Chapter 12 11
Whereto with look composd Satan reply.
Not uninvented that, which thou aright [ 470 ]
Believst so main to our success, I bring;
Which of us who beholds the bright surface
Of this Ethereous mold whereon we stand,
This continent of spacious Heavn, adorned
With Plant, Fruit, Flour Ambrosial, Gemms & Gold, [ 475 ]
Whose Eye so superficially surveys
These things, as not to mind from whence they grow
Deep under ground, materials dark and crude,
Of spiritual and fierie spume, till toucht
With Heavns ray, and tempered they shoot forth [ 480 ]
So beauteous, opning to the ambient light.
These in thir dark Nativities the Deep
Shall yield us pregnant with infernal flame,
Which into hallow Engins long and round
Thick-rammd, at th other bore with touch of fire [ 485 ]
Dilated and infuriate shall send forth
From far with thundring noise among our foes
Such implements of mischief as shall dash
To pieces, and orewhelm whatever stands
Adverse, that they shall fear we have disarmd [ 490 ]
The Thunderer of his only dreaded bolt.
Nor long shall be our labor, yet ere dawne,
Effect shall end our wish. Mean while revive;
Abandon fear; to strength and counsel join
Think nothing hard, much less to be despaired. [ 495 ]
He ended, and his words thir drooping chere
Enlightnd, and thir languisht hope revivd.
Th invention all admired, and each, how hee
To be th inventor missd, so easier it seemsd
Once found, which yet unfound most would have thought [ 500 ]
Impossible: yet happily of thy Race
In future days, if Malice should abound,
Some one intent on mischief, or inspirit
With devlish machination might design
Like instrument to plague the Sons of men [ 505 ]
For sin, on warr and mutual slaughter bent.