Attended. All access was thronged; the gates Wont ride in armed, and at the Soldan's chair To mortal combat, or career with lance), 765 Thick swarmed, both on the ground and in the air, of lesser Pour forth their populous youth about the hive 770 The Swarms aery crowd 775 New rubbed with balm, expatiate, and confer Behold a wonder! They but now who seemed Or dreams he sees, while overhead the Moon 780 785 Wheels her pale course; they, on their mirth and dance Intent, with jocund music charm his ear; warriors. Their trans formation. Reduced their shapes immense, and were at large, Though without number still, amidst the hall But far within, And in their own dimensions, like themselves, 790 795 The inner conclave. THE ARGUMENT. THE Consultation begun, Satan debates [11] whether another battle be to be hazarded for the recovery of Heaven; some advise it [42], others dissuade [108]. A third proposal [299] is preferred [386], 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 [417]; Satan, their chief, undertakes alone [426] the voyage; is honored and applauded [477]. The council thus ended [506], the rest betake them several ways, and to several employments, as their inclinations lead them [523], to entertain the time till Satan return. He passes on his journey [629] to Hell-gates; finds them shut, and who sat there to guard them [648]; by whom at length they are opened [831], and discover to him the great Gulf between Hell and Heaven [890]. With what difficulty he passes through [927], directed by Chaos, the Power of that place, to the sight of this new World [1051] which he sought. 5 Satan's royal state. PARADISE LOST. BOOK II. HIGH on a throne of royal state, which far To that bad eminence ;/and, from despair 'Powers and Dominions, Deities of Heaven! 10 15 More glorious and more dread than from no fall, 20 |