By Fontarabbia. Thus far these beyond Compare of mortal prowess, yet observed Their dread Commander. He, above the rest

In shape and gesture proudly eminent, 590 Stood like a tower. His form had yet not lost

All her original brightness, nor appeared Less than Archangel ruined, and the excess Of glory obscured: as when the sun newrisen

Looks through the horizontal misty air Shorn of his beams, or, from behind the moon,

In dim eclipse, disastrous twilight sheds On half the nations, and with fear of change Perplexes monarchs. Darkened so, yet

shon Above them all the Archangel: but his face

600

Deep scars of thunder had intrenched, and

care

Sat on his faded cheek, but under brows
Of dauntless courage, and considerate pride
Waiting revenge. Cruel his eye, but cast
Signs of remorse and passion, to behold

Learn how their greatest monuments of fame,

And strength, and art, are easily outdone
By Spirits reprobate, and in an hour
What in an age they, with incessant toil
And hands innumerable, scarce perform.
Nigh on the plain, in many cells prepared,
That underneath had veins of liquid fire 701
Sluiced from the lake, a second multitude
With wondrous art founded the massy ore,
Severing each kind, and scummed the bul-
lion-dross.

A third as soon had formed within the ground

A various mould, and from the boiling cells By strange conveyance filled each hollow

nook;

As in an organ, from one blast of wind, To many a row of pipes the sound-board breathes.

The consultation begun, Satan debates whether another battle be to be hazarded for the recovery of Heaven some advise it, others dissuade. A third proposal is preferred, mentioned before by Satan - to search the truth of that prophecy or tradition in Heaven concerning another world, and another kind of creature, equal, or not much inferior, to themselves, about this time to be created. Their doubt who shall be sent on this difficult search: Satan, their chief, undertakes alone the voyage; is honoured and applauded. The council thus ended, the rest betake them several ways and to several imployments, as their inclinations lead them, to entertain the time till Satan return. He passes on his journey to Hell-gates; finds them shut, and who sat there to guard them; by whom at length they are opened, and discover to him the great gulf between Hell and Heaven. With what difficulty he passes through, directed by Chaos, the Power of that place, to the sight of this new World which he sought.

HIGH on a throne of royal state, which far Outshon the wealth of Örmus and of Ind, Or where the gorgeous East with richest hand

Showers on her kings barbaric pearl and gold,

Satan exalted sat, by merit raised

To that bad eminence; and, from despair
Thus high uplifted beyond hope, aspires
Beyond thus high, insatiate to pursue
Vain war with Heaven; and, by success
untaught,

9

To union, and firm faith, and firm accord, More than can be in Heaven, we now return

To claim our just inheritance of old,
Surer to prosper than prosperity

Could have assured us; and by what best

Whether of open war or covert guile, We now debate. Who can advise may speak."

He ceased; and next him Moloch, sceptred king,

Stood up: Spirit

the strongest and the fiercest

That fought in Heaven, now fiercer by despair.

His trust was with the Eternal to be deemed

His utmost ire? which, to the highth en raged,

Will either quite consume us, and reduce
To nothing this essential — happier far
Than miserable to have eternal being ! —
Or, if our substance be indeed divine,
And cannot cease to be, we are at worst 10
On this side nothing; and by proof we fee
Our power sufficient to disturb his Heaven
And with perpetual inroads to alarm,
Though inaccessible, his fatal Throne:
Which, if not victory, is yet revenge.'

He ended frowning, and his look de nounced

Desperate revenge, and battle dangerous To less than gods. On the other side up