Page:Paradise Lost (1667).djvu/77

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And my fair Son here ſhowſt me, the dear pledge
Of dalliance had with thee in Heav’n, and joys
820Then ſweet, now ſad to mention, through dire change
Befalln us unforeſeen, unthought of, know
I come no enemie, but to ſet free
From out this dark and diſmal houſe of pain,
Both him and thee, and all the heav’nly Hoſt
Of Spirits that in our juſt pretenſes arm'd
Fell with us from on high: from them I go
This uncouth errand ſole, and one for all
My ſelf expoſe, with lonely ſteps to tread
Th’ unfounded deep, & through the void immenſe
830To ſearch with wandring queſt a place foretold
Should be, and, by concurring ſigns, ere now
Created vaſt and round, a place of bliſs
In the Pourlieues of Heav’n, and therein plac't
A race of upſtart Creatures, to ſupply
Perhaps our vacant room, though more remov'd,
Leaſt Heav’n ſurcharg'd with potent multitude
Might hap to move new broiles: Be this or aught
Then this more ſecret now deſign'd, I haſte
To know, and this once known, ſhall ſoon return,
840And bring ye to the place where Thou and Death
Shall dwell at eaſe, and up and down unſeen
Wing ſilently the buxom Air, imbalm'd
With odours; there ye ſhall be fed and fill'd
Immeaſurably, all things ſhall be your prey.
He ceas'd, for both ſeemd highly pleaſd, and Death
Grinnd horrible a gaſtly ſmile, to hear
His famine ſhould be fill'd, and bleſt his mawe
Deſtin'd to that good hour: no leſs rejoyc'd
His mother bad, and thus beſpake her Sire.