We are now arrived Close on the judgment court; that sullen howl Is from the demons who assemble there. 400 It is the middle region, where of old Satan appeared among the sons of God, To cast his jibes and scoffs at holy Job. So now his legions throng the vestibule, Hungry and wild, to claim their property, And gather souls for hell. Hist to their cry. SOUL How sour and how uncouth a dissonance! DEMONS Low-born clods[27] Of brute earth, They aspire 410 To become gods, By a new birth, And an extra grace, And a score of merits. As if aught Could stand in place Of the high thought, And the glance of fire Of the great spirits, The powers blest, 420 The lords by right, The primal owners, Of the proud dwelling And realm of light,-- Dispossessed, Aside thrust, Chucked down, By the sheer might Of a despot's will, Of a tyrant's frown. 430 Who after expelling Their hosts, gave, Triumphant still, And still unjust, Each forfeit crown To psalm-droners, And canting groaners, To every slave, And pious cheat, And crawling knave, 440 Who licked the dust Under his feet. ANGEL It is the restless panting of their being; Like beasts of prey, who, caged within their bars, In a deep hideous purring have their life, And an incessant pacing to and fro. DEMONS