretest conveyance. Thou, my shade 250 "Inseparable, must with me along: 255 260 "For Death from Sin no power can separate. 66 Impassable-impervious, let us try "Adventurous work, yet to thy power and mine "Over this main from hell to that new world, 66 Easing their passage hence, for intercourse, "Or transmigration, as their lot shall lead. "Nor can I miss the way, so strongly drawn "By this new-felt attraction and instinct." Whom thus the meagre shadow answer'd soon: 265 "Go, whither fate, and inclination strong, "Leads thee: I shall not lag behind, nor err "The way, thou leading; such a scent I draw "Of carnage, prey innumerable! and taste "The savour of death from all things there that live : 270"Nor shall I to the work thou enterprisest "Be wanting, but afford thee equal aid." So saying, with delight he snuff'd the smell Where armies lie encamp'd, come flying, lur'd 280 His nostril wide into the murky air, Sagacious of his quarry from so far. Then both, from out hell-gates, into the waste Wide anarchy of Chaos, damp and dark, Flew diverse; and with power (their power was great) 285 Hovering upon the waters, what they met Solid or slimy, (as in raging sea Toss'd up and down,) together crowded drove, From each side shoaling towards the mouth of hell: 290 Upon the Cronian sea, together drive Mountains of ice, that stop the imagin'd way Death, with his mace petrific, cold and dry, So, if great things to small may be compar'd, 310 Bridging his way, Europe with Asia join'd, And scourg'd with many a stroke the indignant waves. Over the vex'd abyss, following the track 315 Of Satan to the self-same place where he 320 And durable! And now, in little space, The confines met of empyréan heaven, And of this world; and on the left hand, hell 325 And now their way to earth they had descried, Betwixt the Centaur and the Scorpion steering 330 Disguis'd he came; but those his children dear Into the wood fast by; and, changing shape And tidings fraught, to hell he now return'd; "O parent! these are thy magnific deeds355"Thy trophies! which thou view'st as not thine own; "Thou art their author, and prime architect; "For I no sooner in my heart divin'd "(My heart, which by a secret harmony "Still moves with thine, join'd in connexion sweet) 360 "That thou on earth hadst prosper'd, which thy looks "Now also evidence, but straight I felt, "Though distant from thee worlds between-yet felt, "That I must after thee, with this thy son: 365 "Hell could no longer hold us in her bounds, "Detain from following thy illustrious track: "Thou hast achiev'd our liberty, confin'd "Within hell-gates till now: thou us empower'd 370"To fortify thus far, and overlay, 375 380 385 390 "With this portentous bridge, the dark abyss. "And henceforth monarchy with thee divide "Antagonist of heaven's Almighty King,) "The infernal empire, that, so near heaven's door, 66 Triumphal with triumphal act have met, "Mine, with this glorious work; and made one realm, "Hell, and this world-one realm, one continent "Of easy thoroughfare. Therefore, while I "Descend through darkness, on your road with ease, 395 "To my associate Powers, them to acquaint "With these successes, and with them rejoice, "You two this way, among these num'rous orbs"All yours, right down to Paradise descend; "There dwell, and reign in bliss: thence on the earth 400 "Dominion exercise and in the air, "Chiefly on man, sole lord of all declar'd; "Him first make sure your thrall, and lastly kill. 66 66 66 My substitutes I send ye, and create Plenipotent on earth, of matchless might 405 Issuing from me: on your joint vigour now "My hold of this new kingdom all depends; 410 "Through Sin to Death expos'd by my exploit. Then suffer'd. The other way Satan went down 415 The causey to hell-gate: on either side Disparted Chaos, overbuilt, exclaim'd, And with rebounding surge the bars assail'd, That scorn'd his indignation. Through the gate, Wide open and unguarded, Satan pass'd, 420 And all about found desolate; for those Appointed to sit there, had left their charge, Flown to the upper world; the rest were all Far to the inland retir'd, about the walls Of Pandemonium-city and proud seat 425 Of Lucifer, so by allusion call'd Of that bright star to Satan paragon'd: There kept their watch the legions, while the grand To Taurus, or Casbeen; so these, the late |