Thrones, dominations, princedoms, virtues, powers, That we were form'd then say'st thou ? and the work Of secondary hands, by task transferr'd From Father to his Son? strange point and new! Doctrine which we would know whence learn'd: who saw When this creation was ? remember'st thou Thy making, while the Maker gave thee being? Of this our native heav'n, ethereal sons. He said, and as the sound of waters deep, O alienate from God, O spirit accurs'd, Forsaken of all good; I see thy fall Determin'd, and thy hapless crew involv'd In this perfidious fraud, contagion spread Both of thy crime and punishment: henceforth No more be troubled how to quit the yoke Of God's Messiah: those indulgent laws Will not be now vouchsaf'd; other decrees Against thee are gone forth without recal; 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 These wicked tents devoted, lest the wrath Impendent, raging into sudden flame Distinguish not: for soon expect to feel His thunder on thy head, devouring fire. Then who created thee lamenting learn, When who can uncreate thee thou shalt know. So spake the seraph Abdiel, faithful found Among the faithless, faithful only he; Among innumerable false, unmov'd, Unshaken, unseduc'd, unterrify'd, His loyalty he kept, his love, his zeal; Nor number, nor example with him wrought To swerve from truth, or change his constant mind Though single. From amidst them forth he pass'd, Long way through hostile scorn, which he sustain'd Superior, nor of violence fear'd ought; And with retorted scorn his back he turn'd On those proud tow'rs to swift destruction dooin'd END OF BOOK FIFTH. THE ARGUMENT 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 on 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, with his chariot and thunder driving into the midst of his enemies, pursues them, unable to resist, towards the wall of Heaven; which opening, they leap down with horror and confusion into the place of punishment prepared for them in the deep: Messiah returns with triumph to his Father. PARADISE LOST. BOOK VI. ALL night the dreadless angel unpursu'd morn, Wak'd by the circling hours, with rosy hand Grateful vicissitude, like day and night; To veil the heav'n, though darkness there might well Seem twilight here: and now went forth the morn Shot through with orient beams; when all the plain "War in procinct war prepared, or ready-girded. |