Abdiel, than whom none with more zeal adored "O argument blasphemous, false, and proud—– With regal sceptre, every soul in Heaven Confess him rightful King? Unjust, thou say'st, And equal over equals to let reign, One over all with unsucceeded power! Shalt thou give law to God? shalt thou dispute 810 820 Thee what thou art, and formed the Powers of Heaven Such as he pleased, and circumscribed their being ? Yet, by experience taught, we know how good, And of our good and of our dignity How provident, he is-how far from thought To make us less; bent rather to exalt Our happy state, under one head more near 830 United. But to grant it thee unjust That equal over equals monarch reign— Thyself, though great and glorious, dost thou count, Or all angelic nature joined in one, Equal to him, begotten Son, by whom, As by his Word, the mighty Father made All things, even thee, and all the Spirits of Heaven By him created in their bright degrees, Crowned them with glory, and to their glory named Thrones, Dominations, Princedoms, Virtues, Powers?— 841 850 Essential Powers; nor by his reign obscured, Address, and to begirt the Almighty Throne These tidings, carry to the Anointed King; [saw 860 870 "He said; and, as the sound of waters deep, Hoarse murmur echoed to his words applause Through the infinite host. Nor less for that The flaming Seraph, fearless, though alone, Encompassed round with foes, thus answered bold : 880 890 "O alienate from God, O Spirit accursed, Forsaken of all good! I see thy fall Determined, and thy hapless crew involved In this perfidious fraud, contagion spread Both of thy crime and punishment. Henceforth No more be troubled how to quit the yoke Of God's Messiah. Those indulgent laws Will not be now voutsafed; other decrees Against thee are gone forth without recall; That golden sceptre which thou didst reject Is now an iron rod to bruise and break Thy disobedience. Well thou didst advise; Yet not for thy advice or threats I fly These wicked tents devoted, lest the wrath Impendent, raging into sudden flame, Distinguish not for soon expect to feel His thunder on thy head, devouring fire. Then who created thee lamenting learn When who can uncreate thee thou shalt know.' "So spake the Seraph Abdiel, faithful found; Among the faithless faithful only he ; Among innumerable false unmoved, Unshaken, unseduced, unterrified, His loyalty he kept, his love, his zeal; Nor number nor example with him wrought To swerve from truth, or change his constant mind, Though single. From amidst them forth he passed, Long way through hostile scorn, which he sustained Superior, nor of violence feared aught; And with retorted scorn his back he turned 900 On those proud towers, to swift destruction doomed." THE END OF THE FIFTH BOOK. PARADISE LOST. BOOK VI. THE ARGUMENT. 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 enemies, 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. A LL night the dreadless Angel, unpursued, Through Heaven's wide champaign held his Waked by the circling Hours, with rosy hand Grateful vicissitude, like day and night; Obsequious Darkness enters, till her hour To veil the Heaven, though darkness there might well Seem twilight here. And now went forth the Morn, Such as in highest Heaven, arrayed in gold 20 Empyreal; from before her vanished Night, Of truth, in word mightier than they in arms, To stand approved in sight of God, though worlds 30 4C |