Be but the shadow' of Heav'n, and things therein Each to' other like, more than on earth is thought? As yet this world was not, and Chaos wild Reign'd where these Heav'ns now roll, where Earth Upon her centre pois'd; when on a day [now rests (For time, though in eternity, apply'd
To motion, measures all things durable By present, past, and future) on such day
As Heav'n's great year brings forth, th' empyreal Of angels by imperial summons call'd, Innumerable before th' Almighty's throne Forthwith from all the ends of Heav'n appear'd Under their hierarchs in orders bright: Ten thousand thousand ensigns high advanc'd, Standards and gonfalons 'twixt van and rear Stream in the air, and for distinction serve Of hierarchies, of orders, and degrees; Or in their glittering tissues bear imblaz'd Holy memorials, acts of zeal and love 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, Amidst as from a flaming mount, whose top Brightness had made invisible, thus spake. Hear all ye angels, progeny of Light, Thrones, Dominations, Princedoms,
Hear my decree, which unrevok'd shall stand. This day I have begot whom I declare
My only Son, and on this holy hill
Him have anointed, whom ye now behold At my right hand; your head I him appoint; And by myself have sworn to him shall bow All knees in Heav'n, and shall confess him Lord: Under his great vice-gerent reign abide United as one individual soul
For ever happy him who disobeys, Me disobeys, breaks union, and that day Cast out from God and blessed vision, falls Into utter darkness, deep ingulf'd, his place Ordain'd without redemption, without end. 615 So spake th' Omnipotent, and with his words All seem'd well pleas'd; all seem'd, but were not That day, as other solemn days, they spent [all. In song and dance about the Sacred Hill; Mystical dance, which yonder starry sphere Of planets and of fix'd in all her wheels Resembles nearest, mazes intricate, Eccentric, intervolv'd, yet regular
Then most, when most irregular they seem ; And in their motions Harmony divine
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 so sweet repast they turn 630 Desirous; all in circles as they stood, Tables are set, and on a sudden pil'd With angels' food, and rubied nectar flows
In pearl, in diamond, and massy gold, Fruit of delicious vines, the growth of Heav'n. On flow'rs repos'd, and with fresh flow'rets crown'd, They eat, they drink, and in communion sweet Quaff immortality and joy, secure
Of surfeit where full measure only bounds
Excess, before th' all-bounteous King, who shower'd With copious hand, rejoicing in their joy. 641 Now when ambrosial Night with clouds exhal'd From that high mount of God, whence light and shade
Spring both, the face of brightest heav'n had chang'd To grateful twilight (for night comes not there In darker veil) and roseat dews dispos'd
All but th' unsleeping eyes of God to rest; Wide over all the plain, and wider far Than all this globous earth in plain outspread, (Such are the courts of God) th' angelic throng, Dispers'd 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 Melodious hymns about the sovran throne [course Alternate all night long: but not so wak'd Satan; so call him now, his former name Is heard no more in Heav'n; he of the first, If not the first arch-angel, great in power, Infavor and præeminence, yet fraught With envy against the Son of God, that day
Honor'd by his great Father, and proclaim'd Messiah King anointed, could not bear Through pride that sight, and thought himself im- Deep malice thence conceiving and disdain, [pair'd. Soon as midnight brought on the dusky hour Friendliest to sleep and silence, he resolv'd With all his legions to dislodge, and leave Unworshipt, unobey'd the throne supreme Contemptuous, and his next subordinate Awakening, thus to him in secret spake. Sleep'st thou, Companion dear; what sleep can Thy eye-lids? and remember'st what decree [close Of yesterday, so late hath pass'd the lips
675 Of Heav'n's Almighty. Thou to me thy thoughts Wast wont, I mine to thee was wont to impart; Both waking we were one; how then can now Thy sleep dissent? New laws thou seest impos'd; New laws from him who reigns, new minds may
In us who serve, new counsels, to debate What doubtful may ensue: more in this place To utter is not safe. Assemble thou
Of all those myriads which we lead the chief; Tell them that by command, ere yet dim Night Her shadowy cloud withdraws, I am to haste, And all who under me their banners wave, Homeward with flying march where we possess The quarters of the North; there to prepare Fit entertainment to receive our King The great Messiah, and his new commands,
Who speedily through all the hierarchies Intends to pass triumphant, and give laws.
So spake the false arch-angel, and infus'd Bad influence into th' unwary breast Of his associate: he together calls, 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 Heav'n, The great hierarchal standard was to move ; 701 Tells the suggested cause, and casts between Ambiguous words and jealousies, to sound Or taint integrity: but all obey'd
The wonted signal, and superior voice
Of their great Potentate; for great indeed His name, and high was his degree in Heav'n; His count'nance, as the morning star that guides The starry flock, allur'd them, and with lies Drew after him the third part of Heav'n's host. 710 Mean while th' eternal Eye, whose sight discerns Abstrusest thoughts, from forth his holy mount And from within the golden lamps that burn Nightly before him, saw without their light Rebellion rising, saw in whom, how spread 715 Among the sons of Morn, what multitudes Were banded to oppose his high decrees; And smiling to his only Son thus said.
Son, thou in whom my glory I behold In full resplendence, heir of all my might, Nearly it now concerns us to be sure
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