BOOK IL

The consultation begun , Satan debates wliether ahother battle be to be hazarded for the recoverj of Heaven : some advise it , pthers dissuade : a third proposai is preferred , mentioned before by Satan , to search the trutb of that prophecy or tradition in Heaven, concerning another world , and another kind of créature eqtial , or not muih inferior to themselvei , about this time to be created : their doubt who shall be sent on this dif6cult search; Satan, their chief, underlakes atone the voyage, is honoured and applauded. The council thus ended , the rest betake them several ways, and to several employments, as their inclinations lead them , to entertain the time till Satan relum. He passes on hisjourney to Hell-gates; 6nds them shut, and wlio sat tliere to guard them; by wbom at length they are opened , and discover to him the gr»at guif between Hell and Heaven ; with what difficulty he passes through , directed by Chaos , the power of that place, to the sight of this new world which he sought.