So Satan fell; and straight a fiery globe
Of angels on full sail of wing flew nigh,
Who on their plumy vans receiv'd him soft
From his uneasy station, and upbore
As on a floating couch through the blithe air; 585
Then in a flow'ry valley set him down
On a green bank, and set before him spread
A table of celestial food, divine
Ambrosial fruits, fetch'd from the tree of life,
And from the fount of life ambrosial drink,
That soon refresh'd him wearied, and repair'd
What hunger, if aught hunger had impair'd,
Or thirst; and, as he fed, angelic quires
Sung heav'nly anthems of his victory
Over temptation and the tempter proud.
True Image of the father, whether thron'd
In the bosom of bliss, and light of light
Conceiving, or remote from heaven, enshrin'd
581 globe] G. Fletcher's Christ's Triumph, st. xiii.
'out there flies
A globe of winged angels swift as thought.' Todd.
583 him] This inaccuracy has been remarked: and that him must refer to Satan; therefore I would suppose that him is used emphatically-so Satan fell; but angels received him, and upbore.
587 spread] G. Fletcher's Christ's Triumph, &c. st. 61. 'But to their Lord, now musing in his thought,
A heavenly volley of light angels flew,
And from his father him a banquet brought
Through the fine element: for well they knew
After his lenten fast he hungry grew;
And, as he fed, the holy quires combine
To sing a hymn of the celestial trine.'
In fleshly tabernacle and human form,
Wand'ring the wilderness, whatever place,
Habit, or state, or motion, still expressing
The Son of God, with god-like force indu'd
Against th' attempter of thy Father's throne,
And thief of paradise; him long of old
Thou didst debel, and down from heaven cast 6
With all his army, now thou hast aveng'd
Supplanted Adam, and by vanquishing
Temptation, hast regain'd lost Paradise,
And frustrated the conquest fraudulent:
He never more henceforth will dare set foot
In Paradise to tempt; his snares are broke:
For though that seat of earthly bliss be fail'd,
A fairer paradise is founded now
For Adam and his chosen sons, whom thou
A Saviour art come down to re-install
Where they shall dwell secure, when time shall be,
Of tempter and temptation without fear.
But thou, infernal serpent, shalt not long
Rule in the clouds; like an autumnal star
Or light'ning thou shalt fall from heaven, trod down
Under his feet: for proof, ere this thou feel'st
Thy wound, yet not thy last and deadliest wound,
By this repulse receiv'd, and hold'st in hell
No triumph. In all her gates Abaddon rues
Thy bold attempt; hereafter learn with awe
To dread the Son of God: he all unarm'd
605 debel] Virg. Æn. vi. 853. Debellare superbos.'
Shall chase thee with the terror of his voice
From thy demoniac holds, possession foul,
Thee and thy legions; yelling they shall fly,
And beg to hide them in a herd of swine,
Lest he command them down into the deep
Bound, and to torment sent before their time.
Hail Son of the most High, heir of both worlds,
Queller of Satan, on thy glorious work
Now enter, and begin to save mankind.
Thus they the Son of God our Saviour meek Sung victor, and from heav'nly feasts refresh'd Brought on his way with joy; he unobserv'd Home to his mother's house private return'd.
ADDITIONAL NOTES ON PARADISE LOST.
B. I. ver. 46. With hideous ruin and combustion] So in an Order of the two Houses, &c., in 1642, apud Clarendon's Hist. of the Reb. iii. 46, ed. 1826. 'and thereby to bring the whole kingdom into utter ruin and combustion. A. Dyce.
by wondrous art Pontifical, a ridge of pendent rock] So Sannazari
'Jucundus geminos fecit tibi, Sequana, pontes: Jure tuum potes hunc dicere Pontificem.'
|