217s
O Adam, one Almightie is, from whomAll things proceed, and up to him return, 470If not deprav'd from good, created allSuch to perfection, one first matter all,Indu'd with various forms, various degreesOf substance, and in things that live, of life;But more refin'd, more spiritous, and pure,As neerer to him plac't or neerer tendingEach in thir several active Sphears assignd,Till body up to spirit work, in boundsProportiond to each kind. So from the rootSprings lighter the green stalk, from thence the leaves 480More aerie, last the bright consummate floureSpirits odorous breathes: flours and thir fruitMans nourishment, by gradual scale sublim'dTo vital Spirits aspire, to animal,To intellectual, give both life and sense,Fansie and understanding, whence the souleReason receives, and reason is her being,Discursive, or Intuitive; discourseIs oftest yours, the latter most is ours,Differing but in degree, of kind the same. 490Wonder not then, what God for you saw goodIf I refuse not, but convert, as you,To proper substance; time may come when menWith Angels may participate, and findNo inconvenient Diet, nor too light Fare:And from these corporal nutriments perhapsYour bodies may at last turn all to SpiritImprov'd by tract of time, and wingd ascendEthereal, as wee, or may at choiceHere or in Heav'nly Paradises dwell; 500If ye be found obedient, and retainUnalterably firm his love entireWhose progenie you are. Mean while enjoyYour fill what happiness this happie stateCan comprehend, incapable of more.To whom the Patriarch of mankind repli'd.O favourable spirit, propitious guest,Well hast thou taught the way that might directOur knowledge, and the scale of Nature setFrom center to circumference, whereon 510In contemplation of created thingsBy steps we may ascend to God. But say,What meant that caution joind, If Ye Be FoundObedient? can wee want obedience thenTo him, or possibly his love desertWho formd us from the dust, and plac'd us hereFull to the utmost measure of what blissHuman desires can seek or apprehend?To whom the Angel. Son of Heav'n and Earth,Attend: That thou art happie, owe to God; 520That thou continu'st such, owe to thy self,That is, to thy obedience; therein stand.This was that caution giv'n thee; be advis'd.God made thee perfet, not immutable;And good he made thee, but to persevereHe left it in thy power, ordaind thy willBy nature free, not over-rul'd by FateInextricable, or strict necessity;Our voluntarie service he requires,Not our necessitated, such with him 530Findes no acceptance, nor can find, for howCan hearts, not free, be tri'd whether they serveWilling or no, who will but what they mustBy Destinie, and can no other choose?My self and all th' Angelic Host that standIn sight of God enthron'd, our happie stateHold, as you yours, while our obedience holds;On other surety none; freely we serve.Because wee freely love, as in our willTo love or not; in this we stand or fall: 540And som are fall'n, to disobedience fall'n,And so from Heav'n to deepest Hell; O fallFrom what high state of bliss into what woe!To whom our great Progenitor. Thy wordsAttentive, and with more delighted eareDivine instructer, I have heard, then whenCherubic Songs by night from neighbouring HillsAereal Music send: nor knew I notTo be both will and deed created free;Yet that we never shall forget to love 550Our maker, and obey him whose commandSingle, is yet so just, my constant thoughtsAssur'd me and still assure: though what thou tellstHath past in Heav'n, som doubt within me move,But more desire to hear, if thou consent,The full relation, which must needs be strange,Worthy of Sacred silence to be heard;And we have yet large day, for scarce the SunHath finisht half his journey, and scarce beginsHis other half in the great Zone of Heav'n. 560Thus Adam made request, and RaphaelAfter short pause assenting, thus began.High matter thou injoinst me, O prime of men,Sad task and hard, for how shall I relateTo human sense th' invisible exploitsOf warring Spirits; how without remorseThe ruin of so many glorious onceAnd perfet while they stood; how last unfouldThe secrets of another world, perhapsNot lawful to reveal? yet for thy good 570This is dispenc't, and what surmounts the reachOf human sense, I shall delineate so,By lik'ning spiritual to corporal forms,As may express them best, though what if EarthBe but the shaddow of Heav'n, and things thereinEach to other like, more then on earth is thought?As yet this world was not, and Chaos wildeReignd where these Heav'ns now rowl, where Earth now restsUpon her Center pois'd, when on a day(For Time, though in Eternitie, appli'd 580To motion, measures all things durableBy present, past, and future) on such dayAs Heav'ns great Year brings forth, th' Empyreal HostOf Angels by Imperial summons call'd,Innumerable before th' Almighties ThroneForthwith from all the ends of Heav'n appeerdUnder thir Hierarchs in orders brightTen thousand thousand Ensignes high advanc'd,Standards, and Gonfalons twixt Van and ReareStreame in the Aire, and for distinction serve 590Of Hierarchies, of Orders, and Degrees;Or in thir glittering Tissues bear imblaz'dHoly Memorials, acts of Zeale and LoveRecorded eminent. Thus when in OrbesOf circuit inexpressible they stood,Orb within Orb, the Father infinite,By whom in bliss imbosom'd sat the Son,Amidst as from a flaming Mount, whose topBrightness had made invisible, thus spake.Hear all ye Angels, Progenie of Light, 600Thrones, Dominations, Princedoms, Vertues, Powers,Hear my Decree, which unrevok't shall stand.This day I have begot whom I declareMy onely Son, and on this holy HillHim have anointed, whom ye now beholdAt my right hand; your Head I him appoint;And by my Self have sworn to him shall bowAll knees in Heav'n, and shall confess him Lord:Under his great Vice-gerent Reign abideUnited as one individual Soule 610For ever happie: him who disobeyesMee disobeyes, breaks union, and that dayCast out from God and blessed vision, fallsInto utter darkness, deep ingulft, his placeOrdaind without redemption, without end.So spake th' Omnipotent, and with his wordsAll seemd well pleas'd, all seem'd, but were not all.That day, as other solem dayes, they spentIn song and dance about the sacred Hill,Mystical dance, which yonder starrie Spheare 620Of Planets and of fixt in all her WheelesResembles nearest, mazes intricate,Eccentric, intervolv'd, yet regularThen most, when most irregular they seem:And in thir motions harmonie DivineSo smooths her charming tones, that Gods own earListens delighted. Eevning approachd(For we have also our Eevning and our Morn,We ours for change delectable, not need)Forthwith from dance to sweet repast they turn 630Desirous, all in Circles as they stood,Tables are set, and on a sudden pil'dWith Angels Food, and rubied Nectar flows:In Pearl, in Diamond, and massie Gold,Fruit of delicious Vines, the growth of Heav'n.They eat, they drink, and with refection sweetAre fill'd, before th' all bounteous King, who showrdWith copious hand, rejoycing in thir joy.Now when ambrosial Night with Clouds exhal'dFrom that high mount of God, whence light & shade 640Spring both, the face of brightest Heav'n had changdTo grateful Twilight (for Night comes not thereIn darker veile) and roseat Dews dispos'dAll but the unsleeping eyes of God to rest,Wide over all the Plain, and wider farrThen all this globous Earth in Plain outspred,(Such are the Courts of God) Th' Angelic throngDisperst in Bands and Files thir Camp extendBy living Streams among the Trees of Life,Pavilions numberless, and sudden reard, 650Celestial Tabernacles, where they sleptFannd with coole Winds, save those who in thir courseMelodious Hymns about the sovran ThroneAlternate all night long: but not so wak'dSatan, so call him now, his former nameIs heard no more in Heav'n; he of the first,If not the first Arch-Angel, great in Power,In favour and praeeminence, yet fraughtWith envie against the Son of God, that dayHonourd by his great Father, and proclaimd 660Messiah King anointed, could not beareThrough pride that sight, and thought himself impaird.Deep malice thence conceiving & disdain,Soon as midnight brought on the duskie houreFriendliest to sleep and silence, he resolv'dWith all his Legions to dislodge, and leaveUnworshipt, unobey'd the Throne supreamContemptuous, and his next subordinateAwak'ning, thus to him in secret spake.Sleepst thou Companion dear, what sleep can close 670Thy eye-lids? and remembrest what DecreeOf yesterday, so late hath past the lipsOf Heav'ns Almightie. Thou to me thy thoughtsWast wont, I mine to thee was wont to impart;Both waking we were one; how then can nowThy sleep dissent? new Laws thou seest impos'd;New Laws from him who reigns, new minds may raiseIn us who serve, new Counsels, to debateWhat doubtful may ensue, more in this placeTo utter is not safe. Assemble thou 680Of all those Myriads which we lead the chief;Tell them that by command, ere yet dim NightHer shadowie Cloud withdraws, I am to haste,And all who under me thir Banners wave,Homeward with flying march where we possessThe Quarters of the North, there to prepareFit entertainment to receive our KingThe great Messiah, and his new commands,Who speedily through all the HierarchiesIntends to pass triumphant, and give Laws. 690So spake the false Arch-Angel, and infus'dBad influence into th' unwarie brestOf his Associate; hee together calls,Or several one by one, the Regent Powers,Under him Regent, tells, as he was taught,That the most High commanding, now ere Night,Now ere dim Night had disincumberd Heav'n,The great Hierarchal Standard was to move;Tells the suggested cause, and casts betweenAmbiguous words and jealousies, to sound 700Or taint integritie; but all obey'dThe wonted signal, and superior voiceOf thir great Potentate; for great indeedHis name, and high was his degree in Heav'n;His count'nance, as the Morning Starr that guidesThe starrie flock, allur'd them, and with lyesDrew after him the third part of Heav'ns Host:Mean while th' Eternal eye, whose sight discernesAbstrusest thoughts, from forth his holy MountAnd from within the golden Lamps that burne 710Nightly before him, saw without thir lightRebellion rising, saw in whom, how spredAmong the sons of Morn, what multitudesWere banded to oppose his high Decree;And smiling to his onely Son thus said.Son, thou in whom my glory I beholdIn full resplendence, Heir of all my might,Neerly it now concernes us to be sureOf our Omnipotence, and with what ArmsWe mean to hold what anciently we claim 720Of Deitie or Empire, such a foeIs rising, who intends to erect his ThroneEqual to ours, throughout the spacious North;Nor so content, hath in his thought to trieIn battel, what our Power is, or our right.Let us advise, and to this hazard drawWith speed what force is left, and all imployIn our defence, lest unawares we loseThis our high place, our Sanctuarie, our Hill.To whom the Son with calm aspect and cleer 730Light'ning Divine, ineffable, serene,Made answer. Mightie Father, thou thy foesJustly hast in derision, and secureLaugh'st at thir vain designes and tumults vain,Matter to mee of Glory, whom thir hateIllustrates, when they see all Regal PowerGiv'n me to quell thir pride, and in eventKnow whether I be dextrous to subdueThy Rebels, or be found the worst in Heav'n.So spake the Son, but Satan with his Powers 740Farr was advanc't on winged speed, an HostInnumerable as the Starrs of Night,Or Starrs of Morning, Dew-drops, which the SunImpearls on every leaf and every flouer.Regions they pass'd, the mightie RegenciesOf Seraphim and Potentates and ThronesIn thir triple Degrees, Regions to whichAll thy Dominion, Adam, is no moreThen what this Garden is to all the Earth,And all the Sea, from one entire globose 750Stretcht into Longitude; which having pass'dAt length into the limits of the NorthThey came, and Satan to his Royal seatHigh on a Hill, far blazing, as a MountRais'd on a Mount, with Pyramids and TowrsFrom Diamond Quarries hew'n, & Rocks of Gold,The Palace of great Lucifer, (so callThat Structure in the Dialect of menInterpreted) which not long after, heeAffecting all equality with God, 760In imitation of that Mount whereonMessiah was declar'd in sight of Heav'n,The Mountain of the Congregation call'd;For thither he assembl'd all his Train,Pretending so commanded to consultAbout the great reception of thir King,Thither to come, and with calumnious ArtOf counterfeted truth thus held thir ears.Thrones, Dominations, Princedomes, Vertues, Powers,If these magnific Titles yet remain 770Not meerly titular, since by DecreeAnother now hath to himself ingross'tAll Power, and us eclipst under the nameOf King anointed, for whom all this hasteOf midnight march, and hurried meeting here,This onely to consult how we may bestWith what may be devis'd of honours newReceive him coming to receive from usKnee-tribute yet unpaid, prostration vile,Too much to one, but double how endur'd, 780To one and to his image now proclaim'd?But what if better counsels might erectOur minds and teach us to cast off this Yoke?Will ye submit your necks, and chuse to bendThe supple knee? ye will not, if I trustTo know ye right, or if ye know your selvesNatives and Sons of Heav'n possest beforeBy none, and if not equal all, yet free,Equally free; for Orders and DegreesJarr not with liberty, but well consist. 790Who can in reason then or right assumeMonarchie over such as live by rightHis equals, if in power and splendor less,In freedome equal? or can introduceLaw and Edict on us, who without lawErre not, much less for this to be our Lord,And look for adoration to th' abuseOf those Imperial Titles which assertOur being ordain'd to govern, not to serve?Thus farr his bold discourse without controule 800Had audience, when among the SeraphimAbdiel, then whom none with more zeale ador'dThe Deitie, and divine commands obei'd,Stood up, and in a flame of zeale severeThe current of his fury thus oppos'd.O argument blasphemous, false and proud!Words which no eare ever to hear in Heav'nExpected, least of all from thee, ingrateIn place thy self so high above thy Peeres.Canst thou with impious obloquie condemne 810The just Decree of God, pronounc't and sworn,That to his only Son by right endu'dWith Regal Scepter, every Soule in Heav'nShall bend the knee, and in that honour dueConfess him rightful King? unjust thou saistFlatly unjust, to binde with Laws the free,And equal over equals to let Reigne,One over all with unsucceeded power.Shalt thou give Law to God, shalt thou disputeWith him the points of libertie, who made 820Thee what thou art, & formd the Pow'rs of Heav'nSuch as he pleasd, and circumscrib'd thir being?Yet by experience taught we know how good,And of our good, and of our dignitieHow provident he is, how farr from thoughtTo make us less, bent rather to exaltOur happie state under one Head more neerUnited. But to grant it thee unjust,That equal over equals Monarch Reigne:Thy self though great & glorious dost thou count, 830Or all Angelic Nature joind in one,Equal to him begotten Son, by whomAs by his Word the mighty Father madeAll things, ev'n thee, and all the Spirits of Heav'nBy him created in thir bright degrees,Crownd them with Glory, & to thir Glory nam'dThrones, Dominations, Princedoms, Vertues, PowersEssential Powers, nor by his Reign obscur'd,But more illustrious made, since he the HeadOne of our number thus reduc't becomes, 840His Laws our Laws, all honour to him doneReturns our own. Cease then this impious rage,And tempt not these; but hast'n to appeaseTh' incensed Father, and th' incensed Son,While Pardon may be found in time besought.So spake the fervent Angel, but his zealeNone seconded, as out of season judg'd,Or singular and rash, whereat rejoic'dTh' Apostat, and more haughty thus repli'd.That we were formd then saist thou? & the work 850Of secondarie hands, by task transferdFrom Father to his Son? strange point and new!Doctrin which we would know whence learnt: who sawWhen this creation was? rememberst thouThy making, while the Maker gave thee being?We know no time when we were not as now;Know none before us, self-begot, self-rais'dBy our own quick'ning power, when fatal courseHad circl'd his full Orbe, the birth matureOf this our native Heav'n, Ethereal Sons. 860Our puissance is our own, our own right handShall teach us highest deeds, by proof to tryWho is our equal: then thou shalt beholdWhether by supplication we intendAddress, and to begirt th' Almighty ThroneBeseeching or besieging. This report,These tidings carrie to th' anointed King;And fly, ere evil intercept thy flight.He said, and as the sound of waters deepHoarce murmur echo'd to his words applause 870Through the infinite Host, nor less for thatThe flaming Seraph fearless, though aloneEncompass'd round with foes, thus answerd bold.O alienate from God, O spirit accurst,Forsak'n of all good; I see thy fallDetermind, and thy hapless crew involv'dIn this perfidious fraud, contagion spredBoth of thy crime and punishment: henceforthNo more be troubl'd how to quit the yokeOf Gods Messiah; those indulgent Laws 880Will not be now voutsaf't, other DecreesAgainst thee are gon forth without recall;That Golden Scepter which thou didst rejectIs now an Iron Rod to bruise and breakeThy disobedience. Well thou didst advise,Yet not for thy advise or threats I flyThese wicked Tents devoted, least the wrauthImpendent, raging into sudden flameDistinguish not: for soon expect to feelHis Thunder on thy head, devouring fire. 890Then who created thee lamenting learne,When who can uncreate thee thou shalt know.So spake the Seraph Abdiel faithful found,Among the faithless, faithful only hee;Among innumerable false, unmov'd,Unshak'n, unseduc'd, unterrifi'dHis Loyaltie he kept, his Love, his Zeale;Nor number, nor example with him wroughtTo swerve from truth, or change his constant mindThough single. From amidst them forth he passd, 900Long way through hostile scorn, which he susteindSuperior, nor of violence fear'd aught;And with retorted scorn his back he turn'dOn those proud Towrs to swift destruction doom'd.Notes:627: Eevning approachd] Eevning now approachd 1674636-639: On flours repos'd, and with fresh flourets crown'dThey eate, they drink, and in communion sweetQuaff immortalitie and joy, secureOf surfet where full measure onely boundsExcess, before th'all bounteous King, who showrd 1674.The End Of The Fifth Book.
THE ARGUMENT.
Raphael continues to relate how Michael and Gabriel were sent forth to Battel against Satan and his Angels. The first Fight describ'd: Satan and his Powers retire under Night: he calls a Councel, invents devilish Engines, which in the second dayes Fight put Michael and his Angels to some disorder; But they at length pulling up Mountains overwhelm'd both the force and Machins of Satan: Yet the Tumult not so ending, God on the third day sends Messiah his Son, for whom he had reserv'd the glory of that Victory. Hee in the Power of his Father coming to the place, and causing all his Legions to stand still on either side, with his Chariot and Thunder driving into the midst of his Enemies, pursues them unable to resist towards the wall of Heaven; which opening, they leap down with horror and confusion into the place of punishment prepar'd for them in the Deep: Messiah returns with triumph to his Father.
All night the dreadless Angel unpursu'dThrough Heav'ns wide Champain held his way, till Morn,Wak't by the circling Hours, with rosie handUnbarr'd the gates of Light. There is a CaveWithin the Mount of God, fast by his Throne,Where light and darkness in perpetual roundLodge and dislodge by turns, which makes through Heav'nGrateful vicissitude, like Day and Night;Light issues forth, and at the other doreObsequious darkness enters, till her houre 10To veile the Heav'n, though darkness there might wellSeem twilight here; and now went forth the MornSuch as in highest Heav'n, arrayd in GoldEmpyreal, from before her vanisht Night,Shot through with orient Beams: when all the PlainCoverd with thick embatteld Squadrons bright,Chariots and flaming Armes, and fierie SteedsReflecting blaze on blaze, first met his view:Warr he perceav'd, warr in procinct, and foundAlready known what he for news had thought 20To have reported: gladly then he mixtAmong those friendly Powers who him receav'dWith joy and acclamations loud, that oneThat of so many Myriads fall'n, yet oneReturnd not lost: On to the sacred hillThey led him high applauded, and presentBefore the seat supream; from whence a voiceFrom midst a Golden Cloud thus milde was heard.Servant of God, well done, well hast thou foughtThe better fight, who single hast maintaind 30Against revolted multitudes the CauseOf Truth, in word mightier then they in Armes;And for the testimonie of Truth hast bornUniversal reproach, far worse to beareThen violence: for this was all thy careTo stand approv'd in sight of God, though WorldsJudg'd thee perverse: the easier conquest nowRemains thee, aided by this host of friends,Back on thy foes more glorious to returnThen scornd thou didst depart, and to subdue 40By force, who reason for thir Law refuse,Right reason for thir Law, and for thir KingMessiah, who by right of merit Reigns.Goe Michael of Celestial Armies Prince,And thou in Military prowess nextGabriel, lead forth to Battel these my SonsInvincible, lead forth my armed SaintsBy Thousands and by Millions rang'd for fight;Equal in number to that Godless crewRebellious, them with Fire and hostile Arms 50Fearless assault, and to the brow of Heav'nPursuing drive them out from God and bliss,Into thir place of punishment, the GulfOf Tartarus, which ready opens wideHis fiery Chaos to receave thir fall.So spake the Sovran voice, and Clouds beganTo darken all the Hill, and smoak to rowlIn duskie wreathes, reluctant flames, the signeOf wrauth awak't: nor with less dread the loudEthereal Trumpet from on high gan blow: 60At which command the Powers Militant,That stood for Heav'n, in mighty Quadrate joyn'dOf Union irresistible, mov'd onIn silence thir bright Legions, to the soundOf instrumental Harmonie that breath'dHeroic Ardor to advent'rous deedsUnder thir God-like Leaders, in the CauseOf God and his Messiah. On they moveIndissolubly firm; nor obvious Hill,Nor streit'ning Vale, nor Wood, nor Stream divides 70Thir perfet ranks; for high above the groundThir march was, and the passive Air upboreThir nimble tread; as when the total kindOf Birds in orderly array on wingCame summond over Eden to receiveThir names of thee; so over many a tractOf Heav'n they march'd, and many a Province wideTenfold the length of this terrene: at lastFarr in th' Horizon to the North appeer'dFrom skirt to skirt a fierie Region, stretcht 80In battailous aspect, and neerer viewBristl'd with upright beams innumerableOf rigid Spears, and Helmets throng'd, and ShieldsVarious, with boastful Argument portraid,The banded Powers of Satan hasting onWith furious expedition; for they weendThat self same day by fight, or by surprizeTo win the Mount of God, and on his ThroneTo set the envier of his State, the proudAspirer, but thir thoughts prov'd fond and vain 90In the mid way: though strange to us it seemdAt first, that Angel should with Angel warr,And in fierce hosting meet, who wont to meetSo oft in Festivals of joy and loveUnanimous, as sons of one great SireHymning th' Eternal Father: but the shoutOf Battel now began, and rushing soundOf onset ended soon each milder thought.High in the midst exalted as a GodTh' Apostat in his Sun-bright Chariot sate 100Idol of Majestie Divine, enclos'dWith Flaming Cherubim, and golden Shields;Then lighted from his gorgeous Throne, for now'Twixt Host and Host but narrow space was left,A dreadful interval, and Front to FrontPresented stood in terrible arrayOf hideous length: before the cloudie Van,On the rough edge of battel ere it joyn'd,Satan with vast and haughtie strides advanc't,Came towring, armd in Adamant and Gold; 110Abdiel that sight endur'd not, where he stoodAmong the mightiest, bent on highest deeds,And thus his own undaunted heart explores.O Heav'n! that such resemblance of the HighestShould yet remain, where faith and realtieRemain not; wherfore should not strength & mightThere fail where Vertue fails, or weakest proveWhere boldest; though to sight unconquerable?His puissance, trusting in th' Almightie's aide,I mean to try, whose Reason I have tri'd 120Unsound and false; nor is it aught but just,That he who in debate of Truth hath won,Should win in Arms, in both disputes alikeVictor; though brutish that contest and foule,When Reason hath to deal with force, yet soMost reason is that Reason overcome.So pondering, and from his armed PeersForth stepping opposite, half way he metHis daring foe, at this prevention moreIncens't, and thus securely him defi'd. 130Proud, art thou met? thy hope was to have reachtThe highth of thy aspiring unoppos'd,The Throne of God unguarded, and his sideAbandond at the terror of thy PowerOr potent tongue; fool, not to think how vainAgainst th' Omnipotent to rise in Arms;Who out of smallest things could without endHave rais'd incessant Armies to defeatThy folly; or with solitarie handReaching beyond all limit, at one blow 140Unaided could have finisht thee, and whelmdThy Legions under darkness; but thou seestAll are not of thy Train; there be who FaithPrefer, and Pietie to God, though thenTo thee not visible, when I aloneSeemd in thy World erroneous to dissentFrom all: my Sect thou seest, now learn too lateHow few somtimes may know, when thousands err.Whom the grand foe with scornful eye askanceThus answerd. Ill for thee, but in wisht houre 150Of my revenge, first sought for thou returnstFrom flight, seditious Angel, to receaveThy merited reward, the first assayOf this right hand provok't, since first that tongueInspir'd with contradiction durst opposeA third part of the Gods, in Synod metThir Deities to assert, who while they feelVigour Divine within them, can allowOmnipotence to none. But well thou comstBefore thy fellows, ambitious to win 160From me som Plume, that thy success may showDestruction to the rest: this pause between(Unanswerd least thou boast) to let thee know;At first I thought that Libertie and Heav'nTo heav'nly Soules had bin all one; but nowI see that most through sloth had rather serve,Ministring Spirits, traind up in Feast and Song;Such hast thou arm'd, the Minstrelsie of Heav'n,Servilitie with freedom to contend,As both thir deeds compar'd this day shall prove. 170To whom in brief thus Abdiel stern repli'd.Apostat, still thou errst, nor end wilt findOf erring, from the path of truth remote:Unjustly thou deprav'st it with the nameOf Servitude to serve whom God ordains,Or Nature; God and Nature bid the same,When he who rules is worthiest, and excellsThem whom he governs. This is servitude,To serve th' unwise, or him who hath rebelldAgainst his worthier, as thine now serve thee, 180Thy self not free, but to thy self enthrall'd;Yet leudly dar'st our ministring upbraid.Reign thou in Hell thy Kingdom, let mee serveIn Heav'n God ever blessed, and his DivineBehests obey, worthiest to be obey'd,Yet Chains in Hell, not Realms expect: mean whileFrom mee returnd, as erst thou saidst, from flight,This greeting on thy impious Crest receive.
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So saying, a noble stroke he lifted high,Which hung not, but so swift with tempest fell 190On the proud Crest of Satan, that no sight,Nor motion of swift thought, less could his ShieldSuch ruin intercept: ten paces hugeHe back recoild; the tenth on bended kneeHis massie Spear upstaid; as if on EarthWinds under ground or waters forcing waySidelong, had push't a Mountain from his seatHalf sunk with all his Pines. Amazement seis'dThe Rebel Thrones, but greater rage to seeThus foil'd thir mightiest, ours joy filld, and shout, 200Presage of Victorie and fierce desireOf Battel: whereat Michael bid soundTh' Arch-Angel trumpet; through the vast of Heav'nIt sounded, and the faithful Armies rungHosanna to the Highest: nor stood at gazeThe adverse Legions, nor less hideous joyn'dThe horrid shock: now storming furie rose,
218s
And clamour such as heard in Heav'n till nowWas never, Arms on Armour clashing bray'dHorrible discord, and the madding Wheeles 210Of brazen Chariots rag'd; dire was the noiseOf conflict; over head the dismal hissOf fiery Darts in flaming volies flew,And flying vaulted either Host with fire.So under fierie Cope together rush'dBoth Battels maine, with ruinous assaultAnd inextinguishable rage; all Heav'nResounded, and had Earth bin then, all EarthHad to her Center shook. What wonder? whenMillions of fierce encountring Angels fought 220On either side, the least of whom could weildThese Elements, and arm him with the forceOf all thir Regions: how much more of PowerArmie against Armie numberless to raiseDreadful combustion warring, and disturb,Though not destroy, thir happie Native seat;Had not th' Eternal King OmnipotentFrom his strong hold of Heav'n high over-rul'dAnd limited thir might; though numberd suchAs each divided Legion might have seemd 230A numerous Host, in strength each armed handA Legion; led in fight, yet Leader seemdEach Warriour single as in Chief, expertWhen to advance, or stand, or turn the swayOf Battel, open when, and when to closeThe ridges of grim Warr; no thought of flight,None of retreat, no unbecoming deedThat argu'd fear; each on himself reli'd,As onely in his arm the moment layOf victorie; deeds of eternal fame 240Were don, but infinite: for wide was spredThat Warr and various; somtimes on firm groundA standing fight, then soaring on main wingTormented all the Air; all Air seemd thenConflicting Fire: long time in eeven scaleThe Battel hung; till Satan, who that dayProdigious power had shewn, and met in ArmesNo equal, raunging through the dire attackOf fighting Seraphim confus'd, at lengthSaw where the Sword of Michael smote, and fell'd 250Squadrons at once, with huge two-handed swayBrandisht aloft the horrid edge came downWide wasting; such destruction to withstandHe hasted, and oppos'd the rockie OrbOf tenfold Adamant, his ample ShieldA vast circumference: At his approachThe great Arch-Angel from his warlike toileSurceas'd, and glad as hoping here to endIntestine War in Heav'n, the arch foe subdu'dOr Captive drag'd in Chains, with hostile frown 260And visage all enflam'd first thus began.Author of evil, unknown till thy revolt,Unnam'd in Heav'n, now plenteous, as thou seestThese Acts of hateful strife, hateful to all,Though heaviest by just measure on thy selfAnd thy adherents: how hast thou disturb'dHeav'ns blessed peace, and into Nature broughtMiserie, uncreated till the crimeOf thy Rebellion? how hast thou instill'dThy malice into thousands, once upright 270And faithful, now prov'd false. But think not hereTo trouble Holy Rest; Heav'n casts thee outFrom all her Confines. Heav'n the seat of blissBrooks not the works of violence and Warr.Hence then, and evil go with thee alongThy ofspring, to the place of evil, Hell,Thou and thy wicked crew; there mingle broiles,Ere this avenging Sword begin thy doome,Or som more sudden vengeance wing'd from GodPrecipitate thee with augmented paine. 280So spake the Prince of Angels; to whom thusThe Adversarie. Nor think thou with windOf airie threats to aw whom yet with deedsThou canst not. Hast thou turnd the least of theseTo flight, or if to fall, but that they riseUnvanquisht, easier to transact with meeThat thou shouldst hope, imperious, & with threatsTo chase me hence? erre not that so shall endThe strife which thou call'st evil, but wee styleThe strife of Glorie: which we mean to win, 290Or turn this Heav'n it self into the HellThou fablest, here however to dwell free,If not to reign: mean while thy utmost force,And join him nam'd Almightie to thy aid,I flie not, but have sought thee farr and nigh.They ended parle, and both addrest for fightUnspeakable; for who, though with the tongueOf Angels, can relate, or to what thingsLiken on Earth conspicuous, that may liftHuman imagination to such highth 300Of Godlike Power: for likest Gods they seemd,Stood they or mov'd, in stature, motion, armsFit to decide the Empire of great Heav'n.Now wav'd thir fierie Swords, and in the AireMade horrid Circles; two broad Suns thir ShieldsBlaz'd opposite, while expectation stoodIn horror; from each hand with speed retir'dWhere erst was thickest fight, th' Angelic throng,And left large field, unsafe within the windOf such commotion, such as to set forth 310Great things by small, If Natures concord broke,Among the Constellations warr were sprung,Two Planets rushing from aspect maligneOf fiercest opposition in mid Skie,Should combat, and thir jarring Sphears confound.Together both with next to Almightie Arme,Uplifted imminent one stroke they aim'dThat might determine, and not need repeate,As not of power, at once; nor odds appeerdIn might or swift prevention; but the sword 320Of Michael from the Armorie of GodWas giv'n him temperd so, that neither keenNor solid might resist that edge: it metThe sword of Satan with steep force to smiteDescending, and in half cut sheere, nor staid,But with swift wheele reverse, deep entring shar'dAll his right side; then Satan first knew pain,
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And writh'd him to and fro convolv'd; so soreThe griding sword with discontinuous woundPass'd through him, but th' Ethereal substance clos'd 330Not long divisible, and from the gashA stream of Nectarous humor issuing flow'dSanguin, such as Celestial Spirits may bleed,And all his Armour staind ere while so bright.Forthwith on all sides to his aide was runBy Angels many and strong, who interpos'dDefence, while others bore him on thir ShieldsBack to his Chariot; where it stood retir'dFrom off the files of warr; there they him laidGnashing for anguish and despite and shame 340To find himself not matchless, and his prideHumbl'd by such rebuke, so farr beneathHis confidence to equal God in power.Yet soon he heal'd; for Spirits that live throughoutVital in every part, not as frail manIn Entrailes, Heart or Head, Liver or Reines,Cannot but by annihilating die;Nor in thir liquid texture mortal woundReceive, no more then can the fluid Aire:All Heart they live, all Head, all Eye, all Eare, 350All Intellect, all Sense, and as they please,They Limb themselves, and colour, shape or sizeAssume, as likes them best, condense or rare.Mean while in other parts like deeds deservdMemorial, where the might of Gabriel fought,And with fierce Ensignes pierc'd the deep arrayOf Moloc furious King, who him defi'd,And at his Chariot wheeles to drag him boundThreatn'd, nor from the Holie One of Heav'nRefrein'd his tongue blasphemous; but anon 360Down clov'n to the waste, with shatterd ArmesAnd uncouth paine fled bellowing. On each wingUriel and Raphael his vaunting foe,Though huge, and in a Rock of Diamond Armd,Vanquish'd Adramelec, and Asmadai,Two potent Thrones, that to be less then GodsDisdain'd, but meaner thoughts learnd in thir flight,Mangl'd with gastly wounds through Plate and Maile.Nor stood unmindful Abdiel to annoyThe Atheist crew, but with redoubl'd blow 370Ariel and Arioc, and the violenceOf Ramiel scorcht and blasted overthrew.I might relate of thousands, and thir namesEternize here on Earth; but those electAngels contented with thir fame in Heav'nSeek not the praise of men: the other sortIn might though wondrous and in Acts of Warr,Nor of Renown less eager, yet by doomeCanceld from Heav'n and sacred memorie,Nameless in dark oblivion let them dwell. 380For strength from Truth divided and from Just,Illaudable, naught merits but dispraiseAnd ignominie, yet to glorie aspiresVain glorious, and through infamie seeks fame:Therfore Eternal silence be thir doome.And now thir mightiest quelld, the battel swerv'd,With many an inrode gor'd; deformed routEnter'd, and foul disorder; all the groundWith shiverd armour strow'n, and on a heapChariot and Charioter lay overturnd 390And fierie foaming Steeds; what stood, recoyldOrewearied, through the faint Satanic HostDefensive scarse, or with pale fear surpris'd,Then first with fear surpris'd and sense of paineFled ignominious, to such evil broughtBy sinne of disobedience, till that hourNot liable to fear or flight or paine.Far otherwise th' inviolable SaintsIn Cubic Phalanx firm advanc't entire,Invulnerable, impenitrably arm'd: 400Such high advantages thir innocenceGave them above thir foes, not to have sinnd,Not to have disobei'd; in fight they stoodUnwearied, unobnoxious to be pain'dBy wound, though from thir place by violence mov'd.Now Night her course began, and over Heav'nInducing darkness, grateful truce impos'd,
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And silence on the odious dinn of Warr:Under her Cloudie covert both retir'd,Victor and Vanquisht: on the foughten field 410Michael and his Angels prevalentEncamping, plac'd in Guard thir Watches round,