d, it
into bricks, wherewith they erect Pandemonium, "the high capitol of
Satan and his peers." This hall, constructed with speed and ease, is
brightly illuminated by means of naphtha, and, after Satan and his
staff have entered, the other fallen angels crowd beneath its roof in
the shape of pygmies, and "the great consult" begins.

_Book II._ On a throne of dazzling splendor sits Satan, surrounded by
his peers. Addressing his followers, he declares that, having
forfeited the highest position, he has lost more than they, and that,
since he suffers the greatest pain, none will envy him his
preeminence. When he bids them suggest what they shall do, Moloch
votes in favor of war, stirring up his companions with a belligerent
speech. Belial, who is versed in making "the worse appear the better
reason," urges guile instead of warfare, for they have tested the
power of the Almighty and know he can easily outwit their plans. In
his turn, Mammon favors neither force nor guile, but suggests that,
since riches abound in this region, they content themselves with
piling up treasures.

All having been heard, the fallen angels decide, since it is
impossible again to face Michael's dreaded sword, they will adopt
Beelzebub's suggestion and try and find out whether they cannot settle
more comfortably in the recently created world. This decided, Satan
inquires who will undertake to reconnoitre, and, as no one volunteers,
declares that the mission of greatest difficulty and danger rightly
belongs to him, bidding the fallen angels meanwhile keep watch lest
further ill befall them. This decision is so enthusiastically
applauded that ever since an overwhelming tumult has been termed
"Pandemonium," like Satan's hall.

The "consult" ended, the angels resume their wonted size and scatter
through hell, some exploring its recesses, where they discover huge
rivers, regions of fire and ice, and hideous monsters, while others
beguile their time by arguing of "foreknowledge, will, fate," and
discussing questions of philosophy, or join in antiphonal songs.

Meanwhile Satan has set out on his dreadful journey, wending his way
straight to the gates of Hades, before which stand two formidable
shapes, one woman down to the waist and thence scaly dragon, while the
other, a grim, skeleton-like shape, wears a royal crown and brandishes
a spear. Seeing Satan approach, this monster threatens him, whereupon
a dire fight would have ensued, had not the female