Chapter 8 7
O Son, why sit we here each other viewing [ 235 ]
Idlely, while Satan our great Author thrives
In other Worlds, and happier Seat provides
For us his of spring deare? It cannot be
But that success attends him; if mishap,
Ere this he had return, with fury drivn [ 240 ]
By his Avengers, since no place like this
Can fit his punishment, or their revenge.
Methinks I feel new strength within me rise,
Wings growing, and Dominion give me large
Beyond this Deep; whatever draws me on, [ 245 ]
Or sympathie, or som connatural force
Powerful at greatest distance to unite
With secret amity things of like kinde
By secretest conveyance. Thou my Shade
Inseparable must with mee along: [ 250 ]
For Death from Sin no power can be separated.
But least the difficulty of passing back
Stay his return perhaps over this Gulfe
Impassable, Impervious, let us try
Adventrous work, yet to thy power and mine [ 255 ]
Not unagreeable, to find a path
Over this Maine from Hell to that new World
Where Satan now prevails, a Monument
Of merit high to all th inner Host,
Easing thir passage henceforth, for intercourse, [ 260 ]
Or transmigration, as thir lot shall lead.
Nor can I miss the way, so strongly drawn
By this new felt attraction and instinct.
Whom thus the meager Shadow answered soon.
Goe whither Fate and inclination strong [ 265 ]
Leads thee, I shall not lag behind, nor erre
The way, thou leading, such a sent I draw
Of carnage, prey innumerable, and taste
The savour of Death from all things there that live:
Nor shall I to the work thou enterprisest [ 270 ]
Be wanting, but afford thee equal aid,
So saying, with delight he snuffd the smell
Of mortal change on Earth. As when a flock
Of ravenous Fowl, though many a League remote,
Against the day of Battel, to a Field, [ 275 ]
Where Armies lie encampt, come flying, lurd
With sent of living Carcasses designed
For death, the following day, in bloodie fight.