Milton John. Paradise Lost

   Words which no eare ever to hear in Heav'n
   Expected, least of all from thee, ingrate
   In place thy self so high above thy Peeres.
   Canst thou with impious obloquie condemne
   The just Decree of God, pronounc't and sworn,
   That to his only Son by right endu'd
   With Regal Scepter, every Soule in Heav'n
   Shall bend the knee, and in that honour due
   Confess him rightful King? unjust thou saist
   Flatly 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 dispute
   With him the points of libertie, who made
   Thee what thou art, & formd the Pow'rs of Heav'n
   Such as he pleasd, and circumscrib'd thir being?
   Yet by experience taught we know how good,
   And of our good, and of our dignitie
   How provident he is, how farr from thought
   To make us less, bent rather to exalt
   Our happie state under one Head more neer
   United. But to grant it thee unjust,
   That equal over equals Monarch Reigne:
   Thy self though great & glorious dost thou count,
   Or all Angelic Nature joind in one,
   Equal to him begotten Son, by whom
   As by his Word the mighty Father made
   All things, ev'n thee, and all the Spirits of Heav'n
   By him created in thir bright degrees,
   Crownd them with Glory, & to thir Glory nam'd
   Thrones, Dominations, Princedoms, Vertues, Powers
   Essential Powers, nor by his Reign obscur'd,
   But more illustrious made, since he the Head
   One of our number thus reduc't becomes,
   His Laws our Laws, all honour to him done
   Returns our own. Cease then this impious rage,
   And tempt not these; but hast'n to appease
   Th' incensed Father, and th' incensed Son,
   While Pardon may be found in time besought.
   So spake the fervent Angel, but his zeale
   None seconded, as out of season judg'd,
   Or singular and rash, whereat rejoic'd
   Th' Apostat, and more haughty thus repli'd.
   That we were formd then saist thou? & the work
   Of secondarie hands, by task transferd
   From Father to his Son? strange point and new!
   Doctrin which we would know whence learnt: who saw
   When this creation was? rememberst thou
   Thy 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'd
   By our own quick'ning power, when fatal course
   Had circl'd his full Orbe, the birth mature
   Of this our native Heav'n, 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 carrie to th' anointed King;
   And fly, ere evil intercept thy flight.
   He said, and as the sound of waters deep
   Hoarce 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 answerd bold.
   O alienate from God, O spirit accurst,
   Forsak'n of all good; I see thy fall
   Determind, and thy hapless crew involv'd
   In this perfidious fraud, contagion spred
   Both of thy crime and punishment: henceforth
   No more be troubl'd how to quit the yoke
   Of Gods MESSIAH; those indulgent Laws
   Will not be now voutsaf't, other Decrees
   Against thee are gon forth without recall;
   That Golden Scepter which thou didst reject
   Is now an Iron Rod to bruise and breake
   Thy disobedience. Well thou didst advise,
   Yet not for thy advise or threats I fly
   These wicked Tents devoted, least the wrauth
   Impendent, raging into sudden flame
   Distinguish not: for soon expect to feel
   His Thunder on thy head, devouring fire.
   Then 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'd
   His Loyaltie he kept, his Love, his Zeale;
   Nor number, nor example with him wrought
   To swerve from truth, or change his constant mind
   Though single. From amidst them forth he passd,
   Long way through hostile scorn, which he susteind
   Superior, nor of violence fear'd aught;
   And with retorted scorn his back he turn'd
   On those proud Towrs to swift destruction doom'd.

BOOK VI.

   All night the dreadless Angel unpursu'd
   Through Heav'ns wide Champain held his way, till Morn,
   Wak't by the circling Hours, with rosie hand
   Unbarr'd the gates of Light. There is a Cave
   Within the Mount of God, fast by his Throne,
   Where light and darkness in perpetual round
   Lodge and dislodge by turns, which makes through Heav'n
   Grateful vicissitude, like Day and Night;
   Light issues forth, and at the other dore
   Obsequious darkness enters, till her houre
   To veile the Heav'n, though darkness there might well
   Seem twilight here; and now went forth the Morn
   Such as in highest Heav'n, arrayd in Gold
   Empyreal, from before her vanisht Night,
   Shot through with orient Beams: when all the Plain
   Coverd with thick embatteld Squadrons bright,
   Chariots and flaming Armes, and fierie Steeds
   Reflecting blaze on blaze, first met his view:
   Warr he perceav'd, warr in procinct, and found
   Already known what he for news had thought
   To have reported: gladly then he mixt
   Among those friendly Powers who him receav'd
   With joy and acclamations loud, that one
   That of so many Myriads fall'n, yet one
   Returnd not lost: On to the sacred hill
   They led him high applauded, and present
   Before the seat supream; from whence a voice
   From midst a Golden Cloud thus milde was heard.
   Servant of God, well done, well hast thou fought
   The better fight, who single hast maintaind
   Against revolted multitudes the Cause
   Of Truth, in word mightier then they in Armes;
   And for the testimonie of Truth hast born
   Universal reproach, far worse to beare
   Then violence: for this was all thy care
   To stand approv'd in sight of God, though Worlds
   Judg'd thee perverse: the easier conquest now
   Remains thee, aided by this host of friends,
   Back on thy foes more glorious to return
   Then scornd thou didst depart, and to subdue
   By force, who reason for thir Law refuse,
   Right reason for thir Law, and for thir King
   MESSIAH, who by right of merit Reigns.
   Goe MICHAEL of Celestial Armies Prince,
   And thou in Military prowess next
   GABRIEL, lead forth to Battel these my Sons
   Invincible, lead forth my armed Saints
   By Thousands and by Millions rang'd for fight;
   Equal in number to that Godless crew
   Rebellious, them with Fire and hostile Arms
   Fearless assault, and to the brow of Heav'n
   Pursuing drive them out from God and bliss,
   Into thir place of punishment, the Gulf
   Of TARTARUS, which ready opens wide
   His fiery CHAOS to receave thir fall.
   So spake the Sovran voice, and Clouds began
   To darken all the Hill, and smoak to rowl
   In duskie wreathes, reluctant flames, the signe
   Of wrauth awak't: nor with less dread the loud
   Ethereal Trumpet from on high gan blow:
   At which command the Powers Militant,
   That stood for Heav'n, in mighty Quadrate joyn'd
   Of Union irresistible, mov'd on
   In silence thir bright Legions, to the sound
   Of instrumental Harmonie that breath'd
   Heroic Ardor to advent'rous deeds
   Under thir God-like Leaders, in the Cause
   Of God and his MESSIAH. On they move
   Indissolubly firm; nor obvious Hill,
   Nor streit'ning Vale, nor Wood, nor Stream divides
   Thir perfet ranks; for high above the ground
   Thir march was, and the passive Air upbore
   Thir nimble tread; as when the total kind
   Of Birds in orderly array on wing
   Came summond over EDEN to receive
   Thir names of thee; so over many a tract
   Of Heav'n they march'd, and many a Province wide
   Tenfold the length of this terrene: at last
   Farr in th' Horizon to the North appeer'd
   From skirt to skirt a fierie Region, stretcht
   In battailous aspect, and neerer view
   Bristl'd with upright beams innumerable
   Of rigid Spears, and Helmets throng'd, and Shields
   Various, with boastful Argument portraid,
   The banded Powers of SATAN hasting on
   With furious expedition; for they weend
   That self same day by fight, or by surprize
   To win the Mount of God, and on his Throne
   To set the envier of his State, the proud
   Aspirer, but thir thoughts prov'd fond and vain
   In the mid way: though strange to us it seemd
   At first, that Angel should with Angel warr,
   And in fierce hosting meet, who wont to meet
   So oft in Festivals of joy and love
   Unanimous, as sons of one great Sire
   Hymning th' Eternal Father: but the shout
   Of Battel now began, and rushing sound
   Of onset ended soon each milder thought.
   High in the midst exalted as a God
   Th' Apostat in his Sun-bright Chariot sate
   Idol of Majestie Divine, enclos'd
   With 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 Front
   Presented stood in terrible array
   Of 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;
   ABDIEL that sight endur'd not, where he stood
   Among the mightiest, bent on highest deeds,
   And thus his own undaunted heart explores.
   O Heav'n! that such resemblance of the Highest
   Should yet remain, where faith and realtie
   Remain not; wherfore should not strength & might
   There fail where Vertue fails, or weakest prove
   Where boldest; though to sight unconquerable?
   His puissance, trusting in th' Almightie's aide,
   I mean to try, whose Reason I have tri'd
   Unsound and false; nor is it aught but just,
   That he who in debate of Truth hath won,
   Should win in Arms, in both disputes alike
   Victor; though brutish that contest and foule,
   When Reason hath to deal with force, yet so
   Most reason is that Reason overcome.
   So pondering, and from his armed Peers
   Forth stepping opposite, half way he met
   His daring foe, at this prevention more
   Incens't, and thus securely him defi'd.
   Proud, art thou met? thy hope was to have reacht
   The highth of thy aspiring unoppos'd,
   The Throne of God unguarded, and his side
   Abandond at the terror of thy Power
   Or potent tongue; fool, not to think how vain
   Against th' Omnipotent to rise in Arms;
   Who out of smallest things could without end
   Have rais'd incessant Armies to defeat
   Thy folly; or with solitarie hand
   Reaching beyond all limit, at one blow
   Unaided could have finisht thee, and whelmd
   Thy Legions under darkness; but thou seest
   All are not of thy Train; there be who Faith
   Prefer, and Pietie to God, though then
   To thee not visible, when I alone
   Seemd in thy World erroneous to dissent
   From all: my Sect thou seest, now learn too late
   How few somtimes may know, when thousands err.
   Whom the grand foe with scornful eye askance
   Thus answerd. Ill for thee, but in wisht houre
   Of my revenge, first sought for thou returnst
   From flight, seditious Angel, to receave
   Thy merited reward, the first assay
   Of this right hand provok't, since first that tongue
   Inspir'd with contradiction durst oppose
   A third part of the Gods, in Synod met
   Thir Deities to assert, who while they feel
   Vigour Divine within them, can allow
   Omnipotence to none. But well thou comst
   Before thy fellows, ambitious to win
   From me som Plume, that thy success may show
   Destruction to the rest: this pause between
   (Unanswerd least thou boast) to let thee know;
   At first I thought that Libertie and Heav'n
   To heav'nly Soules had bin all one; but now
   I 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.
   To whom in brief thus ABDIEL stern repli'd.
   Apostat, still thou errst, nor end wilt find
   Of erring, from the path of truth remote:
   Unjustly thou deprav'st it with the name
   Of SERVITUDE to serve whom God ordains,
   Or Nature; God and Nature bid the same,
   When he who rules is worthiest, and excells
   Them whom he governs. This is servitude,
   To serve th' unwise, or him who hath rebelld
   Against his worthier, as thine now serve thee,
   Thy self not free, but to thy self enthrall'd;
   Yet leudly dar'st our ministring upbraid.
   Reign thou in Hell thy Kingdom, let mee serve
   In Heav'n God ever blessed, and his Divine
   Behests obey, worthiest to be obey'd,
   Yet Chains in Hell, not Realms expect: mean while
   From mee returnd, as erst thou saidst, from flight,
   This greeting on thy impious Crest receive.
   So saying, a noble stroke he lifted high,
   Which hung not, but so swift with tempest fell
   On the proud Crest of SATAN, that no sight,
   Nor motion of swift thought, less could his Shield
   Such ruin intercept: ten paces huge
   He back recoild; the tenth on bended knee
   His massie Spear upstaid; as if on Earth
   Winds under ground or waters forcing way
   Sidelong, had push't a Mountain from his seat
   Half sunk with all his Pines. Amazement seis'd
   The Rebel Thrones, but greater rage to see
   Thus foil'd thir mightiest, ours joy filld, and shout,
   Presage of Victorie and fierce desire
   Of Battel: whereat MICHAEL bid sound
   Th' Arch-Angel trumpet; through the vast of Heav'n
   It sounded, and the faithful Armies rung
   HOSANNA to the Highest: nor stood at gaze
   The adverse Legions, nor less hideous joyn'd
   The horrid shock: now storming furie rose,
   And clamour such as heard in Heav'n till now
   Was never, Arms on Armour clashing bray'd
   Horrible discord, and the madding Wheeles
   Of brazen Chariots rag'd; dire was the noise
   Of conflict; over head the dismal hiss
   Of fiery Darts in flaming volies flew,
   And flying vaulted either Host with fire.
   Sounder fierie Cope together rush'd
   Both Battels maine, with ruinous assault
   And inextinguishable rage; all Heav'n
   Resounded, and had Earth bin then, all Earth
   Had to her Center shook. What wonder? when
   Millions of fierce encountring Angels fought
   On either side, the least of whom could weild
   These Elements, and arm him with the force
   Of all thir Regions: how much more of Power
   Armie against Armie numberless to raise
   Dreadful combustion warring, and disturb,
   Though not destroy, thir happie Native seat;
   Had not th' Eternal King Omnipotent
   From his strong hold of Heav'n high over-rul'd
   And limited thir might; though numberd such
   As each divided Legion might have seemd
   A numerous Host, in strength each armed hand
   A Legion; led in fight, yet Leader seemd
   Each Warriour single as in Chief, expert
   When to advance, or stand, or turn the sway
   Of Battel, open when, and when to close
   The ridges of grim Warr; no thought of flight,
   None of retreat, no unbecoming deed
   That argu'd fear; each on himself reli'd,
   As onely in his arm the moment lay
   Of victorie; deeds of eternal fame
   Were don, but infinite: for wide was spred
   That Warr and various; somtimes on firm ground
   A standing fight, then soaring on main wing
   Tormented all the Air; all Air seemd then
   Conflicting Fire: long time in eeven scale
   The Battel hung; till SATAN, who that day
   Prodigious power had shewn, and met in Armes
   No equal, raunging through the dire attack
   Of fighting Seraphim confus'd, at length
   Saw where the Sword of MICHAEL smote, and fell'd
   Squadrons at once, with huge two-handed sway
   Brandisht aloft the horrid edge came down
   Wide wasting; such destruction to withstand
   He hasted, and oppos'd the rockie Orb
   Of tenfold Adamant, his ample Shield
   A vast circumference: At his approach
   The great Arch-Angel from his warlike toile
   Surceas'd, and glad as hoping here to end
   Intestine War in Heav'n, the arch foe subdu'd
   Or Captive drag'd in Chains, with hostile frown
   And visage all enflam'd first thus began.
   Author of evil, unknown till thy revolt,
   Unnam'd in Heav'n, now plenteous, as thou seest
   These Acts of hateful strife, hateful to all,
   Though heaviest by just measure on thy self
   And thy adherents: how hast thou disturb'd
   Heav'ns blessed peace, and into Nature brought
   Miserie, uncreated till the crime
   Of thy Rebellion? how hast thou instill'd
   Thy malice into thousands, once upright
   And faithful, now prov'd false. But think not here
   To trouble Holy Rest; Heav'n casts thee out
   From all her Confines. Heav'n the seat of bliss
   Brooks not the works of violence and Warr.
   Hence then, and evil go with thee along
   Thy 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 God
   Precipitate thee with augmented paine.
   So spake the Prince of Angels; to whom thus
   The Adversarie. Nor think thou with wind
   Of airie threats to aw whom yet with deeds
   Thou canst not. Hast thou turnd the least of these
   To flight, or if to fall, but that they rise
   Unvanquisht, easier to transact with mee
   That thou shouldst hope, imperious, & with threats
   To chase me hence? erre not that so shall end
   The strife which thou call'st evil, but wee style
   The strife of Glorie: which we mean to win,
   Or turn this Heav'n it self into the Hell
   Thou 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 fight
   Unspeakable; for who, though with the tongue
   Of Angels, can relate, or to what things
   Liken on Earth conspicuous, that may lift
   Human imagination to such highth
   Of Godlike Power: for likest Gods they seemd,
   Stood they or mov'd, in stature, motion, arms
   Fit to decide the Empire of great Heav'n.
   Now wav'd thir fierie Swords, and in the Aire
   Made horrid Circles; two broad Suns thir Shields
   Blaz'd opposite, while expectation stood
   In horror; from each hand with speed retir'd
   Where erst was thickest fight, th' Angelic throng,
   And left large field, unsafe within the wind
   Of such commotion, such as to set forth
   Great things by small, If Natures concord broke,
   Among the Constellations warr were sprung,
   Two Planets rushing from aspect maligne
   Of 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'd
   That might determine, and not need repeate,
   As not of power, at once; nor odds appeerd
   In might or swift prevention; but the sword
   Of MICHAEL from the Armorie of God
   Was giv'n him temperd so, that neither keen
   Nor solid might resist that edge: it met
   The sword of SATAN with steep force to smite
   Descending, and in half cut sheere, nor staid,
   But with swift wheele reverse, deep entring shar'd
   All his right side; then SATAN first knew pain,
   And writh'd him to and fro convolv'd; so sore
   The griding sword with discontinuous wound
   Pass'd through him, but th' Ethereal substance clos'd
   Not long divisible, and from the gash
   A stream of Nectarous humor issuing flow'd
   Sanguin, such as Celestial Spirits may bleed,
   And all his Armour staind ere while so bright.
   Forthwith on all sides to his aide was run
   By Angels many and strong, who interpos'd
   Defence, while others bore him on thir Shields
   Back to his Chariot; where it stood retir'd
   From off the files of warr; there they him laid
   Gnashing for anguish and despite and shame
   To find himself not matchless, and his pride
   Humbl'd by such rebuke, so farr beneath
   His confidence to equal God in power.
   Yet soon he heal'd; for Spirits that live throughout
   Vital in every part, not as frail man
   In Entrailes, Heart or Head, Liver or Reines,
   Cannot but by annihilating die;
   Nor in thir liquid texture mortal wound
   Receive, no more then can the fluid Aire:
   All Heart they live, all Head, all Eye, all Eare,
   All Intellect, all Sense, and as they please,
   They Limb themselves, and colour, shape or size
   Assume, as likes them best, condense or rare.
   Mean while in other parts like deeds deservd
   Memorial, where the might of GABRIEL fought,
   And with fierce Ensignes pierc'd the deep array
   Of MOLOC furious King, who him defi'd,
   And at his Chariot wheeles to drag him bound
   Threatn'd, nor from the Holie One of Heav'n
   Refrein'd his tongue blasphemous; but anon
   Down clov'n to the waste, with shatterd Armes
   And uncouth paine fled bellowing. On each wing
   URIEL 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 Gods
   Disdain'd, but meaner thoughts learnd in thir flight,
   Mangl'd with gastly wounds through Plate and Maile.
   Nor stood unmindful ABDIEL to annoy
   The Atheist crew, but with redoubl'd blow
   ARIEL and ARIOC, and the violence
   Of RAMIEL scorcht and blasted overthrew.
   I might relate of thousands, and thir names
   Eternize here on Earth; but those elect
   Angels contented with thir fame in Heav'n
   Seek not the praise of men: the other sort
   In might though wondrous and in Acts of Warr,
   Nor of Renown less eager, yet by doome
   Canceld from Heav'n and sacred memorie,
   Nameless in dark oblivion let them dwell.
   For strength from Truth divided and from Just,
   Illaudable, naught merits but dispraise
   And ignominie, yet to glorie aspires
   Vain 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 rout
   Enter'd, and foul disorder; all the ground
   With shiverd armour strow'n, and on a heap
   Chariot and Charioter lay overturnd
   And fierie foaming Steeds; what stood, recoyld
   Orewearied, through the faint Satanic Host
   Defensive scarse, or with pale fear surpris'd,
   Then first with fear surpris'd and sense of paine
   Fled ignominious, to such evil brought
   By sinne of disobedience, till that hour
   Not liable to fear or flight or paine.
   Far otherwise th' inviolable Saints
   In Cubic Phalanx firm advanc't entire,
   Invulnerable, impenitrably arm'd:
   Such high advantages thir innocence
   Gave them above thir foes, not to have sinnd,
   Not to have disobei'd; in fight they stood
   Unwearied, unobnoxious to be pain'd
   By wound, though from thir place by violence mov'd.
   Now Night her course began, and over Heav'n
   Inducing darkness, grateful truce impos'd,
   And silence on the odious dinn of Warr:
   Under her Cloudie covert both retir'd,
   Victor and Vanquisht: on the foughten field
   MICHAEL and his Angels prevalent
   Encamping, plac'd in Guard thir Watches round,
   Cherubic waving fires: on th' other part
   SATAN with his rebellious disappeerd,
   Far in the dark dislodg'd, and void of rest,
   His Potentates to Councel call'd by night;
   And in the midst thus undismai'd began.
   O now in danger tri'd, now known in Armes
   Not to be overpowerd, Companions deare,
   Found worthy not of Libertie alone,
   Too mean pretense, but what we more affect,
   Honour, Dominion, Glorie, and renowne,
   Who have sustaind one day in doubtful fight,
   (And if one day, why not Eternal dayes?)
   What Heavens Lord had powerfullest to send
   Against us from about his Throne, and judg'd
   Sufficient to subdue us to his will,
   But proves not so: then fallible, it seems,
   Of future we may deem him, though till now
   Omniscient thought. True is, less firmly arm'd,
   Some disadvantage we endur'd and paine,
   Till now not known, but known as soon contemnd,
   Since now we find this our Empyreal forme
   Incapable of mortal injurie
   Imperishable, and though peirc'd with wound,
   Soon closing, and by native vigour heal'd.
   Of evil then so small as easie think
   The remedie; perhaps more valid Armes,
   Weapons more violent, when next we meet,
   May serve to better us, and worse our foes,
   Or equal what between us made the odds,
   In Nature none: if other hidden cause
   Left them Superiour, while we can preserve
   Unhurt our mindes, and understanding sound,
   Due search and consultation will disclose.
   He sat; and in th' assembly next upstood
   NISROC, of Principalities the prime;
   As one he stood escap't from cruel fight,
   Sore toild, his riv'n Armes to havoc hewn,
   And cloudie in aspect thus answering spake.
   Deliverer from new Lords, leader to free
   Enjoyment of our right as Gods; yet hard
   For Gods, and too unequal work we find
   Against unequal armes to fight in paine,
   Against unpaind, impassive; from which evil
   Ruin must needs ensue; for what availes
   Valour or strength, though matchless, quelld with pain
   Which all subdues, and makes remiss the hands
   Of Mightiest. Sense of pleasure we may well
   Spare out of life perhaps, and not repine,
   But live content, which is the calmest life:
   But pain is perfet miserie, the worst
   Of evils, and excessive, overturnes
   All patience. He who therefore can invent
   With what more forcible we may offend
   Our yet unwounded Enemies, or arme
   Our selves with like defence, to mee deserves
   No less then for deliverance what we owe.
   Whereto with look compos'd SATAN repli'd.
   Not uninvented that, which thou aright
   Beleivst so main to our success, I bring;
   Which of us who beholds the bright surface
   Of this Ethereous mould whereon we stand,
   This continent of spacious Heav'n, adornd
   With Plant, Fruit, Flour Ambrosial, Gemms & Gold,
   Whose Eye so superficially surveyes
   These things, as not to mind from whence they grow
   Deep under ground, materials dark and crude,
   Of spiritous and fierie spume, till toucht
   With Heav'ns ray, and temperd they shoot forth
   So beauteous, op'ning to the ambient light.
   These in thir dark Nativitie the Deep
   Shall yeild us, pregnant with infernal flame,
   Which into hallow Engins long and round
   Thick-rammd, at th' other bore with touch of fire
   Dilated and infuriate shall send forth
   From far with thundring noise among our foes
   Such implements of mischief as shall dash
   To pieces, and orewhelm whatever stands
   Adverse, that they shall fear we have disarmd
   The Thunderer of his only dreaded bolt.
   Nor long shall be our labour, yet ere dawne,
   Effect shall end our wish. Mean while revive;
   Abandon fear; to strength and counsel joind
   Think nothing hard, much less to be despaird.
   He ended, and his words thir drooping chere
   Enlightn'd, and thir languisht hope reviv'd.
   Th' invention all admir'd, and each, how hee
   To be th' inventer miss'd, so easie it seemd
   Once found, which yet unfound most would have thought
   Impossible: yet haply of thy Race
   In future dayes, if Malice should abound,
   Some one intent on mischief, or inspir'd
   With dev'lish machination might devise
   Like instrument to plague the Sons of men
   For sin, on warr and mutual slaughter bent.
   Forthwith from Councel to the work they flew,
   None arguing stood, innumerable hands
   Were ready, in a moment up they turnd
   Wide the Celestial soile, and saw beneath
   Th' originals of Nature in thir crude
   Conception; Sulphurous and Nitrous Foame
   They found, they mingl'd, and with suttle Art,
   Concocted and adusted they reduc'd
   To blackest grain, and into store conveyd:
   Part hidd'n veins diggd up (nor hath this Earth
   Entrails unlike) of Mineral and Stone,
   Whereof to found thir Engins and thir Balls
   Of missive ruin; part incentive reed
   Provide, pernicious with one touch to fire.
   So all ere day spring, under conscious Night
   Secret they finish'd, and in order set,
   With silent circumspection unespi'd.
   Now when fair Morn Orient in Heav'n appeerd
   Up rose the Victor Angels, and to Arms
   The matin Trumpet Sung: in Arms they stood
   Of Golden Panoplie, refulgent Host,
   Soon banded; others from the dawning Hills
   Lookd round, and Scouts each Coast light-armed scoure,
   Each quarter, to descrie the distant foe,
   Where lodg'd, or whither fled, or if for fight,
   In motion or in alt: him soon they met
   Under spred Ensignes moving nigh, in slow
   But firm Battalion; back with speediest Sail
   ZEPHIEL, of Cherubim the swiftest wing,
   Came flying, and in mid Aire aloud thus cri'd.
   Arme, Warriours, Arme for fight, the foe at hand,
   Whom fled we thought, will save us long pursuit
   This day, fear not his flight; so thick a Cloud
   He comes, and settl'd in his face I see
   Sad resolution and secure: let each
   His Adamantine coat gird well, and each
   Fit well his Helme, gripe fast his orbed Shield,
   Born eevn or high, for this day will pour down,
   If I conjecture aught, no drizling showr,
   But ratling storm of Arrows barbd with fire.
   So warnd he them aware themselves, and soon
   In order, quit of all impediment;
   Instant without disturb they took Allarm,
   And onward move Embattelld; when behold
   Not distant far with heavie pace the Foe
   Approaching gross and huge; in hollow Cube
   Training his devilish Enginrie, impal'd
   On every side with shaddowing Squadrons Deep,
   To hide the fraud. At interview both stood
   A while, but suddenly at head appeerd
   SATAN: And thus was heard Commanding loud.
   Vangard, to Right and Left the Front unfould;
   That all may see who hate us, how we seek
   Peace and composure, and with open brest
   Stand readie to receive them, if they like
   Our overture, and turn not back perverse;
   But that I doubt, however witness Heaven,
   Heav'n witness thou anon, while we discharge
   Freely our part: yee who appointed stand
   Do as you have in charge, and briefly touch
   What we propound, and loud that all may hear.
   So scoffing in ambiguous words, he scarce
   Had ended; when to Right and Left the Front
   Divided, and to either Flank retir'd.
   Which to our eyes discoverd new and strange,
   A triple-mounted row of Pillars laid
   On Wheels (for like to Pillars most they seem'd
   Or hollow'd bodies made of Oak or Firr
   With branches lopt, in Wood or Mountain fell'd)
   Brass, Iron, Stonie mould, had not thir mouthes
   With hideous orifice gap't on us wide,
   Portending hollow truce; at each behind
   A Seraph stood, and in his hand a Reed
   Stood waving tipt with fire; while we suspense,
   Collected stood within our thoughts amus'd,
   Not long, for sudden all at once thir Reeds
   Put forth, and to a narrow vent appli'd
   With nicest touch. Immediate in a flame,
   But soon obscur'd with smoak, all Heav'n appeerd,
   From those deep-throated Engins belcht, whose roar
   Emboweld with outragious noise the Air,
   And all her entrails tore, disgorging foule
   Thir devillish glut, chaind Thunderbolts and Hail
   Of Iron Globes, which on the Victor Host
   Level'd, with such impetuous furie smote,
   That whom they hit, none on thir feet might stand,
   Though standing else as Rocks, but down they fell
   By thousands, Angel on Arch-Angel rowl'd;
   The sooner for thir Arms, unarm'd they might
   Have easily as Spirits evaded swift
   By quick contraction or remove; but now
   Foule dissipation follow'd and forc't rout;
   Nor serv'd it to relax thir serried files.
   What should they do? if on they rusht, repulse
   Repeated, and indecent overthrow
   Doubl'd, would render them yet more despis'd,
   And to thir foes a laughter; for in view
   Stood rankt of Seraphim another row
   In posture to displode thir second tire
   Of Thunder: back defeated to return
   They worse abhorr'd. SATAN beheld thir plight,
   And to his Mates thus in derision call'd.
   O Friends, why come not on these Victors proud?
   Ere while they fierce were coming, and when wee,
   To entertain them fair with open Front
   And Brest, (what could we more?) propounded terms
   Of composition, strait they chang'd thir minds,
   Flew off, and into strange vagaries fell,
   As they would dance, yet for a dance they seemd
   Somwhat extravagant and wilde, perhaps
   For joy of offerd peace: but I suppose
   If our proposals once again were heard
   We should compel them to a quick result.
   To whom thus BELIAL in like gamesom mood.
   Leader, the terms we sent were terms of weight,
   Of hard contents, and full of force urg'd home,
   Such as we might perceive amus'd them all,
   And stumbl'd many, who receives them right,
   Had need from head to foot well understand;
   Not understood, this gift they have besides,
   They shew us when our foes walk not upright.
   So they among themselves in pleasant veine
   Stood scoffing, highthn'd in thir thoughts beyond
   All doubt of Victorie, eternal might
   To match with thir inventions they presum'd
   So easie, and of his Thunder made a scorn,
   And all his Host derided, while they stood
   A while in trouble; but they stood not long,
   Rage prompted them at length, & found them arms
   Against such hellish mischief fit to oppose.
   Forthwith (behold the excellence, the power
   Which God hath in his mighty Angels plac'd)
   Thir Arms away they threw, and to the Hills
   (For Earth hath this variety from Heav'n
   Of pleasure situate in Hill and Dale)
   Light as the Lightning glimps they ran, they flew,
   From thir foundations loosning to and fro
   They pluckt the seated Hills with all thir load,
   Rocks, Waters, Woods, and by the shaggie tops
   Up lifting bore them in thir hands: Amaze,
   Be sure, and terrour seis'd the rebel Host,
   When coming towards them so dread they saw
   The bottom of the Mountains upward turn'd,
   Till on those cursed Engins triple-row
   They saw them whelmd, and all thir confidence
   Under the weight of Mountains buried deep,
   Themselves invaded next, and on thir heads
   Main Promontories flung, which in the Air
   Came shadowing, and opprest whole Legions arm'd,
   Thir armor help'd thir harm, crush't in and brus'd
   Into thir substance pent, which wrought them pain
   Implacable, and many a dolorous groan,
   Long strugling underneath, ere they could wind
   Out of such prison, though Spirits of purest light,
   Purest at first, now gross by sinning grown.
   The rest in imitation to like Armes
   Betook them, and the neighbouring Hills uptore;
   So Hills amid the Air encounterd Hills
   Hurl'd to and fro with jaculation dire,
   That under ground they fought in dismal shade;
   Infernal noise; Warr seem'd a civil Game
   To this uproar; horrid confusion heapt
   Upon confusion rose: and now all Heav'n
   Had gone to wrack, with ruin overspred,
   Had not th' Almightie Father where he sits
   Shrin'd in his Sanctuarie of Heav'n secure,
   Consulting on the sum of things, foreseen
   This tumult, and permitted all, advis'd:
   That his great purpose he might so fulfill,
   To honour his Anointed Son aveng'd
   Upon his enemies, and to declare
   All power on him transferr'd: whence to his Son
   Th' Assessor of his Throne he thus began.
   Effulgence of my Glorie, Son belov'd,
   Son in whose face invisible is beheld
   Visibly, what by Deitie I am,
   And in whose hand what by Decree I doe,
   Second Omnipotence, two dayes are past,
   Two dayes, as we compute the dayes of Heav'n,
   Since MICHAEL and his Powers went forth to tame
   These disobedient; sore hath been thir fight,
   As likeliest was, when two such Foes met arm'd;
   For to themselves I left them, and thou knowst,
   Equal in their Creation they were form'd,
   Save what sin hath impaird, which yet hath wrought
   Insensibly, for I suspend thir doom;
   Whence in perpetual fight they needs must last
   Endless, and no solution will be found:
   Warr wearied hath perform'd what Warr can do,
   And to disorder'd rage let loose the reines,
   With Mountains as with Weapons arm'd, which makes
   Wild work in Heav'n, and dangerous to the maine.
   Two dayes are therefore past, the third is thine;
   For thee I have ordain'd it, and thus farr
   Have sufferd, that the Glorie may be thine
   Of ending this great Warr, since none but Thou
   Can end it. Into thee such Vertue and Grace
   Immense I have transfus'd, that all may know
   In Heav'n and Hell thy Power above compare,
   And this perverse Commotion governd thus,
   To manifest thee worthiest to be Heir
   Of all things, to be Heir and to be King
   By Sacred Unction, thy deserved right.
   Go then thou Mightiest in thy Fathers might,
   Ascend my Chariot, guide the rapid Wheeles
   That shake Heav'ns basis, bring forth all my Warr,
   My Bow and Thunder, my Almightie Arms
   Gird on, and Sword upon thy puissant Thigh;
   Pursue these sons of Darkness, drive them out
   From all Heav'ns bounds into the utter Deep:
   There let them learn, as likes them, to despise
   God and MESSIAH his anointed King.
   He said, and on his Son with Rayes direct
   Shon full, he all his Father full exprest
   Ineffably into his face receiv'd,
   And thus the filial Godhead answering spake.
   O Father, O Supream of heav'nly Thrones,
   First, Highest, Holiest, Best, thou alwayes seekst
   To glorifie thy Son, I alwayes thee,
   As is most just; this I my Glorie account,
   My exaltation, and my whole delight,
   That thou in me well pleas'd, declarst thy will
   Fulfill'd, which to fulfil is all my bliss.
   Scepter and Power, thy giving, I assume,
   And gladlier shall resign, when in the end
   Thou shalt be All in All, and I in thee
   For ever, and in mee all whom thou lov'st:
   But whom thou hat'st, I hate, and can put on
   Thy terrors, as I put thy mildness on,
   Image of thee in all things; and shall soon,
   Armd with thy might, rid heav'n of these rebell'd,
   To thir prepar'd ill Mansion driven down
   To chains of Darkness, and th' undying Worm,
   That from thy just obedience could revolt,
   Whom to obey is happiness entire.
   Then shall thy Saints unmixt, and from th' impure
   Farr separate, circling thy holy Mount
   Unfained HALLELUIAHS to thee sing,
   Hymns of high praise, and I among them chief.
   So said, he o're his Scepter bowing, rose
   From the right hand of Glorie where he sate,
   And the third sacred Morn began to shine
   Dawning through Heav'n: forth rush'd with whirlwind sound
   The Chariot of Paternal Deitie,
   Flashing thick flames, Wheele within Wheele undrawn,
   It self instinct with Spirit, but convoyd
   By four Cherubic shapes, four Faces each
   Had wondrous, as with Starrs thir bodies all
   And Wings were set with Eyes, with Eyes the Wheels
   Of Beril, and careering Fires between;
   Over thir heads a chrystal Firmament,
   Whereon a Saphir Throne, inlaid with pure
   Amber, and colours of the showrie Arch.
   Hee in Celestial Panoplie all armd
   Of radiant URIM, work divinely wrought,
   Ascended, at his right hand Victorie
   Sate Eagle-wing'd, beside him hung his Bow
   And Quiver with three-bolted Thunder stor'd,
   And from about him fierce Effusion rowld
   Of smoak and bickering flame, and sparkles dire;
   Attended with ten thousand thousand Saints,
   He onward came, farr off his coming shon,
   And twentie thousand (I thir number heard)
   Chariots of God, half on each hand were seen:
   Hee on the wings of Cherub rode sublime
   On the Crystallin Skie, in Saphir Thron'd.
   Illustrious farr and wide, but by his own
   First seen, them unexpected joy surpriz'd,
   When the great Ensign of MESSIAH blaz'd
   Aloft by Angels born, his Sign in Heav'n:
   Under whose Conduct MICHAEL soon reduc'd
   His Armie, circumfus'd on either Wing,
   Under thir Head imbodied all in one.
   Before him Power Divine his way prepar'd;
   At his command the uprooted Hills retir'd
   Each to his place, they heard his voice and went
   Obsequious, Heav'n his wonted face renewd,
   And with fresh Flourets Hill and Valley smil'd.
   This saw his hapless Foes, but stood obdur'd,
   And to rebellious fight rallied thir Powers
   Insensate, hope conceiving from despair.