In discourse more sweet; For eloquence the soul, song charms the sense. Others apart sat on a hill retird, In thoughts more elevate, and reasond high Of providence, foreknowledge, will, and fate, Fixd fate, free-will, foreknowledge absolute; And found no end, in wandring mazes lost.
A gulf profound as that Serbonian bog Betwixt Damiata and Mount Casius old, Where armies whole have sunk: the parching air Burns frore, and cold performs th effect of fire. Thither by harpy-footed Furies hald, At certain revolutions all the damnd Are brought, and feel by turns the bitter change Of fierce extremes,extremes by change more fierce; From beds of raging fire to starve in ice Their soft ethereal warmth, and there to pine Immovable, infixd, and frozen round, Periods of time; thence hurried back to fire.
The other shape, If shape it might be calld that shape had none Distinguishable in member, joint, or limb; Or substance might be calld that shadow seemd, For each seemd either,black it stood as night, Fierce as ten furies, terrible as hell, And shook a dreadful dart; what seemd his head The likeness of a kingly crown had on. Satan was now at hand.