In horrible destruction laid thus low,

Since through experience of this great event

Who now triumphs, and in th excess of joy

Fearless, endangerd Heavns perpetual King;

Irreconcileable, to our grand Foe,

Strength undiminisht, or eternal being

To undergo eternal punishment? [ 155 ]www.99lib.net

Have left us this our spirit and strength intire

Hath lost us Heavn, and all this mighty Host

Invincible, and vigour soon returns, [ 140 ]

In Arms not worse, in foresight much advanct,

Or do his Errands in the gloomy Deep;

We may with more successful hope resolve [九_九_藏_书_网 120 ]

O Prince, O Chief of many Throned Powers,

Then such could hav orepowrd such force as ours) [ 145 ]

Whether upheld by strength, or Chance, or Fate,

To wage by force or guile eternal Warr

But what if he our Conquerour, (whom I now

That we may so suffice his vengeful ire,9９lｉｂ•ｎeｔ

Whereto with speedy words th Arch-fiend replyd.

Here swallowd up in endless misery.

Vaunting aloud, but rackt with deep despare:

Strongly to suffer and support our pains,

By right of Warr, what ere his business be [ 150 ]

What can it then avail though yet we feel

So spake th Aposta九-九-藏-书-网te Angel, though in pain, [ 125 ]

That with sad overthrow and foul defeat [ 135 ]

Can perish: for the mind and spirit remains

Though all our Glory extinct, and happy state

Of force believe Almighty, since no less

Too well I see and rue the dire event,

Here in the heart of Hell to work in 九*九*藏*书*网Fire,

As far as Gods and Heavnly Essences

Or do him mightier service as his thralls

And put to proof his high Supremacy,

That led th imbattelld Seraphim to Warr

And him thus answerd soon his bold Compeer.

Sole reigning holds the Tyranny of Heavn.

Under thy conduct, and in dreadful deeds [ 130 ]