Where Joy for ever dwells: Hail horrours, hail [ 250 ]

Of hope in fears and dangers, heard so oft [ 275 ]

Both glorying to have scapt the Stygian flood

In this unhappy Mansion, or once more

What matter where, if I be still the same,

To reign is worth ambition though in Hell:

Here we may reign secure, and in my choyce

Not by the sufferanceread.99csw.com of supernal Power.

Infernal world, and thou profoundest Hell

We shall be free; th Almighty hath not built

As Gods, and by thir own recoverd strength, [ 240 ]

And what I should be, all but less then he

What shall be right: fardest from him is best

And call them not to share with us their part

So Satan spake, and him Beelzebubhtｔpｓ://ｒｅad•99ｃｓｗ•ｃｏｍ

But wherefore let we then our faithful friends,

That we must change for Heavn, this mournful gloom

For that celestial light? Be it so, since he [ 245 ]

Of battel when it ragd, in all assaults

Regaind in Heavn, or what more lost in Hell? [ 270 ]

Above his equals. Farewel happy Fields

Is this the Region, this the Soil, the Clime,九-九-藏-書

Better to reign in Hell, then serve in Heavn.

Can make a Heavn of Hell, a Hell of Heavn. [ 255 ]

Thus answerd. Leader of those Armies bright,

Whom Thunder hath made greater? Here at least

In worst extreams, and on the perilous edge

With rallied Arms to try what may be yet

If once they hear that voyce, thir liveliest pledge

Of unblest feet. htｔｐｓ://ｒeａｄ•99cｓｗ.cｏｍ Him followed his next Mate,

Th associates and copartners of our loss [ 265 ]

Thir surest signal, they will soon resume

Lye thus astonisht on th oblivious Pool,

Whom reason hath equald, force hath made supream

Groveling and prostrate on yon Lake of Fire, [ 280 ]

A mind not to be changd by Place or Time.

The mind is its own place, and in it sel九-九-藏-書f

And leave a singed bottom all involvd

Said then the lost Arch-Angel, this the seat

Who now is Sovran can dispose and bid

With stench and smoak: Such resting found the sole

New courage and revive, though now they lye

Which but th Onmipotent none could have foyld,

Receive thy new Possessor: One who brings

Here for his envy, will not drive us hence: [ 260 ]