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 encmies, 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. ALL night the dreadless Angel unpursued Through Heav'n's wide champain held his way; till morn, Wak'd by the circling hours, with rosy hand Heaven Grateful vicissitude, like day and night; Light issues forth, and at the other door 5 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 Chariots and flaming arms, and fiery steeds 16 20 25 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 30 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 35 To stand approv'd in sight of God, though worlds Judg'd 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 40 Messiah, who by right of merit reigns. Gabriel, lead forth to battle these my sons 45 50 Of Tartarus, which ready opens wide His fiery Chaos to receive their fall. 55 So spake the sov'reign voice, and clouds began To darken all the hill, and smoke to roll In dusky wreathes, reluctant flames, the sign Of wrath awak'd; nor with less dread the loud 60 Ethereal trumpet from on high 'gan blow; In silence their bright legions, to the sound Heroic ardour to advent'rous deeds Under their God-like leaders, in the cause 65 Nor strait'ning 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 Came summon'd over Eden to receive Their names of thee; so over many a tract Of Heav'n they march'd, and many a province wide Of rigid spears, and helmets throng'd, and shields Aspirer, but their thoughts prov'd fond and vain And in fierce hosting meet, who wont to meet 75 80 85 90 Unanimous, as sons of one great Sire 95 Hymning th' eternal Father: but the shout Of battle now began, and rushing sound Th' Apostate in his sun-bright chariot sat, 100 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, O HEAV'N! that such resemblance of the Highest Should yet remain, where faith and realty 105 110 120 115 Remain not wherefore should not strength and might There fail where virtue fails, or weakest prove Where boldest, though to sight unconquerable? His puissance, trusting in th' Almighty's aid, I mean to try, whose reason I have try'd Unsound and false; nor is it ought but just, That he who in debate of truth hath won, Should win in arms, in both disputes alike Victor; though brutish that contést and foul, When reason hath to deal with force, yet so Most reason is that reason overcome So pondering, and from his armed peers Forth stepping opposite, half way he met His daring foe, at this prevention more Incens'd, and thus securely him defy'd. 125 130 PROUD art thou met? thy hope was to have reach'd The height of thy aspiring unoppos'd, |