New laws from him who reigns, new minds may
In us who serve, new counfels, to debate [raife
What doubtful may enfue: more in this place
To utter is not lafe. Aflemble thou

Of all thofe myriads which we lead the chief;
Tell them that by command, e'er yet dim night
Her fhadowy cloud withdraws, I am to halte,
And all who under me their banners wave
Homeward with flying march where we poffefs
The quarters of the north; there to prepare
Fit entertainment to receive our king
The great Meffiah, and his new commands,
Who fpeedily through all the hierarchies
Intends to pafs triumphant, and give laws.

So fpake the falfe Arch-Angel, and infus'd
Bad influence into th' unwary breast
Of his affociate: he together calls,
Or feveral one by one, the regent Powers,
Under him regent; tells, as he was taught,
That the most High commanding, now e'er night,
Now e'er dim night had difincumber'd Heaven,
The great hierarchal standard was to move;
Tells the fuggefted cause, and cafts between
Ambiguous words and jealoufies, to found
Or taint integrity: but all obey'd
The wonted lignal, and fuperior voice
Of their great potentate; for great indeed
His name, and high was his degree in Heaven;
His count'nance, as the morning ftar that guides
The starry flock, allur'd them, and with lies
Drew after him the third part of Heav'n's hoft.
Mean while th' eternal eye, whofe fight difcerns
Abftrufeft thoughts, from forth his holy mount
And from within the golden lamps that burn
Nightly before him, faw without their light
Rebellion rifing, faw in whom, how spread
Among the fons of morn, what multitudes
Were banded to oppofe his high decree;
And smiling to his only Son, thus faid.

Son, thou in whom my glory I behold
In full refplendence, Heir of all my might,
Nearly it now concerns us to be fure

Of our omnipotence, and with what arms
We mean to hold what anciently we claim
Of deity or empire; fuch a foe

I rifing, who intends to erect his throne
Equal to ours, throughout the spacious north;
Nor fo content, hath in his thought to try
In battle, what our pow'r is, or outright.
Let us advise, and to this hazard draw
With fpeed what force is left, and all employ
In our defence, left unawares we lofe
This our high place, our fanctuary, our hill.
To whom the Son with calm afpect and clear,
Lightning divine, ineffable, ferene,
Made anfwer. Mighty Father, thou thy focs
Justly haft in derifion, and fecure

Langh'st at their vain defigns and tumults vain,
Matter to me of glory, whom their hate
Illuftrates, when they fee all regal power
Giv'n me to quell their pride, and in event
Know whether I be dextrous to fubdue
Thy rebels, or be found the worst in Heaven.
So fpake the Son; but Satan with his powers
Far was advanc'd on winged speed, an hoit

Innumerable as the stars of night,-.
Or ftars of morning, dew-drops, which the fur
Impearls on every leaf and every flower..
Regions they pafs'd, the mighty regencies
Of Seraphim and Potentates and Thrones
In their triple degrees; regions to which
All thy dominion, Adam, is no more
Than what this garden is to all the earth,
And all the fea, from one entire globofe
Stretch'd into longitude; which having pass'
At length into the limits of the north
They came, and Satan to his royal feat
High on a hill, far blazing, as a mount

Rais'd on a mount, with pyramids and towers
From diamond quarries hewn, and rocks of gold-
The palace of great Lucifer, (fo call
That structure in the dialect of men
Interpreted) which not long after, he,
Affecting all equality with God,

[Powers

In imisation of that mount whereon
Meffiah was declar d in fight of Heaven,
The Mountain of the congregation call'd
For thither he affembled all his train,
Pretending, fo commanded, to confult
About the great reception of their king,
Thither to come, and with calumnious art
Of counterfeited truth thus held their ears.
Thrones, Dominations, Princedoms, Virtues
If these magnific titles yet remain
Not merely titular, fince by decree
Another now hath to hindelf ingrofs'd
All pow'r, and us eclips'd under the name
Of King anointed, for whom all this hafte
Of midnight march, and hurried meeting here,
This only to confult, how we may best
With what may be devis'd of honours new
Receive him coming to receive from us
Knee-tribute yet unpaid, proftration vile,
Too much to one, but double how indur'd
To one and to his image now proclaim'd?
But what if better counfels might erect
Our minds, and teach us to caft off this yoke?
Will ye fubmit your necks, and choose to bend
The fupple knee? ye will not, if I trust
To know ye right, or if ye know yourselves
Natives and fons of Heav'n poffefs'd before
By none, and if not equal all, yet free,
Equally free; for orders and degrees
Jar not with liberty, but well confift,
Who can in reason then, or right assume
Monarchy over fuch as live by right
His equals; if in pow'r and fplendor lefs,
In freedom equal? or can introduce
Law and edict on us, who without law
Err not? much lefs for this to be our Lord,
And look for adoration to th' abufe
Of thofe imperial titles, which affert
Our being ordain'd to govern, not to serve.

Thus far his bold difcourfe without controul
Had audience, when among the Seraphim
Abdiel, than whom none with more zeal ador'd
The Deity, and divine commands obey'd,
Stood up, and in a flame of zeal fevere
The current of his fury thus oppos'd.

O argument blafphemous, falfe and proud!

Words which no ear ever to hear in Heav'n
Expected, leaft of all from thee, Ingrate,
In place thyself so high above thy peers.
Canft thou with impious obloquy condemn
The juft decree of God, pronounc'd and fworn,
That to his only Son by right indued
With regal fceptre, every foul in Heav'n
Shall bend the knee, and in that honour due
Confefs him rightful king? unjuft, thou fay'st,
Flatly unjuft, to bind with laws the free,
And equal over equals to let reign,
One over all with unfucceeded power.
Shalt thou give law to God, fhalt thou difpute
With him the points of of liberty, who made
Thee what thou art, and form d the Pow'rs of
Heaven

Such as he pleas'd, and circumscrib'd their being?
Yet, by experience taught, we know how good,
And of our good and of our dignity
How provident he is, how far from thought
To make us lefs, bent rather to exalt

Our happy state under one head more near
United. But to grant it thee unjust,
That equal over equals monarchs reign:

When this creation was? remember'st thou
Thy making, while the Maker gave thee being?
We know no time when we were not as now;
Know none before us, felf-begot, felf-rais'd
By our own quick'ning pow'r, when fatal courfe
Had circl'd his full orb, the birth mature
Of this our native Heav'n, ethereal fons.
Our puiffance 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 fupplication we intend
Addrefs, and to begirt th' Almighty throne
Befeeching or befieging. This report,
Thefe tidings carry to th' anointed King;
And fly, e'er evil intercept thy flight.

He faid; and, as the found of waters deep,
Hoarfe murmour echo'd to his words applaufe
Through the infinite hoft; nor lefs for that
The flaming Seraph fearless, though alone
'Incompafs'd round with foes, thus anfwer'd bold.
O alienate from God, O Spirit accura'd,
Forfaken of all good! I fee thy fall
Determin'd, and thy hapless crew involv'd
In this perfidious fraud, contagion fpread

Or all angelic nature join'd in one,

Equal to him begotten Son? by whom

As by his word the mighty Father made

No more be troubled how to quit the yoke Of God's Meffiah; thofe indulgent laws Will not be now vouchfaf'd; other decrees

Heaven

By him created in their bright degrees, Crown'd them with glory, and to their glory nam'd

Thrones, Dominations, Princedoms, Virtues,
Powers,

Effential Pow'rs; nor by his reign obscur'd,
But more illuftrious made; fince he the head
One of our number thus reduc'd becomes;
His laws our laws; all honour to him done
Returns our own. Ceafe then this impious rage,
And tempt not these; but haften to appease
Th' incenfed Father, and th' incensed Son,
While pardon may be found in time befought.
So fpake the fervent Angel; but his zeal
None feconded, as out of feafon judg'd,
Or fingular and rash; whereat rejoic'd
Th' Apoftate, and more haughty thus reply'd:
That we were form'd then, fay'ft thou? and the
Of fecondary hands, by task transferr'd [work
From Father to his Son? ftrange point and new!
Doctrine which we would know whence learn'd:
who faw

That golden fceptre, which thou didst reject,
Is now an iron rod to bruise and break
Thy difobedience. Well thou didft advise,
Yet not for thy advice or threats I fly
Thefe wicked tents devoted, left the wrath
Impendent, raging into fudden flame
Diftinguish not: for foon expect to feel
His thunder on thy head, devouring fire.
Then who created thee lamenting learn,
When who can uncreate thee thou shalt know.
So fpake the Seraph Abdiel, faithful found
Among the faithlefs, faithful only he;
Among innumerable falfe, unmov'd,
Unfhaken, unfeduc'd, unterrify'd,
His loyalty he kept, his love, his zeal;

Nor number, nor example with him wrought
To fwerve from'truth, or change his confiant mind,
Though fingle. From amidst them forth he pafs'd,
Long way through hoftile fcorn, which he sustain'd
Superior, nor of violence fear'd ought;
And with retorted fcorn his back he turn'd
On thofe proud tow'rs, to fwift destruction doom'd.

ALL night the dreadless angel unpursued Through Heav'n's wide champain held his way, till Morn,

Wak'd by the circling Hours, with rofy hand Unbarr'd the gates of Light. There is a cave Within the mount of God, faft by his throne, Where light and darkness in perpetual round Lodge and diflodge by turns, which makes through Grateful viciffitude, like day and night; [Heav'n Light iffues forth, and at the other door Obfequious 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 Heav'n, array'd in gold
Empyreal; from before her vanish'd Night,
Shot through with orient beams; when all the
plain

Cover'd with thick imbattl'd squadrons bright,
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
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 fo many myriads fall'n, yet one
Return'd not loft: on to the Sacred Hill

They led him high applauded, and prefent

Before the feat fupreme; from whence a voice From midst a golden cloud thus mild was heard: Servant of God, well done; well haft thou fought The better fight, who single haft maintain'd Against revolted multitudes the cause Of truth, in word mightier than they in arms; And for the teftimony of truth haft borne Univerfal reproach, far worse to bear Than violence; for this was all thy care, To ftand approv'd in fight of God, though worlds Judg'd thee perverfe: the eafier conqueft now Remains thee, aided by this hoft of friends, Back on thy foes more glorious to return Than fcorn'd thou didst depart, and to fubdue By force, who reason for their law refufe, Right reason for their law, and for their king Meffrah, who by right of merit reigns. Go, Michael, of celeftial armies prince, And thou in military prowefs next, Gabriel, lead forth to battle these my fons Invincible, lead forth my armed faints By thousands and by millions rang'd för fight Equal in number to that godless crew, Rebellious; them with fire and hostile arms Fearless affault, and to the brow of Heav'n Pursuing, drive them out from God and blifs Into their place of punishment, the gulf Of Tartarus which ready opens wide D

Against his worthier, as thine now ferve thee,
Thyfelf not free, but to thyself inthrall'd;
Yet lewdly dar'ft our minift'ring upbraid.
Reign thou in Hell, thy kingdom; let me ferve
In Heav'n, God ever bleft, and his divine
Behefts obey, worthieft to be obey'd;
Yet chains in Hell, not realms expect: mean while
From me return'd, as erft thou faidft, from flight,
This greeting on thy impious crest receive.

So fay'ing, a noble ftroke he lifted high,
Which hung not, but so swift with tempeft fell
On the proud creft of Satan, that no fight,
Nor motion of fwift thought, less could his shield
Such ruin intercept: ten paces huge
He back recoil'd; the tenth on bended knee
His mafly spear upftray'd; as if on earth
Winds under ground, or waters forcing way,
Sidelong had push'd a mountain from his feat
Half funk with all his pines. Amazement feis'd
The rebel thrones, but greater rage to fee
Thus foil'd their mightiest : our joy fill'd, and
Prefage of victory, and fierce defire [fhout,
Of battle: whereat Michael bid found
Th' arch-angel trumpet; through the vaft of
Heav'n

It founded, and the faithful armies rung
Hofannah to the High'ft: nor ftood at gaze
The adverfe legions, nor lefs hideous join'd
The horrid shock: now ftorming fury rose
And clamours fuch as heard in Heav'n till now
Was never; arms on armour clashing bray'd
Horrible difcord, and the madding wheels
Of brazen chariots rag'd; dire was the noise
Of conflict; over head the dismal hifs
Of fiery darts in flaming vollies flew,
And flying vaulted either host with fire.
So under ficry cope together rush'd
Both battles main, with ruinous assault
And inextinguishable rage; all Heav'n
Refounded, and had Earth been then, all Earth
Had to her centre shook. What wonder? when
Millions of fire-encount'ring angels fought
On either fide, the leaft of whom could wield
Thefe elements, and arm him with the force
Of all their regions: how much more of power
Army against army numberless to raise,
Dreadful combuftion warring, and disturb,
Though not destroy, their happy native feat;
Had not th' eternal King omnipotent
From his ftrong hold of Heav'n high over-rul'd,
And limited their might; though number'd fuch
As each divided legion might have feem'd
A numerous hoft, in ftrength each arm'd hand
A legion, led in fight, yet leader feem'd
Each warrior fingle as in chief, expert
When to advance, or stand, or turn the fway
Of battle, open when, and when to close
The ridges of grim War : no thought of flight,
None of retreat, no unbecoming deed
That argued fear; each on himself rely'd,
As only in his arm the moment lay
Of victory; deeds of eternal fame.
Were done, but infinite; for wide was spread

That war, and various, fometimes on firm ground
A standing fight, then foaring on main wing

Tormented all the air; all air feem'd then
Conflicting fire; long time in even scale
The battle hung; till Satan, who that day
Prodigious power had fhewn, and met in arms
No equal, ranging through the dire attack
Of fighting feraphim confus'd, at length
Saw where the fword of Michael smote, and fell'd
Squadrons at once; with huge two-handed sway
Brandifh'd aloft the horrid edge came down
Wide wafting; fuch deftruction to withstand
He hafted, and oppos'd the rocky orb
Of tenfold adamant, his ample shield,
A vaft circumference: at his approach
The great arch-angel from his warlike toil
Surceas'd, and glad, as hoping here to end
Inteftine war in Heav'n, th' Arch-foe fubdu'd
Or captive dragg'd in chains, with hoftile frown
And vifage all inflam'd firft thus began:

Author of evil, unknown till thy revolt,
Unnam'd in Heav'n, now plenteous, as thou feeft
These acts of hateful strife, hateful to all,
Though heaviest by just measure on thyself
And thy adherents: how haft thou disturb'd
Heav'n's bleffed peace, and into Nature brought
Mifery, uncreated till the crime

Of thy rebellion? how haft thou inftill'd
Thy malice into thoufands, once upright
And faithful, now prov'd falfe? but think not here
To trouble holy reft? Heav'n cafts thee out
From all her confines. Heav'n, the feat of blifs,
Brooks not the works of Violence and War,
Hence then, and evil go with thee along,
Thy offspring, to the place of evil, Hell,
Thou and thy wicked crew; there mingle broils,
E'er this avenging fword begin thy doom,
Or fome more fudden vengeance, wing'd from God,
Precipitate thee with augmented pain.

So fpake the Prince of Angels; to whom thus
The adversary. Nor think thou with wind
Of airy threats to awe whom yet with deeds
Thou canst not. Haft thou turn'd the leaft of
To flight, or if to fall, but that they rife [thefe
Unvanquish'd, easier to tranfact with me
That thou fhoud'ft hope, imperious, and with

threats

To chafe me hence? err not that so shall end
The ftrife which thou call'ft Evil, but we stile
The Strife of Glory; which we mean to win,
Or turn this Heav'n itself into the Hell
Thou fableft, here however to dwell free,
If not to reign: mean while thy utmost force,
And join him nam'd Almighty to thy aid,
I fly not, but have fought thee far and nigh.
They ended parle, and both addrefs'd for fight
Unfpeakable; for who, though with the tongue
Of angels, can relate, or to what things
Liken on earth confpicuous, that may lift
Human imagination to fuch height
Of godlike power? for likeft gods they feem'd,
Stood they or mov'd, in ftature, motion, arms;
Fit to decide the empire of great Heav'n.
Now wav'd their fiery fwords, and in the air
Made horrid circles; two broad funs their fhields
Blaz'd oppofite, while Expectation stood
In horror; from each hand with speed retir'd,