This page needs to be proofread.
Book 2.
Paradiſe loſt.

Our torments alſo may in length of time
Become our Elements, theſe piercing Fires
As ſoft as now ſevere, our temper chang’d
Into their temper; which muſt needs remove
The ſenſible of pain. All things invite
To peaceful Counſels, and the ſettl’d State
280Of order, how in ſafety best we may
Compoſe our preſent evils, with regard
Of what we are and where, diſmiſſing quite
All thoughts of Warr: ye have what I adviſe.
  He ſcarce had finiſht, when ſuch murmur filld
Th’ Aſſembly, as when hollow Rocks retain
The ſound of bluſtring winds, which all night long
Had rous’d the Sea, now with hoarſe cadence lull
Sea-faring men orewatcht, whoſe Bark by chance
Or Pinnace anchors in a craggy Bay
290After the Tempeſt: Such applauſe was heard
As Mammon ended, and his Sentence pleas’d,
Adviſing peace: for ſuch another Field
They dreaded worſe than Hell: ſo much the fear
Of Thunder and the Sword of Michael
Wrought ſtill within them; and no leſs deſire
To found this nether Empire, which might riſe
By pollicy, and long proceſs of time,
In emulation oppoſite to Heav’n.
Which when Bëëlzebub perceiv’d, then whom,
300Satan except, none higher ſat, with grave
Aſpect he roſe, and in his riſing ſeem’d
A Pillar of State; deep on his Front engraven
Deliberation ſat and publick care;
And Princely counſel in his face yet ſhon,
Majeſtick though in ruin: ſage he ſtood