The infernal serpent; he it was whose guile, Stirr'd up with envy and revenge, deceived The mother of mankind.
His form had yet not lost All his original brightness, not appear'd Less than arch-angel ruined, and th' excess Of glory obscured.
From morn To moon he fell, from noon to dewy eve, A summer's day; and with the setting sun Dropt from the zenith like a falling star.
Satan exalted sat, by merit raised To that bad eminence.
Black it stood as night, Fierce as ten furies, terrible as hell, And shook a dreadful dart; what seem'd his head The likeness of a kingly crown had on. Satan was now at hand.
Incens'd with indignation Satan stood Unterrified, and like a comet burn'd, That fires the length of Ophiucus huge In th' artic sky, and from his horrid hair Shakes pestilence and war.
Abashed the Devil stood, And felt how awful goodness is, and saw Virtue in her own shape how lovely; saw And pined his loss.
Satan; so call him now, his former name Is heard no more in heaven.
Or stars of morning, dew-drops which the sun Impearls on every leaf and every flower.
Left that command Sole daughter of his voice.
The bird of Jove, stoop'd from his aery tour, Two birds of gayest plume before him drove.
They eat, they drink, and in communion sweet Quaff immortality and joy.
Sweetest Echo, sweetest nymph, that liv'st unseen Within thy airy shell, By slow Meander's margent green, And in the violet-embroidered vale.
What boots it at one gate to make defence, And at another to let in the foe?
Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.
Though throned in highest bliss Equal to God, and equally enjoying God-like fruition.
Who can enjoy alone? Or all enjoying what contentment find?
For Solomon, he lived at ease, and full Of honour, wealth, high fare, aimed not beyond Higher design than to enjoy his state.
That golden key That opes the palace of eternity.
(Eternity) a moment standing still for ever.
Now came still evening on; and twilight gray Had in her sober livery all things clad: Silence accompanied; for beast and bird, They to they grassy couch, these to their nests, Were slunk, all but the wakeful nightingale.
Just then return'd at shut of evening flowers.
Experience, next, to thee I owe, Best guide; not following thee, I had remain'd In ignorance; thou open'st wisdom's way, And giv'st access, though secret she retire.
Human face divine.
In her face excuse Came prologue, and apology too prompt.