Page:Paradise lost by Milton, John.djvu/60

Heaven's cheerful face, the lowering element490
Scowls o'er the darkened landscape snow, or shower,
If chance the radiant sun with farewell sweet
Extend his evening beam, the fields revive,
The birds their notes renew, and bleating herds
Attest their joy, that hill and valley rings.
Oh, shame to men! Devil with devil damned
Firm concord holds, men only disagree
Of creatures rational, though under hope
Of heavenly grace; and, God proclaiming peace
Yet live in hatred, enmity, and strife500
Among themselves, and levy cruel wars,
Wasting the earth, each other to destroy:
As if—which might induce us to accord—
Man had not hellish foes enow besides,
That day and night for his destruction wait.
The Stygian council thus dissolved; and forth
In order came the grand infernal peers;
Midst came their mighty paramount, and seemed
Alone the antagonist of Heaven, nor less
Than Hell's dread emperor, with pomp supreme510
And godlike imitated state. Him round
A globe of fiery Seraphim enclosed,
With bright emblazonry and horrent arms.
Then of their session ended they bid cry,
With trumpets' regal sound, the great result.