THE

SIXTH

O F

BOOK

PARADISE LOST.

THE ARGUMENT.

Raphael continues to relate how Michael and Gabriel were sent forth to battel against Satan and his Angels. The first fight defcrib'd: Satan and his Powers retire under night: He calls a council, invents devilish engins, which in the fecond day's fight put Michael and his Angels to fome diforder : but they at length pulling up mountains overwhelm'd both the force and machines of Satan: Yet the tumult not fo ending, God on the third day fends MESSIAH his Son, for whom he had referv'd the glory of that victory: He in the power of his Father coming to the place, and causing all his legions to ftand ftill on either fide, with his 'chariot and thunder driving into the midst of his enemies, pursues them unable to refift towards the wall of Heaven; which opening, they leap down with horror and confufion into the place of punishment prepar'd for them in the deep: MESSIAH returns with triumph to his Father.

PARADISE

A

BOOK

LOST.

VI.

LL night the dreadless Angel unpurfued

Through Heav'n's wide champain held his way; till

[morn,

5

Wak'd by the circling hours, with rofy hand
Unbarr'd the gates of light. There is a cave
Within the mount of God, faft by his throne,
Where light and darkness in perpetual round
Lodge and diflodge by turns, which makes through
Grateful viciffitude, like day and night;

Light iffues forth, and at the other door
Obfequious darknefs enters, till her hour

[Heaven

10

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

Shot through with orient beams; when all the plain 15
Cover'd with thick imbattel'd fquadrons 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 thofe friendly Pow'rs, who him receiv'd

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With joy and acclamations loud, that one,
That of so many myriads fall'n, yet one
Return'd not loft: On to the facred hill
They led him high applauded, and prefent
Before the feat fupreme; from whence a voice
From midft a golden cloud thus mild was heard.
Servant of God, well done, well haft thou fought
The better fight, who single hast maintain’d

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Against revolted multitudes the cause

Of truth, in word mightier than they in arms;

And for the teftimony' of truth haft borne

Univerfal reproach, far worfe to bear

Than violence; for this was all thy care,

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To stand approv'd in fight of God, though worlds

Judg'd thee perverse: the easier conquest now
Remains thee, aided by this hoft of friends,
Back on thy foes more glorious to return
Than fcorn'd thou didst depart, and to fubdue
By force, who reason for their law refuse,

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Right reason for their law, and for their king
Meffiah, who by right of merit reigns.

Go Michael of celestial armies prince,

And thou in military prowess next

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Gabriel, lead forth to battel these my fons

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 hoftile arms
Fearless affault, and to the brow of Heaven
Pursuing drive them out from God and bliss

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