THE ARGUMENT. Raphael continues to relate how Michael and Gabriel were fent forth to battel against Satan and his Angels. The first fight defcrib'd: Satan and his Powers retire under night: He calls a council, invents devilish engins, which in the fecond day's fight put Michael and his Angels to fome diforder: but they at length pulling up mountains overwhelm'd both the force and machines of Satan: Yet the tumult not fo ending, God on the third day fends MESSIAH his Son, for whom he had referv'd the glory of that victory: He in the power of his Father coming to the place, and caufing all his legions to stand still on either fide, with his 'chariot and thunder driving into the midst of his enemies, pursues them unable to refift towards the wall of Heaven; which opening, they leap down with horror and confufion into the place of punishment prepar'd for them in the deep: MESSIAH returns with triumph to his Father. PARADISE LOST. A LL night the dreadless Angel unpursued Through Heav'n's wide champain held his way; till Wak'd by the circling hours, with rofy hand [morn, Unbarr'd the gates of light. There is a cave Where light and darkness in perpetual round Lodge and diflodge by turns, which makes through Grateful viciffitude, like day and night; Light iffues forth, and at the other door Qbfequious darkness enters, till her hour [Heaven 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 15 20 With joy and acclamations loud, that one, Of truth, in word mightier than they in arms; 25 39 Univerfal reproach, far worse to bear Than violence; for this was all thy care, 35 To stand approv'd in fight of God, though worlds Judg'd thee perverfe: the easier conquest now 40/ And thou in military prowefs next 45 Gabriel, lead forth to battel these my sons 50 Into their place of punishment, the gulf So fpake the fovran voice, and clouds began Of wrath awak'd; nor with lefs dread the loud In filence their bright legions, to the found Under their God-like leaders, in the cause 55 60 .65 Nor strait'ning vale, nor wood, nor stream divides 70° Their perfect ranks; for high above the ground Their march was, and the paffive air upbore Their nimble tread; as when the total kind Came fummon'd over Eden to receive 75 Their names of thee; fo over many a tract Of Heav'n they march'd, and many a province wide 80 of |