But faded fplendor wan; who by his gate 870 He fcarce had ended when thefe two approach'd, And brief related whom they brought, where found, How bufied, in what form and pofture couch'd. 876 To whom with stern regard thus Gabriel spake. Why haft thou, Satan, broke the bounds prescrib'd To thy tranfgreffions, and disturb'd the charge Of others, who approve not to tranfgrefs By thy example, but have power and right To question thy bold entrance on this place; Imploy'd it seems to violate fleep, and those Whofe dwelling God hath planted here in bliss? To whom thus Satan, with contemptuous brow. Gabriel, thou hadft in Heav'n th'efteem of wife, 886 And fuch I held thee; but this question askt Futs me in doubt. Lives there who loves his pain? Who would not, finding way, break loose from Hell, Tho' thither doom'd? Thou would thy felf, no doubt, And boldly venture to whatever place 891 Fartheft from pain, where thou might ft hope to change His will who bound us? let him furer bar In that dark durance: thus much what was askt The rest is true, they found me where they fay; 900 But that implies not violence or harm. Thus he in fcorn. The warlike Angel mov'd, Disdainfully half smiling thus reply'd. 905 O lofs of one in Heav'n to judge of wife, 910 So judge thou ftill, prefumptuous, till the wrauth, 916 920 But wherefore thou alone? wherefore with thee 925 To which the Fiend thus answer'd frowning ftern. Not that I lefs endure, or shrink from pain, Infulting Angel, well thou knowft I stood Thy fierceft, when in Battel to thy aide Thy blafting vollied Thunder made all speed And feconded thy elfe not dreaded Spear, But ftill thy words at random, as before, 930 Argue thy inexperience what behooves A faithful Leader, not to hazard all 935 Through ways of danger by himself untry'd ; To whom the warriour Angel foon reply'd, To fay and ftrait unfay, pretending first Wife to flie pain, profeffing next the Spy, Argues no Leader but a Liar trac'd, 940 945 Satan, and couldft thou faithful add? O name, 950 O facred name of faithfulness profan'd! Faithful to whom? to thy rebellious crew? 955 Heav'ns awful Monarch wherefore but in hope To difpoffefs him, and thy felf to reign? But mark what I arreede thee now, avant; 961 965 Flie thither whence thou fledft; if from this hour 971 So threaten'd he, but Satan to no threats Gave heed, but waxing more in rage reply'd. Then when I am thy captive talk of chaines, Proud limitary Cherube, but e'er then Far heavier load thy felf expect to feel From my prevailing arm, though Heavens King Ride on thy wings, and thou with thy Compeers, Us'd to the yoak, draw'ft his triumphant wheels 975 In progrefs through the rode of Heav'n Star-pav'd. While thus he fpake, th' Angelic Squadron bright Turn'd fiery red, sharpning in mooned horns Their Phalanx, and began to hem him round With ported Spears, as thick as when a field Of Ceres ripe for harvest waving bends 980 Her bearded Grove of ears, which way the wind Sways them; the careful Plowman doubting ftands, Leaft on the threshing floore his hopeful theaves Prove chaff. On th'other fide Satan alarm'd Collecting all his might dilated stood, Like Teneriff or Atlas unremov'd: His ftature reach'd the Sky, and on his Creft 985 What feem'd bothSpear and Shield: now dreadful deeds In this commotion, but the Starry Cope At least had gone to rack, disturb'd and torn 991 995 Hung forth in Heav'n his golden Scales, yet seen Betwixt Aftrea and the Scorpion fign, Wherein all things created first he weigh'd, The pendulous round Earth with ballanc'd Air 1000 In counterpoife, now ponders all events, Battels and Realms in thefe he put two weights The fequel each of parting and of fight; The latter quick up flew, and kickt the beam; Which Gabriel fpying, thus befpake the Fiend. 1005 Satan, I know thy strength, and thou knowst mine, Neither our own but giv'n; what folly then To boast what Arms can do, fince thine no more Than Heav'n permits, nor mine, though doubl'd now To trample thee as mire: for proof look up, 1010 And read thy Lot in yon celeftial Sign Where thou art weigh'd, and shown how light, how If thou refift. The Fiend lookt up, and knew (weak, His mounted scale aloft: nor more; but fled 1014 Murmuring, and with him fled the shades of night, The End of the Fourth Book |