That war,

That argued fear; each on himself relied, Where erst was thickest fight, the angelic throng, As only in his arm the moment lay

And left large field, unsafe within the wind Of victory: deeds of eternal fame

Of such commotion ; such as, to set forth Were done, but infinite; for wide was spread Great things by small, if, Nature's concord broke,

and various, sometimes on firm ground Among the constellations war were sprung, A standing fight, then, soaring on main wing, Two planets, rushing from aspéct malign Tormented all the air ; all air seem'd then

Of fiercest opposition, in mid sky Conflicting fire. Long time in even scale Should combat, and their jarring spheres confound. The battle hung; till Satan, who that day

Together both with next to almighty arm Prodigious power had shown, and met in arms Uplifted imminent, one stroke they aim'd No equal, ranging through the dire attack

That might determine, and not need repeat,
Of fighting seraphim confus'd, at length

As not of power at once ; nor odds appear'd
Saw where the sword of Michael smote, and fell’d In might or swift prevention : but the sword
Squadrons at once ; with huge two-handed sway Of Michael from the armoury of God
Brandish'd aloft, the horrid edge came down Was given him temper'd so, that neither keen
Wide-wasting ; such destruction to withstand Nor solid might resist that edge: it met
He hasted, and oppos'd the rocky orb

The sword of Satan, with steep force to smite
Of tenfold adamant, his ample shield,

Descending, and in half cut sheer ; nor staid, A vast circumference. At his approach

But with swift wheel reverse, deep entering, shar'd The great arch-angel from his warlike toil

All his right side : then Satan first knew pain, Surceas'd, and glad, as hoping here to end

And writh'd him to and fro convolv'd; so sore
Intestine war in Heaven, the arch-foe subdued The griding sword with discontinuous wound
Or captive dragg'd in chains, with hostile frown Pass'd through him: but the ethereal substance clos'd,
And visage all inflam'd first thus began.

Not long divisible ; and from the gash
« « Author of evil, unknown till thy revolt, A stream of nectarous humour issuing flow'd
Unnam'd in Heaven, now plenteous, as thou seest Sanguine, such as celestial spirits may bleed,
These acts of hateful strife, hateful to all,

And all his armour stain'd, ere while so bright.
Though heaviest by just measure on thyself Forthwith on all sides to his aid was run
And thy adherents : how hast thou disturb’d By angels many and strong, who interpos’d
Heaven's blessed peace, and into nature brought Defence, while others bore him on their shields
Misery, uncreated till the crime

Back to his chariot, where it stood retir'd Of thy rebellion ! how hast thou instill'd

From off the files of war : there they him laid Thy malice into thousands, once upright

Gnashing for anguish, and despite, and shame, And faithful, now proved false! But think not here to find himself not matchless, and his pride To trouble holy rest; Heaven casts thee out Humbled by such rebuke, so far beneath From all her confines. Heaven, the seat of bliss, His confidence to equal God in power. Brooks not the works of violence and war.

Yet soon he heal'd; for spirits that live throughout Hence then, and evil go with thee along,

Vital in every part, not as frail man
Thy offspring, to the place of evil, Heli;

In entrails, heart or head, liver or reins,
Thou and thy wicked crew! there mingle broils, Cannot but by annihilating die ;
Ere this avenging sword begin thy doom, (God, Nor in their liquid texture mortal wound
Or some more sudden vengeance, wing'd from Receive, no more than can the fluid air :
Precipitate thee with augmented pain.'

All heart they live, all head, all eye, all ear, “ So spake the prince of angels; to whom thus All intellect, all sense; and, as they please, The adversary. Nor think thou with wind They limb themselves, and colour, shape, or size Of aery threats to awe whom yet with deeds Assume, as likes them best, condense or rare. 'Thou canst not. Hast thou turn'd the least of these “ Meanwhile in other parts like deeds desert'd To flight, or if to fall, but that they rise

Memorial, where the inight of Gabriel fought, Unvanquish'd, easier to transact with me (threats And with fierce ensigns pierc'd the deep array That thou should'st hope, imperious, and with Of Moloch, furious king; who him defied, To chase me hence ? err not, that so shall end And at his chariot-wheels to drag him bound The strife which thou call'st evil, but we style Threaten'd, nor from the Holy One of Heaven The strife of glory; which we mean to win, Refrain'd his tongue blasphemous ; but anon Or turn this Heaven itself into the Hell

Down cloven to the waist, with shatter'd arms Thou fablest ; here however to dwell free,

And uncouth pain fled bellowing. On each wing! If not to reign : meanwhile thy utmost force, Uriel, and Raphaël, his vaunting foe, And join him nam'd Almighty to thy aid,

Though huge, and in a rock of diamond arm'd, I fy not, but have sought thee far and nigh. Vanquish'd Adramelech, and Asmadai, “ They ended parle, and both address'd for fight Two potent thrones, that to be less than gods

1 Unspeakable ; for who, though with the tongue Disdain'd, but meaner thoughts learn'd in their Of angels, can relate, or to what things

flight,

[mail. Liken on Earth conspicuous, that may lift

Mangled with ghastly wounds through plate and Human imagination to such height

Nor stood unmindful Abdiel to annoy
Of godlike power? for likest gods they seem'd, The atheist crew, but with redoubled blow
Stood they or mov’d, in stature, motion, arms, Ariel, and Arioch, and the violence
Fit to decide the empire of great Heaven.

Of Ramiel scorch'd and blasted, overthrew.
Now wav'd their fiery swords, and in the air I might relate of thousands, and their names
Made horrid circles : two broad suns their shields Eternize here on Earth ; but those elect
Blaz'd opposite, while expectation stood

Angels, contented with their fame in Heaven, In horrour: from each hand with speed retir'd. Seek not the praise of men: the other sort,

In might though wond'rous and in acts of war, Nisroch, of principalities the prime ;
Nor of renown less eager, yet by doom

As one he stood escap'd from cruel fight,
Cancell'd from Heaven and sacred memory, Sore toil'd, his riven arms to havoc hewn,
Nameless in dark oblivion let them dwell.

And cloudy in aspéct thus answering spake. For strength from truth divided, and from just, « • Deliverer from new lords, leader to free Illaudable, nought merits but dispraise

Enjoyment of our right as gods; yet hard And ignominy; yet to glory aspires

For gods, and too unequał work we find, Vain-glorious, and through infamy seeks fame : Against unequal arms to fight in pain, Therefore eternal silence be their doom. [swerv'd, Against unpain'd, impassive; from which evil

“ And now, their mightiest quell'd, the battle Ruin must needs ensue; for what avails (pain With many an inroad gor'd; deformed rout Valour or strength, though matchless, quell'd with Enter'd, and foul disorder; all the ground Which all subdues, and makes remiss the hands With shiver'd armour strown, and on a heap Of mightiest ? Sense of pleasure we may well Chariot and charioteer lay overturn'd,

Spare out of life perhaps, and not repine,
And fiery-foaming steeds; what stood, recoil'd But live content, which is the calmest life:
O'er-wearied, through the faint Satanic host But pain is perfect misery, the worst
Defensive scarce, or with pale fear surpris'd, Of evils, and, excessive, overturns
Then first with fear surpris'd, and sense of pain, All patience. He, who therefore can invent
Fled ignominious, to such evil brought

With what more forcible we may offend
By sin of disobedience; till that hour

Our yet unwounded enemies, or arm Not liable to fear, or flight, or pain.

Ourselves with like defence, to me deserves Far otherwise the inviolable saints,

No less than for deliverance what we owe.' In cubic phalanx firm, advanc'd entire,

“ Whereto with look compos'd Satan replied. Invulnerable, impenetrably arm'd;

• Not uninvented that, which thou aright Such high advantages their innocence

Believ’st so main to our success, I bring. Gave them above their foes; not to have sinn'd, Which of us who beholds the bright surface Not to have disobey'd ; in fight they stood

Of this ethereous mould whereon we stand, Unwearied, unobnoxious to be pain'd (mov'd. This continent of spacious Heaven adorn'd By wound, though from their place by violence With plant, fruit, flower ambrosial, gems, and golu;

“ Now Night her course began, and, over Heaven Whose eye so superficially surveys Inducing darkness, grateful truce impos'd,

These things, as not to mind from whence they grow And silence on the odious din of war :

Deep under ground, materials dark and crude, Under her cloudy covert both retir'd,

Of spiritous and fiery spume, till, touch'd Victor and vanquish'd : on the foughten field With Heaven's ray, and temper'd, they shoot fortlı Michaël and his angels prevalent

So beauteous, opening to the ambient light? Encamping, plac'd in guard their watches round, These in their dark nativity the deep. Cherubic waving fires : on the other part,

Shall yield us, pregnant with infernal flame; Satan with his rebellious disappear'd,

Which into hollow engines, long and round, Far in the dark dislodg’d; and, void of rest, Thick ramm'd, at the other bore with touch of fire His potentates to council call'd by night ;

Dilated and infuriate, shall send forth And in the midst thus undismay'd began.

From far, with thundering noise, among our foes “ • O now in danger tried, now known in arms Such implements of mischief, as shall dash Not to be overpower'd, companions dear,

To pieces, and o'erwhelm whatever stands Found worthy not of liberty alone,

Adverse, that they shall fear we have disarm'd Too mean pretence! but what we more affect, The Thunderer of his only dreaded bolt. Honour, dominion, glory, and renown;

Nor long shall be our labour ; yet ere dawn Who have sustain's one day in doubtful fight Effect shall end our wish. Meanwhile revive ; (And if one day, why not eternal days ?)

Abandon fear; to strength and counsel join'd What Heaven's Lord had powerfullest to send Think nothing hard, much less to be despair'd. Against us from about his throne, and judg'd. “ He ended, and his words their drooping cheer Sufficient to subdue us to his will,

Enlighten’d, and their languish'd hope reviv'd. But proves not so: then fallible, it seems,

The invention all admir'd, and each, how he Of future we may deem him, though till now To be the inventor miss'd ; so easy it seem'd Omniscient thought. True is, less firmly arm'd, Once found, which yet unfound most would have Some disadvantage we endur'd and pain,

thought Till now not known, but, known, as soon contemn'd; Impossible: yet, haply, of thy race Since now we find this our empyreal form

In future days, if malice should abound, Incapable of mortal injury,

Some one intent on mischief, or inspir'd Imperishable, and though pierc'd with wound, With devilish machination, might devise Soon closing, and by native vigour heal’d.

Like instrument to plague the sons of men Of evil then so small, as easy think

For sin, on war and mutual slaughter bent. The remedy ; perhaps more valid arms,

Forthwith from council to the work they flew ; Weapons more violent, when next we meet, None arguing stood ; innumerable hands May serve to better us, and worse our foes, Were ready ; in a moment up they turn'd Or equal what between us made the odds,

Wide the celestial soil, and saw beneath In nature none : if other hidden cause

The originals of nature in their crude Left them superior, while we can preserve Conception; sulphurous and nitrous foam Unhurt our minds, and understanding sound, They found, they mingled, and, with subtle art, Due search and consultation will disclose.' Concocted and adusted they reduc'd

He sat and in the assembly ney unstood

The hanteetin dinte store conveyed.

roar

Part hidden veins digg'd up (nor hath this Earth With nicest touch. Immediate in a flame,
Entrails unlike) of mineral and stone,

But soon obscur'd with smoke, all Heaven appear'de
Whereof to found their engines and their balls From those deep-throated engines belch'd, whose
Of missive ruin ; part incentive reed
Provide, pernicious with one touch to fire. Embowell’d with outrageous noise the air,
So all ere day-spring, under conscious night, And all her entrails tore, disgorging foul
Secret they finish'd, and in order set,

Their devilish glut, chain'd thunderbolts and hail With silent circumspection, unespied.

Of iron globes ; which, on the victor host “ Now when fair morn orient in Heaven appear'd, Levell’d, with such impetuous fury smote, Up rose the victor-angels, and to arms

That, whom they hit, none on their feet might stand, The matin trumpet sung : in arms they stood Though standing else as rocks, but down they fell Of golden panoply, refulgent host,

By thousands, angel on arch-angel rollid; Soon banded; others from the dawning hills The sooner for their arms; unarm’d, they might Look'd round, and scouts each coast light-armed Have easily, as spirits, evaded swift scour,

By quick contraction or remove ; but now
Each quarter, to descry the distant foe,

Foul dissipation follow'd, and forc'd rout;
Where lodg'd, or whither fled, or if for fight, Nor serv'd it to relax their serried files.
In motion or in halt: him soon they met

What should they do? if on they rush'd, repulse
Under spread ensigns moving nigh, in slow Repeated, and indecent overthrow
But firm battalion : back with speediest sail Doubled, would render them yet more despisa,
Zophiel, of cherubim the swiftest wing,

And to their foes a laughter; for in view Came flying, and in mid air aloud thus cried. Stood rank'd of seraphim another row, “ • Arm, warriors, arm for fight; the foe at In posture to displode their second tire hand,

Of thunder : back defeated to return Whom fled we thought, will save us long pursuit They worse abhorr’d. Satan beheld their plight, This day ; fear not his flight; so thick a cloud And to his mates thus in derision call'd. (proud ? He comes, and settled in his face I see

“ • O friends! why come not on these victors Sad resolution, and secure: let each

Ere while they fierce were coming; and when we, His adamantine coat gird well, and each

To entertain them fair with open front Fit well his helm, gripe fast his orbed shield, And breast (what could we more ?) propounded Borne even or high; for this day will pour down,

terms If I conjecture aught, no drizzling shower, Of composition, straight they chang'd their minds, But rattling storm of arrows barb'd with fire.' Flew off, and into strange vagaries fell,

“ So warn'd he them, aware themselves, and soon As they would dance ; yet for a dance they seem'd In order, quit of all impediment;

Somewhat extravagant and wild: perhaps Instant without disturb they took alarm,

For joy of offer'd peace : but I suppose, And onward mov'd embattled: when behold! If our proposals once again were heard, Not distant far with heavy pace the foe

We should compel them to a quick result.' Approaching gross and huge, in hollow cube “ To whom thus Belial, in like gamesome mood, Training his devilish enginery, impald

• Leader ! the terms we sent were terms of weight, On every side with shadowing squadrons deep, Of hard contents, and full of force urg'd home; To hide the fraud. At interview both stood Such as we might perceive amus'd them all, A while ; but suddenly at head appear'd

And stumbled many: who receives them right, Satan, and thus was heard comınanding loud. Had need from head to foot well understand ;

“ • Vanguard, to right and left the front unfold; Not understood, this gift they have besides, That all may see who hate us, how we seek They show us when our foes walk not upright.' Peace and composure, and with open breast

“ So they among themselves in pleasant vein Stand ready to receive them, if they like

Stood scoffing, heighten'd in their thoughts beyond Our overture, and turn not back perverse :

All doubt of victory: Eternal Might
But that I doubt ; however witness Heaven! To match with their inventions they presum'd
Heaven, witness thou anon! while we discharge So easy, and of his thunder made a scorn,
Freely our part : ye, who appointed stand,

And all his host derided, while they stood
Do as you have in charge, and briefly touch Awhile in trouble: but they stood not long;
What we propound, and loud that all may hear! Rage prompted them at length, and found them

“ So scoffing in ambiguous words, he scarce Had ended; when to right and left the front Against such hellish mischief fit to oppose. Divided, and to either flank retir'd :

Forthwith (behold the excellence, the power, Which to our eyes discover'd, new and strange, Which God hath in his mighty angels plac'd!) A triple mounted row of pillars laid

Their arms away they threw, and to the hills
On wheels, (for like to pillars most they seem'd, (For Earth hath this variety from Heaven
Or hollow'd bodies made of oak or fir,

Of pleasure situate in hill and dale,)
With branches lopt, in wood or mountain fell’d,) Light as the lightning glimpse they ran, they flew;
Brass, iron, stony mould, had not their mouths From their foundations loosening to and fro,
With hideous orifice gap'd on us wide,

They pluck'd the seated hills, with all their load, Portending hollow truce : at each behind

Rocks, waters, woods, and by the shaggy tops A seraph stood, and in his hand a reed

Up-lifting bore them in their hands : amaze, Stood waving tipt with fire ; while we, suspense, Be sure, and terrour, seiz'd the rebel host, Collected stood within our thoughts amus'd, When coming towards them so dread they saw Not long; for sudden all at once their reeds The bottom of the mountains upward turn'd; want annlied

Tu on those cursed engines' triple row

arms

They saw them whelm'd, and all their confidence " He said, and on his son with rays direct
Under the weight of mountains buried deep; Shone full; he all his father full express'd
Themselves invaded next, and on their heads Ineffably into his face receiv'd ;
Main promontories flung, which in the air

And thus the filial godhead answering spake. Came shadowing, and oppress'd whole legions “O Father, o Supreme of heavenly thrones, arm'd;

bruis'a First, Highest, Holiest, Best ; thou always seck'st Their armour help'd their harm, crush'd in and | To glorify thy Son; I always thee, Into their substance pent, which wrought them pain As is most just : this I my glory account, Implacable, and many a dolorous groan;

My exaltation, and my whole delight,
Long struggling underneath, ere they could wind That thou, in me well pleas'd, declar'st thy will
Out of such prison, though spirits of purest light, Fulfill’d, which to fulfil is all my bliss.
Purest at first, now gross by sinning grown. Sceptre and power, thy giving, I assume,
The rest, in imitation, to like arms

And gladlier shall resign, when in the end
Betook them, and the neighbouring hills uptore: Thou shalt be all in all, and I in thee
So hills amid the air encounter'd hills,

For ever; and in me all whom thou lov'st :
Hurld to and fro with jaculation dire ;

But whom thou hat'st, I hate, and can put on That under ground they fought in dismal shade; Thy terrours, as I put thy mildness on, Infernal noise! war seem'd a civil game

Image of thee in all things; and shall soon, To this uproar; horrid confusion heap'd

Arm'd with thy might, rid Heaven of these rebellid; Upon confusion rose : and now all Heaven

To their prepar'd ill mansion driven down, Had gone to wrack, with ruin overspread ;

To chains of darkness, and the undying worm; Had not the Almighty Father, where he sits That from thy just obedience could revolt, Shrin'd in his sanctuary of Heaven secure,

Whom to obey is happiness entire. Consulting on the sum of things, foreseen

Then shall thy saints unmix'd, and from the impure This tumult, and permitted all, advis'd :

Far separate, circling thy holy mount, That his great purpose he might so fulfil,

Unfeigned halleluiahs to thee sing, To honour his anointed Son aveng'd

Hymns of high praise, and I among them chief.' Upon his enemies, and to declare

“ So said, he, o'er his sceptre bowing, rose All power on him transferr'd : whence to his Son, From the right hand of glory where he sat ; The assessor of his throne, he thus began.

And the third sacred morn began to shine, “ Effulgence of my glory, Son belov'd,

Dawning through Heaven. Forth rush'd with Son, in whose face invisible is beheld

whirlwind sound Visibly, what by Deity I am ;

The chariot of Paternal Deity, And in whose hand what by decree I do,

Flashing thick flames, wheel within wheel undrawn, Second Omnipotence! two days are past,

Itself instinct with spirit, but convoy'd Two days, as we compute the days of Heaven, By four cherubic shapes; four faces cach Since Michael and his powers went forth to tame Had wonderous; as with stars, their bodies all These disobedient: sore hath been their fight, And wings were set with eyes; with eyes the wheels As likeliest was, when two such foes met arm'd; Of beryl, and careering fires between; For to themselves I left them; and thou know'st, Over their heads a crystal firmament, Equal in their creation they were formid, (wrought Whereon a sapphire throne, inlaid with pure Save what sin hath impair'd; which yet hath | Amber, and colours of the showery arch. Insensibly, for I suspend their doom ;

He, in celestial panoply all arm’d
Whence in perpetual fight they needs must last Of radiant Urim, work divinely wrought,
Endless, and no solution will be found :

Ascended ; at his right hand Victory
War wearied hath perform'd what war can do, Sat eagle-wing'd; beside him hung his bow
And to disorder'd rage let loose the reins,

And quiver with three bolted thunder stor'd; With mountains, as with weapons, arm’d; which And from about him fierce effusion rolld makes

Of smoke, and bickering flame, and sparkles dire : Wild work in Heaven, and dangerous to the main. Attended with ten thousand thousand saints, Two days are therefore past, the third is thine ; He onward came; far off his coming shone; For thee I have ordain': it; and thus far

And twenty thousand (I their number heard) Have suffer'd, that the glory may be thine

Chariots of God, half on each hand, were seen Of ending this great war, since none but thou He on the wings of cherub rode sublime Can end it. Into thee such virtue and grace On the crystalline sky, in sapphire thron'd, Immense I have transfus'd, that all may know Illustrious far and wide ; but by his own In Heaven and Hell thy power above compare ;

First seen : them unexpected joy surpris'd, And, this perverse commotion govern'd thus, When the great ensign of Messiah blaz'd To manifest thee worthiest to be Heir

Aloft by angels borne, his sign in Heaven ; Of all things; to be Heir, and to be King

Under whose conduct Michael soon reduc'd
By sacred unction, thy deserved right.

His army, circumfus'd on either wing,
Go then, thou Mightiest, in thy Father's might; Under their head imbodied all in one.
Ascend my chariot, guide the rapid wheels Before him Power Divine his way prepar'd ;
That shake Heaven's basis, bring forth all my war, At his command the uprooted hills retir'd
My bow and thunder, my almighty arms

Each to his place; they heard his voice, and went
Gird on, and sword upon thy puissant thigh ; Obsequious; Heaven his wonted face renew'd,
Pursue these sons of darkness, drive them out And with fresh flowerets bill and valley smil'd.
From all Heaven's bounds into the utter deep : This saw his hapless foes, but stood obdur'd,
There let them learn, as likes them, to despise And to rebellious fight railied their powers,
God, and Messiah, his anointed king.'

Insensate, hope conceiving from despais.

In heavenly spirits could such perverseness dwell ? Drove them before him thunder-struck, pursued
But to convince the proud what signs avail, With terrours, and with furies, to the bounds
Or wonders inove the obdurate to relent?

And crystal wall of Heaven ; which, opening wide, They, harden'd more by what might most reclaim, Rolld inward, and a spacious gap disclos'd Grieving to see his glory, at the sight

Into the wasteful deep: the monstrous sight Took envy; and, aspiring to his height,

Struck them with horrour backward, but far worse Stood re-embattled fierce, by force or fraud Urg'd them behind : headlong themselves they Weening to prosper, and at length prevail

threw Against God and Messiah, or to fall

Down from the verge of Heaven ; etornal wrath In universal ruin last; and now

Burnt after them to the bottomless pit. To final battle drew, disdaining flight,

“ Hell heard the unsufferable noise, Hell saw Or faint retreat ; when the great Son of God Heaven ruining from Heaven, and would have fled To all his host on either hand thus spake. (stand, Affrighted; but strict Fate had cast too deep

“ Stand still in bright array, ye saints; here. Her dark foundations, and too fast had bound Ye angels arm’d; this day from battle rest : Nine days they fell : confounded Chaos roar'd, Faithful hath been your warfare, and of God And felt tenfold confusion in their fall Accepted, fearless in his righteous cause ;

Through his wild anarchy, so huge a rout And as ye have receiv'd, so have ye done,

Encumber'd him with ruin : Hell at last Invincibly : but of this cursed crew

Yawning receiv'd them whole, and on them clos'd; The punishment to other hand belongs;

Hell their fit habitation, fraught with fire Vengeance is his, or whose he sole appoints : Unquenchable, the house of woe and pain. Number to this day's work is not ordain'd, Disburden'd Heaven rejoic'd, and soon repair'd Nor multitude; stand only, and behold

Her mural breach, returning whence it roll'd. God's indignation on these godless pour'd

Sole victor, from the expulsion of his foes,
By me; not you, but me, they have despis'd, Messiah his triumphal chariot turn'd:
Yet envied ; against me is all their rage,

To meet him all his saints, who silent stood
Because the Father, to whom in Heaven supreme Eye-witnesses of his almighty acts,
Kingdom, and power, and glory appertains, With jubilee advanc'd; and, as they went,
Hath honour'd me, according to his will,

Shaded with branching palm, each order bright, Therefore to me their doom he hath assign'd; Sung triumph, and him sung victorious King, That they may have their wish to try with me Son, Heir, and Lord, to him dominion given, In battle which the stronger proves : they all, Worthiest to reign : He, celebrated, rode Or I alone against them; since by strength Triumphant through mid Heaven, into the courts They measure all, of other excellence

And temple of his mighty Father thron'd
Not emulous, nor care who them cxcels;

On high; who into glory him receiv'd,
Nor other strife with them do I vouchsafe.' Where now he sits at the right hand of bliss.

“ So spake the Son, and into terrour chang'd “ Thus measuring things in Heaven by things His countenance too severe to be beheld,

on Earth, And full of wrath bent on his enemies.

At thy request, and that thou may'st beware At once the Four spread out their starry wings By what is past, to thee I have reveal'd With dreadful shade contiguous, and the orbs What might have else to human race been hid; Of his fierce chariot roll'd, as with the sound The discord which befel, and war in Heaven Of torrent floods, or of a numerous host.

Among the angelic powers, and the deep fall He on his impious foes right onward drove, Of those too high aspiring, who rebell'd Gloomy as night, under his burning wheels With Satan; he who envies now thy state, The stedfast empyréan shook throughout,

Who now is plotting how he may seduce All but the throne itself of God.

Full soon

Thce also from obedience, that, with him
Among them he arriv'd; in his right hand

Bereav'd of happiness, thou may'st partake
Grasping ten thousand thunders, which he sent His punishment, eternal misery;
Before him, such as in their souls infix'd

Which would be all his solace and revenge,
Plagues : they, astonish'd, all resistance lost, As a despite done against the Most High,
All courage ; down their idle weapons dropt : Thee once to gain companion of his woe.
O'er shields, and helms, and helmed heads he rode But listen not to his temptations, warn
Of thrones and mighty seraphim prostráte, | Thy weaker ; let it profit thee to have heard,
That wish'd the mountains now might be again ! By terrible example, the reward
Thrown on them, as a shelter from his ire.

Of disobedience; firm they might have stood,
Nor less on either side tempestuous fell

Yet fell; remember, and fear to transgress.'
His arrows, from the fourfold-visag'd Four
Distinct with eyes, and from the living wheels
Distinct alike with multitude of eyes;

Book VII.
One spirit in them rul'd; and every eye
Glar'd lightning, and shot forth pernicious fire

The Argument
Among the accurs'd, that wither'd all their strength,
And of their wonted vigour left them drain'd, Raphael, at the request of Adam, relates how and
Exhausted, spiritless, afflicted, fall’n.

wherefore this world was first created ; that God, Yet half his strength he put not forth, but check'd after the expelling of Satan and his angels out His thunder in mid volley ; for he meant

of Heaven, declared his pleasure to create anNot to destroy, but root them out of Heaven : other world, and other creatures to dwell therein ; The overthrown he rais'd, and as a herd

sends his Son with glory, and attendance of Ol' goats or timorous flock together throng'd angels, to perform the work of creation in sis