Cannot but by annihilating die: Nor in their liquid texture mortal wound And with fierce enfigns pierc'd the deep array Though huge, and in a rock of diamond arm'd, Mangl'd with ghaftly wounds through plate and mail. Nor stood unmindful Abdiel to annoy The atheist crew, but with redoubl'd blow 370 Ariel, and Arioch, and tho violence: Of Kamiel feorch'd and blasted overthrew. I might relate of thousands, and their names Eternize here on earth; but thofe elect Angels, contented with their fame in Heav'n, 375 Seek not, the praise of men: the other fort, In might though wondrous, and in acts of war, Nor of renown lefs eager, yet by doom Cancel'd from Heav'n and facred memory, Nameless in dark oblivion let them dwell. 380 For ftrenght from truth divided, and from just, Illaudable, nought merits but difpraise And ignominy; yet to glory afpires Vain glorious, and through infamy feeks fame: Therefore eternal filence be their doom! 385 And now, their mightiest quell'd, the battel With many au inrode gor'd; deformed rout 390 And fiery foaming steeds: what stood, recoil'd O'er-wearied, thro' the faint Satanic host Defensive scarce, or with pale fear furpriz'd, Then first with fear furpriz'd and fenfe of pain, 395 Fled ignominious: to such evil brought 400 Such Such high advantages their innocence Gave them above their foes, not to have finn'd. Not to have difobey'd; in fight they stood Unwearied, unobnoxious to be pain'd By wound, tho' from their place by violence Now night her course began, over Heav'n Inducing darkness, grateful truce impos'd, And filence on the odious din of war: Under her cloudy covert both retir'd, Victor and vanquifh'd. On the foughten field 410 Michael and his, Angels prevalent Cherubic waving fires: on th' other part, Par in the eark diflodg'd, and void of rest, 415 420 O now in danger try'd, now known in arms Not to be overpower'd, Companions dear! Found worthy not of liberty alone, Too mean pretence, but what we more affect, Honor, dominion, glory, and renown; Who have sustain'd one day in doubtful fight, And if one day, why not eternal days? What Heaven's Lord hath powerfuileft to fend 1 425 Against us from about his throne, and judg'd Sufficient to fubdue us to his will, But proves not fo!, then fallible, it seems, Of future we may deem him, though till now Omnifcient thought. True 'tis, lefs firmly armid, Some disadvantage we indur'd, and pain, 430 Till now not known, but known as soon con temn'd; Since now we find this our empyreal form Soon clofing, and by native vigor heal'd. As one he stood escap'd from cruel fight, For Gods, and too unequal work we find, Which all fubdués, and makes remifs the hands 465 Whereto with look compos'd Satan reply'd. Not uninvented that, which thou aright, 470 Believ'ft fo main to our fuccefs, I bring. Which of us who beholds the bright surface Of this ethereous mould, whereon we stand, This continent of spacious Heav'n, adorn'd With plant, fruit, flow'r ambrofial, gems, and gold; 475 Whofe eye fo fuperficially furveys These things, as not to mind from whence they grów, Deep under ground; materials dark and crude, |