Assaying by his devilish art to reach The organs of her fancy, and with them forge Th' animal spirits that from pure blood arise 805 810 815 Back stepp'd those two fair angels, half amaz'd 820 So sudden to behold the grisly king; Yet thus, unmov'd with fear, accost him soon. Which of those rebel spirits adjudg'd to hell Com'st thou, escap'd thy prison? and transform'd, Why sat'st thou like an enemy in wait, Here watching at the head of these that sleep? Know ye not then, said Satan fill'd with scorn, Know ye not me? ye knew me once no mate 802 organs] v. Mer. W. of Wind. A. v. S. v. 'Raise up the organs of her fantasy.' Todd. 825 For you, there sitting where ye durst not soar; Your message, like to end as much in vain? 830 835 To whom thus Zephon, answering scorn with scorn. As when thou stood'st in heaven upright and pure; Sc spake the cherub, and his grave rebuke, and pin'd His loss; but chiefly to find here observ'd 840 845 850 829 sitting] Nor shall he hope to sit where Nero soars.' See Tragedy of C. T. Nero, p. 13 (1607). 830 Not to know] Nobilem ignorari, est inter ignobiles censeri.' v. J. C. Scaligeri Vitam, p. 5. 4to. 835 same] The commentators think that a difficulty of construction exists in this passage, and Bentley would alter it. It seems to me to be plain. Think not thy brightness undiminished, or thy shape to be known the same as,' &c. 848 pin'd] Pers. Sat. iii. 38. 'Virtutem videant, intabescantque relicta.' Hume. 855 Undaunted. If I must contend, said he, O friends, I hear the tread of nimble feet 860 865 870 He scarce had ended, when those two approach'd, And brief related whom they brought, where found, How busied, in what form and posture couch'd. 876 To whom with stern regard thus Gabriel spake. 859 Champing] See Æsch. Prom. Vinct. 1008. VOL. I. δακὼν δέ στόμιον ως νεοζυγὴς Πῶλος, βιάζη καὶ προς ἡνίας μάχη. Thyer. 19 880 Why hast thou, Satan, broke the bounds prescrib'd To thy transgressions, and disturb'd the charge Of others, who approve not to transgress By thy example, but have power and right To question thy bold entrance on this place; Employ'd, it seems, to violate sleep, and those Whose dwelling God hath planted here in bliss? To whom thus Satan with contemptuous brow. 885 Gabriel, thou hadst in heaven th' esteem of wise, And such I held thee; but this question ask'd Puts me in doubt. Lives there who loves his pain? Who would not, finding way, break loose from hell, Though thither doom'd? thou wouldst thyself, no doubt, And boldly venture to whatever place 890 Farthest from pain, where thou mightst hope to change His iron gates, if he intends our stay 895 In that dark durance: thus much what was ask'd. The rest is true; they found me where they say; 900 But that implies not violence or harm. Thus he in scorn. The warlike angel mov'd, Disdainfully half smiling, thus reply'd. O loss of one in heaven to judge of wise, 894 Dole] Hamlet. A. i. S. ii. 'Weighing delight with dole.' Todd. Since Satan fell, whom folly overthrew, So judge thou still, presumptuous, till the wrath, But wherefore thou alone? wherefore with thee Thou surely hadst not come sole fugitive. 905 910 915 920 925 To which the fiend thus answer'd, frowning stern. Not that I less endure, or shrink from pain, Insulting angel; well thou know'st I stood Thy fiercest, when in battle to thy aid The blasting vollied thunder made all speed, And seconded thy else not dreaded spear. But still thy words at random, as before, Argue thy inexperience what behooves From hard assays and ill successes past 928 The] Thy,' second ed. 930 |