These tidings carry to th' anointed King; 870 And fly, ere evil intercept thy flight. He said, and as the sound of waters deep Hoarse Murmur echo'd to his words applause Through th' infinite host; nor less for that The flaming seraph fearless, though alone 875 Incompassid round with foes, thus answer'd bold, O Alienate from God, O Spi'rit accursid, Forsaken of all good; I see thy fall Determin'd, and thy hapless crew involvid In this perfidious fraud, contagion spread 880 Both of thy crime and punishment: henceforth No more be troubled how to quit the yoke Of God's Messiah; those indulgent laws Will not be now vouchsaf'd; other decrees Against thee are gone forth without recal; 885 That golden sceptre, which thou didst reject, Is now an iron rod to bruise and break Thy disobedience. Well thou didst advise, Yet not for thy advice or threats I fly These wicked tents devoted, lest the wrath 890 Impendent, raging into sudden flame Distinguish not: for soon expect to feel His thunder on thy head, devouring fire. Then who created thee lamenting learn, When who can uncreate thee thou shalt know. 895 So spake the seraph Abdiel faithful found Among the faithless, faithful only he ; Among innumerable false, unmov'd, Unshaken, unseduc'd, unterrify'd PARADISE LOST. 276 : PARADISE LOST. Book V. OF VOL. I. Printed by BIGGS and Co. |