Belzebub:

But if our bold resolve We strengthen with the sword, I see upon Our standard, raised aloft, the morning-star 380 Defiance flashing till all Heaven's state And rulership is changed.

Apollion:

The Fieldmarshal, The valiant Michael, bears with no less fire And pride G.o.d's wondrous name amid the field Of his great banner, with the sun above.

Lucifer:

Though writ in lines of light, what boots a name?

Heroic deeds, as this, are ne'er achieved With t.i.tles, nor with pomp; not by valor, spirit.

And subtle strokes in skill and cunning bred.

Thou art a master-wit with craftiness 390 The Spirits to seduce, them to ensnare, To lead and to incite howe'er thou wilt.

Thou canst attaint even those among the watch Of most integrity, and teach even those To waver who had thought to waver never.

Begin, we see G.o.d's legions in two camps Divided, lords and va.s.sals roused to strife And mutiny. The greatest part even now Are blind and deaf, save to their own demands; And one and all cry loudly for a chief. 400 If thou for us a fourth part canst allure, "We'll crown thy craft and dexterous management With place and honor. Go, this plot consider With Belial, for it must be dark indeed, Where he shall lose his way. His countenance, Smooth-varnished with dissimulation's hue, No master in such deep concealment owns.

My car I now ascend: think ye this over.

The Council hath convened, and now awaits Our own attendance. We shall call you both 410 Within, as soon as ye shall come. And thou, Chief Lord, guard with thy trusty followers This mighty gate that to the palace leads.

BELIAL. APOLLION.

Belial:

G.o.d's Stadtholder doth serve himself with us On high.

Apollion:

We fly together from his bow Like speeding arrows.

Belial:

And both aimed are Even at one mark, though perilous to reach.

Apollion:

Ere long the Heavens shall crack 'neath our tempt.

Belial:

Let crack what will, the matter must proceed.

Apollion:

How then this cause to best advantage grasp? 420

Belial:

The weapons favor us: we first must gain The guard.

Apollion:

The chieftains first, and with them we The bravest troops must then succeed in winning.

Belial:

Through something specious, 'neath some seeming 'guised.

Apollion:

Name thou this thing. Come, say what thou shalt call it.

Belial:

Our Angel Realm must be maintained, its state, Its honor, and its privilege, so choose A chief, on whom each can reliance place.

Apollion:

Thou comprehendest well: no better cause I wish as seed for mutiny, to set 430 The court against its subjects, throng 'gainst throng.

For each among us is inclined to guard That honor, rank, and lawful privilege Unto him given by the Omnipotent Ere He created man, an after-thought.

The celestial palace is our heritage.

To the Spirits, who above float on their wings, Who, incorporeal, therefore, ne'er can sink, This place is more adapt than to the race Of Earth, too sluggish far to choose against 440 Their nature these clear bows. Here shines the day Too bright, too strong. Their eyes cannot endure That splendid light, upon whose glow we gaze.

Then let man keep in his native element, As other creatures do. Let him suffice The bounds of his terrestrial Paradise, Where the rising and the setting of the sun And moon divide the months and form the year.

Let him observe, in their wide-circling round, The crystal spheres. Let Eden's pleasant fruits 450 Content him, and its flowers that breathe perfume.

To range from East to West, from North to South: Let this his pastime be. What needs he more?

We'll ne'er bring homage to an earthly lord.

Thus I resolve. Canst thou more briefly yet This meaning state?

Belial:

For all eternity.

Mankind to lock without the gate of Heaven.

Apollion:

That tinkles well in the Angelic ear.

That flashes like a flame from choir to choir Through Orders nine and all the Hierarchies. 460

Belial:

So shall we best a pining slowness feign; Though all our bliss and our deliverance On speed and expedition hang.

Apollion:

Not less On dexterous management depends, nor less On courage and on bravery.

Belial:

That shall Increase, as countless bannered bands accede.