Stream in the air, and for distinction serve By whom in bliss imbosom'd sat the Son, Amidst as from a flaming mount, whose top 595 60 605 Thrones, Dominations, Princedoms, Virtues, Fowers; My only Son, and on this holy hill Him have anointed, whom ye now behold 610 At my right hand; your head I him appoint ; And by myself have sworn, to him shall bow All knees in Heaven, and shall confess him Lord; 615 For ever happy: him who disobeys, Into utter darkness, deep ingulf'd, his place Ordain'd without redemption, without end. 620 So spake the Omnipotent, and with his words All seem'd well pleased; all seem'd, but were not all. That day, as other solemn days, they spent In song and dance about the sacred hill; €25 Of planets, and of fix'd, in all her wheels Eccentric, intervolved, yet regular Then most, when most irregular they seem; And in their motions harmony divine 634 So smooths her charming tones, that Gods own ear Listens delighted. Evening now approach'd (For we have also our evening and our morn, Tables are set, and on a sudden piled 633 In pearl, in diamond, and(massy gold,) Fruit of delicious vines, the growth of Heaven. 640 On flowers reposed, and with fresh flowerets crcwn'd, Of surfeit, where full measure only bounds 646 Excess, before the all bounteous King, who shower'd 650 (Such are the courts of God,) the angelic throng, 655 Dispersed in bands and files, their camp extend By living streams among the trees of life, Celestial tabernacles, where they slept "Fann'd with cool winds; save those, who in their course, Melodious hymns about the sov'reign throne 661 Alternate all night long but not so waked Satan; so call him now, his former name Is heard no more in Heaven; he of the first, If not the first Archangel, great in power, 668 In favour, and preeminence, yet fraught With envy against the Son of God, that day Honour'd by his great Father, and proclaim'd Messian King anointed, could not bear Through pride that sight, and thought himself impair'd Deep malice thence conceiving and disdain, 671 675 Sleep'st thou, companion dear? What sleep can close Thy eyelids? and remember'st what decree Of yesterday, so late hath pass'd the lips 680 Of Heaven's Almighty. Thou to me thy thoughts 686 What doubtful may ensue: More in this place Of all those myriads which we lead the chief; Tell them, that by command, ere yet dim night 690 And all who under me their banners wave, So spake the false Archangel, and infused 695 700 Or several one by one, the regent Powers, Under him Regent; tells, as he was taught, That the Most High commanding, now ere night 700 The great hierarchal standard was to mcve; Ambiguous words and jealousies, to sound Or taint integrity. but all obey'd The wonted signal, and superior voice 710 Of their great Potentate; for great indeed His name, and high was his degree in Heaven; His countenance, as the morning star that guides 720 Drew after him the third part of Heaven's host. 715 725 Is rising, who intends to erect his throne 730 Equal to ours, throughout the spacious north; 739 To whom the Son with calm aspéct and clear, Lightning divine, ineffable, serene, Made answer: Mighty Father, thou thy foes 744 Laugh'st at their vain designs and tumults rain; Illustrates, when they see all regal power Given me to quell their pride and in event 745 Thy rebels, or be found the worst in Heaven. 30 Spake the Son; but Satan, with his Powers Far was advanced on winged speed; a host Innumerable as the stars of night, 750 Or stars of morning, dewdrops, which the sun Impearls on every leaf and every flower. 755 Than what this garden is to all the earth Stretch'd into longitude; which having pass'd, At length into the limits of the north 760 They came; and Satan to his royal seat High on a hill, far blazing, as a mount Raised on a mount, with pyramids and towers From diamond quarries hewn, and rocks of gold; The palace of great Lucifer (so call 765 That structure in the dialect of men Messiah was declared in sight of Heaven, 770 The Mountain of the Congregation call'd; For thither he assembled all his train, Of counterfeited truth thus held their ears: 775 'I'hrones, Dominations, Princedoms, Virtues, Powers, If these magnific titles yet remain Not merely titular, since by decrce Another now hath to himself engross'd All power, and us eclipsed, under the name 780 |