The Poetical Works of John Milton


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Another part in Squadrons and gross Bands,  
On bold adventure to discover wide  
570  
That dismal world, if any Clime perhaps  
Might yeild them easier habitation, bend  
Four ways thir flying March, along the Banks  
Of four infernal Rivers that disgorge  
Into the burning Lake thir baleful streams;  
Abhorred Styx the flood of deadly hate,  
Sad Acheron of sorrow, black and deep;  
Cocytus, nam'd of lamentation loud  
Heard on the ruful stream; fierce Phlegeton  
Whose waves of torrent fire inflame with rage.  
Farr off from these a slow and silent stream,  
Lethe the River of Oblivion roules  
580  
Her watrie Labyrinth, whereof who drinks,  
Forthwith his former state and being forgets,  
Forgets both joy and grief, pleasure and pain.  
Beyond this flood a frozen Continent  
Lies dark and wilde, beat with perpetual storms  
Of Whirlwind and dire Hail, which on firm land  
Thaws not, but gathers heap, and ruin seems  
Of ancient pile; all else deep snow and ice,  
A gulf profound as that Serbonian Bog  
Betwixt Damiata and mount Casius old,  
Where Armies whole have sunk: the parching Air  
Burns frore, and cold performs th' effect of Fire.  
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Page
258 259 260 261 262

Quick Jump
1 198 395 593 790