"So spake the fervent angel; but his zeal None seconded, as out of season judged Or singular and rash; whereat rejoiced 850 The Apostate, and more haughty thus replied: 'That we were formed then say'st thou? and the work Of secondary hands, by task transferred From Father to his Son? Strange point and new! Doctrine which we would know whence learned. Who saw When this creation was? remember'st thou Thy making, while the Maker gave thee being? "He said; and, as the sound of waters deep, Hoarse murmur echoed to his words applause Through the infinite host; nor less for that The flaming Seraph, fearless though alone, Encompassed round with foes, thus answered bold : "O alienate from God, O spirit accursed, Forsaken of all good! I see thy fall 861. fatal course, course of fate. 864. Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our 856 860 865 870 875 lips are our own; who is lord over us?" Psalm xii. 4. Determined, and thy hapless crew involved "So spake the seraph Abdiel, faithful found His loyalty he kept, his love, his zeal; 890. See Numbers xvi. 23-26. -devoted, doomed. 891. Impendent, threate 906. retorted, thrown ba BOOK VI. THE ARGUMENT. RAPHAEL continues to relate how Michael and Gabriel were sent forth to battle 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, unpursued, Through Heaven's wide champain held his way, Morn, till 5 Waked by the circling Hours, with rosy hand Grateful vicissitude, like day and night; 10 1. the dreadless angel. See V. entrusted with the task of keep. 396-907. 2. Morn. See V. 1. 3. The Hours (see IV. 267) were ing the gates of Heaven. To veil the heaven; though darkness there mi Seem twilight here. And now went forth the Such as in highest Heaven, arrayed in gold Empyreal; from before her vanished night, Shot through with orient beams; when all the p Covered with thick embattled squadrons brigh Chariots, and flaming arms, and fiery steeds, Reflecting blaze on blaze, first met his view. War he perceived, war in procinct, and found Already known what he for news had thought To have reported: gladly then he mixed Among those friendly powers, who him receive With joy and acclamations loud, that one, That of so many myriads fallen yet one Returned 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 hear "Servant of God, well done; well hast thou The better fight, who single hast maintained Against revolted multitudes the cause Of truth, in word mightier than they in arms; 19. in procinct, in preparation. The Latin"in procinctu" means girded in readiness to fight. 29. Servant of God. the signification of the Hebrew word Abdiel. See V. 896. 30. The better fight. the good fight of faith." vi. 12. 36. approved. See 2 T This is 15. 38. thee, to thee. By force who reason for their law refuse, Go, Michael, of celestial armies prince, Gabriel, lead forth to battle these my sons By thousands and by millions ranged for fight, "So spake the sovran voice, and clouds began In silence their bright legions to the sound 45 50 55 60 65 Nor straitening vale, nor wood, nor stream divides 70 |