laughter; for in view Stood ranked of Seraphim another row, In posture to displode their second tire Of thunder; back defeated to return They worse abhorred. Satan beheld their plight, And to his mates thus in derision called:
“ ‘O friends, why come not on these victors proud? Erewhile they fierce were coming; and when we, To entertain them fair with open front And breast (what could we more?), propounded terms Of composition, straight they changed their minds, Flew off, and into strange vagaries fell, As they would dance: yet for a dance they seemed Somewhat extravagant and wild, perhaps For joy of offered peace. But I suppose, If our proposals once again were heard, We should compel them to a quick result.’
“To whom thus Belial, in like gamesome mood: ‘Leader, the terms we sent were terms of weight, Of hard contents, and full of force urged home, Such as we might perceive amused them all, And stumbled many: who receives them right Had need from head to foot well understand; Not understood, this gift they have besides, They show us when our foes walk not upright.’