Paradiſe loſt.
Book 1.
With his induſtrious crew, to build in hell.Mean while the winged Haralds by commandOf Sovran power, with awful CeremonyAnd Trumpets ſound throughout the Hoſt proclaimA ſolemn Councel forthwith to be heldAt Pandæmonium, the high CapitalOf Satan and his Peers: thir ſummons call'dFrom every and Band ſquared RegimentBy place or choice the worthieſt; they anonWith hundreds and with thouſands trooping came 760Attended: all acceſs was throng'd, the GatesAnd Porches wide, but chief the ſpacious Hall(Though like a cover'd field, where Champions boldWont ride in arm'd, and at the Soldans chairDefi'd the beſt of Panim chivalryTo mortal combat or carreer with Lance)Thick ſwarm'd, both on the ground and in the air,Bruſht with the hiſs of rusſling wings. As BeesIn ſpring time, when the Sun with Taurus rides,Poure forth thir populous youth about the Hive 770In cluſters; they among freſh dews and flowersFlie to and fro, or on the ſmoothed Plank,The ſuburb of thir Straw-built Cittadel,New rub'd with Baume, expatiate, and conferTheir State affairs. So thick the aerie crowdSwarm'd and were ſtraitn'd; till the Signal giv'n,Behold a wonder! they but now who ſeemedIn bigneſs to ſurpaſs Earths Giant SonsNow leſs than ſmalleſt Dwarfs, in narrow roomThrong numberleſs, like that Pigmean Race 780Beyond the Indian Mount, or Faerie Elves,Whoſe midnight Revels, by a Forreſt ſide
Or
