The Poetical Works of John Milton


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Erect the Standerd there of Ancient Night;  
Yours be th' advantage all, mine the revenge.  
Thus Satan; and him thus the Anarch old  
With faultring speech and visage incompos'd  
Answer'd. I know thee, stranger, who thou art,  
That mighty leading Angel, who of late  
990  
Made head against Heav'ns King, though overthrown.  
I saw and heard, for such a numerous host  
Fled not in silence through the frighted deep  
With ruin upon ruin, rout on rout,  
Confusion worse confounded; and Heav'n Gates  
Pourd out by millions her victorious Bands  
Pursuing. I upon my Frontieres here  
Keep residence; if all I can will serve,  
That little which is left so to defend  
1000  
Encroacht on still through our intestine broiles  
Weakning the Scepter of old Night: first Hell  
Your dungeon stretching far and wide beneath;  
Now lately Heaven and Earth, another World  
Hung ore my Realm, link'd in a golden Chain  
To that side Heav'n from whence your Legions fell:  
If that way be your walk, you have not farr;  
So much the neerer danger; goe and speed;  
Havock and spoil and ruin are my gain.  
He ceas'd; and Satan staid not to reply,  
But glad that now his Sea should find a shore,  
1010  
276  


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274 275 276 277 278

Quick Jump
1 198 395 593 790