That is, to thy obedience; therein stand. This was that caution given thee; be advised. And good he made thee, but to persevere Can hearts, not free, be tried whether they serve Myself, and all the angelic host, that stand To whom our great progenitor: Thy words 525 530 535 540 545 Cherubic songs by night from neighboring hills Aerial music send: nor knew I not To be both will and deed created free; Yet that we never shall forget to love 550 Assured me, and still assure: though what thou tell'st The full relation, which must needs be strange, 555 And we have yet large day, for scarce the sun High matter thou enjoin'st me, O prime of men, Sad task and hard; for how shall I relate 560 To human sense the invisible exploits 565 And perfect while they stood? how last unfold Not lawful to reveal? yet for thy good 570 This is dispensed; and what surmounts the reach By likening spiritual to corporeal forms, As may express them best; though what if Earth Be but the shadow of Heaven, and things therein 575 Each to other like, more than on earth is thought? As yet this world was not, and Chaos wild Reigned where these Heavens now roll, where Earth Upon her centre poised; when on a day (For time, though in eternity, applied To motion, measures all things durable By present, past, and future,) on such day [now rests 580 As Heaven's great year brings forth, the empyrial host Of Angels, by imperial summons call'd, Innumerable before the Almighty's throne Forthwith from all the ends of Heaven appear'd Ten thousand thousand ensigns high advanced, 585 590 Recorded eminent. Thus when in orbs Of circuit inexpressible they stood, Orb within orb, the Father Infinite, By whom in bliss imbosom'd sat the Son, 595 600 Thrones, Dominations, Princedoms, Virtues, Powers, My only Son, and on this holy hill Him have anointed, whom ye now behold United, as one individual soul, For ever happy: him who disobeys, Me disobeys, breaks union, and that day, So spake the Omnipotent, and with his words. 605 610 615 All seem'd well pleased; all seem'd, but were not all. Of planets, and of fix'd, in all her wheels 620 Then most, when most irregular they seem; 625 So smooths her charming tones, that God's own ear Listens delighted. Evening now approach'd, (For we have also our evening and our morn, We ours for change delectable, not need;) Forthwith from dance to sweet repast they turn Tables are set, and on a sudden piled With Angels' food, and rubied nectar flows In pearl, in diamond, and massy gold, Fruit of delicious vines, the growth of Heaven. 630 635 On flowers reposed, and with fresh flowerets crown'd They eat, they drink, and in communion sweet Quaff immortality and joy, secure Of surfeit, where full measure only bounds 641 Excess, before the all bounteous King, who shower'd 645 (Such are the courts of God,) the angelic throng, 650 Dispersed in bands and files, their camp extend By living streams among the trees of life, Pavilions numberless, and sudden rear'd, Celestial tabernacles, where they slept Fann'd with cool winds; save those who in their course, Melodious hymns about the sov❜reign throne Alternate all night long: but not so waked Is heard no more in Heaven; he of the first, 656 If not the first Archangel, great in power, 660 In favor, and pre-eminence, yet fraught Messiah King anointed, could not bear Through pride that sight, and thought himself impair'd Deep malice thence conceiving and disdain, 666 670 Sleep'st thou, companion dear? What sleep can close Of Heaven's Almighty! Thou to me thy thoughts Thy sleep dissent? new laws thou seest imposed; 675 681 685 New laws from him who reigns new minds may raise 690 695 Or several one by one, the regent Powers, Under him Regent; tells, as he was taught, That the Most High commanding, now ere night, Now ere dim night had disencumber'd Heaven, 700 |