Satan Arousing the Fallen Angels - Proof: Martin 1824

• Title: Satan Arousing the Fallen Angels - Proof
• Author: John Martin
• Date: 1824
• Medium: Mezzotint
• Condition: Excellent
• Inches: 9 3/4 x 14 [Plate Mark]
• Centimeters: 24.77 x 35.56 [Plate Mark]
• Product ID: 2985

Proof image from The Paradise Lost of John Milton (pub. 1846), Book 1, Line 314

Satan calls out to his fallen army, commanding them to rise up against God, whom he titles 'The Conqueror." Emboldened by their leader's speech, Satan's vanquished forces spring into action, momentarily forgetting their dire plight.

"He call'd so loud, that all the hollow Deep
Of Hell resounded. Princes, Potentates,
Warriers, the Flowr of Heav'n, once yours, now lost,
If such astonishment as this can sieze
Eternal spirits; or have ye chos'n this place
After the toyl of Battel to repose
Your wearied vertue, for the ease you find
To slumber here, as in the Vales of Heav'n?
Or in this abject posture have ye sworn
To adore the Conquerour? who now beholds
Cherube and Seraph rowling in the Flood
With scatter'd Arms and Ensigns, till anon
His swift pursuers from Heav'n Gates discern
Th' advantage, and descending tread us down
Thus drooping, or with linked Thunderbolts
Transfix us to the bottom of this Gulfe.
Awake, arise, or be for ever fall'n.

They heard, and were abasht, and up they sprung
Upon the wing, as when men wont to watch
On duty, sleeping found by whom they dread,
Rouse and bestir themselves ere well awake.
Nor did they not perceave the evil plight
In which they were, or the fierce pains not feel;
Yet to thir Generals Voyce they soon obeyd
Innumerable" (Paradise Lost I.314-38).