Satan Doctrine which we would know whence learned: will try
his puis- When this creation was?
Thy making, while the Maker gave thee being? We know no time when we were not as now; Know none before us, self-begot, self-raised 86c By our own quickening power when fatal course Had circled his full orb, the birth mature Of this our native Heaven, Ethereal Sons. Our puissance 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 supplication we intend
Address, and to begirt the Almighty Throne Beseeching or besieging. This report,
These tidings, carry to the Anointed King; 870 And fly, ere evil intercept thy flight."
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 Determined, and thy hapless crew involved In this perfidious fraud, contagion spread 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 vouchsafed; other decrees Against thee are gone forth without recall; 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 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." 'So spake the Seraph Abdiel, faithful found; Among the faithless faithful only he; Among innumerable false unmoved, Unshaken, unseduced, unterrified, His loyalty he kept, his love, his zeal; Nor number nor example with him wrought To swerve from truth, or change his constant
Though single. From amidst them forth he passed,
Long way through hostile scorn, which he sustained
Superior, nor of violence feared aught;
And with retorted scorn his back he turned On those proud towers, to swift destruction doomed.'
THE END OF THE FIFTH BOOK
Heaven's RAPHAEL continues to relate how Michael and Gabriel day and were sent forth to battle against Satan and his Angels. night 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 champaign held his way, till Morn,
Waked by the circling Hours, with rosy hand Unbarred the gates of Light. There is a cave
Within the Mount of God, fast by his throne, Where Light and Darkness in perpetual round Lodge and dislodge by turns-which makes through Heaven
Grateful vicissitude, like day and night;
Light issues forth, and at the other door Obsequious 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 heaven, arrayed in gold Empyreal; from before her vanished Night, Shot through with orient beams; when all the plain
Covered with thick embattled squadrons bright, 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 20 To have reported. Gladly then he mixed Among those friendly Powers, who him received 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 heard:-
""Servant of God, well done! Well hast thou fought
The better fight, who single hast maintained 30 Against revolted multitudes the cause
Of truth, in word mightier than they in arms, And for the testimony of truth hast borne Universal reproach, far worse to bear Than violence; for this was all thy care- To stand approved in sight of God, though worlds Judged thee perverse. The easier conquest now
The Remains thee-aided by this host of friends, ethereal Back on thy foes more glorious to return trumpet Than scorned thou didst depart; and to subdue blows By force who reason for their law refuse
Right reason for their law, and for their King Messiah, who by right of merit reigns. Go, Michael, of celestial armies prince, And thou, in military prowess next, Gabriel; lead forth to battle these my sons Invincible; lead forth my armed Saints, By thousands and by millions ranged for fight, Equal in number to that godless crew
Rebellious. Them with fire and hostile arms 50 Fearless assault; and, to the brow of Heaven Pursuing, drive them out from God and bliss Into their place of punishment, the gulf Of Tartarus, which ready opens wide His fiery chaos to receive their fall."
So spake the Sovran Voice; and clouds began
To darken all the hill, and smoke to roll In dusky wreaths reluctant flames, the sign Of wrath awaked; nor with less dread the loud Ethereal trumpet from on high gan blow.
At which command the Powers Militant That stood for Heaven, in mighty quadrate joined
Of union irresistible, moved on
In silence their bright legions to the sound Of instrumental harmony, that breathed Heroic ardour to adventurous deeds
Under their godlike leaders, in the cause Of God and his Messiah. On they move, Indissolubly firm; nor obvious hill,
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