Act iv. sc. 2.

Lucifer, the chief, then discovers himself to his companions in iniquity, and addresses them:

"O ye powers Immortal, valiant, great! Angels, for lofty, warlike daring born! I know the grief that gnaws your inmost hearts, A living death! to see this creature man Raised to a state so high That each created being bows to him. In your minds' depths the rankling fear is wrought That to heaven's vacant seats, and robes of light, (Those seats once ours, that pomp by us disdained,) These earthly minions one day may aspire[186] With their unnumbered hosts of future sons."

Satan then darkly alludes to the future incarnation of the Son of God; and Lucifer answers:

"And can it be that from so feeble dust A deity shall rise? That Flesh--that God--whose power omnipotent Shall bind us in these chains of hell for ever? And can it be those who did boast themselves The adored must stoop in humble suppliance To such vile clay? Shall angel bend a worshipper to man? Shall flesh, born from impurity, surpass Celestial nature? Must such wonders be, Nor we divine them, who at price so vast Have bought the boast of knowledge? * * * * * I--I am he who armed your noble minds With haughty daring; to the distant north Leading you from the wrathful will of Him Who boasts to have made the heavens. You I know; I know your soaring pride; your valor too, That almost wrung from heaven's reluctant hand The mighty victory. Yes, the generous love Of glory fires you still! It cannot be That He whom you disdained to serve above Shall now be worshipped in the depths of hell! * * * * * Ah! matchless is our insult! grave the wound If we unite not promptly to avenge it! Already on your kindled brows I see The soul's high thirst--and hope, by hate inflamed! Already I behold your ample wings Spread to the air, eager to sweep the world And those stern heavens to the abyss of ruin, And man, new born, with them to overwhelm!

_Satan._ Alas! command And say what thou wouldst do! With hundred tongues Speak, speak--that with a hundred mighty deeds Satan may pant, and hell be roused to action."

The conspiracy to draw man into sin and prevent the incarnation is then entered into.

"_Lucifer._ Most easy is the way of human ruin Opened by God to his terrestrial work; Since nature wills with mandate absolute Man shall his life preserve with various food, And oft partaken. Ay, it well may chance-- The bitter ruin in sweet food concealed-- That he may taste this day the fruit forbidden, And by the way of death, From naught created, unto naught return."