The Poetical Works of John Milton


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There went a fame in Heav'n that he ere long  
Intended to create, and therein plant  
A generation, whom his choice regard  
Should favour equal to the Sons of Heaven:  
Thither, if but to prie, shall be perhaps  
Our first eruption, thither or elsewhere:  
For this Infernal Pit shall never hold  
Caelestial Spirits in Bondage, nor th' Abysse  
Long under darkness cover. But these thoughts  
Full Counsel must mature: Peace is despaird,  
For who can think Submission? Warr then, Warr  
Open or understood must be resolv'd.  
660  
He spake: and to confirm his words, out-flew  
Millions of flaming swords, drawn from the thighs  
Of mighty Cherubim; the sudden blaze  
Far round illumin'd hell: highly they rag'd  
Against the Highest, and fierce with grasped arm's  
Clash'd on their sounding shields the din of war,  
Hurling defiance toward the vault of Heav'n.  
There stood a Hill not far whose griesly top  
Belch'd fire and rowling smoak; the rest entire  
Shon with a glossie scurff, undoubted sign  
That in his womb was hid metallic Ore,  
670  
The work of Sulphur. Thither wing'd with speed  
A numerous Brigad hasten'd. As when bands  
Of Pioners with Spade and Pickaxe arm'd  
231  


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229 230 231 232 233

Quick Jump
1 198 395 593 790