The key of this infernal Pit by due, [ 850 ]
And by and of Heavns all-powerful King
I keep, by him forbidden to unlock
These Adamaes; against all force
Death ready stands to interpose his dart,
Fearless to be ormatcht by living might. [ 855 ]
But what ow I to his ands above
Who hates me, and hath hither thrust me down
Into this gloom of Tartarus profound,
To sit in hateful Office here find,
Inhabitant of Heavn, and heavnlie-born, [ 860 ]
Here iual agonie and pain,
With terrors and with clamors passt round
Of mine own brood, that on my bowels feed:
Thou art my Father, thou my Author, thou
My being gavst me; whom should I obey [ 865 ]
But thee, whom follow? thou wilt bring me soon
To that new world of light and bliss, among
The Gods who live at ease, where I shall Reign
At thy right hand voluptuous, as beseems
Thy daughter and thy darling, without end. [ 870 ]
Thus saying, from her side the fatal Key,
Sad instrument of all our woe, she took;
And towards the Gate rouling her bestial train,
Forthwith the huge Porcullis high up drew,
Which but her self not all the Stygian powers [ 875 ]
Could once have movd; then in the key-hole turns
Th intricate wards, and every Bolt and Bar
Of massie Iron or sollid Rock with ease
Unfastns: on a sudden opn flie
With impetuous recoile and jarring sound [ 880 ]
Th infernal dores, and on thir hinges grate
Harsh Thuhat the lowest bottom shook
Of Erebus. She opnd, but to shut
Exceld her power; the Gates wide opn stood,
That with extended wings a Bannerd Host [ 885 ]
Under spread Ensigns marg might pass through
With Horse and Chariots rankt in loose array;
So wide they stood, and like a Furnace mouth
Cast forth redounding smoak and ruddy flame.