Your meffage, like to end as much in vain ? To whom thus Zephon, anfw'ring fcorn with fcorn, Think not, revolted Spi'rit, thy fhape the fame, 835 Or undiminish'd brightness to be known, As when thou stood'st in Heav'n upright and pure; That glory then, when thou no more waft good, Departed from thee'; and thou resembleft now Thy fin and place of doom obfcure and foul. But come, for thou, be sure, shalt give account To him who fent us, whose charge is to keep This place inviolable, and these from harm. So fpake the Cherub; and his grave rebuke, And felt how awful goodness is, and faw 840 845 850 Or all at once; more glory will be won, Or lefs be loft. Thy fear, faid Zephon bold, The Fiend reply'd not, overcome with rage; But, like a proud fteed rein'd, went haughty on, Champing his iron curb: to strive or fly 855 860 He held it vain; awe from above had quell'd K Juft Juft met, and closing stood in fquadron join'd, O friends, I hear the tread of nimble feet 865 870 He scarce had ended, when thofe two approach'd, And brief related whom they brought, where found, How bufied, in what form and posture couch'd. 880 To whom with ftern regard thus Gabriel fpake. Why haft thou, Satan,, broke the bounds preferib'd To thy tranfgreflions, and disturb'd the charge Of others, who approve not to tranfgrefs By thy example, but have pow'r and right To queftion thy bold entrance on this place; Employ'd it seems to violate fleep, and those Whofe dwelling God hath planted here in bliss? To whom thus Satan with contemptuous brow. 885 Gabriel, thou hadst in Heav'n th' esteem of wife, And fuch I held thee; but this question afk'd Puts me in doubt. Lives there who loves his pain? Who would not, finding way, break loofe from Hell, Though thither doom'd? Thou wouldst thyfelf, no And boldly venture to whatever place [doubt, Fartheft from pain, where thou might'ft hope to change Torment Torment with ease, and fooneft recompenfe Dole with delight, which in this place I fought; 895 In that dark durance: thus much what was afk'd. Thus he in fcorn. The warlike Angel mov'd, O lofs of one in Heav'n to judge of wife, But wherefore thou alone? wherefore with thee K 2 905 910 915 920 Thou Thou furely hadft not come fole fugitive. 925 To which the Fiend thus anfwer'd frowning stern. Not that I lefs indure, or shrink from pain, Infulting Angel; well thou know'ft I ftood Thy fierceft, when in battel to thy aid The blafting volied thunder made all speed, And feconded thy else not dreaded spear. But ftill thy words at random, as before, Argue thy inexperience what behoves From hard affays and ill fucceffes past A faithful leader, not to hazard all 930 Through ways of danger by himself untry'd: I therefore, I alone first undertook 935 To wing the defolate abyfs, and spy This new created world, whereof in Hell 940 High up in Heav'n, with songs to hymn his throne, And practis'd diftances to cringe, not fight. 945 To whom the warrior Angel foon reply'd. To fay and ftrait unfay, pretending first Wife to fly pain, profeffing next the spy, Argues no leader but a liar trac'd, Satan, and couldst thou faithful add? O name, 950 O facred name of faithfulness profan'd! Faithful to whom? to thy rebellious crew? Army Army of Fiends, fit body to fit head. Was this your discipline and faith engag'd, Your military obedience, to diffolve Allegiance to th' acknowledg'd Power fupreme ? 955 Patron of liberty, who more than thou So threaten'd he; but Satan to no threats Far heavier load thyself expect to feel 965 970 From my prevailing arm, though Heaven's king 980 |
