One next himself in power, and next in crime,
Long after known in Palestine, and nam d
Beelzebub. To whom the Arch-Enemy,

And thence in Heaven call'd Satan, with bold words
Breaking the horrid silence, thus began.

If thou beest he; but (), how fallen! how chang'd From him, who, in the happy realms of light, Cloth'd with transcendent brightness, didst outshine Myriads though bright! If he whom mutual league, United thoughts and counsels, equal hope And hazard in the glorious enterprize,

Join'd with me once, now misery hath join'd

In equal ruin! Into what pit thou seest,

From what highth fallen; so much the stronger prov'd
He with his thunder: and till then who knew
The force of those dire arms? Yet not for those,

Nor what the potent Victor in his rage

Can else inflict, do I repent or change,

Though chang'd in outward lustre, that fix'd mind,
And high disdain from sense of injur'd merit,
That with the Mightiest rais'd me to contend,
And to the fierce contention brought along
Innumerable force of Spirits arm'd,

That durst dislike his reign, and, me preferring,
His utmost power with adverse power oppos'd

In dubious battle on the plains of Heaven,

And shook his throne. What though the field be lost? All is not lost; the unconquerable will,

And study of revenge, immortal hate,