The great Seraphic Lords and Cherubim
In close recess and secret conclave sat
A thousand Demy-Gods on golden seat's,
Frequent and full. After short silence then
And summons read, the great consult began.

Notes:
504, 505 hospitable Dores Yielded thir Matrons] the hospitable
door Expos'd a Matron 1674.
530 fainted] fa(i)nting 1674.
703 founded] found out 1674.
737 Herarchie] Hierarchie 1674.

The End Of The First Book.



BOOK II.


THE ARGUMENT.

The Consultation begun, Satan debates whether another Battel
be to be hazarded for the recovery of Heaven: some advise it,
others dissuade: A third proposal is prefer'd, mention'd before
by Satan, to search the truth of that Prophesie or Tradition in
Heaven concerning another world, and another kind of creature
equal or much inferiour to themselves, about this time to be
created: Thir doubt who shall be sent on this difficult search:
Satan thir cheif undertakes alone the voyage, is honourd and