New laws from him who reigns, new minds may In us who serve, new counfels, to debate [raife What doubtful may enfue: more in this place To utter is not lafe. Aflemble thou
Of all thofe myriads which we lead the chief; Tell them that by command, e'er yet dim night Her fhadowy cloud withdraws, I am to halte, And all who under me their banners wave Homeward with flying march where we poffefs The quarters of the north; there to prepare Fit entertainment to receive our king The great Meffiah, and his new commands, Who fpeedily through all the hierarchies Intends to pafs triumphant, and give laws.
So fpake the falfe Arch-Angel, and infus'd Bad influence into th' unwary breast Of his affociate: he together calls, Or feveral one by one, the regent Powers, Under him regent; tells, as he was taught, That the most High commanding, now e'er night, Now e'er dim night had difincumber'd Heaven, The great hierarchal standard was to move; Tells the fuggefted cause, and cafts between Ambiguous words and jealoufies, to found Or taint integrity: but all obey'd The wonted lignal, and fuperior voice Of their great potentate; for great indeed His name, and high was his degree in Heaven; His count'nance, as the morning ftar that guides The starry flock, allur'd them, and with lies Drew after him the third part of Heav'n's hoft. Mean while th' eternal eye, whofe fight difcerns Abftrufeft thoughts, from forth his holy mount And from within the golden lamps that burn Nightly before him, faw without their light Rebellion rifing, faw in whom, how spread Among the fons of morn, what multitudes Were banded to oppofe his high decree; And smiling to his only Son, thus faid.
Son, thou in whom my glory I behold In full refplendence, Heir of all my might, Nearly it now concerns us to be fure
Of our omnipotence, and with what arms We mean to hold what anciently we claim Of deity or empire; fuch a foe
I rifing, who intends to erect his throne Equal to ours, throughout the spacious north; Nor fo content, hath in his thought to try In battle, what our pow'r is, or outright. Let us advise, and to this hazard draw With fpeed what force is left, and all employ In our defence, left unawares we lofe This our high place, our fanctuary, our hill. To whom the Son with calm afpect and clear, Lightning divine, ineffable, ferene, Made anfwer. Mighty Father, thou thy focs Justly haft in derifion, and fecure
Langh'st at their vain defigns and tumults vain, Matter to me of glory, whom their hate Illuftrates, when they fee all regal power Giv'n me to quell their pride, and in event Know whether I be dextrous to fubdue Thy rebels, or be found the worst in Heaven. So fpake the Son; but Satan with his powers Far was advanc'd on winged speed, an hoit
Innumerable as the stars of night,-. Or ftars of morning, dew-drops, which the fur Impearls on every leaf and every flower.. Regions they pafs'd, the mighty regencies Of Seraphim and Potentates and Thrones In their triple degrees; regions to which All thy dominion, Adam, is no more Than what this garden is to all the earth, And all the fea, from one entire globofe Stretch'd into longitude; which having pass' At length into the limits of the north They came, and Satan to his royal feat High on a hill, far blazing, as a mount
Rais'd on a mount, with pyramids and towers From diamond quarries hewn, and rocks of gold- The palace of great Lucifer, (fo call That structure in the dialect of men Interpreted) which not long after, he, Affecting all equality with God,
In imisation of that mount whereon Meffiah was declar d in fight of Heaven, The Mountain of the congregation call'd For thither he affembled all his train, Pretending, fo commanded, to confult About the great reception of their king, Thither to come, and with calumnious art Of counterfeited truth thus held their ears. Thrones, Dominations, Princedoms, Virtues If these magnific titles yet remain Not merely titular, fince by decree Another now hath to hindelf ingrofs'd All pow'r, and us eclips'd under the name Of King anointed, for whom all this hafte Of midnight march, and hurried meeting here, This only to confult, how we may best With what may be devis'd of honours new Receive him coming to receive from us Knee-tribute yet unpaid, proftration vile, Too much to one, but double how indur'd To one and to his image now proclaim'd? But what if better counfels might erect Our minds, and teach us to caft off this yoke? Will ye fubmit your necks, and choose to bend The fupple knee? ye will not, if I trust To know ye right, or if ye know yourselves Natives and fons of Heav'n poffefs'd before By none, and if not equal all, yet free, Equally free; for orders and degrees Jar not with liberty, but well confift, Who can in reason then, or right assume Monarchy over fuch as live by right His equals; if in pow'r and fplendor lefs, In freedom equal? or can introduce Law and edict on us, who without law Err not? much lefs for this to be our Lord, And look for adoration to th' abufe Of thofe imperial titles, which affert Our being ordain'd to govern, not to serve.
Thus far his bold difcourfe without controul Had audience, when among the Seraphim Abdiel, than whom none with more zeal ador'd The Deity, and divine commands obey'd, Stood up, and in a flame of zeal fevere The current of his fury thus oppos'd.
O argument blafphemous, falfe and proud!
Words which no ear ever to hear in Heav'n Expected, leaft of all from thee, Ingrate, In place thyself so high above thy peers. Canft thou with impious obloquy condemn The juft decree of God, pronounc'd and fworn, That to his only Son by right indued With regal fceptre, every foul in Heav'n Shall bend the knee, and in that honour due Confefs him rightful king? unjuft, thou fay'st, Flatly unjuft, to bind with laws the free, And equal over equals to let reign, One over all with unfucceeded power. Shalt thou give law to God, fhalt thou difpute With him the points of 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, And of our good and of our dignity How provident he is, how far from thought To make us lefs, bent rather to exalt
Our happy state under one head more near United. But to grant it thee unjust, That equal over equals monarchs reign:
When this creation was? remember'st thou Thy making, while the Maker gave thee being? We know no time when we were not as now; Know none before us, felf-begot, felf-rais'd By our own quick'ning pow'r, when fatal courfe Had circl'd his full orb, the birth mature Of this our native Heav'n, ethereal fons. Our puiffance is our own; our own right hand Shall teach us highest deeds, by proof to try Who is our equal: then thou shalt behold Whether by fupplication we intend Addrefs, and to begirt th' Almighty throne Befeeching or befieging. This report, Thefe tidings carry to th' anointed King; And fly, e'er evil intercept thy flight.
He faid; and, as the found of waters deep, Hoarfe murmour echo'd to his words applaufe Through the infinite hoft; nor lefs for that The flaming Seraph fearless, though alone 'Incompafs'd round with foes, thus anfwer'd bold. O alienate from God, O Spirit accura'd, Forfaken of all good! I fee thy fall Determin'd, and thy hapless crew involv'd In this perfidious fraud, contagion fpread
Thyfelf though great and glorious doft thou count, Both of thy crime and punishment: henceforth
Or all angelic nature join'd in one,
Equal to him begotten Son? by whom
As by his word the mighty Father made
No more be troubled how to quit the yoke Of God's Meffiah; thofe indulgent laws Will not be now vouchfaf'd; other decrees
All things, ev'n thee; and all the Spirits of Against thee are gone forth without recall;
By him created in their bright degrees, Crown'd them with glory, and to their glory nam'd
Thrones, Dominations, Princedoms, Virtues, Powers,
Effential Pow'rs; nor by his reign obscur'd, But more illuftrious made; fince he the head One of our number thus reduc'd becomes; His laws our laws; all honour to him done Returns our own. Ceafe then this impious rage, And tempt not these; but haften to appease Th' incenfed Father, and th' incensed Son, While pardon may be found in time befought. So fpake the fervent Angel; but his zeal None feconded, as out of feafon judg'd, Or fingular and rash; whereat rejoic'd Th' Apoftate, and more haughty thus reply'd: That we were form'd then, fay'ft thou? and the Of fecondary hands, by task transferr'd [work From Father to his Son? ftrange point and new! Doctrine which we would know whence learn'd: who faw
That golden fceptre, which thou didst reject, Is now an iron rod to bruise and break Thy difobedience. Well thou didft advise, Yet not for thy advice or threats I fly Thefe wicked tents devoted, left the wrath Impendent, raging into fudden flame Diftinguish 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. So fpake the Seraph Abdiel, faithful found Among the faithlefs, faithful only he; Among innumerable falfe, unmov'd, Unfhaken, unfeduc'd, unterrify'd, His loyalty he kept, his love, his zeal;
Nor number, nor example with him wrought To fwerve from'truth, or change his confiant mind, Though fingle. From amidst them forth he pafs'd, Long way through hoftile fcorn, which he sustain'd Superior, nor of violence fear'd ought; And with retorted fcorn his back he turn'd On thofe proud tow'rs, to fwift destruction doom'd.
Raphael continues to relate how Michael and Gabriel were fent forth to battle against Satan and his angels. The first fight defcrib'd: 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 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 caufing all his legions to stand still on either fide, with his chariot and thunder driving into the midst of his enemies, purfues them unable to refift, towards the wall of Heaven; which opening, they leap down with horror and confusion into the place of punishment prepar'd for them in the Deep: Meffiah returns with triumph to his Father.
ALL night the dreadless angel unpursued Through Heav'n's wide champain held his way, till Morn,
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; [Heav'n Light iffues forth, and at the other door Obfequious Darkness enters, till her hour
To veil the Heaven, 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
Cover'd with thick imbattl'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 fo many myriads fall'n, yet one Return'd not loft: on to the Sacred Hill
They led him high applauded, and prefent
Before the feat fupreme; from whence a voice From midst a golden cloud thus mild was heard: Servant of God, well done; well haft thou fought The better fight, who single haft maintain'd 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 worse to bear Than violence; for this was all thy care, To ftand approv'd in fight of God, though worlds Judg'd thee perverfe: the eafier conqueft 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 refufe, Right reason for their law, and for their king Meffrah, who by right of merit reigns. Go, Michael, of celeftial armies prince, And thou in military prowefs next, Gabriel, lead forth to battle these my fons Invincible, lead forth my armed faints By thousands and by millions rang'd för fight Equal in number to that godless crew, Rebellious; them with fire and hostile arms Fearless affault, and to the brow of Heav'n Pursuing, drive them out from God and blifs Into their place of punishment, the gulf Of Tartarus which ready opens wide D
His fiery chaos to receive their fall.
So fpake the Sov'reign Voice, and clouds began To darken all the hill, and fmoke to roll In dusky wreaths, reluctant flames, the fign Of wrath awak'd; nor with lefs dread the loud Ethereal trumpet from on high 'gan blow: At which command the powers militant, That itood for Heav'n in mighty quadrate join'd Of union irrefiftible, mov'd on
In filence their bright legions, to the found Of inftrumental harmony, that breath'd Heroic ardour to advent'rous deeds Under their god-like leaders, in the cause Of God and his Meffiah. On they move, Indiffolubly firm; nor obvious hill,
Nor ftrait'ning vale, nor wood, nor stream, divides 'Their perfect ranks; for high above the ground Their march was, and the paffive air upbore Their nimble tread; as when the total kind Of birds in orderly array on wing, Came fummon'd over Eden to receive Their names of thee; fo over many a tract
Of Heav'n they march'd, and many a province wide
Tenfold the length of this terrene at laft Far in th' horrizon to the North appear'd From skirt to skirt a fiery region, stretch'd In battailous afpect, and nearer view Bristled with upright beams innumerable Of rigid fpears, and helmets throng'd, and shields Various, with boastful argument portray'd, The banded powers of Satan hafting on With furious expedition; for they ween'd That felf-fame day by fight, or by surprise, To win the mount of God, and on his throne To fet the Envier of his ftate, the proud Afpirer; but their thoughts prov'd fond and vain In the mid-way: though ftrange to us it feem'd At first, that Angel fhould with Angel war, And in fierce hofting meet, who wont to meet So oft in feftivals of joy and love Unanimous, as fons of one great Sire Hymning th' eternal father: but the fhout Of battle now began, and rufhing found Of onfet ended foon each milder thought. High in the midft, exalted as a god, Th' Apoftate in his fun-bright chariot fat, Idol of majesty divine, inclos'd
With flaming cherubim and golden fhields; Then lighted from his gorgeous throne, for now "Twixt hoft and hoft but narrow space was left, A dreadful interval, and front to front Prefented flood in terrible array
Of hideous length: before the cloudy van, On the rough edge of battle e'er it join'd, Satan with vaft and haughty ftrides advanc'd Came tow'ring, arm'd in adamant and gold; Abdiel that fight endur'd not, where he flood Among the mightieft, bent on higheft deeds; And thus his own undaunted heart explores.
O Heaven! that fuch refemblance of the Highest
Should yet remain, where faith and reälty
There fail where virtue fails, or weakest prove Where boldeft, though to fight unconquerable? His puiffance, trufting in th' Almighty's aid, I mean to try, whofe reafon I have try'd Unfound and falfe; nor is it ought but juft, That he who in debate of truth hath won Should win in arms, in both disputes alike Victor; though brutish that contest and foul, When Reafon hath to deal with Force, yet fo Moft reafon is that Reafon overcome.
So pondering, and from his armed peers Forth ftepping oppofite, half way he met His daring foe, at this prevention more Incens'd, and thus fecurely him defy'd. Proud, art thou met? thy hope was to have reach'd
The height of thy afpiring unoppos'd, The throne of God unguarded, and his fide Abandon'd at the terror of thy power
Or potent tongue; fool, not to think how vain Against th' Omnipotent to rife in arms; Who out of smallest things could without end Have rais'd inceffant armies to defeat Thy folly; or with folitary hand
Reaching beyond all limit, at one blow, Unaided, could have finifh'd thee, and whelm'd Thy legions under darkness: but thou feeft All are not of thy train; there be who faith Prefer, and piety to God, though then To thee not visible, when I alone
Seem'd in thy world erroneous to diffent From all my fect thou seest; now learn, too late, How few fometimes may know, when thousands
Whom the grand Foe, with scornful eye askance, Thus anfwer'd. Ill for thee, but in wifh'd hour Of my revenge, first fought, for thou return'st From fight, feditious angel, to receive Thy merited reward, the first essay
Of this right hand provok'd, fince first that tongue Infpir'd with contradiction durft oppose A third part of the gods, in fynod met Their deities to affert, who, while they feel Vigour divine within them, can allow Omnipotence to none. But well thou com'ft Before thy fellows, ambitious to win
From me fome plume, that thy fuccefs may fhew Destruction to the reft: this pause between (Unanfwer'd left thou boaft) to let thee know; At first I thought that Liberty and Heav'n To heav'nly fouls had been all one; but now I fee that most through floth had rather serve, Minift'ring Spirits, train'd up in feaft and fong; Such haft thou arm'd, the miniftrelfy of Heav'n, Servility with Freedom to contend,
As both their deeds compar'd this day shall prove. To whom in brief thus Abdiel stern reply'd : Apoftate, ftill thou err'ft, nor end wilt find Of erring, from the path of Truth remote: Unjustly thou deprav'ft it with the name Of Servitude, to ferve whom God ordains, Or nature: God and nature bid the fame, When he who rules is worthieft, and excels
Remain not: wherefore fhould not ftrength and Them whom he governs. This is fervitude,
To ferve th' unwife, or him who hath rebell'd
Against his worthier, as thine now ferve thee, Thyfelf not free, but to thyself inthrall'd; Yet lewdly dar'ft our minift'ring upbraid. Reign thou in Hell, thy kingdom; let me ferve In Heav'n, God ever bleft, and his divine Behefts obey, worthieft to be obey'd; Yet chains in Hell, not realms expect: mean while From me return'd, as erft thou faidft, from flight, This greeting on thy impious crest receive.
So fay'ing, a noble ftroke he lifted high, Which hung not, but so swift with tempeft fell On the proud creft of Satan, that no fight, Nor motion of fwift thought, less could his shield Such ruin intercept: ten paces huge He back recoil'd; the tenth on bended knee His mafly spear upftray'd; as if on earth Winds under ground, or waters forcing way, Sidelong had push'd a mountain from his feat Half funk with all his pines. Amazement feis'd The rebel thrones, but greater rage to fee Thus foil'd their mightiest : our joy fill'd, and Prefage of victory, and fierce defire [fhout, Of battle: whereat Michael bid found Th' arch-angel trumpet; through the vaft of Heav'n
It founded, and the faithful armies rung Hofannah to the High'ft: nor ftood at gaze The adverfe legions, nor lefs hideous join'd The horrid shock: now ftorming fury rose And clamours fuch as heard in Heav'n till now Was never; arms on armour clashing bray'd Horrible difcord, and the madding wheels Of brazen chariots rag'd; dire was the noise Of conflict; over head the dismal hifs Of fiery darts in flaming vollies flew, And flying vaulted either host with fire. So under ficry cope together rush'd Both battles main, with ruinous assault And inextinguishable rage; all Heav'n Refounded, and had Earth been then, all Earth Had to her centre shook. What wonder? when Millions of fire-encount'ring angels fought On either fide, the leaft of whom could wield Thefe elements, and arm him with the force Of all their regions: how much more of power Army against army numberless to raise, Dreadful combuftion warring, and disturb, Though not destroy, their happy native feat; Had not th' eternal King omnipotent From his ftrong hold of Heav'n high over-rul'd, And limited their might; though number'd fuch As each divided legion might have feem'd A numerous hoft, in ftrength each arm'd hand A legion, led in fight, yet leader feem'd Each warrior fingle as in chief, expert When to advance, or stand, or turn the fway Of battle, open when, and when to close The ridges of grim War : no thought of flight, None of retreat, no unbecoming deed That argued fear; each on himself rely'd, As only in his arm the moment lay Of victory; deeds of eternal fame. Were done, but infinite; for wide was spread
That war, and various, fometimes on firm ground A standing fight, then foaring on main wing
Tormented all the air; all air feem'd then Conflicting fire; long time in even scale The battle hung; till Satan, who that day Prodigious power had fhewn, and met in arms No equal, ranging through the dire attack Of fighting feraphim confus'd, at length Saw where the fword of Michael smote, and fell'd Squadrons at once; with huge two-handed sway Brandifh'd aloft the horrid edge came down Wide wafting; fuch deftruction to withstand He hafted, and oppos'd the rocky orb Of tenfold adamant, his ample shield, A vaft circumference: at his approach The great arch-angel from his warlike toil Surceas'd, and glad, as hoping here to end Inteftine war in Heav'n, th' Arch-foe fubdu'd Or captive dragg'd in chains, with hoftile frown And vifage all inflam'd firft thus began:
Author of evil, unknown till thy revolt, Unnam'd in Heav'n, now plenteous, as thou feeft These acts of hateful strife, hateful to all, Though heaviest by just measure on thyself And thy adherents: how haft thou disturb'd Heav'n's bleffed peace, and into Nature brought Mifery, uncreated till the crime
Of thy rebellion? how haft thou inftill'd Thy malice into thoufands, once upright And faithful, now prov'd falfe? but think not here To trouble holy reft? Heav'n cafts thee out From all her confines. Heav'n, the feat of blifs, Brooks not the works of Violence and War, Hence then, and evil go with thee along, Thy offspring, to the place of evil, Hell, Thou and thy wicked crew; there mingle broils, E'er this avenging fword begin thy doom, Or fome more fudden vengeance, wing'd from God, Precipitate thee with augmented pain.
So fpake the Prince of Angels; to whom thus The adversary. Nor think thou with wind Of airy threats to awe whom yet with deeds Thou canst not. Haft thou turn'd the leaft of To flight, or if to fall, but that they rife [thefe Unvanquish'd, easier to tranfact with me That thou fhoud'ft hope, imperious, and with
To chafe me hence? err not that so shall end The ftrife which thou call'ft Evil, but we stile The Strife of Glory; which we mean to win, Or turn this Heav'n itself into the Hell Thou fableft, here however to dwell free, If not to reign: mean while thy utmost force, And join him nam'd Almighty to thy aid, I fly not, but have fought thee far and nigh. They ended parle, and both addrefs'd for fight Unfpeakable; for who, though with the tongue Of angels, can relate, or to what things Liken on earth confpicuous, that may lift Human imagination to fuch height Of godlike power? for likeft gods they feem'd, Stood they or mov'd, in ftature, motion, arms; Fit to decide the empire of great Heav'n. Now wav'd their fiery fwords, and in the air Made horrid circles; two broad funs their fhields Blaz'd oppofite, while Expectation stood In horror; from each hand with speed retir'd,
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