er long debate, irresolute

    Of ts revolvd, ence chose

    Fit Vessel, fittest Imp of fraud, in whom

    to enter, and ions hide [ 90 ]

    From s sighe wilie Snake,

    ever sleights none would suspicious mark,

    As from  and native suttletie

    Proceeding, ws observd

    Doubt mig of Diabolic powr [ 95 ]

    Active e.

    t first from inward griefe

    ing passion into plaints thus pourd:

    O Earto  preferrd

    More justly, Seat  [ 100 ]

    its, reforming w was old!

    For er better worse would build?

    terrestrial  round by other heavns

    t s bear t officious Lamps,

    Lig, for thee alone, as seems, [ 105 ]

    In tring all thir precious beams

    Of sacred influence: As God in heavn

    Is Center, yet extends to all, so thou

    Centring receavst from all thee,

    Not in tue appeers [ 110 ]

    Productive in , and nobler birth

    Of Creatures animate h gradual life

    Of Growth, Sense, Reason, all summd up in Man.

    it delig thee round,

    If I could joy in aug interchange [ 115 ]

    Of hill, and Vallie, Rivers, oods and Plaines,

    Now Land, now Sea, and S crownd,

    Rocks, Dens, and Caves; but I in none of these

    Find place or refuge; and the more I see

    Pleasures about me, so much more I feel [ 120 ]

    torment eful siege

    Of contraries; all good to me becomes

    Bane, and in ate.

    But neither here seek I, no nor in heavn

    to dring heavns Supreame; [ 125 ]

    Nor o be my self less miserable

    By  oto make such

    As I, to me redound:

    For onely in destroying I find ease

    to my relentless ts; and royd, [ 130 ]

    Or o er loss,

    For whis will soon

    Folloo  in weal or woe,

    In  destruction wide may range:

    to mee she glorie sole among [ 135 ]

    to have marrd

    ie styld, six Nights and Days

    Continud making, and who knows how long

    Before riving, though perhaps

    Not longer t freed [ 140 ]

    From servitude inglorious welnigh half

    t throng

    Of o be avengd,

    And to repaire hus impaird,

    ue spent of old now faild [ 145 ]

    More Angels to Create, if t least

    Are ed, or to spite us more,

    Determind to advance into our room

    A Creature formd of Earth, and him endow,

    Exalted from so base original, [ 150 ]

    it he decreed

    ed; Man

    Magnificent t,

    ie!