So saying, he dismissed them; they with speed Their course through thickest constellations held, Spreading their bane; the blasted stars looked wan, And planets, planet-struck, real eclipse Then suffered. The other way Satan went down The causey to Hell-gate; on either side Disparted Chaos over-built exclaimed, And with rebounding surge the bars assailed, That scorned his indignation. Through the gate, Wide open and unguarded, Satan passed, And all about found desolate; for those Appointed to sit there had left their charge, Flown to the upper World; the rest were all Far to the inland retired, about the walls Of Pandemonium, city and proud seat Of Lucifer, so by allusion called Of that bright star to Satan paragoned; There kept their watch the legions, while the Grand In council sat, solicitous what chance Might intercept their Emperor sent; so he Departing gave command, and they observed. As when the Tartar from his Russian foe, By Astracan, over the snowy plains Retires, or Bactrian Sophi, from the horns