Gabriel from the front thus call'd aloud. O friends, I hear the tread of nimble feet Hasting this way, and now by glimpse discern Ithuriel and Zephon through the shade, And with them comes a third of regal port, But faded splendor wan; who by his gait 870 And fierce demeanour seems the prince of Hell, Not likely to part hence without contest; Stand firm, for in his look defiance low'rs. He scarce had ended, when those two approach'd, And brief related whom they brought, where found, How busied, in what form and posture couch'd. To whom with stern regard thus Gabriel spake. Why hast thou, Satan, broke the bounds prescrib'd To thy transgressions, and disturb'd the charge Of others, who approve not to transgress By thy example, but have pow'r and right 889 To question thy bold entrance on this place; And boldly venture to whatever place 899 Farthest from pain, where thou might'st hope to change Torment with ease, and soonest recompense Dole with delight, which in this place I sought; In that dark durance: thus much what was ask'd. Thus he in scorn. The warlike Angel mov'd, But wherefore thou alone? Wherefore with thee 920 930 To which the Fiend thus answer'd frowning stern. Not that I less endure, or shrink from pain, Insulting Angel: well thou know'st I stood Thy fiercest, when in battle to thy aid The blasting volied thunder made all speed, And seconded thy else not dreaded spear. But still thy words at random, as before, Argue thy inexperience what behoves From hard assays and ill successes past A faithful leader, not to hazard all Through ways of danger by himself untry'd : I therefore, I alone first undertook To wing the desolate abyss, and spy This new-created world, whereof in Hell Fame is not silent, here in hope to find Better abode, and my afflicted Powers To settle here on earth, or in mid-air ; Though for possession put to try once more What thou and thy gay legions dare against; Whose easier business were to serve their Lord High up in Heav'n, with songs to hymn his throne, And practis'd distances to cringe, not fight. To whom the warrior Angel soon reply'd. To say and straight unsay, pretending first Wise to fly pain, professing next the spy, Argues no leader but a lyar trac'd, 940 Satan, and couldst thou faithful add? O name, 950 O sacred name of faithfulness profan'd! Faithful to whom? To thy rebellious crew? Army of Fiends, fit body to fit head. Was this your discipline and faith engag'd, 961 Allegiance to th' acknowledg'd Pow'r supreme? Far heavier load thyself expect to feel From my prevailing arm, though Heaven's King Ride on thy wings, and thou with thy compeers, Us'd to the yoke, draw'st his triumphant wheels In progress through the road of Heav'n star-pav'd. While thus he spake, th' angelic squadron bright Turn'd fiery red, sharp'ning in mooned horns Their phalanx, and began to hem him round With ported spears, as thick as when a field 980 Of Ceres ripe for harvest waving bends Her bearded grove of ears, which way the wind His stature reach'd the sky, and on his crest Might have ensued, nor only Paradise In this commotion, but the starry cope At least had gone to wreck, disturb'd and torn 990 Th' Eternal to prevent such horrid fray The latter quick up flew, and kick'd the beam; Neither our own but giv'n; what folly then To boast what arms can do? Since thine no more |