Our happy state under one head more near
United. But to grant it thee unjust,

830

That equal over equals monarch reign:
Thyself though great and glorious dost thou count,
Or all angelic nature join'd in one,

Equal to him begotten Son, by whom

As by his word the mighty Father made

835

841

All things, ev'n thee, and all the spirits of heaven
By him created in their bright degrees,
Crown'd them with glory, and to their glory nam'd
Thrones, dominations, princedoms, virtues, powers,
Essential powers, nor by his reign obscur'd,
But more illustrious made, since he the head
One of our number thus reduc'd becomes,
His laws our laws, all honour to him done
Returns our own? Cease then this impious rage,
And tempt not these; but hasten to appease
Th' incensed Father, and th' incensed Son,
While pardon may be found in time besought.
So spake the fervent angel; but his zeal
None seconded, as out of season judg'd;
Or singular and rash; whereat rejoic'd
Th' Apostate, and more haughty thus reply'd.

846

850

That we were form'd then say'st thou? and the Of secondary hands, by task transferr'd [work From Father to his Son? strange point and new! Doctrine which we would know whence learn'd:

who saw

When this creation was? remember'st thou

Thy making, while the Maker gave thee being?

860

865

We know no time when we were not as now;
Know none before us, self-begot, self-rais'd
By our own quick'ning power, when fatal course
Had circled his full orb, the birth mature
Of this our native heaven, ethereal sons.
Our puissance is our own, our own right hand
Shall teach us highest deeds, by proof to try
Who is our equal: then thou shalt behold
Whether by supplication we intend
Address, and to begirt th' Almighty throne
Beseeching or besieging. This report,
These tidings carry to th' anointed king;
And fly, ere evil intercept thy flight.

870

875

He said, and, as the sound of waters deep, Hoarse murmur echo'd to his words applause Through the infinite host; nor less for that The flaming seraph fearless, though alone Encompass'd round with foes, thus answer'd bold. O alienate from GOD, O spirit accurst, Forsaken of all good, I see thy fall Determin'd, and thy hapless crew involv'd In this perfidious fraud, contagion spread Both of thy crime and punishment. Henceforth No more be troubled how to quit the yoke Of GOD'S MESSIAH; those indulgent laws

869 Beseeching] See Heywood's Spider and Flie, p. 376. 'Myne answere is, not a harnes cap-a-pie

Besieging (stead of beseeching).'

880

875 flaming]

'Each flaming seraph.'

v. Beaumont's Psyche, c. xxix. st. 184.

Will not be now vouchsaf'd, other decrees
Against thee are gone forth without recall:
That golden scepter which thou didst reject
Is now an iron rod, to bruise and break
Thy disobedience. Well thou didst advise;
Yet not for thy advice or threats I fly
These wicked tents devoted, lest the wrath
Impendent raging into sudden flame
Distinguish not; for soon expect to feel
His thunder on thy head, devouring fire.
Then who created thee lamenting learn,

885

890

When who can uncreate thee thou shalt know. 895
So spake the seraph Abdiel faithful found,
Among the faithless faithful only he:
Among innumerable false unmov'd,
Unshaken, unseduc'd, unterrify'd,

900

His loyalty he kept, his love, his zeal;
Nor number, nor example with him wrought
To swerve from truth, or change his constant mind
Though single. From amidst them forth he pass'd,
Long way through hostile scorn, which he sustain'd
Superior, nor of violence fear'd aught;

905

And with retorted scorn his back he turn'd
On those proud tow'rs to swift destruction doom'd.

888 Thy disobedience] Thee disobedient, v. 2. 702, b. 139, b. 687. Bentl. MS.

890 lest.] The construction is deficient. Pearce would understand, but I fly' before 'lest.' Bentley proposes reading,

'These wicked tents devote, but lest the wrath,' &c.

Newton.

38

PARADISE LOST.

BOOK VI.

ARGUMENT.

RAPHAEL Continues to relate how Michael and Gabriel were sent forth to battel against Satan and his angels. The first fight described: Satan and his powers retire under night: he calls a council, invents devilish engines, which in the second day's fight put Michael and his angels to some disorder; but they at length pulling up mountains overwhelmed both the force and machines of Satan; yet the tumult not so ending, GOD on the third day sends Messiah his Son, for whom he had reserved the glory of that victory. He 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 prepared for them in the deep. Messiah returns with triumph to his Father.

ALL night the dreadless angel unpursu'd [morn, Through heaven's wide champain held his way, till Wak'd by the circling hours, with rosy hand Unbarr'd the gates of light. There is a cave Within the mount of GOD, fast by his throne, 5 Where light and darkness in perpetual round Lodge and dislodge by turns, which makes through heaven

7 Lodge] This thought borrowed from Hesiod. Theog. 748. Newton.

10

Grateful vicissitude, like day and night:
Light issues forth, and at the other door
Obsequious darkness enters, till her hour
To veil the heaven,though darkness there might well
Seem twilight here; and now went forth the morn
Such as in highest heaven, array'd in gold
Empyreal; from before her vanish'd night,
Shot through with orient beams: when all the plain
Cover'd with thick embattel'd squadrons bright, 16
Chariots, and flaming arms, and fiery steeds,
Reflecting blaze on blaze, first met his view.
War he perceiv'd, war in procinct, and found
Already known what he for news had thought 20
To have reported: gladly then he mix'd
Among those friendly powers, who him receiv'd
With joy and acclamations loud, that one,
That of so many myriads fall'n yet one
Return'd not lost. On to the sacred hill
They led him high applauded, and present
Before the seat supreme; from whence a voice
From midst a golden cloud thus mild was heard.
Servant of GOD, well done, well hast thou fought
The better fight, who single hast maintain'd
Against revolted multitudes the cause

Of truth, in word mightier than they in arms;
And for the testimony of truth hast borne
Universal reproach, far worse to bear

10 Obsequious] opacous. Bentl. MS.

14 vanish'd] Some editions absurdly read ' vanquish'd.'

25

30

Newton.