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This first Book proposes, first in brief, the whole Subject, Man's disobedience, and the loss thereupon of Paradise wherein he was placed: Then touches the prime cause of his fall, the Serpent, or rather Satan in the Serpent; who revolting from God, and drawing to his side many Legions of Angels, was by the command of God driven out of Heaven with all his Crew into the great Deep. Which action past over, the Poem hastes into the midst of things, presenting Satan with his Angels now fallen into Hell, described here, not in the Center (for Heaven and Earth may be supposed as yet not made, certainly not yet accursed) but in a place of utter darkness, fitliest called Chaos: Here Satan with his Angels lying on the burning Lake, thunder-struck and astonished, after a certain space recovers, as from confusion, calls up him who next in Order and Dignity lay by him; they confer of their miserable fall. Satan awakens all his Legions, who lay till then in the same manner confounded; They rise, their Numbers, array of Battle, their chief Leaders named, according to the Idols known afterwards in Canaan and the Countries adjoining. To these Satan directs his Speech, comforts them with hope yet of regaining Heaven, but tells them lastly of a new World and new kind of Creature to be created, according to an ancient Prophecy or report in Heaven; for that Angels were long before this visible Creation, was the opinion of many ancient Fathers. To find out the truth of this Prophecy, and what to determine thereon he refers to a full Council. What his Associates thence attempt. Pandemonium the Palace of Satan rises, suddenly built out of the Deep: The infernal Peers there sit in Council.
1. Of Man's first disobedience, and the fruit 2. Of that forbidden tree whose mortal taste 3. Brought death into the World, and all our woe, 4. With loss of Eden, till one greater Man 5. Restore us, and regain the blissful seat, 6. Sing, Heavenly Muse, that, on the secret top 7. Of Oreb, or of Sinai, didst inspire 8. That Shepherd who first taught the chosen seed 9. In the beginning how the heavens and earth 10. Rose out of Chaos: or, if Sion hill 11. Delight thee more, and Siloa's brook that flowed 12. Fast by the oracle of God, I thence 13. Invoke thy aid to my adventurous song, 14. That with no middle flight intends to soar 15. Above th' Aonian mount, while it pursues 16. Things unattempted yet in prose or rhyme. 17. And chiefly thou, O Spirit, that dost prefer 18. Before all temples th' upright heart and pure, 19. Instruct me, for Thou know'st; Thou from the first 20. Wast present, and, with mighty wings outspread, 21. Dove-like sat'st brooding on the vast Abyss, 22. And mad'st it pregnant: what in me is dark 23. Illumine, what is low raise and support; 24. That, to the height of this great argument, 25. I may assert Eternal Providence, 26. And justify the ways of God to men. 27. Say first--for Heaven hides nothing from thy view, 28. Nor the deep tract of Hell--say first what cause 29. Moved our grand parents, in that happy state, 30. Favoured of Heaven so highly, to fall off 31. From their Creator, and transgress his will 32. For one restraint, lords of the World besides. 33. Who first seduced them to that foul revolt? 34. Th' infernal Serpent; he it was whose guile, 35. Stirred up with envy and revenge, deceived 36. The mother of mankind, what time his pride 37. Had cast him out from Heaven, with all his host 38. Of rebel Angels, by whose aid, aspiring 39. To set himself in glory above his peers, 40. He trusted to have equalled the Most High, 41. If he opposed, and with ambitious aim 42. Against the throne and monarchy of God, 43. Raised impious war in Heaven and battle proud, 44. With vain attempt. Him the Almighty Power 45. Hurled headlong flaming from th' ethereal sky, 46. With hideous ruin and combustion, down 47. To bottomless perdition, there to dwell 48. In adamantine chains and penal fire, 49. Who durst defy th' Omnipotent to arms. 50. Nine times the space that measures day and night 51. To mortal men, he, with his horrid crew, 52. Lay vanquished, rolling in the fiery gulf, 53. Confounded, though immortal. But his doom 54. Reserved him to more wrath; for now the thought 55. Both of lost happiness and lasting pain 56. Torments him: round he throws his baleful eyes, 57. That witnessed huge affliction and dismay, 58. Mixed with obdurate pride and steadfast hate. 59. At once, as far as Angels ken, he views 60. The dismal situation waste and wild. 61. A dungeon horrible, on all sides round, 62. As one great furnace flamed; yet from those flames 63. No light; but rather darkness visible 64. Served only to discover sights of woe, 65. Regions of sorrow, doleful shades, where peace 66. And rest can never dwell, hope never comes 67. That comes to all, but torture without end 68. Still urges, and a fiery deluge, fed 69. With ever-burning sulphur unconsumed. 70. Such place Eternal Justice has prepared 71. For those rebellious; here their prison ordained 72. In utter darkness, and their portion set, 73. As far removed from God and light of Heaven 74. As from the centre thrice to th' utmost pole. 75. Oh how unlike the place from whence they fell! 76. There the companions of his fall, o'erwhelmed 77. With floods and whirlwinds of tempestuous fire, 78. He soon discerns; and, weltering by his side, 79. One next himself in power, and next in crime, 80. Long after known in Palestine, and named 81. Beelzebub. To whom th' Arch-Enemy, 82. And thence in Heaven called Satan, with bold words 83. Breaking the horrid silence, thus began:-- 84. "If thou beest he--but O how fallen! how changed 85. From him who, in the happy realms of light 86. Clothed with transcendent brightness, didst outshine 87. Myriads, though bright!--if he whom mutual league, 88. United thoughts and counsels, equal hope 89. And hazard in the glorious enterprise 90. Joined with me once, now misery hath joined 91. In equal ruin; into what pit thou seest 92. From what height fallen: so much the stronger proved 93. He with his thunder; and till then who knew 94. The force of those dire arms? Yet not for those, 95. Nor what the potent Victor in his rage 96. Can else inflict, do I repent, or change, 97. Though changed in outward lustre, that fixed mind, 98. And high disdain from sense of injured merit, 99. That with the Mightiest raised me to contend, 100. And to the fierce contentions brought along 101. Innumerable force of Spirits armed, 102. That durst dislike his reign, and, me preferring, 103. His utmost power with adverse power opposed 104. In dubious battle on the plains of Heaven, 105. And shook his throne. What though the field be lost? 106. All is not lost--the unconquerable will, 107. And study of revenge, immortal hate, 108. And courage never to submit or yield: 109. And what is else not to be overcome? 110. That glory never shall his wrath or might 111. Extort from me. To bow and sue for grace 112. With suppliant knee, and deify his power 113. Who, from the terror of this arm, so late 114. Doubted his empire--that were low indeed; 115. That were an ignominy and shame beneath 116. This downfall; since, by fate, the strength of Gods, 117. And this empyreal substance, cannot fail; 118. Since, through experience of this great event, 119. In arms not worse, in foresight much advanced, 120. We may with more successful hope resolve 121. To wage by force or guile eternal war, 122. Irreconcilable to our grand Foe, 123. Who now triumphs, and in th' excess of joy 124. Sole reigning holds the tyranny of Heaven." 125. So spake th' apostate Angel, though in pain, 126. Vaunting aloud, but racked with deep despair; 127. And him thus answered soon his bold compeer:-- 128. "O Prince, O Chief of many throned Powers 129. That led th' embattled Seraphim to war 130. Under thy conduct, and, in dreadful deeds 131. Fearless, endangered Heaven's perpetual King, 132. And put to proof his high supremacy, 133. Whether upheld by strength, or chance, or fate, 134. Too well I see and rue the dire event 135. That, with sad overthrow and foul defeat, 136. Hath lost us Heaven, and all this mighty host 137. In horrible destruction laid thus low, 138. As far as Gods and heavenly Essences 139. Can perish: for the mind and spirit remains 140. Invincible, and vigour soon returns, 141. Though all our glory extinct, and happy state 142. Here swallowed up in endless misery. 143. But what if he our Conqueror (whom I now 144. Of force believe almighty, since no less 145. Than such could have o'erpowered such force as ours) 146. Have left us this our spirit and strength entire, 147. Strongly to suffer and support our pains, 148. That we may so suffice his vengeful ire, 149. Or do him mightier service as his thralls 150. By right of war, whate'er his business be, 151. Here in the heart of Hell to work in fire, 152. Or do his errands in the gloomy Deep? 153. What can it the avail though yet we feel 154. Strength undiminished, or eternal being 155. To undergo eternal punishment?" 156. Whereto with speedy words th' Arch-Fiend replied:-- 157. "Fallen Cherub, to be weak is miserable, 158. Doing or suffering: but of this be sure-- 159. To do aught good never will be our task, 160. But ever to do ill our sole delight, 161. As being the contrary to his high will 162. Whom we resist. If then his providence 163. Out of our evil seek to bring forth good, 164. Our labour must be to pervert that end, 165. And out of good still to find means of evil; 166. Which oft-times may succeed so as perhaps 167. Shall grieve him, if I fail not, and disturb 168. His inmost counsels from their destined aim. 169. But see! the angry Victor hath recalled 170. His ministers of vengeance and pursuit 171. Back to the gates of Heaven: the sulphurous hail, 172. Shot after us in storm, o'erblown hath laid 173. The fiery surge that from the precipice 174. Of Heaven received us falling; and the thunder, 175. Winged with red lightning and impetuous rage, 176. Perhaps hath spent his shafts, and ceases now 177. To bellow through the vast and boundless Deep. 178. Let us not slip th' occasion, whether scorn 179. Or satiate fury yield it from our Foe. 180. Seest thou yon dreary plain, forlorn and wild, 181. The seat of desolation, void of light, 182. Save what the glimmering of these livid flames 183. Casts pale and dreadful? Thither let us tend 184. From off the tossing of these fiery waves; 185. There rest, if any rest can harbour there; 186. And, re-assembling our afflicted powers, 187. Consult how we may henceforth most offend 188. Our enemy, our own loss how repair, 189. How overcome this dire calamity, 190. What reinforcement we may gain from hope, 191. If not, what resolution from despair." 192. Thus Satan, talking to his nearest mate, 193. With head uplift above the wave, and eyes 194. That sparkling blazed; his other parts besides 195. Prone on the flood, extended long and large, 196. Lay floating many a rood, in bulk as huge 197. As whom the fables name of monstrous size, 198. Titanian or Earth-born, that warred on Jove, 199. Briareos or Typhon, whom the den 200. By ancient Tarsus held, or that sea-beast 201. Leviathan, which God of all his works 202. Created hugest that swim th' ocean-stream. 203. Him, haply slumbering on the Norway foam, 204. The pilot of some small night-foundered skiff, 205. Deeming some island, oft, as seamen tell, 206. With fixed anchor in his scaly rind, 207. Moors by his side under the lee, while night 208. Invests the sea, and wished morn delays. 209. So stretched out huge in length the Arch-fiend lay, 210. Chained on the burning lake; nor ever thence 211. Had risen, or heaved his head, but that the will 212. And high permission of all-ruling Heaven 213. Left him at large to his own dark designs, 214. That with reiterated crimes he might 215. Heap on himself damnation, while he sought 216. Evil to others, and enraged might see 217. How all his malice served but to bring forth 218. Infinite goodness, grace, and mercy, shown 219. On Man by him seduced, but on himself 220. Treble confusion, wrath, and vengeance poured. 221. Forthwith upright he rears from off the pool 222. His mighty stature; on each hand the flames 223. Driven backward slope their pointing spires, and rolled 224. In billows, leave i' th' midst a horrid vale. 225. Then with expanded wings he steers his flight 226. Aloft, incumbent on the dusky air, 227. That felt unusual weight; till on dry land 228. He lights--if it were land that ever burned 229. With solid, as the lake with liquid fire, 230. And such appeared in hue as when the force 231. Of subterranean wind transports a hill 232. Torn from Pelorus, or the shattered side 233. Of thundering Etna, whose combustible 234. And fuelled entrails, thence conceiving fire, 235. Sublimed with mineral fury, aid the winds, 236. And leave a singed bottom all involved 237. With stench and smoke. Such resting found the sole 238. Of unblest feet. Him followed his next mate; 239. Both glorying to have ‘scaped the Stygian flood 240. As gods, and by their own recovered strength, 241. Not by the sufferance of supernal Power. 242. "Is this the region, this the soil, the clime," 243. Said then the lost Archangel, "this the seat 244. That we must change for Heaven?--this mournful gloom 245. For that celestial light? Be it so, since he 246. Who now is sovereign can dispose and bid 247. What shall be right: farthest from him is best 248. Whom reason hath equalled, force hath made supreme 249. Above his equals. Farewell, happy fields, 250. Where joy for ever dwells! Hail, horrors! hail, 251. Infernal world! and thou, profoundest Hell, 252. Receive thy new possessor--one who brings 253. A mind not to be changed by place or time. 254. The mind is its own place, and in itself 255. Can make a Heaven of Hell, a Hell of Heaven. 256. What matter where, if I be still the same, 257. And what I should be, all but less than he 258. Whom thunder hath made greater? Here at least 259. We shall be free; th' Almighty hath not built 260. Here for his envy, will not drive us hence: 261. Here we may reign secure; and, in my choice, 262. To reign is worth ambition, though in Hell: 263. Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven. 264. But wherefore let we then our faithful friends, 265. Th' associates and co-partners of our loss, 266. Lie thus astonished on th' oblivious pool, 267. And call them not to share with us their part 268. In this unhappy mansion, or once more 269. With rallied arms to try what may be yet 270. Regained in Heaven, or what more lost in Hell?" 271. So Satan spake; and him Beelzebub 272. Thus answered:--"Leader of those armies bright 273. Which, but th' Omnipotent, none could have foiled! 274. If once they hear that voice, their liveliest pledge 275. Of hope in fears and dangers--heard so oft 276. In worst extremes, and on the perilous edge 277. Of battle, when it raged, in all assaults 278. Their surest signal--they will soon resume 279. New courage and revive, though now they lie 280. Grovelling and prostrate on yon lake of fire, 281. As we erewhile, astounded and amazed; 282. No wonder, fallen such a pernicious height!" 283. He scarce had ceased when the superior Fiend 284. Was moving toward the shore; his ponderous shield, 285. Ethereal temper, massy, large, and round, 286. Behind him cast. The broad circumference 287. Hung on his shoulders like the moon, whose orb 288. Through optic glass the Tuscan artist views 289. At evening, from the top of Fesole, 290. Or in Valdarno, to descry new lands, 291. Rivers, or mountains, in her spotty globe. 292. His spear--to equal which the tallest pine 293. Hewn on Norwegian hills, to be the mast 294. Of some great ammiral, were but a wand-- 295. He walked with, to support uneasy steps 296. Over the burning marl, not like those steps 297. On Heaven's azure; and the torrid clime 298. Smote on him sore besides, vaulted with fire. 299. Nathless he so endured, till on the beach 300. Of that inflamed sea he stood, and called 301. His legions--Angel Forms, who lay entranced 302. Thick as autumnal leaves that strow the brooks 303. In Vallombrosa, where th' Etrurian shades 304. High over-arched embower; or scattered sedge 305. Afloat, when with fierce winds Orion armed 306. Hath vexed the Red-Sea coast, whose waves o'erthrew 307. Busiris and his Memphian chivalry, 308. While with perfidious hatred they pursued 309. The sojourners of Goshen, who beheld 310. From the safe shore their floating carcasses 311. And broken chariot-wheels. So thick bestrown, 312. Abject and lost, lay these, covering the flood, 313. Under amazement of their hideous change. 314. He called so loud that all the hollow deep 315. Of Hell resounded:--"Princes, Potentates, 316. Warriors, the Flower of Heaven--once yours; now lost, 317. If such astonishment as this can seize 318. Eternal Spirits! Or have ye chosen this place 319. After the toil of battle to repose 320. Your wearied virtue, for the ease you find 321. To slumber here, as in the vales of Heaven? 322. Or in this abject posture have ye sworn 323. To adore the Conqueror, who now beholds 324. Cherub and Seraph rolling in the flood 325. With scattered arms and ensigns, till anon 326. His swift pursuers from Heaven-gates discern 327. Th' advantage, and, descending, tread us down 328. Thus drooping, or with linked thunderbolts 329. Transfix us to the bottom of this gulf? 330. Awake, arise, or be for ever fallen!" 331. They heard, and were abashed, and up they sprung 332. Upon the wing, as when men wont to watch 333. On duty, sleeping found by whom they dread, 334. Rouse and bestir themselves ere well awake. 335. Nor did they not perceive the evil plight 336. In which they were, or the fierce pains not feel; 337. Yet to their General's voice they soon obeyed 338. Innumerable. As when the potent rod 339. Of Amram's son, in Egypt's evil day, 340. Waved round the coast, up-called a pitchy cloud 341. Of locusts, warping on the eastern wind, 342. That o'er the realm of impious Pharaoh hung 343. Like Night, and darkened all the land of Nile; 344. So numberless were those bad Angels seen 345. Hovering on wing under the cope of Hell, 346. 'Twixt upper, nether, and surrounding fires; 347. Till, as a signal given, th' uplifted spear 348. Of their great Sultan waving to direct 349. Their course, in even balance down they light 350. On the firm brimstone, and fill all the plain: 351. A multitude like which the populous North 352. Poured never from her frozen loins to pass 353. Rhene or the Danaw, when her barbarous sons 354. Came like a deluge on the South, and spread 355. Beneath Gibraltar to the Libyan sands. 356. Forthwith, form every squadron and each band, 357. The heads and leaders thither haste where stood 358. Their great Commander--godlike Shapes, and Forms 359. Excelling human; princely Dignities; 360. And Powers that erst in Heaven sat on thrones, 361. Though on their names in Heavenly records now 362. Be no memorial, blotted out and rased 363. By their rebellion from the Books of Life. 364. Nor had they yet among the sons of Eve 365. Got them new names, till, wandering o'er the earth, 366. Through God's high sufferance for the trial of man, 367. By falsities and lies the greatest part 368. Of mankind they corrupted to forsake 369. God their Creator, and th' invisible 370. Glory of him that made them to transform 371. Oft to the image of a brute, adorned 372. With gay religions full of pomp and gold, 373. And devils to adore for deities: 374. Then were they known to men by various names, 375. And various idols through the heathen world. 376. Say, Muse, their names then known, who first, who last, 377. Roused from the slumber on that fiery couch, 378. At their great Emperor's call, as next in worth 379. Came singly where he stood on the bare strand, 380. While the promiscuous crowd stood yet aloof? 381. The chief were those who, from the pit of Hell 382. Roaming to seek their prey on Earth, durst fix 383. Their seats, long after, next the seat of God, 384. Their altars by his altar, gods adored 385. Among the nations round, and durst abide 386. Jehovah thundering out of Sion, throned 387. Between the Cherubim; yea, often placed 388. Within his sanctuary itself their shrines, 389. Abominations; and with cursed things 390. His holy rites and solemn feasts profaned, 391. And with their darkness durst affront his light. 392. First, Moloch, horrid king, besmeared with blood 393. Of human sacrifice, and parents' tears; 394. Though, for the noise of drums and timbrels loud, 395. Their children's cries unheard that passed through fire 396. To his grim idol. Him the Ammonite 397. Worshiped in Rabba and her watery plain, 398. In Argob and in Basan, to the stream 399. Of utmost Arnon. Nor content with such 400. Audacious neighbourhood, the wisest heart 401. Of Solomon he led by fraud to build 402. His temple right against the temple of God 403. On that opprobrious hill, and made his grove 404. The pleasant valley of Hinnom, Tophet thence 405. And black Gehenna called, the type of Hell. 406. Next Chemos, th' obscene dread of Moab's sons, 407. From Aroar to Nebo and the wild 408. Of southmost Abarim; in Hesebon 409. And Horonaim, Seon's real, beyond 410. The flowery dale of Sibma clad with vines, 411. And Eleale to th' Asphaltic Pool: 412. Peor his other name, when he enticed 413. Israel in Sittim, on their march from Nile, 414. To do him wanton rites, which cost them woe. 415. Yet thence his lustful orgies he enlarged 416. Even to that hill of scandal, by the grove 417. Of Moloch homicide, lust hard by hate, 418. Till good Josiah drove them thence to Hell. 419. With these came they who, from the bordering flood 420. Of old Euphrates to the brook that parts 421. Egypt from Syrian ground, had general names 422. Of Baalim and Ashtaroth--those male, 423. These feminine. For Spirits, when they please, 424. Can either sex assume, or both; so soft 425. And uncompounded is their essence pure, 426. Not tried or manacled with joint or limb, 427. Nor founded on the brittle strength of bones, 428. Like cumbrous flesh; but, in what shape they choose, 429. Dilated or condensed, bright or obscure, 430. Can execute their airy purposes, 431. And works of love or enmity fulfil. 432. For those the race of Israel oft forsook 433. Their Living Strength, and unfrequented left 434. His righteous altar, bowing lowly down 435. To bestial gods; for which their heads as low 436. Bowed down in battle, sunk before the spear 437. Of despicable foes. With these in troop 438. Came Astoreth, whom the Phoenicians called 439. Astarte, queen of heaven, with crescent horns; 440. To whose bright image nightly by the moon 441. Sidonian virgins paid their vows and songs; 442. In Sion also not unsung, where stood 443. Her temple on th' offensive mountain, built 444. By that uxorious king whose heart, though large, 445. Beguiled by fair idolatresses, fell 446. To idols foul. Thammuz came next behind, 447. Whose annual wound in Lebanon allured 448. The Syrian damsels to lament his fate 449. In amorous ditties all a summer's day, 450. While smooth Adonis from his native rock 451. Ran purple to the sea, supposed with blood 452. Of Thammuz yearly wounded: the love-tale 453. Infected Sion's daughters with like heat, 454. Whose wanton passions in the sacred proch 455. Ezekiel saw, when, by the vision led, 456. His eye surveyed the dark idolatries 457. Of alienated Judah. Next came one 458. Who mourned in earnest, when the captive ark 459. Maimed his brute image, head and hands lopt off, 460. In his own temple, on the grunsel-edge, 461. Where he fell flat and shamed his worshippers: 462. Dagon his name, sea-monster, upward man 463. And downward fish; yet had his temple high 464. Reared in Azotus, dreaded through the coast 465. Of Palestine, in Gath and Ascalon, 466. And Accaron and Gaza's frontier bounds. 467. Him followed Rimmon, whose delightful seat 468. Was fair Damascus, on the fertile banks 469. Of Abbana and Pharphar, lucid streams. 470. He also against the house of God was bold: 471. A leper once he lost, and gained a king-- 472. Ahaz, his sottish conqueror, whom he drew 473. God's altar to disparage and displace 474. For one of Syrian mode, whereon to burn 475. His odious offerings, and adore the gods 476. Whom he had vanquished. After these appeared 477. A crew who, under names of old renown-- 478. Osiris, Isis, Orus, and their train-- 479. With monstrous shapes and sorceries abused 480. Fanatic Egypt and her priests to seek 481. Their wandering gods disguised in brutish forms 482. Rather than human. Nor did Israel scape 483. Th' infection, when their borrowed gold composed 484. The calf in Oreb; and the rebel king 485. Doubled that sin in Bethel and in Dan, 486. Likening his Maker to the grazed ox-- 487. Jehovah, who, in one night, when he passed 488. From Egypt marching, equalled with one stroke 489. Both her first-born and all her bleating gods. 490. Belial came last; than whom a Spirit more lewd 491. Fell not from Heaven, or more gross to love 492. Vice for itself. To him no temple stood 493. Or altar smoked; yet who more oft than he 494. In temples and at altars, when the priest 495. Turns atheist, as did Eli's sons, who filled 496. With lust and violence the house of God? 497. In courts and palaces he also reigns, 498. And in luxurious cities, where the noise 499. Of riot ascends above their loftiest towers, 500. And injury and outrage; and, when night 501. Darkens the streets, then wander forth the sons 502. Of Belial, flown with insolence and wine. 503. Witness the streets of Sodom, and that night 504. In Gibeah, when the hospitable door 505. Exposed a matron, to avoid worse rape. 506. These were the prime in order and in might: 507. The rest were long to tell; though far renowned 508. Th' Ionian gods--of Javan's issue held 509. Gods, yet confessed later than Heaven and Earth, 510. Their boasted parents;--Titan, Heaven's first-born, 511. With his enormous brood, and birthright seized 512. By younger Saturn: he from mightier Jove, 513. His own and Rhea's son, like measure found; 514. So Jove usurping reigned. These, first in Crete 515. And Ida known, thence on the snowy top 516. Of cold Olympus ruled the middle air, 517. Their highest heaven; or on the Delphian cliff, 518. Or in Dodona, and through all the bounds 519. Of Doric land; or who with Saturn old 520. Fled over Adria to th' Hesperian fields, 521. And o'er the Celtic roamed the utmost Isles. 522. All these and more came flocking; but with looks 523. Downcast and damp; yet such wherein appeared 524. Obscure some glimpse of joy to have found their Chief 525. Not in despair, to have found themselves not lost 526. In loss itself; which on his countenance cast 527. Like doubtful hue. But he, his wonted pride 528. Soon recollecting, with high words, that bore 529. Semblance of worth, not substance, gently raised 530. Their fainting courage, and dispelled their fears. 531. Then straight commands that, at the warlike sound 532. Of trumpets loud and clarions, be upreared 533. His mighty standard. That proud honour claimed 534. Azazel as his right, a Cherub tall: 535. Who forthwith from the glittering staff unfurled 536. Th' imperial ensign; which, full high advanced, 537. Shone like a meteor streaming to the wind, 538. With gems and golden lustre rich emblazed, 539. Seraphic arms and trophies; all the while 540. Sonorous metal blowing martial sounds: 541. At which the universal host up-sent 542. A shout that tore Hell's concave, and beyond 543. Frighted the reign of Chaos and old Night. 544. All in a moment through the gloom were seen 545. Ten thousand banners rise into the air, 546. With orient colours waving: with them rose 547. A forest huge of spears; and thronging helms 548. Appeared, and serried shields in thick array 549. Of depth immeasurable. Anon they move 550. In perfect phalanx to the Dorian mood 551. Of flutes and soft recorders--such as raised 552. To height of noblest temper heroes old 553. Arming to battle, and instead of rage 554. Deliberate valour breathed, firm, and unmoved 555. With dread of death to flight or foul retreat; 556. Nor wanting power to mitigate and swage 557. With solemn touches troubled thoughts, and chase 558. Anguish and doubt and fear and sorrow and pain 559. From mortal or immortal minds. Thus they, 560. Breathing united force with fixed thought, 561. Moved on in silence to soft pipes that charmed 562. Their painful steps o'er the burnt soil. And now 563. Advanced in view they stand--a horrid front 564. Of dreadful length and dazzling arms, in guise 565. Of warriors old, with ordered spear and shield, 566. Awaiting what command their mighty Chief 567. Had to impose. He through the armed files 568. Darts his experienced eye, and soon traverse 569. The whole battalion views--their order due, 570. Their visages and stature as of gods; 571. Their number last he sums. And now his heart 572. Distends with pride, and, hardening in his strength, 573. Glories: for never, since created Man, 574. Met such embodied force as, named with these, 575. Could merit more than that small infantry 576. Warred on by cranes--though all the giant brood 577. Of Phlegra with th' heroic race were joined 578. That fought at Thebes and Ilium, on each side 579. Mixed with auxiliar gods; and what resounds 580. In fable or romance of Uther's son, 581. Begirt with British and Armoric knights; 582. And all who since, baptized or infidel, 583. Jousted in Aspramont, or Montalban, 584. Damasco, or Marocco, or Trebisond, 585. Or whom Biserta sent from Afric shore 586. When Charlemain with all his peerage fell 587. By Fontarabbia. Thus far these beyond 588. Compare of mortal prowess, yet observed 589. Their dread Commander. He, above the rest 590. In shape and gesture proudly eminent, 591. Stood like a tower. His form had yet not lost 592. All her original brightness, nor appeared 593. Less than Archangel ruined, and th' excess 594. Of glory obscured: as when the sun new-risen 595. Looks through the horizontal misty air 596. Shorn of his beams, or, from behind the moon, 597. In dim eclipse, disastrous twilight sheds 598. On half the nations, and with fear of change 599. Perplexes monarchs. Darkened so, yet shone 600. Above them all th' Archangel: but his face 601. Deep scars of thunder had intrenched, and care 602. Sat on his faded cheek, but under brows 603. Of dauntless courage, and considerate pride 604. Waiting revenge. Cruel his eye, but cast 605. Signs of remorse and passion, to behold 606. The fellows of his crime, the followers rather 607. (Far other once beheld in bliss), condemned 608. For ever now to have their lot in pain-- 609. Millions of Spirits for his fault amerced 610. Of Heaven, and from eteranl splendours flung 611. For his revolt--yet faithful how they stood, 612. Their glory withered; as, when heaven's fire 613. Hath scathed the forest oaks or mountain pines, 614. With singed top their stately growth, though bare, 615. Stands on the blasted heath. He now prepared 616. To speak; whereat their doubled ranks they bend 617. From wing to wing, and half enclose him round 618. With all his peers: attention held them mute. 619. Thrice he assayed, and thrice, in spite of scorn, 620. Tears, such as Angels weep, burst forth: at last 621. Words interwove with sighs found out their way:-- 622. "O myriads of immortal Spirits! O Powers 623. Matchless, but with th' Almighth!--and that strife 624. Was not inglorious, though th' event was dire, 625. As this place testifies, and this dire change, 626. Hateful to utter. But what power of mind, 627. Foreseeing or presaging, from the depth 628. Of knowledge past or present, could have feared 629. How such united force of gods, how such 630. As stood like these, could ever know repulse? 631. For who can yet believe, though after loss, 632. That all these puissant legions, whose exile 633. Hath emptied Heaven, shall fail to re-ascend, 634. Self-raised, and repossess their native seat? 635. For me, be witness all the host of Heaven, 636. If counsels different, or danger shunned 637. By me, have lost our hopes. But he who reigns 638. Monarch in Heaven till then as one secure 639. Sat on his throne, upheld by old repute, 640. Consent or custom, and his regal state 641. Put forth at full, but still his strength concealed-- 642. Which tempted our attempt, and wrought our fall. 643. Henceforth his might we know, and know our own, 644. So as not either to provoke, or dread 645. New war provoked: our better part remains 646. To work in close design, by fraud or guile, 647. What force effected not; that he no less 648. At length from us may find, who overcomes 649. By force hath overcome but half his foe. 650. Space may produce new Worlds; whereof so rife 651. There went a fame in Heaven that he ere long 652. Intended to create, and therein plant 653. A generation whom his choice regard 654. Should favour equal to the Sons of Heaven. 655. Thither, if but to pry, shall be perhaps 656. Our first eruption--thither, or elsewhere; 657. For this infernal pit shall never hold 658. Celestial Spirits in bondage, nor th' Abyss 659. Long under darkness cover. But these thoughts 660. Full counsel must mature. Peace is despaired; 661. For who can think submission? War, then, war 662. Open or understood, must be resolved." 663. He spake; and, to confirm his words, out flew 664. Millions of flaming swords, drawn from the thighs 665. Of mighty Cherubim; the sudden blaze 666. Far round illumined Hell. Highly they raged 667. Against the Highest, and fierce with grasped arms 668. Clashed on their sounding shields the din of war, 669. Hurling defiance toward the vault of Heaven. 670. There stood a hill not far, whose grisly top 671. Belched fire and rolling smoke; the rest entire 672. Shone with a glossy scurf--undoubted sign 673. That in his womb was hid metallic ore, 674. The work of sulphur. Thither, winged with speed, 675. A numerous brigade hastened: as when bands 676. Of pioneers, with spade and pickaxe armed, 677. Forerun the royal camp, to trench a field, 678. Or cast a rampart. Mammon led them on-- 679. Mammon, the least erected Spirit that fell 680. From Heaven; for even in Heaven his looks and thoughts 681. Were always downward bent, admiring more 682. The riches of heaven's pavement, trodden gold, 683. Than aught divine or holy else enjoyed 684. In vision beatific. By him first 685. Men also, and by his suggestion taught, 686. Ransacked the centre, and with impious hands 687. Rifled the bowels of their mother Earth 688. For treasures better hid. Soon had his crew 689. Opened into the hill a spacious wound, 690. And digged out ribs of gold. Let none admire 691. That riches grow in Hell; that soil may best 692. Deserve the precious bane. And here let those 693. Who boast in mortal things, and wondering tell 694. Of Babel, and the works of Memphian kings, 695. Learn how their greatest monuments of fame 696. And strength, and art, are easily outdone 697. By Spirits reprobate, and in an hour 698. What in an age they, with incessant toil 699. And hands innumerable, scarce perform. 700. Nigh on the plain, in many cells prepared, 701. That underneath had veins of liquid fire 702. Sluiced from the lake, a second multitude 703. With wondrous art founded the massy ore, 704. Severing each kind, and scummed the bullion-dross. 705. A third as soon had formed within the ground 706. A various mould, and from the boiling cells 707. By strange conveyance filled each hollow nook; 708. As in an organ, from one blast of wind, 709. To many a row of pipes the sound-board breathes. 710. Anon out of the earth a fabric huge 711. Rose like an exhalation, with the sound 712. Of dulcet symphonies and voices sweet-- 713. Built like a temple, where pilasters round 714. Were set, and Doric pillars overlaid 715. With golden architrave; nor did there want 716. Cornice or frieze, with bossy sculptures graven; 717. The roof was fretted gold. Not Babylon 718. Nor great Alcairo such magnificence 719. Equalled in all their glories, to enshrine 720. Belus or Serapis their gods, or seat 721. Their kings, when Egypt with Assyria strove 722. In wealth and luxury. Th' ascending pile 723. Stood fixed her stately height, and straight the doors, 724. Opening their brazen folds, discover, wide 725. Within, her ample spaces o'er the smooth 726. And level pavement: from the arched roof, 727. Pendent by subtle magic, many a row 728. Of starry lamps and blazing cressets, fed 729. With naptha and asphaltus, yielded light 730. As from a sky. The hasty multitude 731. Admiring entered; and the work some praise, 732. And some the architect. His hand was known 733. In Heaven by many a towered structure high, 734. Where sceptred Angels held their residence, 735. And sat as Princes, whom the supreme King 736. Exalted to such power, and gave to rule, 737. Each in his Hierarchy, the Orders bright. 738. Nor was his name unheard or unadored 739. In ancient Greece; and in Ausonian land 740. Men called him Mulciber; and how he fell 741. From Heaven they fabled, thrown by angry Jove 742. Sheer o'er the crystal battlements: from morn 743. To noon he fell, from noon to dewy eve, 744. A summer's day, and with the setting sun 745. Dropt from the zenith, like a falling star, 746. On Lemnos, th' Aegaean isle. Thus they relate, 747. Erring; for he with this rebellious rout 748. Fell long before; nor aught availed him now 749. To have built in Heaven high towers; nor did he 'scape 750. By all his engines, but was headlong sent, 751. With his industrious crew, to build in Hell. 752. Meanwhile the winged Heralds, by command 753. Of sovereign power, with awful ceremony 754. And trumpet's sound, throughout the host proclaim 755. A solemn council forthwith to be held 756. At Pandemonium, the high capital 757. Of Satan and his peers. Their summons called 758. From every band and squared regiment 759. By place or choice the worthiest: they anon 760. With hundreds and with thousands trooping came 761. Attended. All access was thronged; the gates 762. And porches wide, but chief the spacious hall 763. (Though like a covered field, where champions bold 764. Wont ride in armed, and at the Soldan's chair 765. Defied the best of Paynim chivalry 766. To mortal combat, or career with lance), 767. Thick swarmed, both on the ground and in the air, 768. Brushed with the hiss of rustling wings. As bees 769. In spring-time, when the Sun with Taurus rides. 770. Pour forth their populous youth about the hive 771. In clusters; they among fresh dews and flowers 772. Fly to and fro, or on the smoothed plank, 773. The suburb of their straw-built citadel, 774. New rubbed with balm, expatiate, and confer 775. Their state-affairs: so thick the airy crowd 776. Swarmed and were straitened; till, the signal given, 777. Behold a wonder! They but now who seemed 778. In bigness to surpass Earth's giant sons, 779. Now less than smallest dwarfs, in narrow room 780. Throng numberless--like that pygmean race 781. Beyond the Indian mount; or faery elves, 782. Whose midnight revels, by a forest-side 783. Or fountain, some belated peasant sees, 784. Or dreams he sees, while overhead the Moon 785. Sits arbitress, and nearer to the Earth 786. Wheels her pale course: they, on their mirth and dance 787. Intent, with jocund music charm his ear; 788. At once with joy and fear his heart rebounds. 789. Thus incorporeal Spirits to smallest forms 790. Reduced their shapes immense, and were at large, 791. Though without number still, amidst the hall 792. Of that infernal court. But far within, 793. And in their own dimensions like themselves, 794. The great Seraphic Lords and Cherubim 795. In close recess and secret conclave sat, 796. A thousand demi-gods on golden seats, 797. Frequent and full. After short silence then, 798. And summons read, the great consult began.
1 Of Man's first disobedience: Man指亞當，亦指全人類。密爾頓承襲史詩的傳統，開宗明義即點出《失樂園》的主題是關於人類最初違反上帝的命令，偷嚐禁果，以致把死亡帶到人間，並且被逐出伊甸園。 <BACK>
4 Eden: 伊甸園的希伯來文原意為『喜悅』(pleasure, delight)。 <BACK>
4-5 one greater Man / Restore us: 指耶穌基督，他被稱為『亞當第二』(the second Adam)。他因人類的罪而死，洗清了亞當和夏娃偷嚐禁果所犯下的罪，所以人類才得以 得到救贖。密爾頓在此隱含了政治的聯想，restore 隱指 Restoration，即一六六O年的王政復辟。基督在三十歲開始傳教，而英王查裡二世 (Charles II) 也在三十歲回到倫敦。 <BACK>
50 Nine times: 在天堂大戰中戰敗的撒旦與他的黨羽共花了九天從天堂墜落到地獄，又在炙熱的地獄中躺了九天才復原。九天是以人類的時間觀念計算。關於九天的說法各異：一說是泰坦(Titans)巨人族被希臘諸神打敗後，從天堂掉到人間共費時九天，又用了九天從人間掉到塔耳塔羅斯(Tartarus)，亦即希臘神話中的地獄。另一說是當時的人相信宇宙有九層(nine spheres)。在但丁(Dante)的《神曲》(The Divine Comedy)中，地獄共有九圈(nine circles)。 <BACK>
58 obdurate pride and steadfast hate: 驕傲與妒恨是密爾頓一再強調的撒旦本性。 <BACK>
61 A dungeon horrible: 密爾頓個人曾在一六六一年因政治因素身現囹圄。 <BACK>
62 As one great furnace flamed: 一六六六年的倫敦大火幾乎毀掉整個城市，密爾頓童年的故居亦付之一炬。密爾頓以他個人的經驗，描繪地獄之火的可怕。 <BACK>
63 darkness visible: 這是典型的矛盾修飾法(oxymoron)。用以比喻地獄非明非暗，灰濛濛的景象。 <BACK>
81-2 Arch-Enemy /...called Satan: 撒旦 (Satan) 的希伯來文原意為『敵人』(enemy)、『對手』(adversary, antagonist)。密爾頓在《失樂園》中用許多類似的稱呼來凸顯撒旦的反派角色：如 the Arch-Fiend (1. 156), the Antagonist of Heaven (2. 509), the Adversary of God and man (2. 629), the Arch-felon (4. 179). <BACK>
93 He with his thunder: 和希臘羅馬神話中的主神宙斯（Jupiter or Zeus）一樣，上帝在《失樂園》中的武器為雷電。 <BACK>
122 our grand Foe: 在這裡撒旦指的敵人是上帝。密爾頓其實在玩一種文字遊戲。撒旦的名字（Satan）是上帝和他的天使們用來稱呼他們的敵人。而對於撒旦和他的黨羽而言，上帝才是他們的敵人（Foe, Enemy, or "Satan"）。 <BACK>
133 Whether upheld by strength, or chance, or fate: 把上帝比喻成君主，其王位是來自暴力、僥倖、或命運。換句話說，因為上帝是可被推翻的暴君，撒旦便以此作為名正言順的叛變理由。 <BACK>
159-60 To do.../...sole delight: 這是撒旦和他的黨羽們成為墮落天使的原因，也是魔鬼的本質。 <BACK>
198 Titanian: 即泰坦(Titans)。撒旦被拿來和泰坦做比較，不僅因為兩者都有巨大的軀體，也因為兩者都起而和天神對抗，最後也都因失敗而被打入地獄受苦。 <BACK>
224 leave i' th' midst a horrid vale: 由此可見撒旦軀體之大，當他起身時，可以在地上留下一個山谷大般的洞。 <BACK>
242-5 Is this.../...celestial light: 一再重複的this凸顯撒旦從光明的天堂轉換到陰暗的地獄，內心的沮喪和失望。 <BACK>
252 thy new possessor: 撒旦自認是地獄的新主人，上帝的天堂是權力的核心，而撒旦意欲在此建立屬於他的王國。這種說法其實充滿弔詭。因為撒旦並非地獄的征服者，而是被天堂驅逐出境的罪犯。地獄也不是要給撒旦統治，而是上帝用來懲罰他的地方。 <BACK>
262-3 To reign.../...in Heaven: 這是撒旦的野心，寧為雞首，不為牛後。 <BACK>
284 shield: 盾（shield）與矛（spear）是史詩戰士經常用的武器。 密爾頓用月亮比喻撒旦的盾，戰艦上的船桅比喻撒旦的矛，藉以強調持有者形體之大。 <BACK>
292 spear: 同上所述。 <BACK>
302 as autumnal leaves: 使用As或Like（像...）的直喻（simile）方式在史詩中經常可見。密爾頓把倒在地獄的墮落天使們比喻成秋天的落葉與漂浮的海草（scattered sedge / Afloat），不但強調他們數目之多，也暗指他們戰敗後凌亂不堪的一面。 <BACK>
304 scattered sedge: 同上所述。 <BACK>
341 locusts: 密爾頓把墮落天使比喻成蝗蟲和蜜蜂（As bees），一方面說明他們展翅飛翔時數量之多，一方面也呼應中世紀以來，將魔鬼的外型與飛禽走獸聯想在一起的傳統。 <BACK> <BACK TO 768>
348 Sultan: 這是鄂圖曼帝國（Ottoman Empire）對君主的稱呼，在密爾頓的年代則是對暴君的貶稱。 <BACK>
361-3 Though on.../...of Life: 撒旦和他的黨羽們因為叛變，他們的天使名字從天堂的生命之書中被刪除。這在密爾頓的年代（十七世紀英國）是一項極嚴重的刑罰。對於叛國者和殺人犯，他們的名字從名冊中被刪除，代表他們不再是英國公民，不再與英國有任何關係。撒旦的魔鬼名字直到人類被逐出伊甸園後才出現。 <BACK>
376 who first, who last: 史詩中常有一一介紹角色的列表（catalogue of name list），密爾頓從第三九二行到五O五行描述許多主要的墮落天使們日後如何取代上帝，成為人類膜拜的魔鬼。 <BACK>
423-4 For Spirits.../...or both: 天使與魔鬼都沒有肉身，可以隨時變化形體大小，也沒有性別之分，可忽男忽女。然而密爾頓對《失樂園》的上帝、撒旦和天使慣以男性的『他』來稱呼。 <BACK>
529-30 gently raised /...their fears: 撒旦在此展現他的領袖特質，即使狼狽不堪，依舊不忘鼓舞他的戰敗下屬。 <BACK>
646 by fraud or guile: 撒旦在對墮落天使們的演說中已明白表示要與上帝再戰，而且是用權謀詐術，不是靠武力硬拼。所以後來在『萬魔殿』（Pandemonium）的會議其實只是一種假民主。撒旦心中早有打算。這也證明密爾頓譏諷他為獨裁者的原因。 <BACK>
661-2 War, then, war /...be resolved: 同上所述。 <BACK>
678 Mammon: 瑪門。密爾頓認為他是瑪爾西巴（Mulciber），參照註釋740。 <BACK>
711-2 with the sound /...voices sweet: 萬魔殿的建造有如演奏音樂般瞬間而起。在收音機與電視發明之前，音樂是一般中產階級家庭生活的一部份。密爾頓在《失樂園》中多次以音樂比喻事物，足證他對其瞭解之深。 <BACK>
717 The roof was fretted gold: 萬魔殿金碧輝煌，一如史上許多邪惡貪婪的暴君為滿足其虛榮心而建造的華麗宮室（如巴比倫塔、埃及金字塔、羅馬王國）。 <BACK>
713 Built like a temple: 萬魔殿其實是模仿天堂的屋宇，所以建造如神殿。但是在第七七三行，密爾頓卻嘲諷這樣的神殿如稻草製的堡壘（straw-built citadel）中看不中用。 <BACK> <BACK TO 773>
740 Mulciber: 瑪爾西巴。在荷馬的《伊里亞德》中又名赫斐斯塔司（Hephaestus），他是工匠之神，為英雄阿奇里斯（Achilles）製造一面盾牌。在 維吉爾的《伊尼德》中又名武爾綱（Vulcan），他是火神，也為英雄埃涅阿斯（Aeneas）製造一面盾牌。在 《失樂園》他則是建築師，為撒旦建立萬魔殿。不同的是，荷馬和維吉爾的英雄都因為獲得新的武器重回戰場，贏得勝利。但瑪爾西巴的萬魔殿顯然無法為撒旦贏得他與上帝的戰役。 <BACK> <BACK TO 678>
756 Pandemonium: 萬魔殿。希臘原文的意思（pan-demon-ium）為pan=all（眾），demon=supernatural beings（魔鬼）, ium=ion, a building（殿堂）。這是密爾頓造的新字。恰為萬神殿（Pan-the-on）的相反：the=of God（神），on=a place of worship, a building。 <BACK>
773 straw-built citadel: 如註釋713所述。 <BACK>
789-90 incorporeal Spirits.../...shapes immense: 任憑萬魔殿再大，墮落天使依舊要變小才能擠入。密爾頓在第七七九行用侏儒（dwarfs）、第七八O行用矮人族（pygmean）、第七八一行用精靈（faery elves）來比喻他們縮小的身型。而外在形體的卑微，也隱喻內在的沈淪。 <BACK>
795 conclave: 這原是指羅馬天主教的紅衣主教為選舉教皇所開的會議。密爾頓以此比喻萬魔殿的會議，似有將羅馬教廷妖魔化之意。 <BACK>
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