Of fiery arms, and lightnings, not of Jove;

All heaven resounded, and the astonish’d deep

Of chaos bellow’d with the monstrous roar.

——:o:——

In 1880 the Editor of The World offered two prizes for the best poems in the style of Milton’s Paradise Lost, Book II., on “The Opening of Parliament.” The following were the successful compositions:—

First Prize.

Thus pondering how they best might frame reply,

Unto their Sovereign’s speech, mute and perplexed

Sat all the Peers, awaiting who appeared

To second, or oppose, or undertake