Page:Paradise Lost (1667).djvu/81

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Had from his wakeful cuſtody purloind
The guarded Gold: So eagerly the fiend
Ore bog or ſteep, through ſtrait, rough, denſe, or rare,
With head, hands, wings, or feet purſues his way,
950And ſwims or ſinks, or wades, or creeps, or flyes:
At length a univerſal hubbub wilde
Of ſtunning ſounds and voices all confus'd
Born through the hollow dark aſſaults his eare
With loudeſt vehemence: thither he plyes,
Undaunted to meet there what ever power
Or Spirit of the nethermoſt Abyſs
Might in that noiſe reſide, of whom to ask
Which way the neereſt coaſt of darkneſs lyes
Bordering on light; when ſtrait behold the Throne
960Of Chaos, and his dark Pavilion ſpread
Wide on the waſteful Deep; with him Enthron'd
Sat Sable-veſted Night, eldeſt of things,
The conſort of his Reign; and by them ſtood
Orcus and Ades, and the dreaded name
Of Demogorgon; Rumour next and Chance,
And Tumult and Confuſion all imbroild,
And Diſcord with a thouſand various mouths.
⁠T’ whom Satan turning boldly, thus. Ye Powers
And Spirits of this nethermoſt Abyſs,
970Chaos and ancient Night, I come no Spie,
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,
What readieſt path leads where your gloomie bounds
Confine with Heav’n; or if ſom other place