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850 The key of this infernal Pit by due
And by command of Heav’ns all-powerful King
I keep, by him forbidden to unlock
Theſe Adamantine Gates; againſt all force
Death ready ſtands to interpoſe his dart,
Fearleſs to be o’rematcht by living might.
But what ow I to his commands above
Who hates me, and hath hither thruſt me dow n
Into this gloom of Tartarus profound,
To ſit in hateful Office here confin'd,
860Inhabitant of Heavn, and heav’nlie-born,
Here in perpetual agonie and pain,
With terrors and with clamors compaſst round
Of mine own brood, that on my bowels feed:
Thou art my Father, thou my Author, thou
My being gav’ſt me; whom ſhould I obey
But thee, whom follow? thou wilt bring me ſoon
To that new world of light and bliſs, among
The Gods who live at eaſe, where I ſhall Reign
At thy right hand voluptuous, as beſeems
870Thy daughter and thy darling, without end.
⁠Thus ſaying, from her ſide the fatal Key,
Sad inſtrument of all our woe, ſhe took;
And towards the Gate rouling her beſtial train,
Forthwith the huge Porcullis high up drew,
Which but her ſelf not all the Stygian powers
Could once have mov'd; then in the key-hole turns
Th’ intricate wards, and every Bolt and Bar
Of maſſie Iron or ſollid Rock with eaſe
Unfaſt'ns: on a ſudden op'n flie
880With impetuous recoile and jarring ſound
Th’ infernal doors, and on thir hinges great