a

Who can in reason then, or right, assume
Monarchy over 'fuch as live by right

795
His equals, if in power and fplendor less,
In freedom equal ? or can introduce
Law and edict on us, who without law
Err not? much less for this to be our Lord,
And look for adoration to th' abuse

coo Of those imperial titles, which allert Our being ordain'd to govern, not to serve.

Thus far his bold discourse without controul Had audience; when among the seraphim Abdiel, than whom none with more zeal ador'd 805 The Deity', and divine commands obey'd, Stood up, and in a flame of zeal severe The current of his fury thus oppos'd.

O argument blasphémous, false and proud ! Words which no ear ever to hear in heaven

810 Expected, least of all from thee, ingrate, In place thyself so high above thy peers. Canst thou with impious obloquy condemn The just decree of God, pronounc'd and sworn, That to his only Son, by right endu'd

815 With regal sceptre, every foul in heaven Shall bend the knee, and in that honour due Confess him rightful King? Unjust, thou say'it, Flatly unjust, to bind with laws the free, And equal over equals to let reign,

820 One over all with unsucceeded power. Shalt thou give law to God, shalt thou dispute With him the points 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, 826 And of our good and of our dignity How provident he is; how far from thought

Το

835

To make us less, bent rather to exalt
Qur happy ftate, under one head more near 830
United. But to grant it thee unjust,
That equal over equals monarch reign;
Thyself, tho'great and glorious, dolt thou count,
Or all angelic nature join'd in one,
Equal to him begotten Son by whom,
As by his Word, the mighty Father made
All things, ev'n thee; and all the fpi'rits of heaven
By him created in their bright degrees,
Crown'd them with glory', and to their glory nam'd
Thrones, dominations, princedoms, virtues, powers,
Essential powers; nor by his reign obscurid, 841
But more illustrious made; since he the head
One of our number thus redue'd becomes ;
His laws our laws; all honour to him done
Returns our own. Ceafe then this impious rage, 845
And tempt not these; but hasten to appease
Th’incensed Father, and th' incensed Son,
While pardon may be found in time befought.

So fpake the fervent angel; but his zeal
None seconded, as out of season judg'd, 850
Or fingular and rafh; whereat rejoic'd
Th’apoftate, and more haughty thus reply'd.

That we were form’d then say'st thou? and the work Of fecondary hands, by talk transferr'd I'rom Father to his Son? Strange point and new! 855 Do&trine which we would know whence learn'd: who When this creation was ? remember'st thou [saw Thy making, while the Maker gave thee being ? We know no time when we were not as now; Know none before us, self-begot, felf-rais’d

860 By our own quick’ning power, when fatal course Had circled his full orb, the birth mature Of this our native heaven, ethereal fons.

Our

Our puissance is our own; our own right hand
Shall teach us highest deeds, by proof to try 86ς
Who is our equal : then thou shalt behold
Whether by fupplication we intend
Address, and to begirt th' Almighty throne
Beseeching or befieging. This report,
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 the infinite host; nor less for that
The flaming seraph fearless, though alone $75
Incompass'd round with foes, thus answer'd bold.

O alienate from God, O fpi'rit accurs'd, Forsaken of all good; I see thy fall Determin'd, and thy hapless crew involv'd 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 Meffiah; those indulgent laws Will not be now vouchsaf'd; other decrees Against thee are gone forth without recall; 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 There wicked tents devoted, lest the wrath 890 Impendent, raging into sudden flame Distinguish 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. 895

So fpake the seraph Abdiel, faithful found Among the faithless, faithful only he ; Among innumerable false, unmoy'd,

Unshaken,

Unhaken, unseduc'd, unterrify'd,
His loyalty he kept, his love, his zeal;

900
Nor number, nor example, with him wrought
To swerve from truth, or change his constant mind
Though single. Froin amidst them forth he pass'd
Long way through hostile scorn, which he sustain'd
Superior, nor of violence fear'd ought; 905
And with retorted fcorn his back he turn'd
On those proud towers to swift destruction doom'd.

END of the FIFTH BOOK.

K

ARGU ARGUMENT of Book VI.

a

Raphael continues to relate how Michael and Gabriel

were sent forth to battle against Satan and his angels. 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 in 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, quith his chariot and thunder driving into the midst of his enemies, pursues them, unable to refijt, towards the wall of heaven; which opening, they leap down with horror and confusion into the place of putnishment prepared for them in the deep : Mefiab re. turns with triumph to his Father.

PARADISE