7

As he our darkness, cannot we his Light

Imitate when we please? This Desart soile [ 270 ]

Wants not her hidden lustre, Gemms and Gold;

Nor want we skill or Art, from whence to raise

Magnificence; and what can Heavn shew more?

Our torments also may in length of time

Become our Elements, these piercing Fires [ 275 ]

As soft as now severe, our temper changd

Into their temper; which must needs remove

The sensible of pain. All things invite

To peaceful Counsels, and the settld State

Of order, how in safety best we may [ 280 ]

Compose our present evils, with regard

Of what we are and were, 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 [ 285 ]

The sound of blustring winds, which all night long

Had rousd the Sea, now with hoarse cadence lull

Sea-faring men orewatcht, whose Bark by chance

Or Pinnace anchors in a craggy Bay

After the Tempest: Such applause was heard [ 290 ]

As Mammon ended, and his Sentence pleasd,

Advising peace: for such another Field

They dreaded worse then Hell: so much the fear

Of Thunder and the Sword of Michael

Wrought still within them; and no less desire [ 295 ]

To found this nether Empire, which might rise

By pollicy, and long process of time,

In emulation opposite to Heavn.

Which when Beelzebub perceivd, then whom,

Satan except, none higher sat, with grave [ 300 ]

Aspect he rose, and in his rising seemd

A Pillar of State; deep on his Front engraven

Deliberation sat and public care;

And Princely counsel in his face yet shon,

Majestic though in ruin: sage he stood [ 305 ]

With Atlantean shoulders fit to bear

The weight of mightiest Monarchies; his look

Drew audience and attention still as Night

Or Summers Noon-tide air, while thus he spake.