Nor aught availed him now to have built in heaven high towers; nor did he scrape by all his engines, but was headlong sent with his industrious crew to build in hell.

Men of most renowned virtue have sometimes by transgressing most truly kept the law.

The other shape, If shape it might be call'd that shape had none Distinguishable in member, joint, or limb; Or substance might be call'd that shadow seem'd, For each seem'd either,--black it stood as night, Fierce as ten furies, terrible as hell, And shook a dreadful dart; what seem'd his head The likeness of a kingly crown had on. Satan was now at hand.

A thousand fantasies Begin to throng into my memory, Of calling shapes, and beckoning shadows dire, And airy tongues that syllable men's names On sands and shores and desert wildernesses

But peaceful was the night Wherein the Prince of Light His reign of peace upon the earth began.

Ev'n them who kept thy truth so pure of old, When all our fathers worshipp'd stocks and stones.

Yet I shall temper so Justice with mercy, as may illustrate most Them fully satisfy'd, and thee appease.