chief leaders named, according to the idols known afterwards in Canaan and the countries adjoining. To these Satan directs his speech; comforts them with hope yet of regaining Heaven; but tells them lastly of a new world and new kind of creature to be created, according to an ancient prophecy, or report, in Heaven-for that Angels were long before this visible creation was the opinion of many ancient Fathers. To find out the truth of this prophecy, and what to determine thereon, he refers to a full council. What his associates thence attempt. Pandemonium, the palace of Satan, rises, suddenly built out of the Deep: the infernal Peers there sit in council.

pride

There the companions of his fall, o'erwhelmed

With floods and whirlwinds of tempestuous fire,

He soon discerns; and weltering by his side

One next himself in power, and next in crime,

Long after known in Palestine, and named Beelzebub. To whom the Arch-Enemy, 81 And thence in Heaven called Satan, with bold words

Breaking the horrid silence, thus began:"If thou beest he-but oh how fallen! how changed

From him who, in the happy realms of light,

85 Clothed with transcendent brightness, didst outshine

Myriads, though bright!-if he, whom mutual league,

United thoughts and counsels, equal hope And hazard in the glorious enterprise, Joined with me once, now misery hath joined

90

In equal ruin; into what pit thou seest From what highth fallen, so much the stronger proved

He with his thunder: and till then who

knew

The force of those dire arms? Yet not for those,

95

Nor what the potent Victor in his rage
Can else inflict, do I repent or change,
Though changed in outward luster, that
fixed mind,

And high disdain from sense of injured merit,

That with the Mightiest raised me to contend,

ΙΟΙ

And to the fierce contention brought along
Innumerable force of Spirits armed,
That durst dislike his reign, and, me pre-
ferring,

His utmost power with adverse power opposed

In dubious battle on the plains of Heaven, And shook his throne. What though the field be lost? 105

All is not lost: the unconquerable will,
And study of revenge, immortal hate,
And courage never to submit or yield,
And what is else not to be overcome;
That glory never shall his wrath or might
Extort from me. To bow and sue for

Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heaven.

But wherefore let we then our faithful friends,

The associates and co-partners of our loss,

265

Lie thus astonished on the oblivious pool, And call them not to share with us their part

In this unhappy mansion, or once more With rallied arms to try what may be yet Regained in Heaven, or what more lost in Hell?"

So Satan spake; and him Beelzebub

2 sublimated.

3 only.

270

• confounded.

In worst extremes, and on the perilous edge Of battle when it raged, in all assaults Their surest signal-they will soon resume New courage and revive, though now they lie

Grovelling and prostrate on yon lake of fire,

280

armed

305

Hath vexed the Red Sea coast, whose waves o'erthrew

Busiris and his Memphian chivalry,
While with perfidious hatred they pursued
The sojourners of Goshen, who beheld
From the safe shore their floating car-

casses

310 And broken chariot-wheels. So thick bestrown,

Abject and lost lay these, covering the flood,

Under amazement of their hideous change.

He called so loud, that all the hollow deep Of Hell resounded:-"Princes, Potentates,

yours, now lost,

315