THE ARGUMENT. The confultation begun, Satan debates whether another battle be to be hazarded for the recovery of Heaven: fome advise it, others diffuade. A third proposal is preferr'd, 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 fhall be sent on this difficult fearch. 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 paffes on his journey to Hell gates; finds them shut, and who fat there to guard them; by whom at length they are open'd, and discover to him the gulf between Hell and Heaven with what difficulty he paffes through, directed by Chaos, the Power of that place, to the fight of this new world which he fought. PARADISE LOST. BOOK II. HIGH on a throne of royal ftate, which far To that bad eminence; and, from despair Vain war with Heav'n; and, by fuccefs untaught, "Pow'rs and Dominions, Deities of Heav'n! More glorious and more dread than from no fall, Me, though juft right and the fix'd laws of Heaven D With what befides, in council or in fight, Yielded with full confent. The happier state Could have affur'd us; and by what best way, We now debate; who can advise may speak." He ceas'd; and next him Moloch, scepter'd king, Stood up; the strongest and the fiercest Spirit |