The Gold Illuminated

Elephant Folio 

Synopsized and Illustrated

by

Terrance Lindall

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Sing Heavenly Muse!

 

Say first, for Heaven hides nothing from thy view – nor the deep tract of Hell – say first what caused out parents in that happy state of Eden to fall off from their creator. Who first seduced them to that foul revolt?The Infernal Serpent, he it was whose guile stirred up by envy and revenge deceived the mother of mankind. What time he trusted to have equaled the Most High if he opposed, and with ambitious aim, against the throne and monarchy of God, raised impious war in Heaven and battle proud with vain attempt. The Infernal Serpent, he it was whose guile stirred up by envy and revenge deceived the mother of mankind.

What time he trusted to have equaled the Most High if he opposed, and with ambitious aim, against the throne and monarchy of God, raised impious war in Heaven and battle proud with vain attempt.

Him the Almighty Power hurled headlong flaming from the ethereal sky with hideous ruin and combustion, down to bottomless perdition, there to dwell in penal fire who durst defy The Omnipotent to arms.

Now the thought of both lost happiness and lasting pain torments him. Round he throws his baleful eyes that witnessed huge affliction and dismay. A dungeon horrible on all sides round as one great furnace flamed, yet from those flames no light, but rather darkness visible served only to discover sights of woe where peace and rest can never dwell. Hope never comes that comes to all, but torture without end still urges.

 

Said then the Lost Archangel: “Hail horrors! Hail infernal world! Meet thy new possessor: A mind not to be changed. The mind is its own place and in itself can make a Heaven of Hell, a Hell of Heaven. To reign is worth ambition though in Hell. Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven!”