There is a place (If ancient and prophetic fame in Heaven Err not), another world, the happy seat Of some new race called man, about this time To be created like to us, though less [350] In power and excellence but favored more Of him who rules above; so was his will Pronounced among the gods and by an oath, That shook Heaven’s whole circumference, confirmed. Thither let us bend all our thoughts to learn What creatures there inhabit, of what mold Or substance, how endued, and what their power, And where their weakness, how attempted best, By force or subtlety.
