Page:Paradise Lost (1667).djvu/67

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Of Creatures rational, though under hope
Of heavenly Grace: and God proclaiming peace,
500Yet live in hatred, enmitie, and ſtrife
Among themſelves, and levie cruel warres,
Waſting the Earth, each other to destſoy:
As if (which might induce us to accord)
Man had not helliſh foes anow beſides,
That day and night for his deſtruction waite.
  The Stygian Councel thus diſſolv’d; and forth
In order came the grand infernal Peers,
Midſt came thir mighty Paramount, and ſeemed
Alone th’ Antagoniſt of Heav’n, nor leſs
510Then Hells dread Emperour with pomp Supream,
And God-like imitated State; him round
A Globe of fierie Seraphim inclos’d
With bright imblazonrie, and horrent Arms.
Then of thir Seſſion ended they bid cry
With Trumpets regal ſound the great result:
Toward the four winds four ſpeedy Cherubim
Put to thir mouths the ſounding Alchymie
By Haralds voice explain’d: the hollow Abyſs
Heard farr and wide, and all the hoſt of Hell
520With deafning ſhout, return’d them loud acclaim.
Thence more at eaſe thir minds and ſomwhat rais’d
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
Truce to his reſtleſs thoughts, and entertain
The irkſome hours, till his great Chief return.
Part on the Plain, or in the Air ſublime
Upon the wing, or in ſwift race contend,