Falln Cherube, to be weak is miserable
Doing or Suffering: but of this be sure,
To do ought good never will be our task,
But ever to do ill our sole delight, [ 160 ]
As being the trary to his high will
Whom we resist. If then his Providence
Out of our evil seek t food,
Our labour must be to pervert that end,
And out of good still to find means of evil; [ 165 ]
Which oft times may succeed, so as perhaps
Shall grieve him, if I fail not, and disturb
His inmost sels from thir destind aim.
But see the angry Victor hath recalld
His Ministers of vengeand pursuit [ 170 ]
Back to the Gates of Heavn: The Sulphurous Hail
Shot after us in storm, oreblown hath laid
The fiery Surge, that from the Precipice
Of Heavn receivd us falling, and the Thunder,
Wingd with red Lightning and impetue, [ 175 ]
Perhaps hath spent his shafts, and ceases now
To bellow through the vast and boundless Deep.
Let us not slip th occasion, whether s,
Or satiate fury yield it from our Foe.
Seest thou yon dreary Plain, forlorn and wilde, [ 180 ]
The seat of desolation, voyd of light,
Save what the glimmering of these livid flames
Casts pale and dreadful? Thither let us tend
From off the tossing of these fiery waves,
There rest, if a harbour there, [ 185 ]
And reassembling our afflicted Powers,
sult how we may heh most offend
Our Enemy, our own loss how repair,
How overe this dire Calamity,
What reinfort we may gain from Hope, [ 190 ]
If not what resolution from despare.
Thus Satan talking to his Mate
With Head up-lift above the wave, and Eyes
That sparkling blazd, his other Parts besides
Prone on the Flood, extended long and large [ 195 ]
Lay floating many a rood, in bulk as huge
As whom the Fables name of monstrous size,