Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1896 edition. Excerpt: ... NOTES. Contents or The First Three Books. Book I. The story of Paradise Lost begins in Hell. There on the burning lake lie Satan and his followers who have been driven out of Heaven in consequence of their unsuccessful rebellion against God. After they have long lain motionless, Satan rouses them from their state of torpor and despair. Inspired by his voice, they arrange themselves in battle array round his imperial standard, eager to hear what he will bid them do. Satan then makes them an address, in which he mentions a report prevalent in Heaven of a new World to be created by God for a new race of beings. He suggests the advisability of exploring this new World, and summons all his followers to attend a solemn council to discuss this and other public questions. They accordingly assemble in a splendid council chamber, which is forthwith constructed under the directions of Mammon, one of the fallen angels, who had been famous before as an architect in Heaven. Book II. The debate in Pandemonium is opened by Satan, who invites his peers to consider whether they should show their hostility to God by open war or covert guile. Moloch, the fiercest of the fallen angels, advocates an immediate attack upon the towers of Heaven. Belial points out the hopelessness of such an assault and advises the council to give up all thoughts of war open or concealed. Mammon also recommends abstention from hopeless war. It will be better, he says, by wise policy to make the most of their new residence. Beelzebub reverts to the hint first thrown out by Satan about a new created World, and proposes an attack upon it as a more feasible and less hazardous enterprise than an attempt to storm the walls of Heaven. This proposal is applauded by the assembly and...
