42 PARADISE LOST. Boole IL; Alone the dreadful voyage : till at laft Satan, whom now tranfcendent glory rais'd Above his fellows, with monarchal pride Confcious of higheft worth, unmov'd thus fpake. 0 Progeny of heav'n, empyreal Thrones With reafon bath deep filence and demur Seiz'd us, though undifmay'd : long is the way And hard, that out of hell leads up to light. Our prifon ftrong, this huge convex of fire, Outrageous to devour, immures us round 435 Ninefold : and gates of burning adamant Barr'd over us prohibit all egrefs Thefe pafs'd (if any pats) the void profound Of uneffential night receives him next Wide gaping, and with utter lots of being Threatens him, plung'd in that abortive gulf. If thence he (cape into whatever world, Or unknown region, what remains him lefs Than unknown dangers, and as hard eicape ? But I fhouid ill become this throne, 0 Peers, 445 And this imperial fovireignty, adorn'd With fplendor, arm'd with pow'r, if ought propcs'd And judg'd of public moment, in the fhape Of difficutiy or danger could deter Me from attempting. Wherefore do I affume Thefe Royalties, and not refufe to reign, Refufing to accept as great a (hare Of hazard as of honour, due alike To him who reigns, and lo much to him due Of hazard more, as he above the reft 455 High honor'd fits ? Go therefore mighty Pow'rs, Terror of heav'n, though fall'n ; intend at home, (While here (hall be our home) what belt may cafe The prefent mifery, and render hell 430 440 450 More
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