That felt unusual weight; till on dry To reign is worth ambition, though in Hell: land Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heaven. But wherefore let we then our faithful friends, The associates and co-partners of our loss, 265 Lie thus astonished on the oblivious pool, And call them not to share with us their part In this unhappy mansion, or once more With rallied arms to try what may be yet Regained in Heaven, or what more lost in Hell?" So Satan spake; and him Beelzebub 2 sublimated. 3 only. 270 4 confounded. Thus answered:-"Leader of those armies bright Afloat, when with fierce winds Orion armed 305 Which but the Omnipotent none could Hath vexed the Red Sea coast, whose have foiled, waves o'erthrew If once they hear that voice, their liveliest Busiris and his Memphian chivalry, 310 And broken chariot-wheels. So thick bestrown, Abject and lost lay these, covering the flood, Under amazement of their hideous change. He called so loud, that all the hollow deep Of Hell resounded:-"Princes, Potentates, As we erewhile, astounded and amazed: yours, now lost, Was moving toward the shore; his ponder- If such astonishment as this can seize 315 Eternal Spirits! Or have ye chosen this place After the toil of battle to repose Your wearied virtue, for the ease you Upon the wing; as when men, wont to watch, On duty sleeping found by whom they dread, Rouse and bestir themselves ere well awake. Nor did they not perceive the evil plight In which they were, or the fierce pains not feel; 336 Yet to their General's voice they soon obeyed, Innumerable. As when the potent rod 3 overwhelmed by. Like cumbrous flesh; but, in what shape Reared in Azotus, dreaded through the coast Of Palestine, in Gath and Ascalon, 465 And Accaron and Gaza's frontier bounds. Him followed Rimmon, whose delightful seat Was fair Damascus, on the fertile banks Of Abbana and Pharphar, lucid streams. He also against the house of God was bold: A leper once he lost, and gained a king, 471 Ahaz, his sottish conqueror, whom he drew God's altar to disparage and displace For one of Syrian mode, whereon to burn A crew who, under names of old renown, Fanatic Egypt and her priests, to seek 480 |