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, overwhelm 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.
LL night the dreadless angel, unpursued,
[Morn, Through heaven's wide champaign held his way, till
Lodge and dislodge by turns, which makes through Grateful vicissitude, like day and night;
Light issues forth, and, at the other door, Obsequious 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 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 embattled squadrons bright, Chariots, and flaming arms, and fiery steeds, Reflecting blaze on blaze, first met his view: War he perceived, 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 received With joy and acclamations loud, that one, That of so many myriads fall'n, 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 approved in sight of God, though worlds Judged 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 battle these my sons Invincible; lead forth my armed saints, By thousands and by millions, ranged 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 Sovereign Voice, and clouds began To darken all the hill, and smoke to roll
In dusky wreaths, reluctant flames, the sign Of wrath awaked; nor with less dread the loud Ethereal trumpet from on high 'gan blow: At which command the powers militant, That stood for heaven, in mighty quadrate join'd Of union irresistible, moved on,
In silence, their bright legions to the sound. Of instrumental harmony, that breathed Heroic ardour to adventurous deeds Under their godlike leaders, in the cause Of God and his Messiah. On they move, Indissolubly firm; nor obvious hill,
Nor straitening vale, nor wood, nor stream, divides 70
Their perfect ranks; for high above the ground
Their march was, and the passive air upbore Their nimble tread. As when the total kind
Of birds, in orderly array on wing,
Came summon'd over Eden to receive
Their names of thee; so over many a tract Of heaven they march'd, and many a province wide, Tenfold the length of this terrene. At last, Far in the horizon, to the north, appear'd, From skirt to skirt, a fiery region, stretch'd In battailous aspect, and, nearer view, Bristled with upright beams innumerable Of rigid spears, and helmets throng'd, and shields Various, with boastful argument portray'd, The banded powers of Satan hasting on With furious expedition: for they ween'd That self-same day, by fight, or by surprise, To win the mount of God, and on his throne To set the envier of his state, the proud
Aspirer; but their thoughts proved fond and vain In the mid-way; though strange to us it seem'd At first, that angel should with angel war, And in fierce hosting meet, who wont to meet So oft in festivals of joy and love Unanimous, as sons of one great Sire, Hymning the Eternal Father. But the shout Of battle now began, and rushing sound Of onset ended soon each milder thought. High in the midst, exalted as a god, The apostate in his sun-bright chariot sat, Idol of majesty divine, enclosed
With flaming cherubim, and golden shields; Then lighted from his gorgeous throne, for now 'Twixt host and host but narrow space was left, A dreadful interval, and front to front Presented stood in terrible array
Of hideous length: before the cloudy van, On the rough edge of battle ere it join'd,
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