Book 3: Satan finally finds Earth through trickery

THE ARGUMENT.—God, sitting on his throne, sees Satan flying towards this World, then newly created; shews him to the Son, who sat at his right hand; foretells the success of Satan in perverting mankind; clears his, own Justice and Wisdom from all imputation, having created Man free, and able enough to have withstood his Tempter; yet declares his purpose of grace towards him, in regard he fell not of his own malice, as did Satan, but by him seduced. The Son of God renders praises to his Father for the manifestation of his gracious purpose towards Man: but God again declares that Grace cannot be extended towards Man without the satisfaction of Divine Justice; Man hath offended the majesty of God by aspiring to Godhead, and therefore, with all his progeny, devoted to death, must die, unless some one can be found sufficient to answer for his offence, and undergo his punishment. The Son of God freely offers himself a ransom for Man: the Father accepts him, ordains his incarnation, pronounces his exaltation above all Names in Heaven and Earth; commands all the Angels to adore him. They obey, and, hymning to their harps in full quire, celebrate the Father and the Son. Meanwhile Satan alights upon the bare convex of this World’s outermost orb; where wandering he first finds a place since called the Limbo of Vanity; what persons and things fly up thither: thence comes to the gate of Heaven, described ascending by stairs, and the waters above the firmament that flow about it. His passage thence to the orb of the Sun: he finds there Uriel, the regent of that orb, but first changes himself into the shape of a meaner Angel, and, pretending a zealous desire to behold the new Creation, and Man whom God had placed here, inquires of him the place of his habitation, and is directed: Alights first on Mount Niphates.

tl;dr Satan is on his way to Earth and God sees everything Satan does. An Angel is also tricked into showing Satan where Earth is.

 

Text		tl;dr
HAIL, holy Light, offspring of Heaven first-born!		Oh Holy light,
Or of the Eternal coeternal beam
May I express thee unblamed? since God is light,
And never but in unapproached light
Dwelt from eternity-dwelt then in thee,	5	you've been here forever.
Bright effluence of bright essence increate!
Or hear’st thou rather pure Ethereal Stream,
Whose fountain who shall tell? Before the Sun,		Your light has even been here before the sun and
Before the Heavens, thou wert, and at the voice		before the Heavens.
Of God, as with a mantle, didst invest	10
The rising World of waters dark and deep,
Won from the void and formless Infinite!
Thee I revisit now with bolder wing,
Escaped the Stygian Pool, though long detained
In that obscure sojourn, while in my flight,	15
Through utter and through middle Darkness borne,
With other notes than to the Orphean lyre
I sung of Chaos and eternal Night,
Taught by the Heavenly Muse to venture down
The dark descent, and up to re-ascend,	20
Though hard and rare. Thee I revisit safe,
And feel thy sovran vital lamp; but thou		I am asking for your sovereign and lively lamp
Revisit’st not these eyes, that rowl in vain		to shine on me. Although I am blind
To find thy piercing ray, and find no dawn;		and I cannot see your light,
So thick a drop serene hath quenched their orbs,	25
Or dim suffusion veiled. Yet not the more		it still doesn't
Cease I to wander where the Muses haunt		stop me from hearing about and enjoying
Clear spring, or shady grove, or sunny hill,		beautiful places.
Smit with the love of sacred song; but chief
Thee, Sion, and the flowery brooks beneath,	30
That wash thy hallowed feet, and warbling flow,
Nightly I visit: nor sometimes forget		I'll never forget the fact
Those other two equalled with me in fate,		that there are many other
(So were I equalled with them in renown!)		blind men in history and in legend
Blind Thamyris and blind Mæonides,	35
And Tiresias and Phineus, prophets old:
Then feed on thoughts that voluntary move		who wrote great poetry.
Harmonious numbers; as the wakeful bird		The nightingale still sings a beautiful song
Sings darkling, and, in shadiest covert hid,		even shrouded in darkness.
Tunes her nocturnal note. Thus with the year	40
Seasons return; but not to me returns		The seasons may change
Day, or the sweet approach of even or morn,		day turns into night
Or sight of vernal bloom, or summer’s rose,		there are flowers
Or flocks, or herds, or human face divine;		birds, animals, and human faces which are all so beautiful
But cloud instead and ever—during dark	45	but I cannot see any of it.
Surrounds me, from the cheerful ways of men
Cut off, and, for the book of knowledge fair,		If I cannot see anything, I feel cut off. I feel as though I cannot learn anything
Presented with a universal blank		I am blank
Of Nature’s works, to me expunged and rased,
And wisdom at one entrance quite shut out.	50	and I feel left out because of my "handicap."
So much the rather thou, Celestial Light,		So please, oh great light.
Shine inward, and the mind through all her powers		Shine upon me and into me so I'll be able
Irradiate; there plant eyes; all mist from thence
Purge and disperse, that I may see and tell		to see and tell
Of things invisible to mortal sight.	55	about things that people cannot see.
Now had the Almighty Father from above,
From the pure Empyrean where He sits		Now I am imagining how God must have
High throned above all highth, bent down his eye,		felt, high up in Heaven.
His own works and their works at once to view:		Looking down at his creation.
About him all the Sanctities of Heaven	60	With all his Angels around him
Stood thick as stars, and from his sight received		like stars
Beatitude past utterance; on his right		and on his right
The radiant image of his glory sat,		sat
His only Son. On Earth he first beheld		his son.
Our two first parents, yet the only two	65	God saw Adam and Eve
Of mankind, in the Happy Garden placed,		who are our first parents, down in the Garden of Eden
Reaping immortal fruits of joy and love,
Uninterrupted joy, unrivalled love,		enjoying innocence.
In blissful solitude. He then surveyed		Then God looked down into Hell
Hell and the gulf between, and Satan there	70	and happened to see Satan there
Coasting the wall of Heaven on this side Night,		flying
In the dun air sublime, and ready now
To stoop, with wearied wings and willing feet,		and getting ready to land somewhere
On the bare outside of this World, that seemed		in the far reaches of the universe.
Firm land imbosomed without firmament,	75
Uncertain which, in ocean or in air.
Him God beholding from his prospect high,		God just watched, while knowing
Wherein past, present, future, he beholds,		all about the past, present and future simultaneously.
Thus to His only Son foreseeing spake:—		God then said to his son
“Only-begotten Son, seest thou what rage	80	"Ayy look how angry
Transports our Adversary? whom no bounds		Satan is.
Prescribed, no bars of Hell, nor all the chains		Not even the prisons of Hell, the chains
Heaped on him there, nor yet the main Abyss		on his body, or the Abyss of
Wide interrupt, can hold; so bent he seems		the universe can stop him.
On desperate revenge, that shall redound	85	He's obviously looking for revenge, but
Upon his own rebellious head. And now,		little does he know that it's just going to hurt him and his cause more.
Through all restraint broke loose, he wings his way
Not far off Heaven, in the precincts of light,		I can see that he's
Directly towards the new-created World,		on his way to Earth.
And Man there placed, with purpose to assay	90	I know he's going to try and mess with man and
If him by force he can destroy, or, worse,		either destroy them or worse,
By some false guile pervert: and shall pervert;		trick them and pervert them
For Man will hearken to his glozing lies,		with his lies.
And easily transgress the sole command,		And you know what? He will succeed in tricking
Sole pledge of his obedience: so will fall	95	man. Man will fall
He and his faithless progeny. Whose fault?		for his lies and be seduced.
Whose but his own? Ingrate, he had of me		It will be Man's fault in the end.
All he could have; I made him just and right,		I have indeed given Man
Sufficient to have stood, though free to fall.		every chance to succeed on their own.
Such I created all the Ethereal Powers	100	I gave Man the same freedom that
And Spirits, both them who stood and them who failed;		I have given the angels.
Freely they stood who stood, and fell who fell.
Not free, what proof could they have given sincere		Without freedom, how else could they prove
Of true allegiance, constant faith, or love,		their allegiance, faith, or love? Without freedom, they would only be doing what they were forced to do.
Where only what they needs must do appeared,	105
Not what they would? What praise could they receive,
What pleasure I, from such obedience paid.		What pleasure would I get from such forceful "love" and "adoration?"
When Will and Reason (Reason also is Choice),
Useless and vain, of freedom both despoiled,
Made passive both, had served Necessity,	110
Not Me? They, therefore, as to right belonged
So were created, nor can justly accuse		They were created this way
Their Maker, or their making, or their fate,		and they cannot blame me their maker, for their downfall.
As if Predestination overruled
Their will, disposed by absolute decree	115
Or high foreknowledge. They themselves decreed
Their own revolt, not I. If I foreknew,		The fact that I knew that this would happen
Foreknowledge had no influence on their fault,		has no effect on their free will.
Which had no less proved certain unforeknown.
So without least impulse or shadow of fate,	120
Or aught by me immutably foreseen,
They trespass, authors to themselves in all,		They are still
Both what they judge and what they choose; for so		responsible for their judgments and actions.
I formed them free, and free they must remain		I made them free, and they must stay free
Till they enthrall themselves: I else must change	125
Their nature, and revoke the high decree
Unchangeable, eternal, which ordained
Their freedom; they themselves ordained their fall.
The first sort by their own suggestion fell,
Self-tempted, self-depraved; Man falls, deceived	130
By the other first: Man, therefore, shall find grace;		After all this,
The other, none. In mercy and justice both,
Through Heaven and Earth, so shall my glory excel;		I will still be merciful and forgive them for the fall."
But mercy, first and last, shall brightest shine.”
Thus while God spake ambrosial fragrance filled	135	When God spoke, the air was filled with an ambrosial fragrance
All Heaven, and in the blessèd Spirits elect		that spread through Heaven which made
Sense of new joy ineffable diffused.		all the Angels joyful and happy.
Beyond compare the Son of God was seen		The song of God
Most glorious; in him all his Father shon		was glorious.
Substantially expressed; and in his face	140	And in his face
Divine compassion visibly appeared,		was full of compassion and
Love without end, and without measure grace;		unmeasured kindness.
Which uttering, thus He to his Father spake;—		He spoke to his father.
“O Father, gracious was that word which closed		"Oh Father,
Thy sovran sentence, that Man should find grace;	145	Man will find grace
For which both Heaven and Earth shall high extol		and both Heaven and Earth
Thy praises, with the innumerable sound		will praise you with
Of hymns and sacred songs, wherewith thy throne		hymns and songs
Encompassed shall resound thee ever blest.
For, should Man finally be lost—should Man,	150	for forgiving the fall of Man.
Thy creature late so loved, thy youngest son,
Fall circumvented thus by fraud, though joined
With his own folly -! That be from thee far,
That far be from thee, Father, who art judge
Of all things made, and judgest only right!	155	You always do the right thing.
Or shall the Adversary thus obtain		And we certainly do not want Satan
His end, and frustrate thine? Shall he fulfil		to win and further ruin all your hopes
His malice, and thy goodness bring to naught
Or proud return, though to his heavier doom
Yet with revenge accomplished, and to Hell	160	for Man
Draw after him the whole race of mankind,		by bringing down the human race with his
By him corrupted? Or wilt thou thyself		trickery.
Abolish thy creation, and unmake,
For him, what for thy glory thou hast made?—		Because if Satan succeeds in doing that, then all of Man
So should thy goodness and thy greatness both	165	would question you and be
Be questioned and blasphemed without defense.”		angry with you."
To whom the great Creator thus replied:—		God then replied to his son:
“O Son, in whom my soul hath chief delight,		"Oh Son, don't worry about it. You are the the
Son of my bosom, Son who art alone		only one
My word, my wisdom, and effectual might,	170	who has the same
All hast thou spoken as my thoughts are, all		wisdom and power as I do. Everything
As my eternal purpose hath decreed.		you have said is what I've been thinking too. I'm basically just talking to myself.
Man shall not quite be lost, but saved who will;		Some men will be saved,
Yet not of will in him, but grace in me		if they want to be saved.
Freely voutsafed. Once more I will renew	175
His lapsed powers, though forfeit, and enthralled
By sin to foul exorbitant desires:
Upheld by me, yet once more he shall stand		But only because I'd be giving them
On even ground against his mortal foe—		the power to fight the evils and trickery of Satan.
By me upheld, that he may know how frail	180	Man is frail and weak.
His fallen condition is, and to me owe		And in Man's condition, they will learn
All his deliverance, and to none but me.		that Man needs me.
Some I have chosen of peculiar grace,		I may also have a few favorite humans
Elect above the rest; so is my will:		that I will choose.
The rest shall hear me call, and oft be warned	185	I will also warn the others
Their sinful state, and to appease betimes
The incensèd Deity, while offered grace
Invites; for I will clear their senses dark
What may suffice, and soften stony hearts
To pray, repent, and bring obedience due.	190	that in their sins they must repent.
To prayer, repentance, and obedience due,		They will pray
Though but endeavoured with sincere intent,		and if they are sincere then
Mine ear shall not be slow, mine eye not shut.		I will listen
And I will place within them as a guide		and I will give them guidance
My umpire Conscience; whom if they will hear,	195	through their conscience.
Light after light well used they shall attain,
And to the end persisting safe arrive.
This my long sufferance, and my day of grace,		But for those who will not listen, will
They who neglect and scorn shall never taste;		eventually
But hard be hardened, blind be blinded more,	200
That they may stumble on, and deeper fall;		fall deeper into sin
And none but such from mercy I exclude.—		and I'm afraid I cannot give them mercy.
But yet all is not done. Man disobeying,		If Man continues to
Disloyal, breaks his fealty, and sins		sin and be disloyal,
Against the high supremacy of Heaven,	205	against Heaven
Affecting Godhead, and, so losing all,
To expiate his treason hath naught left,
But, to destruction sacred and devote,
He with his whole posterity must die;		then I've no choice but to kill him.
Die he or Justice must; unless for him	210	If I did not kill Man then I'd be killing justice. Justice must be done.
Some other, able, and as willing, pay		Unless... someone
The rigid satisfaction, death for death.		is willing to take Man's place and die for Man.
Say, Heavenly Powers, where shall we find such love?		Where can we find such a love? for someone
Which of ye will be mortal, to redeem		to become human and redeem all of mankind by offering their life to die?"
Man’s mortal crime, and just, the unjust to save?	215
Dwells in all Heaven charity so dear?”
He asked, but all the Heavenly Quire stood mute,		God had posed this question,
And silence was in Heaven: on Man’s behalf		but all of Heaven was silent.
Patron or intercessor none appeared—		No one stepped up to offer their life to redeem mankind.
Much less that durst upon his own head draw	220
The deadly forfeiture, and ransom set.
And now without redemption all mankind
Must have been lost, adjudged to Death and Hell
By doom severe, had not the Son of God,		If the Son of God never stepped up, then all of mankind would have been lost and damned to Hell.
In whom the fulness dwells of love divine,	225
His dearest mediation thus renewed:—		The son stepped forward
“Father, thy word is passed, Man shall find grace;		"Father, Man will find grace.
And shall Grace not find means, that finds her way,
The speediest of thy winged messengers,
To visit all thy creatures, and to all	230	Your godly grace finds everyone.
Comes unprevented, unimplored, unsought?
Happy for Man, so coming! He her aid
Can never seek, once dead in sins and lost—
Atonement for himself, or offering meet,
Indebted and undone, hath none to bring.	235
Behold me, then: me for him, life for life,		I will offer my life. A life for life.
I offer; on me let thine anger fall;		I'll even let you be angry with me when
Account me Man: I for his sake will leave		I am a Man. I will give up Heaven voluntarily.
Thy bosom, and this glory next to thee
Freely put off, and for him lastly die	240
Well pleased; on me let Death wreak all his rage.		I will allow Death to do whatever to me.
Under his gloomy power I shall not long		However, I know that I will not
Lie vanquished. Thou hast given me to possess		suffer for long.
Life in myself for ever; by thee I live;		You have given me eternal life
Though now to Death I yield, and am his due,	245	anyway.
All that of men can die, yet, that debt paid,
Thou wilt not leave me in the loathsome grave		I know you will never abandon me with Death.
His prey, nor suffer my unspotted soul		I will not suffer and I will not be dead forever.
For ever with corruption there to dwell;
But I shall rise victorious, and subdue	250	I will rise again. And I will also subdue
My vanquisher, spoiled of his vaunted spoil.		Death, and kill him.
Death his death’s wound shall then receive, and stoop
Inglorious, of his mortal sting disarmed;
I through the ample air in triumph high		I will also
Shall lead Hell captive maugre Hell, and show	255	seal Hell
The powers of Darkness bound. Thou, at the sight		and end Hell's powers.
Pleased, out of Heaven shalt look down and smile,		You will be pleased with what I will do, Father.
While, by thee raised, I ruin all my foes—
Death last, and with his carcase glut the grave;		I will kill all my enemies and use Death's carcass and seal  their graves.
Then, with the multitude of my redeemed,	260	I will then redeem and save
Shall enter Heaven, long absent, and return,		all the souls and take them to Heaven
Father, to see thy face, wherein no cloud		to come see you
Of anger shall remain, but peace assured		and have eternal peace."
And reconcilement: wrauth shall be no more
Thenceforth, but in thy presence joy entire.”	265
His words here ended; but his meek aspect’		The Son was
Silent yet spake, and breathed immortal love		pleased to offer his
To mortal man, above which only shon		love and
Filial obedience: as a sacrifice		to be sacrificed for the sake of mankind.
Glad to be offered, he attends the will	270
Of his great Father. Admiration seized
All Heaven, what this might mean, and whither tend,		All of Heaven admired the Son's offer.
Wondering; but soon the Almighty thus replied:—		And then God replied
“O thou in Heaven and Earth the only peace		"You are
Found out for mankind under wrauth, O thou	275	Mankind's only hope!
My sole complacence! well thou know’st how dear		I am at ease now and I feel
To me are all my works; nor Man the least,		much better. You know how much my work
Though last created, that for him I spare		means to me.
Thee from my bosom and right hand, to save,		You will be leaving my side for quote a while
By losing thee a while, the whole race lost!	280	but as long as mankind is saved.
Thou, therefore, whom thou only canst redeem,		Only you can save them.
Their nature also to thy nature join;
And be thyself Man among men on Earth,
Made flesh, when time shall be, of virgin seed,		You will be magically born from a virgin.
By wondrous birth; be thou in Adam’s room	285	You will take Adam's place
The head of all mankind, though Adam’s son.		as the head of all of mankind.
As in him perish all men, so in thee,		Even though Adam messes up and causes all of Mankind's destruction,
As from a second root, shall be restored		you will be Mankind's second chance
As many as are restored; without thee, none.		for salvation to restore them.
His crime makes guilty all his sons; thy merit,	290	Man's crime will make all of his sons guilty
Imputed, shall absolve them who renounce
Their own both righteous and unrighteous deeds,
And live in thee transplanted, and from thee		but if they live in you then they will
Receive new life, So Man, as is most just,		receive new life and be saved and absolved.
Shall satisfy for Man, be judged and die,	295	Only a man can stand for mankind so go forth and be judged
And dying rise, and, rising, with him raise		and then die, and then rise
His brethren, ransomed with his own dear life.		up and save everyone that way.
So Heavenly love shall outdo Hellish hate,
Giving to death, and dying to redeem,
So dearly to redeem what Hellish hate	300	You can redeem what Hell's hate has done
So easily destroyed, and still destroys
In those who, when they may, accept not grace.		except for those who refuse your help.
Nor shalt thou, by descending to assume		Do not think that because you have
Man’s nature, lessen or degrade thine own.		become human, that your glory will be less than before.
Because thou hast, though throned in highest bliss	305	Just by
Equal to God, and equally enjoying		giving up your place in Heaven, where you were equal to me
God-like fruition, quitted all to save		it just goes to
A world from utter loss, and hast been found		further prove
By merit more than birthright Son of God,—		that you really are worthy to be the
Found worthiest to be so by being good,	310	Son of God.
Far more than great or high; because in thee
Love hath abounded more than glory abounds;
Therefore thy humiliation shall exalt
With thee thy manhood also to this Throne:		When you return to the throne in Heaven, you will
Here shalt thou sit incarnate, here shalt reign	315	keep your human form.
Both God and Man, Son both of God and Man,
Anointed universal King. All power		And then I will give you all the power to reign as king
I give thee; reign for ever, and assume		over
Thy merits; under thee, as Head Supreme,		all
Thrones, Princedoms, Powers, Dominions, I reduce:	320
All knees to thee shall bow of them that bide
In Heaven, or Earth, or, under Earth, in Hell.		in Heaven, Earth, and Hell.
When thou, attended gloriously from Heaven,
Shalt in the sky appear, and from thee send		You will appear in the sky
The summoning Archangels to proclaim	325	when doomsday comes
Thy dread tribunal, forthwith from all winds		and all of
The living, and forthwith the cited dead		the dead
Of all past ages, to the general doom		of all past ages
Shall hasten; such a peal shall rouse their sleep.
Then, all thy Saints assembled, thou shalt judge	330	will be judged.
Bad men and Angels; they arraigned shall sink		You will send all of the bad men and angels to
Beneath thy sentence; Hell, her numbers full,		fill up Hell
Thenceforth shall be for ever shut. Meanwhile		and then you will seal it forever.
The World shall burn, and from her ashes spring		The Earth will burn and from the ashes a new
New Heaven and Earth, wherein the just shall dwell,	335	Heaven and Earth will
And, after all their tribulations long,		come.
See golden days, fruitful of golden deeds,
With Joy and Love triumph’ing, and fair Truth.
Then thou thy regal sceptre shalt lay by;
For regal sceptre then no more shall need;	340	By then you will no longer have to act as a king, for
God shall be All in All. But all ye Gods,		everyone will be a part of you."
Adore Him who, to compass all this, dies;
Adore the Son, and honour him as me.”
No sooner had the Almighty ceased but—all		All of the Angels cheered.
The multitude of Angels, with a shout	345
Loud as from numbers without number, sweet
As from blest voices, uttering joy—Heaven rung
With jubilee, and loud Hosannas filled
The eternal regions. Lowly reverent
Towards either throne they bow, and to the ground	350	All of them bowed
With solemn adoration down they cast		with adoration. And then they threw down
Their crowns, inwove with amarant and gold,—		all of their beautiful golden crowns onto the ground.
Immortal amarant, a flower which once		The crowns were decorated
In Paradise, fast by the Tree of Life,		with a flower
Began to bloom, but, soon for Man’s offence	355	that used to bloom in Eden but after Man sinned
To Heaven removed where first it grew, there grows		the flower was removed from Earth and brought back to Heaven where it was originally from.
And flowers aloft, shading the Fount of Life,
And where the River of Bliss through midst of Heaven
Rowls o’er Elysian flowers her amber stream!
With these, that never fade, the Spirits elect	360	These flowers never fade,
Bind their resplendent locks, inwreathed with beams.		the angels used them to tie up their locks of hair
Now in loose garlands thick thrown off, the bright
Pavement, that like a sea of jasper shon,		Now the flowers were all over the ground, making it look like a sea of green jewels.
Impurpled with celestial roses smiled.
Then, crowned again, their golden harps they took—	365	Then they all put their crowns back on and then took their harps
Harps ever tuned, that glittering by their side		that they were carrying and then
Like quivers hung; and with preamble sweet
Of charming symphony they introduce		they started to play.
Their sacred song, and waken raptures high:
No voice exempt, no voice but well could join	370	They all began to sing in perfect harmony.
Melodious part; such concord is in Heaven.
Thee, Father, first they sung, Omnipotent		They sang about God
Immutable, Immortal. Infinite,
Eternal King; thee, Author of all being,
Fountain of light, thyself invisible	375
Amidst the glorious brightness where thou sitt’st		and his brightness and how they could only
Throned inaccessible, but when thou shad’st		look at him when he was in a misty
The full blaze of thy beams, and through a cloud		cloud.
Drawn round about thee like a radiant shrine
Dark with excessive bright thy skirts appear,	380
Yet dazzle Heaven, that brightest Seraphim
Approach not, but with both wings veil their eyes.		He was so bright that the angels still had to shade their eyes with their wings.
Thee next they sang, of all creation first,		Then they sang about the Son
Begotten Son, Divine Similitude,
In whose conspicuous countenance, without cloud	385	who they could see clearly
Made visible, the Almighty Father shines,
Whom else no creature can behold: on thee
Impressed the effulgence of his glory abides;
Transfused on thee his ample Spirit rests.
He Heaven of Heavens, and all the Powers therein,	390
By thee created; and by thee threw down
The aspiring Dominations. Thou that day
Thy Father’s dreadful thunder didst not spare,
Nor stop thy flaming chariot-wheels, that shook
Heaven’s everlasting frame, while o’er the necks	395
Thou drov’st of warring Angels disarrayed.
Back from pursuit, thy Powers with loud acclaim
Thee only extolled, Son of thy Father’s might,
To execute fierce vengeance on his foes.
Not so on Man: him, through their malice fallen,	400	They sang about the Son's mercy towards Man.
Father of mercy and grace, thou didst not doom
So strictly, but much more to pity encline.
No sooner did thy dear and only Son
Perceive thee purposed not to doom frail Man		And about his offer to sacrifice himself for Man.
So strictly, but much more to pity enclined,	405
He, to appease thy wrauth, and end the strife
Of mercy and justice in thy face discerned,
Regardless of the bliss wherein he sat
Second to thee, offered himself to die
For Man’s offence. O unexampled love!	410
Love nowhere to be found less than Divine!
Hail, Son of God, Saviour of men! Thy name
Shall be the copious matter of my song
Henceforth, and never shall my harp thy praise
Forget, nor from thy Father’s praise disjoin!	415
Thus they in Heaven, above the Starry Sphere,		While Heaven was celebrating
Their happy hours in joy and hymning spent.		and rejoicing and singing
Meanwhile, upon the firm opacous globe
Of this round World, whose first convex divides
The luminous inferior Orbs, enclosed	420
From Chaos and the inroad of Darkness old,
Satan alighted walks. A globe far off		Satan was walking on the globe
It seemed; now seems a boundless continent,		that contained the universe.
Dark, waste, and wild, under the frown of Night		It was a dark, wasteland that seemed endless.
Starless exposed, and ever-threatening storms	425
Of Chaos blustering round, inclement sky,
Save on that side which from the wall of Heaven,
Though distant far, some small reflection gains		In the distance, some of the light from Heaven could be seen and it seemed a lot calmer than everywhere else.
Of glimmering air less vexed with tempest loud.
Here walked the Fiend at large in spacious field.	430
As when a vultur, on Imaus bred,
Whose snowy ridge the roving Tartar bounds,
Dislodging from a region scarce of prey,
To gorge the flesh of lambs or yearling kids
On hills where flocks are fed, flies toward the springs	435
Of Ganges or Hydaspes, Indian streams,
But in his way lights on the barren plains
Of Sericana, where Chineses drive
With sails and wind their cany waggons light;
So, on this windy sea of land, the Fiend	440
Walked up and down alone, bent on his prey:		He just walked alone.
Alone, for other creature in this place,
Living or lifeless, to be found was none:—
None yet; but store hereafter from the Earth		Pretty soon this Earth will be inhabited by people.
Up hither like aerial vapours flew	445
Of all things transitory and vain, when sin
With vanity had filled the works of men—
Both all things vain, and all who in vain things		This wasteland would be filled with people who lived with vanity
Built their fond hopes of glory or lasting fame,		and based their lives on glory and fame.
Or happiness in this or the other life.	450
All who have their reward on earth, the fruits
Of painful superstition and blind zeal,
Naught seeking but the praise of men, here find
Fit retribution, empty as their deeds;
All the unaccomplished works of Nature’s hand,	455
Abortive, monstrous, or unkindly mixed,
Dissolved on Earth, fleet hither, and in vain,
Till final dissolution, wander here—		They will all wander in this place, until the final dissolution
Not in the neighbouring Moon, as some have dreamed:
Those argent fields more likely habitants,	460
Translated Saints, or middle Spirits hold,
Betwixt the angelical and human kind.
Hither, of ill—joined sons and daughters born,
First from the ancient world those Giants came,
With many a vain exploit, though then renowned:	465
The builders next of Babel on the plain
Of Sennaar, and still with vain design
New Babels, had they wherewithal, would build:
Others came single; he who, to be deemed		Here there would also be
A god, leaped fondly into Ætna flames,	470
Empedocles; and he who, to enjoy
Plato’s Elysium, leaped into the sea,
Cleombrotus; and many more, too long,
Embryos and idiots, eremites and friars,		all the philosophers who had killed themselves
White, black, and grey, with all their trumpery.	475
Here pilgrims roam, that strayed so far to seek		as well as those who made pilgrimages to
In Golgotha him dead who lives in Heaven;		Golgotha where Jesus was crucified.
And they who, to be sure of Paradise,		Also there would be those who were confident they would get into Heaven
Dying put on the weeds of Dominic,		by disguising themselves as followers of St. Dominic
Or in Franciscan think to pass disguised.	480	or St. Francis.
They pass the planets seven, and pass the fixed,		They would pass the seven planets
And that crystal’lin sphere whose balance weighs		and the Sun
The trepidation talked, and that first moved;
And now Saint Peter at Heaven’s wicket seems		all the way to St. Peter
To wait them with his keys, and now at foot	485	who would be waiting with his keys
Of Heaven’s ascent they lift their feet, when, lo!		at the gate of Heaven. But once they would arrive at the gate
A violent cross wind from either coast		they would be blown away from a violent wind
Blows them transverse, then thousand leagues awry,		taking them thousands of miles away
Into the devious air. Then might ye see
Cowls, hoods, and habits, with their wearers, tost	490	and their hoods,
And fluttered into rags; then reliques, beads,		robes, clothes, rosary beads,
Indulgences, dispenses, pardons, bulls
The sport of winds: all these, upwhirled aloft,		would become scattered everywhere.
Fly o’er the backside of the World far off		These are all the souls that would
Into a Limbo large and broad, since called	495	be thrown into a place called Limbo
The Paradise of Fools; to few unknown		or the Paradise of Fools.
Long after, now unpeopled and untrod.		It was all empty at the moment
All this dark globe the Fiend found as he passed;		as Satan passed through and
And long he wandered, till at last a gleam		wandered around until he saw a distant gleam,
Of dawning light turned thitherward in haste	500	a dawning light that made him tread faster
His travelled steps. Far distant he descries,
Ascending by degrees magnificent		towards a great sight of a
Up to the wall of Heaven, a structure high;		wall of Heaven.
At top whereof, but far more rich, appeared		It looked so grand
The work as of a kingly palace-gate,	505
With frontispiece of diamond and gold		decorated with diamonds and gold
Imbellished; thick with sparkling orient gems		and many other jewels
The portal shon, inimitable on Earth		and there wasn't anything like it on Earth.
By model, or by shading pencil drawn.		Not even a model, drawing, or painting could recreate its beauty.
The stairs were such as whereon Jacob saw	510	These are the stairs where Jacob saw
Angels ascending and descending, bands		Angels going up and down. It was Jacob's Ladder.
Of guardians bright, when he from Esau fled
To Padan-Aram, in the field of Luz
Dreaming by night under the open sky,
And waking cried, This is the gate of Heaven.	515
Each stair mysteriously was meant, nor stood		Each step of the stair had their own mysterious secret meaning.
There always, but drawn up to Heaven sometimes		This was a special staircase that
Viewless; and underneath a bright sea flowed		was sometimes hidden
Of jasper, or of liquid pearl, whereon
Who after came from Earth sailing arrived	520	but was revealed whenever those who came from Earth
Wafted by Angels, or flew o’er the lake
Rapt is a chariot drawn by fiery steeds.		came to use it on their chariots.
The stairs were then let down, whether to dare		The stairs were revealed and open at the moment
The Fiend by easy ascent, or aggravate		that Satan was there. They were there to tempt him or taunt him
His sad exclusion from the doors of bliss:	525	by showing him where he obviously cannot go.
Direct against which opened from beneath,		Right under the stairs was an opening
Just o’er the blissful seat of Paradise,
A passage down to the Earth—a passage wide;		which was a passage down to earth
Wider by far than that of after—times		a wide one
Over Mount Sion, and, though that were large,	530	that was even wider than Mount Zion
Over the Promised Land to God so dear,		where God
By which, to visit oft those happy tribes,
On high behests his Angels to and fro		would later send his Angels to and from.
Passed frequent, and his eye with choice regard
From Paneas, the fount of Jordan’s flood,	535
To Beërsaba, where the Holy Land
Borders on Ægypt and the Arabian shore.
So wide the opening seemed, where bounds were set
To darkness, such as bound the ocean wave.
Satan from hence, now on the lower stair,	540	Satan was on the lower stair
That scaled by steps of gold to Heaven-gate,
Looks down with wonder at the sudden view		looking down in awe
Of all this World at once. As when a scout,		like he was a scout
Through dark and desart ways with peril gone		going through darkness and peril
All night, at last by break of cheerful dawn	545	only to be greeted by a cheerful dawn
Obtains the brow of some high-climbing hill,		after climbing a great hill.
Which to his eye discovers unaware		As if he was gazing upon a
The goodly prospect of some foreign land		foreign land,
First seen, or some renowned metropolis		or an undiscovered city.
With glistering spires and pinnacles adorned,	550
Which now the rising sun gilds with his beams;
Such wonder seized, though after Heaven seen,
The Spirit malign, but much more envy seized,		Satan was feeling jealous.
At sight of all this World beheld so fair.
Round he surveys (and well might, where he stood	555	He stood and
So high above the circling canopy
Of Night’s extended shade) from eastern point		just looked around,
Of Libra to the fleecy star that bears
Andromeda far off Atlantic seas
Beyond the horizon; then from pole to pole	560	taking everything in.
He views in breadth,—and, without longer pause,		Then
Down right into the World’s first region throws		he flew down
His flight precipitant, and winds with ease		and he found it to be easy gliding down
Through the pure marble air his oblique way		because of the clean air.
Amongst innumerable stars, that shon	565	He passed through the stars
Stars distant, but nigh-hand seemed other worlds.		which were distant
Or other worlds they seemed, or happy isles,		but when looking at them close-up
Like those Hesperian Gardens famed of old,		they were potential habitable worlds.
Fortunate fields, and groves, and flowery vales;
Thrice happy isles! But who dwelt happy there	570
He staid not to inquire: above them all		But Satan wasn't interested in any of them.
The golden Sun, in splendour likest Heaven,		He was focused on the Sun which was shining bright like Heaven.
Allured his eye. Thither his course he bends,
Through the calm firmament (but up or down,
By centre or eccentric, hard to tell,	575
Or longitude) where the great luminary,
Aloof the vulgar constellations thick,
That from the lordly eye keep distance due,
Dispenses light from far. They, as they move
Their starry dance in numbers that compute	580
Days, months, and years, towards his all-cheering lamp
Turn swift their various motions, or are turned
By his magnetic beam, that gently warms		The Sun's warm beams
The Universe, and to each inward part		was able to reach every part
With gentle penetration, though unseen	585
Shoots invisible virtue even to the Deep;		of the universe.
So wondrously was set his station bright.
There lands the Fiend, a spot like which perhaps		And that is where Satan landed. He was on a spot of the Sun
Astronomer in the Sun’s lucent orb		that probably no Astronomer
Through his glazed optic tube yet never saw.	590	has ever seen through their telescope.
The place he found beyond expression bright,		It was so bright.
Compared with aught on Earth, metal or stone—		Compared to the metals and stones on Earth.
Not all parts like, but all alike informed
With radiant light, as glowing iron with fire.
If metal, part seemed gold, part silver clear;	595
If stone, carbuncle most or chrysolite,
Ruby or topaz, to the twelve that shon
In Aaron’s breast-plate, and a stone besides;
Imagined rather oft than elsewhere seen—
That stone, or like to that, which there below	600
Philosophers in vain so long have sought;
In vain, though by their powerful art they bind
Volatile Hermes, and call up unbound
In various shapes old Proteus from the sea,
Drained through a limbec to his native form.	605
What wonder then if fields and regions here		If the Sun can produce regions, fields,
Breathe forth elixir pure, and rivers run		and rivers of pure
Potable gold, when, with one virtuous touch,		gold
The arch-chimic Sun, so far from us remote,		then it is no surprise that the Sun, which is so far away,
Produces, with terrestrial humour mixed,	610	can help produce all the
Here in the dark so many precious things		beautiful
Of colour glorious and effect so rare?		colorful things on Earth.
Here matter new to gaze the Devil met
Undazzled. Far and wide his eye commands;
For sight no obstacle found here, nor shade,	615
But all sunshine, as when his beams at noon
Culminate from the equator, as they now
Shot upward still direct, whence no way round
Shadow from body opaque can fall; and the air,
Nowhere so clear, sharpened his visual ray	620	The air was so clear, that he could see
To objects distant far, whereby he soon		objects far in the distance. He soon
Saw within ken a glorious Angel stand,		saw an Angel
The same whom John saw also in the Sun.
His back was turned, but not his brightness hid;		whose back was turned.
Of beaming sunny rays a golden tiar	625	He was wearing a golden
Circled his head, nor less his locks behind		halo.
Illustrious on his shoulders fledge with wings
Lay waving round: on some great charge imployed
He seemed, or fixed in cogitation deep.		The Angel was in deep thought.
Glad was the Spirit impure, as now in hope	630	This somewhat made Satan excited
To find who might direct his wandering flight		and he started plotting on how he could get this Angel to direct
To Paradise, the happy seat of Man,		him to Paradise.
His journey’s end, and our beginning woe.
But first he casts to change his proper shape,
Which else might work him danger or delay:	635
And now a stripling Cherub he appears,		Satan transformed himself into a Cherub.
Not of the prime, yet such as in his face
Youth smiled celestial, and to every limb		A young Cherub
Suitable grace diffused; so well he feigned.
Under a coronet his flowing hair	640	with flowing hair
In curls on either cheek played; wings he wore		that was curly and went down to his cheeks
Of many a coloured plume sprinkled with gold;		and on his back he had multi-coloured wings
His habit fit for speed succinct; and held		and he was holding
Before his decent steps a silver wand.		a silver wand.
He drew not nigh unheard; the Angel bright,	645	Satan in disguise, flew close and the Angel
Ere he drew nigh, his radiant visage turned,		turned his attention to the "Cherub"
Admonished by his ear, and straight was known
The Archangel Uriel—one of the seven		Satan recognized this Angel as Uriel who was one of God's seven
Who in God’s presence, nearest to his throne,		Archangels who stood watch
Stand ready at command, and are his eyes	650
That run through all the Heavens, or down to the Earth		over Heaven and Earth.
Bear his swift errands over moist and dry,
O’er sea and land. Him Satan thus accosts:—
“Uriel! for thou of those seven Spirits that stand		Satan spoke "Uriel!
In sight of God’s high throne, gloriously bright,	655	you're up here watching and standing guard over
The first art wont his great authentic will		God's creation!
Interpreter through highest Heaven to bring,
Where all his Sons thy embassy attend,
And here art likeliest by supreme decree
Like honour to obtain, and as his eye	660
To visit oft this new Creation round—
Unspeakable desire to see and know		I came here to see his creation too!
All these his wondrous works, but chiefly Man		I would like to see the creature, Man.
His chief delight and favour, him for whom
All these his works so wondrous he ordained,	665
Hath brought me from the quires of Cherubim
Alone thus wandering. Brightest Seraph, tell		I've been wandering around and I would
In which of all these shining orbs hath Man		like to know which of these stars Man is
His fixed seat—or fixèd seat hath none,		living on!
But all these shining orbs his choice to dwell—	670
That I may find him, and with secret gaze		I would like to find him and secretly watch him
Or open admiration him behold		or maybe I'll openly admire Man
On whom the great Creator hath bestowed		to see and experience the great creation that God has
Worlds, and on whom hath all these graces poured;		made on the world!"
That both in him and all things, as is meet,	675
The Universal Maker we may praise;
Who justly hath driven out his rebel foes
To deepest Hell, and, to repair that loss,
Created this new happy race of Men
To serve him better. Wise are all his ways!”	680
So spake the false dissembler unperceived;		The lies worked on Uriel.
For neither man nor angel can discern		Neither man or Angel can see through things such as lies.
Hypocrisy—the only evil that walks
Invisible, except to God alone,		But God can.
By his permissive will, through Heaven and Earth;	685
And oft, though Wisdom wake, Suspicion sleeps
At Wisdom’s gate, and to Simplicity
Resigns her charge, while Goodness thinks no ill
Where no ill seems: which now for once beguiled
Uriel, though Regent of the Sun, and held	690
The sharpest-sighted Spirit of all in Heaven;
Who to the fraudulent impostor foul,
In his uprightness, answer thus returned:—		Uriel replied
“Fair Angel, thy desire, which tends to know		"Good for you that
The works of God, thereby to glorify	695	you'd like to check out God's creation and praise him
The great Work-maister, leads to no excess		for his work.
That reaches blame, but rather merits praise
The more it seems excess, that led thee hither
From thy empyreal mansion thus alone,
To witness with thine eyes what some perhaps,	700
Contented with report, hear only in Heaven:
For wonderful indeed are all his works,		His works are indeed wonderful
Pleasant to know, and worthiest to be all		and they are amazing to see.
Had in remembrance always with delight!
But what created mind can comprehend	705
Their number, or the wisdom infinite
That brought them forth, but hid their causes deep?
I saw when, at his word, the formless mass,		I was there when there was nothing.
This World’s material mould, came to a heap:
Confusion heard his voice, and wild Uproar	710	I saw when God turned the confusion and uproar
Stood ruled, stood vast Infinitude confined;		into order.
Till, at his second bidding, Darkness fled,
Light shon, and order from disorder sprung.
Swift to their several quarters hasted then
The cumbrous elements—Earth, Flood, Air, Fire;	715	Earth, water, air, and fire
And this ethereal quint’ essence of Heaven		were brought together and then
Flew upward, spirited with various forms,		spread out into
That rowled orbicular, and turned to stars		the stars.
Numberless, as thou seest, and how they move:
Each had his place appointed, each his course;	720
The rest in circuit walls this Universe.
Look downward on that globe, whose hither side		Look down on this globe here
With light from hence, though but reflected, shines:		that has all of the light shining on it.
That place is Earth, the seat of Man; that light		That is Earth, where you can find Man.
His day, which else, as the other hemisphere,	725	On one hemisphere is his day
Night would invade; but there the neighbouring Moon		and on the other side is his night. There is also the moon
(So called that opposite fair star) her aid		which helps to reflect
Timely interposes, and, her monthly round
Still ending, still renewing, through mid-heaven,
With borrowed light her countenance triform	730	light from here and
Hence fills and empties, to enlighten the Earth,		sends it to Earth.
And in her pale dominion checks the night.
That spot to which I point is Paradise,		And this spot here which I am pointing at is Paradise.
Adam’s abode; those lofty shades his bower.		Where Adam lives."
Thy way thou canst not miss; me mine requires.”	735
Thus said, he turned; and Satan, bowing low,		Satan bowed.
As to superior Spirits is wont in Heaven,
Where honour due and reverence none neglects,
Took leave, and toward the coast of Earth beneath,		And then he flew down towards Earth
Down from the ecliptic, sped with hoped success,	740
Throws his steep flight in many an aerie wheel,
Nor staid till on Niphates’ top he lights.		and landed on Mt. Nipahtes.