Page:Paradise lost by Milton, John.djvu/263

For God, we see, hath honored thee, and set
On Man his equal love. Say therefore on;
For I that day was absent, as befell,
Bound on a voyage uncouth and obscure,230
Far on excursion toward the gates of Hell;
Squared in full legion—such command we had—
To see that none thence issued forth a spy
Or enemy, while God was in his work;
Lest he, incensed at such eruption bold,
Destruction with creation might have mixed.
Not that they durst without his leave attempt;
But us he sends upon his high behests
For state, as sovran King, and to endure
Our prompt obedience. Fast we found, fast shut,240
The dismal gates, and barricadoed strong;
But, long ere our approaching, heard within
Noise, other than the sound of dance or song,
Torment, and loud lament, and furious rage.
Glad we returned up to the coasts of light,
Ere Sabbath-evening; so we had in charge.
But thy relations now; for I attend,
Pleased with thy words no less than thou with mine."
So spake the godlike Power, and thus our Sire:
"For Man to tell how human life began250
Is hard; for who himself beginning knew?
Desire with the still longer to converse