第13章 12

Thus they thir doubtful consultations dark Ended rejoycing in thir matchless Chief: As when from mountain tops the dusky clouds Ascending, while the North wind sleeps, Orespread Heavns chearful face, the lowring Element [ 490 ] Scowls ore the darknd lantskip Snow, or showre; If chance the radiant Sun with farewell sweet

Extend his evning beam, the fields revive, The birds thir notes renew, and bleating herds Attest thir joy, that hill and valley rings. [ 495 ] O shame to men! Devil with Devil damnd Firm concord holds, men onely disagree Of Creatures rational, though under hope Of heavenly Grace; and God proclaiming peace,

Yet live in hatred, enmity, and strife [ 500 ] Among themselves, and levie cruel warres, Wasting the Earth, each other to destroy: As if (which might induce us to accord) Man had not hellish foes anow besides, That day and night for his destruction waite. [ 505 ] The Stygian Counsel thus dissolvd; and forth

In order came the grand infernal Peers: Midst came thir mighty Paramount, and seemd Alone th Antagonist of Heavn, nor less Than Hells dread Emperour with pomp Supream, [ 510 ] And God-like imitated State; him round A Globe of fierie Seraphim inclosd With bright imblazonrie, and horrent Arms.

Then of thir Session ended they bid cry With Trumpets regal sound the great result: [ 515 ] Toward the four winds four speedy Cherubim Put to thir mouths the sounding Alchymie By Haralds voice explaind: the hollow Abyss Heard farr and wide, and all the host of Hell With deafning shout, returnd them loud acclaim. [ 520 ]

Thence more at ease thir minds and somwhat raisd By false presumptuous hope, the ranged powers Disband, and wandring, each his several way Pursues, as inclination or sad choice Leads him perplext, where he may likeliest find [ 525 ] Truce to his restless thoughts, and entertain The irksom hours, till his great Chief return.