Chapter 13 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 lovely face, the lowering 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 damn Firm concord holds, men only 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 inner peers: Midst came thir mighty Paramount, and seemedd Alone th Antagonist of Heavn, nor less Than Hells dread Emperor with pomp Supream, [ 510 ] And God-like imitated State; A Globe of fierie Seraphim inclosed

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 explain: the hollow Abyss Heard farr and wide, and all the host of Hell With deafning shout, return them loud acclaim. [ 520 ] Thence more at ease thir minds and somwhat raised By false presumptuous hope, the ranged powers Disband, and wandring, each his several ways Pursues, as inclination or sad choice Leads him perplext, where he may most likely find [ 525 ]

Truce to his restless thoughts, and entertain The irksom hours, till his great Chief return.