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In darkneſs, while thy head flames thick and faſt
Threw forth, till on the left ſide op'ning wide,
Likeſt to thee in ſhape and count'nance bright,
Then ſhining heav’nly fair, a Goddeſs arm'd
Out of thy head I ſprung: amazement ſeis'd
All th’ Hoſt of Heav’n; back they recoild affraid
760At firſt, and call'd me Sin, and for a Sign
Portentous held me; but familiar grown,
I pleas'd, and with attractive graces won
The most averſe, thee chiefly, who full oft
Thy ſelf in me thy perfect image viewing
Becam’ſt enamoured, and ſuch joy thou took’ſt
With me in ſecret, that my womb conceiv'd
A growing burden. Mean while Warr aroſe,
And fields were fought in Heav’n; wherein remaind
(For what could elſe) to our Almighty Foe
770Cleer Victory, to our part loſs and rout
Through all the Empyrean: down they fell
Driv'n headlong from the Pitch of Heaven, down
Into this Deep, and in the general fall
I alſo; at which time this powerful Key
Into my hands was giv'n, with charge to keep
Theſe Gates for ever ſhut, which none can paſs
Without my op'ning. Penſive here I ſat
Alone, but long I ſat not, till my womb
Pregnant by thee, and now exceſſive grown
780Prodigious motion felt and rueful throes.
At laſt this odious offspring whom thou ſeest
Thine own begotten, breaking violent way
Tore through my entrails, that with fear and pain
Diſtorted, all my nether ſhape thus grew
Transform'd: but he my inbred enemie