Of Babel and the works of Memphian kings, Severing each kind, and scumm'd the bullion dross A third as soon had form'd within the ground A various mould, and from the boiling cells 705 By strange conveyance fill'd each hollow nook, As in an organ from one blast of wind To many a row of pipes the sound-board breathes. Cornice or freze, with bossy sculptures graven; 715 The roof was fretted gold. Not Babylon, Equall'd in all their glories, to inshrine Belus or Serapis their Gods, or seat Their kings, when Egypt with Assyria strove 720 In wealth and luxury. Th' ascending pile Stood fix'd her stately height; and straight the doors, Op'ning their brazen folds, discover wide Within her ample spaces, o'er the smooth 725 Admiring, enter'd; and the work some praise From Heav'n they fabled, thrown by angry Jove T' have built in Heav'n high tow'rs; nor did he 'scape. 730 735 740 745 By all his engines, but was headlong sent From every band and squared regiment By place or choice, the worthiest; they anon With hundreds and with thousands trooping came 760 And porches wide, but chief the spacious hall To mortal combat or career with lance) (Though like a cover'd field, where champions bold Wont ride in arm'd, and at the Soldan's chair Defy'd the best of Panim chivalry Thick swarm'd both on the ground and in the air, 765 Brush'd with the hiss of rustling wings. As bees Now less than smallest dwarfs, in narrow room Or dreams he sees, while over-head the moon Sits arbitress, and nearer to the earth Wheels her pale course, they, on their mirth and dance 785 Intent, with jocund music charm his ear; At once with joy and fear his heart rebounds. Thus incorporeal Spi'rits to smallest forms Reduc'd their shapes immense, and were at large, Of that infernal court. But far within, 796 795 END OF THE FIRST BOOK. ARGUMENT. 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 employments, 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 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. |