Folio 15r

Of knowledge past or present, could have fear'd,
How such united force of Gods, how such
As stood like these could ever know repulse?
For who can yet beleive, though after losse,
That all these puissant legions, whose exile
Hath emptied heav'n, shall faile to reascend
Selfe-rais'd, and repossesse thir native seate
For me, be witnesse all the host of heav'n,
If counsells different, or danger shunn'd
By me, have lost our hopes. But he who reignes
Monarch in heav'n, till then as one secure
Sat on his throne, upheld by old repute,
Consent or custome; and his regal state
Put forth at full, but still his strength conceal'd,
Which tempted our attempt, and wrought our fall.
Hence forth his might we know, and know our own
So as not either to provoke, or dread
New warr, provok'd; our better part remaines
To worke in close designe, by fraud or guile
What force effected not: that he no lesse
At length from us may find, who overcomes
By force, hath overcome but half his foe.
Space may produce new worlds; where of so rife

Paradise Lost. Manuscript of Book I, in the hand of an amanuensis, ca. 1665.