lordeasriel:His Dark Materials, 1.01: “Lyra’s Jordan.” Into this wild Abyss, the womb of Nature, and
lordeasriel:His Dark Materials, 1.01: “Lyra’s Jordan.” Into this wild Abyss, the womb of Nature, and perhaps her grave; of neither sea, nor shore, nor air, nor fire, but all these in their pregnant causes mixed, confusedly, and which thus must ever fight; unless the Almighty Maker them ordain, His dark materials to create more worlds. Into this wild Abyss, the wary Fiend, stood on the brink of Hell and looked a while, pondering his voyage; for no narrow frith He had to cross. (John Milton, Paradise Lost) -- source link