Codex Junius 11 | Page 7

be called from thenceforth Satan. He bade him rule the black
abyss of hell in place of striving against God. Satan spake -- who now
must needs have charge of hell and dwell in the abyss -- in bitterness he
spake who once had been God's angel, radiant-hued in heaven, until his
pride and boundless arrogance betrayed him, so that he would not do
the bidding of the Lord of hosts. Bitterness was welling in his heart;
and round him blazed his cruel torment. These words he spake:
(ll. 355-367) "This narrow place is little like those other realms we
knew, on high in heaven, allotted by my Lord, though the Almighty
hath not granted us to hold our state, or rule our kingdom. He hath done
us wrong to hurl us to the fiery depths of hell, and strip us of our
heavenly realm. He hath ordained that human kind shall settle there.
That is my greatest grief that Adam -- wrought of earth -- should hold
my firm-set throne and live in joy, while we endure this bitter woe in
hell.
(ll. 368-388) "Alas! could I but use my hands and have my freedom for
an hour, one winter hour, then with this host I would -- But bands of
iron crush me down, the bondage of my chains is heavy. I am stripped
of my dominion. Firmly are hell's fetters forged upon me. Above me
and below a blaze of fire! Never have I seen a realm more fatal -- flame
unassuaged that surges over hell. Ensnaring links and heavy shackles
hold me. My ways are trammelled up; my feet are bound; my hands are
fastened. Closed are the doors of hell, the way cut off. I may not escape
out of my bonds, but mighty gyves of tempered iron, hammered hot,
press hard upon me. God hath set His foot upon my neck. So I know
the Lord of hosts hath read the purpose of my heart, and knew full well
that strife would grow between our host and Adam over the heavenly
realm, had I the freedom of my hands.
VIII
(ll. 389-400) "But now we suffer throes of hell, fire and darkness,
bottomless and grim. God hath thrust us out into the black mists. He
cannot charge upon us any sin or evil wrought against Him in His
realm! Yet hath He robbed us of the light and cast us into utter woe.
Nor may we take revenge, nor do Him any evil because He stripped us
of the light. He hath marked out the borders of the world, and there
created man in His own image, with whom He hopes again to people

heaven, with pure souls. We needs must ponder earnestly to wreak this
grudge on Adam, if we may, and on his children, and thwart His will if
so we may devise.
(ll. 401-407) "No longer have I any hope of light wherein He thinketh
long to joy, in bliss among His angel hosts; nor may we ever bring this
thing to pass, that we should change the purpose of Almighty God. Let
us therefore turn the heavenly kingdom from the sons of men, since we
may not possess it, cause them to lose His favour and turn aside from
the command He laid upon them. Then shall His wrath be kindled, and
He shall cast them out from grace. They shall seek out hell and its grim
gulf, and in this heavy bondage we may have the sons of men to serve
us.
(ll. 408-424) "Begin now and plan this enterprise. If ever in olden days,
when happily we dwelt in that good kingdom, and held possession of
our thrones, I dealt out princely treasure to any thane, he could not
make requital for my gifts at any better time than now, if some one of
my thanes would be my helper, escaping outward through these bolted
gates, with strength to wing his way on high where, new-created, Adam
and Eve, surrounded with abundance, dwell on earth -- and we are cast
out hither in this deep abyss. They are now much dearer unto God, and
own the high estate and rightful realm which we should have in heaven!
Good fortune is allotted to mankind.
(ll. 425-437) "My soul is sorrowful within me, my heart is sore, that
they should hold the heavenly realm for ever. But if in any wise some
one of you could bring them to forsake God's word and teaching, soon
would they be less pleasing unto Him! If they break His commandment,
then will His wrath be kindled. Their high estate shall vanish; their sin
shall have requital, and some grim penalty. Take thought now how ye
may ensnare them. I shall rest softly in these