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ALL night the ens
Through Heavin's widnic
Wak'd by the choling
Unbarr'd the pos

Within the mont

Where light and drama de

Lodge and dislodge by

Grateful vicissitude, like day and

Light issues forth, and en

Obsequious darknes barr

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ALL night the dreadless Angel unpursued

Through Heaven's wide champain held his way; till morn, Wak'd by the circling hours, with rosy hand

Unbarr'd 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

L L

To veil the Heaven, though darkness there might well
Seem twilight here; and now went forth the morn
Such as in highest Heaven, array'd in gold
Empyreal; from before her vanish'd night,

Shot through with orient beams: when all the plain
Cover'd with thick embattel'd squadrons bright,
Chariots and flaming arms, and fiery steeds,
Reflecting blaze on blaze, first met his view:
War he perceiv'd, war in procinct, and found
Already known what he for news had thought
To have reported: gladly then he mix'd
Among those friendly powers, who him receiv'd
With joy and acclamations loud, that one
That of so many myriads fallen, yet one
Return'd 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 maintain'd
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 approv'd in sight of God, though worlds
Judg'd thee perverse: the easier conquest now-
Remains thee, aided by this host of friends,
Back on thy foes more glorious to return
Than scorn'd thou didst depart, and to subdue
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 battel these my sons
Invincible, lead forth my armed Saints
By thousands and by millions rang'd for fight;
Equal in number to that Godless crew
Rebellious; them with fire and hostile arms
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

M M

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