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370Aboliſh his own works. This would ſurpaſs
Common revenge, and interrupt his joy
In our Confuſion, and our Joy upraiſe
In his diſturbance; when his darling Sons
Hurl’d headlong to partake with us, ſhall curſe
Thir frail Originals, and faded bliſs,
Faded ſo ſoon. Adviſe if this be worth
Attempting, or to ſit in darkneſs here
Hatching vain Empires. Thus Bëëlzebub
Pleaded his deviliſh Counſel, firſt devis’d
380By Satan, and in part propos’d: for whence,
But from the Author of all ill could Spring
So deep a malice, to confound the race
Of mankind in one root, and Earth with Hell
To mingle and involve, done all to ſpite
The great Creatour? But thir ſpite ſtill ſerves
His glory to augment. The bold deſign
Pleas’d highly thoſe infernal States, and joy
Sparkl’d in all thir eyes; with full aſſent
They vote: whereat his ſpeech he thus renews.
390 Well have ye judg’d, well ended long debate,
Synod of Gods, and like to what ye are,
Great things reſolv’d; which from the loweſt deep
Will once more lift us up, in ſpight of Fate,
Neerer our ancient Seat; perhaps in view
Of thoſe bright confines, whence with neighbouring Arms
And opportune excurſion we may chance
Re-enter Heav’n; or elſe in ſome mild Zone
Dwell not unviſited of Heav’ns fair Light
Secure, and at the brightning Orient beam
400Purge off this gloom; the ſoft delicious Air,
To heal the ſcarr of these corroſive Fires