Paradise Lost

by John Milton

Behold me, then: me for him, life for life I offer; on me let thine anger fall; Account me man; I for his sake will leave Thy bosom, and this glory next to thee [240] Freely put off, and for him lastly die Well pleased; on me let death wreak all his rage. Under his gloomy power I shall not long Lie vanquished; thou hast given me to possess Life in myself forever; by thee I live, [245] Though now to death I yield and am his due, All that of me can die, yet, that debt paid, Thou wilt not leave me in the loathsome grave His prey, nor suffer my unspotted soul Forever with corruption there to dwell, [250] But I shall rise victorious and subdue My vanquisher, spoiled of his vaunted° spoil; Death his death’s wound shall then receive and stoop Inglorious, of his mortal sting disarmed. I through the ample air in triumph high Shall lead hell captive maugre° hell, and show The powers of darkness bound. Thou, at the sight Pleased, out of Heaven shalt look down and smile, While by thee raised I ruin all my foes, Death last, and with his carcass glut the grave; [260] Then with the multitude of my redeemed Shall enter Heaven, long absent, and return, Father, to see thy face, wherein no cloud Of anger shall remain, but peace assured And reconcilement; wrath shall be no more [265] Thenceforth, but in thy presence joy entire.”