T whom Satan turning boldly, thus. Ye Powers

And Spirits of this nethermost Abyss,

Chaos and ancient Night, I come no Spy, [ 970 ]

With purpose to explore or to disturb

The secrets of your Realm, but by constraint

Wandring this darksome Desart, as my way

Lies through your spacious Empire up to light,

Alone, and without guide, half lost, I seek [ 975 ]

What readiest path leads where your gloomie bounds

Confine with Heavn; or if som other place

From your Dominion won, th Ethereal King

Possesses lately, thither to arrive

I travel this profound, direct my course; [ 980 ]

Directed no mean recompence it brings

To your behoof, if I that Region lost,

All usurpation thence expelld, reduce

To her original darkness and your sway

(Which is my present journey) and once more [ 985 ]

Erect the Standard 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 incomposd

Answerd. I know thee, stranger, who thou art, [ 990 ]

That mighty leading Angel, who of late

Made head against Heavns 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, [ 995 ]

Confusion worse confounded; and Heavn 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, linkd in a golden Chain [ 1005 ]

To that side Heavn from whence your Legions fell:

If that way be your walk, you have not farr;

So much the neerer danger; go and speed;

Havock and spoil and ruin are my gain.