Then who created thee lamenting learn, When who can uncreate thee thou shalt know.' And with retorted scorn, his back he turn'd On those proud towers, to swift destruction doom'd." THE ARGUMENT. Raphael contines 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, whh, 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. PARADISE LOST. BOOK VI. ALL night the dreadless angel, unpursued, Through heaven's wide champain held his way, till Morn, Waked by the circling hours, with rosy hand Unbarr'd the gates of light. There is a cave Within the mount of God, fast by his throne, Where light and darkness, in perpetual round, Lodge and dislodge by turns, which makes through heaven Grateful vicissitude, like day and night; Light issues forth, and, at the other door, 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 |