Latest / Sacred Texts Archive / 04 - Paradise Lost - John Milton
Transcript
- Book five, Part two, to whom the angel therefore what he gives, whose praise be ever sung to man in part spiritual, may of purest spirits be found no ingrateful food and food alike those pure intelligential substances require, as doth your rational, and both contain within them every lower faculty of sense, whereby they hear, see, smell, touch, taste, tasting, can coct, digest, assimilate, and corporeal to incorporeal turn, For know whatever was created needs to be sustained and fed of elements. The grosser feeds the purer earth, the sea. Earth, and the sea feed air. The air those fires ethereal and as lowest first the moon, whence, in her visage round those spots unpurged vapors not yet into her substance turned. Nor doth the Moon no nourishment excel from her moist continent to higher orbs. The Sun that light imparts to all, receives from all his elemental recompense in humid exhalations, and it even SUPs with the ocean. Though in heaven the trees of life ambrosial fruitage bear and binds yielded nectar. Though from off the boughs. Each morn we brush melephalous dews and find the ground covered with pearly grain. Yet God hath here varied his bounty so with new delights as may compare with heaven, and to taste, think not I shall be nice. So down they sat, and to their viends fell nor seemingly the angel, nor in mist the common gloss of theologians, but with keen despatch of real hunger and concoctive heat to transubstantiate what redounds transpires through spirits with ease. Nor wonder if by fire of sooty coal the empiric alchemist can turn, or holds it possible to turn medals of drosiest ore to perfect gold, as from the mind. Meanwhile, at table, Eve ministered naked, and their flowing cups with pleasant liquors crowned o innocence, deserving paradise. If ever, then then had the sons of God excuse to have been enamored at that sight? But in those hearts love unlibiddenness reigned, nor jealousy was understood the injured lover's hell. Thus, when with meats and drinks they had sufficed, not burdened nature, sudden mind arose in atom not to let the occasion pass given him by this great conference, to know of things above his world, and of their being, who dwell in Heaven, whose excellence he saw transcend his own so far, whose radiant forms, divine effulgence, whose high power so far exceeded human. And his weary speech Thus to the imperial Minister he framed, inhabitant with God, now know I well thy favor in this honor done to man, under whose lowly roof thou hast vouchsafe to enter, and these earthly fruits to taste, food not of angels, yet accepted, so as that more willingly thou couldst not seem at Heaven's feast to have fed. Yet what compare to whom the winged hierarch replied, O, Adam one Almighty, is from whom all things proceed, and up to him return, if not depraved from good created all such to perfection, one first matter, all endued with various forms, various degrees of substance, and in things that live of life, but more refined, more spiritous and pure, as near to him placed or near tending, each in their several active spheres, assign'd till body up to spirit work in bounds proportioned to each kind. So from the root springs lighter, the green stalk. From thence the leaves more airy, last, the bright consummate flower spirits odorous breathes, flowers and their fruit. Man's nourishment by gradual scale, sublime to vital spirits, aspire to animal, to intellectual, give both life and sense, fancy and understanding. Whence the soul reason receives, and reason is her being Discursive or intuitive. Discourse is oftenest yours. The latter most is ours, differing, but in degree of kind the same. Wonder not then what God for you saw good? If I refuse not but convert as you to proper substance. Time may come when men with angels may participate and find no inconvenient diet nor to light fare. And from these corporeal nutriments, perhaps your bodies may at last turn all to spirit, improved by tract of time, and winged ascend ethereal as we, or may it choice here or in heavenly paradises. Dwell if ye be found obedient and retain unalterably firm His love entire, whose progeny you are meanwhile enjoy your fill. What happens as this happy state can comprehend incapable of more, to whom the patriarch of mankind replied, O favorable spirit, propitious guest, Well, hast thou taught the way that might direct our knowledge? And the scale of nature set from center to circumference, whereon in contemplation of created things by steps we may ascend to God? But say what meant that caution? Joined? If ye be found obedient? Can we want obedience then to Him or possibly his love desert, who formed us from the dust and placed us here full to the utmost measure of what bliss human desires can seek or apprehend. To whom the angel son of Heaven and Earth, attend that thou art happy, O to God, that thou continuest such oh to thyself, that is, to thy obedience. Therein stand this was that caution given THEE be advised. God made THEE perfect, not immutable, and good. He may THEE, but to persevere He left it in thy power, ordained by thy will by nature, free, not o'er ruled by fate, inextricable or strict necessity. Our voluntary service he requires not are necessitated. Such with him finds no acceptance, nor can find. For how can hearts not free be tried, whether they serve willing or no, who will, but what they must by destiny, And can no other choose Myself and all the angelic hosts that stand in sight of God enthroned, our happy statehold as you yours, while our obedience holds on other surety. None freely we serve, because we freely love, as in our will to love or not, in this we stand or fall, And some are fallen to disobedience, fallen. And so from heaven to deepest hell, O fall from what high state of bliss into what woe? To whom our great progenitor. Thy words attentive and with more delighted ear divine instruct I have heard than when cherubic songs by night from the neighboring hills aerial music send. Nor knew I not to be both will and deed created free, yet that we shall never forget to love our maker and obey him whose commands single is yet so just My constant thoughts assured me, and still assure. Though what thou tellest hath passed in heaven. Some doubt within me move, But more desire to hear. If thou consent, the full relation which must needs be strange, worthy of sacred silence to be heard. And we have yet large day for Scarce the sun hath finished half his journey, and Scarce begins his other half in the great zone of heaven. Thus Adam made request, and Raphael, after short pause, assenting, thus began high matter. Thou enjoinst me o prime of men, sad task and hard. For how shall I relate to human sense the invisible exploits of warring spirits? How without remorse, the ruin of so many any glorious once and perfect while they stood? How last unfold the secrets of another world, perhaps not lawful to reveal, Yet for thy good this is dispensed, And what surmounts the reach of human sense, I shall delineate so by likening spiritual to corporeal forms, and may express them best. Though what if Earth be but the shadow of heaven, and things therein each to other like more than on earth? Is thought? As yet this world was not, and chaos wild reigned where these heavens now roll, where Earth now rests upon her center, poised, When on a day for time, though in eternity applied to motion measures all things durable by present, past and future. On such day as Heaven's great year, bring forth the Imperial host of Angels by imperial summons called innumerable before the almighties thrown forthwith from all the ends of Heaven appeared under their hierarchs and orders, bright ten thousand thousand ensigns, high advanced standards and gonfalons TwixT van and rear stream in the air, and four distinctions served of hierarchies of orders and degrees, or in their glittering tissues bear emblazoned holy memorials. Acts of zeal and love recorded eminent. Thus when in orbs of circuit inexpressible, they stood, or within orb the Father infinite, by whom in bliss imbosn sat the sun amidst from a flaming mount whose top brightness had made invisible. Thus spake here all ye angels, progeny of light, thrones, dominations, princedoms, virtues, powers. Hear my decree, which unrevoked shall stand this day. I have begot whom I declare my only son, and on this holy hill him have anointed, whom ye now behold at my right hand your head. I him a point, and by myself have sworn to him, shall bow all needes in heaven, and shall confess him Lord under his great vice regent reign abide united as one individual soul forever happy. Him who disobeys me disobeys breaks union, and that day, cast out from God and blessed vision, falls into utter darkness, deep engulfed, his place ordained, without redemption, without end. So spake the Omnipotent, and with his words all seemed well pleased, All seemed, but were not all That day, as other solemn days, they spent in song and dance about the sacred Hill, mystical dance, which, yonder Starry's sphere of planets and of fixed in all her wheels, resembles nearest mazes, intricate, eccentric, inter revolved, yet regular then most when most irregular they seem, And in their motions harmony divine so smooths her charming tones, that God's own ear listens, delighted. Evening approached, for we have also our evening and our morn. We ours for change, delectable, not need forthwith from dance to sweet repast, they turn desirous. All in circles as they stood. Tables are set, and on a sudden piled with angels. Food and rubied nectar flows in pearl, in diamond and massy gold, fruit of delicious vines, the growth of heaven they eat, they drink, and with perfection sweet are filled before the all bounteous King, who showered with copious hand, rejoicing in their joy. Now when ambrosial night with clouds exhaled from that high mount of God, whence light and shades spring both the face of brightest Heaven had chains to grateful twilight, for night comes not near in darker vale and roseate dews disposed all but the unsleeping eyes of God to rest wide over all the plain and wider far. Then all this globious earth, in plain outspread, Such are the quarts of God, the angelic throng, dispersed in bands and files. Their camp extend by living streams among the trees of life, pavilions numberless and sudden reared celestial tabernacles, where they slept, fanned with cool winds. Save those who, in their coarse, melodious hymns about the sovereign Throne alternate all night long, but not so waked satan, so call him now his former name is heard no more in heaven. He of the first, if not the first, archangel, great in power, in favor and pre eminence, yet fraught with envy against the Son of God that day, honored by his great father and proclaimed Messiah King anointed, could not bear through pride that sight, and thought himself impaired deep malice, thence conceiving in disdain. Soon as midnight brought on the dusky hour, friendliest to sleep in silence, he resolved with all his legions to dislodge and leave unworshiped, unobeyed, the throne supreme, contemptuous, and his next to subordinate awakening. Thus to him in secret spake sleepest, thou companion, Dear, what sleep can close thy eyelids and rememberest what decree of yesterday so late hath passed the lips of heavens Almighty, Thou to me thy thoughts wast wont iy mind to thee was wont to impart both waking we were one? How then can now thy sleep descent? New laws thou seest, imposed new laws from him who reigns. New minds may raise in us, who serve new councils to debate what doubtful may ensue more in this place. To utter is not safe. Assemble thou of all those myriads which we lead the Chief, tell them that by command ere yet dim Knight, her shadowy cloud withdraws I am to haste, and all who under me their banner's wave homeward with flying marks, where we possess the quarters of the north, there to prepare fit entertainment to receive our King, the Great Messiah, and his new commands, who speedily through all the hierarchies, intends to pass triumphant and give laws. So spake the false Archangel and infused bad influence into the unwary breast of his associate. He together calls, or several, one by one, the Regent powers under him. Regent tells, as he was taught that the most high commanding now ere night, now ere dim Night, had disencumbered heaven. The great hierarchical standard was to move, tells the suggested cause, and casts between ambiguous words and jealousies to sound or taint integrity. But all obeyed the wonted signal and superior voice of their great potentate. For great indeed his name and high was his degree in Heaven. His countenance, as the morning star that guides the starry flock, allured them, and with lies drew after him the third part of Heaven's host. Meanwhile, the eternal eye, whose sight discerns Abtrusius, thoughts from forth his holy mount, and from within the golden lamps that burn nightly before him, saw without the light rebellion rising, saw in whom, how spread among the sons of morn, what multitudes were banded to oppose his high decree, And smiling to his only son, thus said Son, Thou in whom my glory I behold in full resplendence, e'er of all my might. Nearly it now concerns us to be sure of our omnipotence, and with what arms we mean to hold what anciently we claim of deity or emperor. Such a foe is rising, who intends to erect his throne equal to ours throughout the spacious north. Nor so content hath in his thought to try in battle what our power is or our right. Let us advise, and to this hazard draw with speed what force is left at all employ in our defense. Lest unawares we lose this our high place, our sanctuary, our hill, to whom the Sun, with calm aspect and clear lightning, divine, ineffable Serene made answer, Mighty Father, Thou thy foes justly hast in derision and secure laughest at their vain designs and tumults, vain matter to me of glory, whom their hate illustrates, when they shall see all regal power given me to quell their pride, and event know whether I be dexterous to subdue thy rebels, or be found the worst in heaven. So spake the Sun. But Satan, with his powers far was advanced on winged speed and host innumerable as the stars of night or stars of morning, dew drops which the Sun imperils with every leaf and every flower. Regions. They passed, the mighty regencies of Seraphim and potentates and thrones in their triple degrees, regions to which all thy dominion, Adam is no more than what this garden is to all the earth and all the sea. From one intire Globos stretched into Longitude, which, having passed at length into the limits of the north, they came, and Satan to his royal seat high on a hill, far blazing as a mount, raised on a mount, with pyramids and towers from diamond corries hewn and rocks of gold, the palace of Great Lucifer. So call that structure in the dialect of men interpreted, which not long after he effecting all equality with God in imitation of that mount, whereon Messiah was declared in sight of Heaven, the mountain of the congregation called for Thither he assembled all his train, pretending so commanded to consult about the great reception of their king thither to come, and with calumnous art of counterfeited truth, thus held their ears, thrones, dominations, princetems, virtues, powers, if these magnific titles yet remained not merely titular, since by decree another now hath to himself engrossed all power at us, eclipsed under the name of King anointed for whom all this haste of midnight march and hurried meeting here this only to consult, how we may best with what may be devised of honors knew receive him coming to receive from us knee tribute, yet unpaid prostration vile too much to one, but double, how endured to one and to his image now proclaimed. But what if better counsels might erect our minds to teach us to cast off this yoke? Will ye submit your nexts and choose to bend your supple knee? Ye will not? If I trust to know ye write, or if ye know yourselves natives and sons of heaven possessed before by none, And if not equal all yet free, equally free for orders and degrees, jar not with liberty but well consist. Who can, in reason, then or write, assume monarchy over such as live by right his equals, if in power and splendor less in freedom equal, or can introduce law and edict upon us who without law err not much less for this to be our lord, and look for adoration to the abuse of those imperial titles which assert our being ordained to govern, not to serve. Thus far, his bold discourse without control had audience when among the seraphim Abdael, then whom none with more zeal adored the deity and divine commands obeyed, stood up, and in a flame of zeal severe the current of his fury thus opposed O argument blasphemous, false, and proud word, which no ear ever to hear in heaven expected, least of all from thee ingrate. In place thyself so high above thy peers, canst thou, with impious obloquy, condemn the just decree of God pronounced and sworn that to his only son, by right endued with regal scepter, every soul in heaven shall bend the knee, And in that honour do confess him rightful king. Unjust, Thou sayest flatly unjust to bind with laws the free and equal over equals to let reign one over all with unsucceeded power. Shalt thou give law to God? Shalt thou dispute with him the points of liberty? Who made thee what thou art, and form the powers of heaven such as he pleased and circumscribed their being. Yet by experience taught we know how good, and of our good, and of our dignity, how provident he is, how far from thought to make us less bent, rather to exalt our happy state under one head more near united, but to grant it thee unjust, that equal over equals monarch reign thyself, Though great and glorious, dost thou count or all angelic nature joined in one equal to him, begotten son, by whom, as by his word, the Mighty Father made all things, even thee and all the spirits of heaven, by him created in their bright degrees, crowned them with glory, and to their glory named thrones, dominations, princedoms, virtues, powers, essential powers, Nor by his reign obscured, but more illustrious maid Since he the head one of our number, thus reduced becomes his laws our laws, all honor to him done, returns our own cease. Then this impious rage and tempt not these, but hasten to appease the incensed father and the incensed son. While pardon may be found in time besought, So spake the fervent angel, but his zeal none seconded, as out of season, judged or singular and rash, whereat rejoiced the apostate and more haughty, thus replied that we were formed. Then, sayest thou, and the work of secondary hands, by task transferred from father to his son. Strange point and new doctrine, which we would know whence learnt who saw when this creation was rememberest thou thy making, While the maker gave thee being. We know no time when we were not as now, no none before us self begot self raised by our own quickening power, when fatal course had circled his full orb. The birth mature of this our native heaven ethereal sons, our pucience is our own, our own right hand shall teach us highest deeds by proof. To try who is our equal. Then thou shalt behold whether by supplication we intend address and to begirt the almighty throne, beseeching or besieging this report. These tidings carry to the anointed King and fly ere evil intercept thy flight, he said, And as the sound of water's deep hoarse murmur echoed to his words, applause through the infinite host. Nor less for that the flaming Sarah, fearless, though alone encompassed round with foes, thus answered bold, O alienate from God, O spirit accursed, forsaken of all good. I see thy fall determined, and thy hapless crew in this perfidious fraud contagion spread both of thy crime and punishment. Henceforth no more be troubled how to quit the yoke of God's Messiah. Those indulgent laws will not now be vouchsafed. Other decrees against THEE are gone forth. Without recall, that golden scepter, which thou didst reject, is now an iron rod to bruise and break thy disobedience. Well thou didst advise, Yet not for thy advice or threats, I fly these wicked tentts devoted least the wrath, impendent, raging into sudden flame, distinguished, not for soon expect to feel his thunder on thy head, devouring fire? Then who created thee? Lamenting? Learn? When who can uncreate THEE? Thou shalt know? So spake the seraph abdel faithful. Found among the faithless, faithful, only he among innumerable false, unmoved, unshaken, unseduced, unterrified his loyalty. He kept his love, his zeal, nor numbers nor example with him wrought to swerve from truth or change his constant mind, though single from amidst them, forth he pass'd long way through hostile scorn, which he sustain'd superior nor of violent speared aught, And with retorted scorn his back, he turn'd on those proud towers to swift destruction, doom'd end of paradise lost. Book five, Part two,