Chapter 17 16
Son, thou in whom my glory I behold
In full resplendence, Heir of all my might, [ 720 ]
Neerly it now concerns us to be sure
Of our Omnipotence, and with what Arms
We mean to hold what anciently we claim
Of Deitie or Empire, such a foe
Is rising, who intends to erect his Throne [ 725 ]
Equal to ours, throughout the spacious North;
Nor so content, hath in his thought to try
In battel, what our Power is, or our right.
Let us advise, and to this hazard draw
With speed what force is left, and all employ [ 730 ]
In our defense, lest unawares we lose
This our high place, our Sanctuarie, our Hill.
To whom the Son with calm aspect and cleer
Lightning Divine, ineffable, serene,
Made answer. Mightie Father, thou thy foes [ 735 ]
Just has in derision, and secure
Laughst at thir vain designs and tumults vain,
Matter to mee of Glory, whom thir hate
Illustrates, when they see all Regal Power
Givn me to quell thir pride, and in event [ 740 ]
Know whether I be dextrous to subdue
Thy Rebels, or be found the worst in Heavn.
So spake the Son, but Satan with his Powers
Far was advanced on winged speed, an Host
Innumerable as the Starrs of Night, [ 745 ]
Or Starrs of Morning, Dew-drops, which the Sun
Impearls on every leaf and every flour.
Regions they pass, the mightie Regencies
Of Seraphim and Potentates and Thrones
In thir triple Degrees, Regions to which [ 750 ]
All thy Dominion, Adam, is no more
Then what this Garden is to all the Earth,
And all the Sea, from one entire globose
Stretcht into Longitude; which having passd
At length into the limits of the North [ 755 ]
They came, and Satan to his Royal seat
High on a Hill, far blazing, as a Mount
Raisd on a Mount, with Pyramids and Towrs
From Diamond Quarries hewn, and Rocks of Gold,
The Palace of great Lucifer, (so call [ 760 ]
That Structure in the Dialect of men
Interpreted) which not long after, he
Affecting all equality with God,
In imitation of that Mount whereon
Messiah was declared in sight of Heavn, [ 765 ]
The Mountain of the Congregation called;
For thither he assembled all his Train,
Pretending so commanded to consult
About the great reception of thir King,
Thither to come, and with calumnious Art [ 770 ]
Of counterfeted truth thus held thir ears.