Paradise Lost

And high disdain, from sence of injur'd merit, 
That with the mightiest rais'd me to contend, 
And to the fierce contention brought along 
Innumerable force of Spirits arm'd 
That durst dislike his reign, and me preferring, 
His utmost power with adverse power oppos'd 
In dubious Battel on the Plains of Heav'n, 
And shook his throne.  What though the field be lost? 
All is not lost; the unconquerable Will, 
And study of revenge, immortal hate, 
And courage never to submit or yield: 
And what is else not to be overcome? 
That Glory never shall his wrath or might 
Extort from me.  To bow and sue for grace 
With suppliant knee, and deifie his power 
Who from the terrour of this Arm so late 
Doubted his Empire, that were low indeed, 
That were an ignominy and shame beneath 
This downfall; since by Fate the strength of Gods 
And this Empyreal substance cannot fail, 
Since through experience of this great event 
In Arms not worse, in foresight much advanc't, 
We may with more successful hope resolve 
To wage by force or guile eternal Warr 
Irreconcileable, to our grand Foe, 
Who now triumphs, and in th' excess of joy 
Sole reigning holds the Tyranny of Heav'n. 
  So spake th' Apostate Angel, though in pain, 
Vaunting aloud, but rackt with deep despare: 
And him thus answer'd soon his bold Compeer. 
  O Prince, O Chief of many Throned Powers, 
That led th' imbattelld Seraphim to Warr 
Under thy conduct, and in dreadful deeds 
Fearless, endanger'd Heav'ns perpetual King; 
And put to proof his high Supremacy, 
Whether upheld by strength, or Chance, or Fate, 
Too well I see and rue the dire event, 
That with sad overthrow and foul defeat 
Hath lost us Heav'n, and all this mighty Host 
In horrible destruction laid thus low, 
As far as Gods and Heav'nly Essences 
Can Perish: for the mind and spirit remains 
Invincible, and vigour soon returns, 
Though all our Glory extinct, and happy state 
Here swallow'd up in endless misery. 
But what if he our Conquerour, (whom I now 
Of force believe Almighty, since no less 
Then such could hav orepow'rd such force as ours) 
Have left us this our spirit and strength intire 
Strongly to suffer and support our pains, 
That we may so suffice his vengeful ire, 
Or do him mightier service as his thralls 
By right of Warr, what e're his business be 
Here in the heart of Hell to work in Fire, 
Or do his Errands in the gloomy Deep; 
What can it then avail though yet we feel 
Strength undiminisht, or eternal being 
To undergo eternal punishment? 
Whereto with speedy words th' Arch-fiend reply'd. 
  Fall'n Cherube, to be weak is miserable 
Doing or Suffering: but of this be sure, 
To do ought good never will be our task, 
But ever to do ill our sole delight, 
As being the contrary to his high will 
Whom we resist.  If then his Providence 
Out of our evil seek to bring forth good, 
Our labour must be to pervert that end, 
And out of good still to find means of evil; 
Which oft times may succeed, so as perhaps 
Shall grieve him, if I fail not, and disturb 
His inmost counsels from their destind aim. 
But see the angry Victor hath recall'd 
His Ministers of vengeance and pursuit 
Back to the Gates of Heav'n: The Sulphurous Hail 
Shot after us in storm, oreblown hath laid 
The fiery Surge, that from the Precipice 
Of Heav'n receiv'd us falling, and the Thunder, 
Wing'd with red Lightning and impetuous rage, 
Perhaps hath spent his shafts, and ceases now 
To bellow through the vast and boundless Deep. 
Let us not slip th' occasion, whether scorn, 
Or satiate fury yield it from our Foe. 
Seest thou yon dreary Plain, forlorn and wilde, 
The seat of desolation, voyd of light, 
Save what the glimmering of these livid flames 
Casts pale and dreadful?  Thither let us tend 
From off the tossing of these fiery waves, 
There rest, if any rest can harbour there, 
And reassembling our afflicted Powers, 
Consult how we may henceforth most offend 
Our Enemy, our own loss how repair, 
How overcome this dire Calamity, 
What reinforcement we may gain from Hope, 
If not what resolution from despare. 
  Thus Satan talking to his neerest Mate 
With Head up-lift above the wave, and Eyes 
That sparkling blaz'd, his other Parts besides 
Prone on the Flood, extended long and large 
Lay floating many a rood, in bulk as huge 
As whom the Fables name of monstrous size,