Page:Paradise lost by Milton, John.djvu/37

Rh Dropt from the zenith, like a falling star, On Lemnos, the Ægæan isle. Thus they relate, Erring, for he with this rebellious rout Fell long before: nor aught availed him now To have built in Heaven high towers, nor did he 'scape By all his engines, but was headlong sent With his industrious crew to build in Hell.
 * Meanwhile the winged haralds, by command

Of sovran power, with awful ceremony And trumpet's sound, throughout the host proclaim A solemn council forthwith to be held At Pandemonium, the high capital Of Satan and his peers. Their summons called, From every band and squared regiment, By place or choice the worthiest; they anon With hundreds and with thousands trooping came Attended. All access was thronged, the gates And porches wide, but chief the spacious hall— Though like a covered field, where champions bold Wont ride in armed, and, at the Soldan's chair, Defied the best of Panim chivalry To mortal combat, or career with lance— Thick swarmed, both on the ground and in the air,