seek Deliverance for us all. This enterprise None shall partake with me." Thus say

ing, rose

The Monarch, and prevented all reply; Prudent lest, from his resolution raised, Others among the chief might offer now, Certain to be refused, what erst they feared,

470

With me in secret that my womb conceived A growing burden. Meanwhile war arose, And fields were fought in Heaven: wherein remained

(For what could else?) to our Almighty Foe

Clear victory; to our part loss and rout 776 Through all the Empyrean. Down they fell,

Driven headlong from the pitch of Heaven, down

Into this Deep; and in the general fall
I also: at which time this powerful Key
Into my hands was given, with charge to
keep

These gates for ever shut, which none can pass

Without my opening. Pensive here I sat
Alone; but long I sat not, till my womb,
Pregnant by thee, and now excessive grown,
Prodigious motion felt and rueful throes.
At last this odious offspring whom thou
seest,
Thine own begotten, breaking violent way,
Tore through my entrails, that, with fear

and pain

Distorted, all my nether shape thus grew Transformed: but he iny inbred enemy

781