A solemn council, forthwith to be held
At Pandemonium; the high capital

Of Satan and his peers: their summons call'd
From every band and squared regiment

By place or choice the worthiest; they anon,
With hundreds and with thousands, trooping came,
Attended: all access was throng'd; the gates
And porches wide, but chief the spacious hall
(Though like a cover'd field, where champions bold
Wont ride in arm'd, and at the Soldan's chair
Defied the best of Panim chivalry

To mortal combat, or career with lance),
Thick swarm'd, both on the ground and in the air
Brush'd with the hiss of rustling wings. As bees
In spring time, when the sun with Taurus rides,
Pour forth their populous youth about the hive
In clusters: they among fresh dews and flowers
Fly to and fro, or on the smoothed plank,
The suburb of their strawbuilt citadel,
New rubb'd with balm, expatiate and confer
Their state affairs. So thick the airy crowd
Swarm'd and were straiten'd; till, the signal given,
Behold a wonder! They but now who seem'd
In bigness to surpass Earth's giant sons,
Now less than smallest dwarfs, in narrow room
Throng numberless, like that Pygmean race
Beyond the Indian mount; or fairy elves,
Whose midnight revels, by a forest side
Or fountain, some belated peasant sees,
Or dreams he sees, while overhead the moon

Sits arbitress, and nearer to the earth

Wheels her pale course; they, on their mirth and dance
Intent, with jocund music charm his ear;

At once with joy and fear his heart rebounds.
Thus incorporeal Spirits to smallest forms

Reduced their shapes immense, and were at large,
Though without number still, amidst the hall
Of that infernal court. But far within,
And in their own dimensions, like themselves,
The great Seraphic Lords and Cherubim
In close recess and secret conclave sat;
A thousand demi-gods on golden seats,
Frequent and full. After short silence then,
And summons read, the great consult began.

kulta Progleding mid wears to the cuth

palakhorse; they, on their mirth and dance

Format, soltamarind paste charm his ear!!
ALonce pilyjoy and fear his heart rebounds
7 was javorprized Spirits to saullest fones
Focused their shipes immense, and wore at large..
Though without number still, amidst the ladd
Ofisi infinal court. diet for withing

Aad va their own fader dora, Lie themselves,
The greas Sirsaphie Lorde say Elleryhim.

A theread ba

Some seats,

4leage then,

Cesult began.

Likest to thee in shape and countenance bright. Then shining heavenly fair, a goddefs arm'd, Out of thy head I sprung:

1.756.

PARADISE LOST.

BOOK II.

MAY 1,1827.