Paradise Lost

Then to submit, boasting I could subdue 
Th' Omnipotent.  Ay me, they little know 
How dearly I abide that boast so vaine, 
Under what torments inwardly I groane; 
While they adore me on the Throne of Hell, 
With Diadem and Scepter high advanc'd 
The lower still I fall, onely Supream 
In miserie; such joy Ambition findes. 
But say I could repent and could obtaine 
By Act of Grace my former state; how soon 
Would highth recal high thoughts, how soon unsay 
What feign'd submission swore: ease would recant 
Vows made in pain, as violent and void. 
For never can true reconcilement grow 
Where wounds of deadly hate have peirc'd so deep: 
Which would but lead me to a worse relapse 
And heavier fall: so should I purchase deare 
Short intermission bought with double smart. 
This knows my punisher; therefore as farr 
From granting hee, as I from begging peace: 
All hope excluded thus, behold in stead 
Of us out-cast, exil'd, his new delight, 
Mankind created, and for him this World. 
So farwel Hope, and with Hope farwel Fear, 
Farwel Remorse: all Good to me is lost; 
Evil be thou my Good; by thee at least 
Divided Empire with Heav'ns King I hold 
By thee, and more then half perhaps will reigne; 
As Man ere long, and this new World shall know. 
  Thus while he spake, each passion dimm'd his face 
Thrice chang'd with pale, ire, envie and despair, 
Which marrd his borrow'd visage, and betraid 
Him counterfet, if any eye beheld. 
For heav'nly mindes from such distempers foule 
Are ever cleer.  Whereof hee soon aware, 
Each perturbation smooth'd with outward calme, 
Artificer of fraud; and was the first 
That practisd falshood under saintly shew, 
Deep malice to conceale, couch't with revenge: 
Yet not anough had practisd to deceive 
URIEL once warnd; whose eye pursu'd him down 
The way he went, and on th' ASSYRIAN mount 
Saw him disfigur'd, more then could befall 
Spirit of happie sort: his gestures fierce 
He markd and mad demeanour, then alone, 
As he suppos'd, all unobserv'd, unseen. 
So on he fares, and to the border comes 
Of EDEN, where delicious Paradise, 
Now nearer, Crowns with her enclosure green, 
As with a rural mound the champain head 
Of a steep wilderness, whose hairie sides 
With thicket overgrown, grottesque and wilde, 
Access deni'd; and over head up grew 
Insuperable highth of loftiest shade, 
Cedar, and Pine, and Firr, and branching Palm, 
A Silvan Scene, and as the ranks ascend 
Shade above shade, a woodie Theatre 
Of stateliest view.  Yet higher then thir tops 
The verdurous wall of Paradise up sprung: 
Which to our general Sire gave prospect large 
Into his neather Empire neighbouring round. 
And higher then that Wall a circling row 
Of goodliest Trees loaden with fairest Fruit, 
Blossoms and Fruits at once of golden hue 
Appeerd, with gay enameld colours mixt: 
On which the Sun more glad impress'd his beams 
Then in fair Evening Cloud, or humid Bow, 
When God hath showrd the earth; so lovely seemd 
That Lantskip: And of pure now purer aire 
Meets his approach, and to the heart inspires 
Vernal delight and joy, able to drive 
All sadness but despair: now gentle gales 
Fanning thir odoriferous wings dispense 
Native perfumes, and whisper whence they stole 
Those balmie spoiles.  As when to them who saile 
Beyond the CAPE OF HOPE, and now are past 
MOZAMBIC, off at Sea North-East windes blow 
SABEAN Odours from the spicie shoare 
Of ARABIE the blest, with such delay 
Well pleas'd they slack thir course, and many a League 
Cheard with the grateful smell old Ocean smiles. 
So entertaind those odorous sweets the Fiend 
Who came thir bane, though with them better pleas'd 
Then ASMODEUS with the fishie fume, 
That drove him, though enamourd, from the Spouse 
Of TOBITS Son, and with a vengeance sent 
From MEDIA post to AEGYPT, there fast bound. 
  Now to th' ascent of that steep savage Hill 
SATAN had journied on, pensive and slow; 
But further way found none, so thick entwin'd, 
As one continu'd brake, the undergrowth 
Of shrubs and tangling bushes had perplext 
All path of Man or Beast that past that way: 
One Gate there onely was, and that look'd East 
On th' other side: which when th' arch-fellon saw 
Due entrance he disdaind, and in contempt, 
At one slight bound high overleap'd all bound 
Of Hill or highest Wall, and sheer within 
Lights on his feet.  As when a prowling Wolfe, 
Whom hunger drives to seek new haunt for prey,