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Such whifp'ring wak'd her, but with ftartled

eye

On Adam, whom embracing, thus fhe spake:
O fole in whom my thoughts find all repofe,
My glory, my perfection, glad I fee

Thy face, and morn return'd: for I this night
(Such night till this I never pafs'd) have dream'd,
If dream'd, not (as I oft am wont) of thee,
Works of day paft, or morrow's next defign;
But of offence and trouble, which my mind
Knew never till this irkfome night: methought
Clofe at mine ear one call'd me forth to walk
With gentle voice; I thought it thine: it faid,
Why fleep'ft thou, Eve? Now is the pleafant time,
The cool, the filert, fave where filence yields
To the night-warbling bird, that now awake
Tunes fweereft his love-labour'd fong; now reigns
Full orb'd the moon, and with more pleafing light
Shadowy fets off the face of things, in vain,
If none regard: Heaven wakes with all his eyes;
Whom to behold but thee, Nature's defire?
In whofe fight all things joy, with ravishment
Attracted by thy beauty ftill to gaze.

caven

I rofe as at thy call, but found thee not!
To find thee I directed then my walk;
And on, methought, alone I pafs'd, through ways
That brought me on a fudden to the tree
Of interdicted knowledge: fair it seem'd,
Much fairer to my fancy than by day :
And, as I wond'ring look'd, befide it flood
One thap'dandwing'd like one of thofe from
By us oft feen; his dewy locks diftill'd
Ambrofia; on that tree he alfo gaz'd;
And, O fair plant, said he, with fruit furcharg'd,
Deigns none to cafe thy load, and tafte thy fweet,
Nor God, nor Man? Is knowledge fo defpis'd?
Or envy, or what referve, forbids to tafte?
Forbid who will, none fhall from me withhold
Longer thy offer'd good; why elfe fet here?
This faid, he paus'd not, but with vent'rous arm
He pluck'd, he tasted: me damp horror chill'd
At fuch bold words, vouch'd with a deed fo bold.
But he thus overjoy'd-O fruit divine!
Sweet of thyfelf, but much more fweet thus cropt!
Forbidden here, it feems as only fit
For Gods, yet able to make Gods of Men:
And why not Gods of Men, fince good, the more
Communicated, more abundant grows,
The author not impair'd, but honour'd more ?
Here, happy creature, fair angelic Eve,
Partake thou alfo; happy though thou art,
Happier thou mayit be, worthier canst not be:
Tafte this, and be henceforth among the Gods
Thyfelf a Goddefs, not to carth confin'd,
But fometimes in the air, as we; fometimes
Afcend to heaven, by merit thine, and fee
What life the Gods live there, and fuch live thou.
So faying, he drew nigh, and to ine held,
Ev'n to my mouth, of that fame fruit held part
Which he had pluck'd; the pleafant favoury fmell
So quicken'd appetite, that I, methought,
Could not but talte. Forthwith up to the clouds
With him I flew, and underneath beheld
The earth outstretch'd immenfe, a profpect wide

5

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And various: wond'ring at my flight, and change
To this high exaltation, fuddenly

My guide was gone, and I methought funk down,
And fell asleep: but O how glad I wak'd,
To find this but a dream! Thus Eve her night
Related, and thus Adam answer'd fad :

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Beft image of myself, and dearer half,
The trouble of thy thoughts this night in sleep
Affects me equally: nor can I like
This uncouth dream, of evil spring, I fear:
Yet evil whence? in thee can harbour none,
Created pure. But know, that in the foul
Are many leffer facultics, that serve
Reafon as chief: among thefe Fancy next
Her office holds; of all external things,
Which the five watchful fenfes represent,
She forms imaginations, airy fhapes,
Which reafon joining or disjoining, frame
All what we affirm or what deny, and call
Our knowledge or opinion; then retires
Into her private cell when nature rests.
Oft in her absence mimic fancy wakes
To imitate her; but misjoining fhapes,
Wild work produces oft, and most in dreams,
Ill matching words and deeds long past or late,
Some fuch resemblances methinks I find
Of our last evening's talk, in this thy dream,
But with addition strange; yet be not fad.
Evil in the mind of God or Man

May come and go, fo unapprov'd, and leave
No fpot or blame behind: which gives me hope,
That what in fleep thou didst abhor to dream,
Waking thou never wilt confent to do.
Be not difhearten'd then, nor cloud those looks,
That wont to be more cheerful and ferene
Than when fair morning first fmiles on the world;
And let us to our fresh employments rife,
Among the groves, the fountains and the flow'rs
That open now their choiceft bofom'd fmelis,
Referv'd from night, and kept for thee in ftore.

Socheer'd he his fair fpoufe, and fhe was cheer'd;
But filently a gentle tear let fall
From either eye, and wip'd them with her hair;
Two other precious drops that ready ftood,
Each in their cryftal fluice, he ere they fell
Kifs'd, as the gracious figns of fweet remorse,
And pious awe, that fear'd to have offended.

So all was clear'd, and to the field they haste.
But first, from under fhady arb'rous roof
Soon as they forth were come to open fight
Of day-fpring, and the fun, who fearce up rifen,
With wheels yet hov'ring o'er the ocean brim,
Shot parallel to the carth his dewy ray,
Difcovering in wide landfkip all the caft
Of Paradife and Eden's happy plains,
Lowly they bow'd adoring, and began
Their orifons, each morning duly paid
In various ftyle; for neither various style
Nor holy rapture wanted they to praise
Their Maker, in fit ftrains pronounc'd, or fung
Unmeditated, such prompt eloquence
Flow'd from their lips, in profe or numerous verfe,
More tuncable than needed lute or harp.
To add more fwectnefs; and they thus began.

§631

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§ 63. The Battle of Angels.

-THE thout

Of battle now began, and rufhing found
Of onfet ended foon each milder thought.
High in the midst exalted as a God
Thapoftate in his fun-bright chariot fat,
Idol of majesty divine, inclos'd

With flaming cherubim and golden fhields;
Then lighted from his gorgeous throne, for now
'Twixt hoft and hoft but narrow fpace was left,
A dreadful interval, and front to front
Prefented ftood in terrible array

Of hideous length: before the cloudy van,
On the rough edge of battle ere it join'd,
Satan with vaft and haughty ftrides advanc'd
Came tow'ring, arm'd in adamant and gold;
Abdiel that fight endur'd not, where he flood
Among the mightieft, bent on highest deeds,
And thus his own undaunted heart explores :
O Heaven! that fuch refemblance of the Highcft
Should yet remain, where faith and realty
Remain not: wherefore should not ftrength and
might

There fail where Virtue fails, or weakeft prove
Where boldeft, though to fight unconquerable?
His puiffance, trufting in th' Almighty's aid,
I mean to try, whofe reafon I have tried
Unfound and false; nor is it aught but just,
That he who in debate of truth hath won,
Should win in arms, in both disputes alike
Victor; though brutish that conteft, and foul,
When reafon hath to deal with force, yet fo
Moft reason is that reafon overcome.

So pondering, and from his armed peers
Forth ftepping oppofite, half-way he met
His daring foe, at this prevention more
Incens'd, and thus fecurely him defied:
Proud, art thou met thy hope was to have reach'd
The height of thy afpiring unoppos'd,
The throne of God unguarded, and his side
Abandon'd at the terror of thy pow'r
Or potent tongue: fool, not to think how vain
Against th' Omnipotent to rife in arms;
Who out of fimalleft things could without end
Have rais'd inceffant armies to defeat
Thy folly; or with folitary hand
Reaching beyond all limit, at one blow
Unaided could have finish'd thee, and whelm'd
Thy legions under darkness; but thou feeft
All are not of thy train; there be who faith
Prefer, and picty to God, though then
To thee not visible, when I alone
Seem'd in thy world erroneous to diffent
From all my feet thou fecft; now learn too late
How few fometimes may know, when thousands

err.

Whom the grand foe, with fcornful eye afkance, Thus anfwer'd: Ill for thee, but in wifh'd hur Of my revenge, first fought for thou return'st From flight, feditious Angel, to receive, Thy merited reward, the firft affay Of this right hand provok'd, fince first that tongue, Infpir'd with contradiction, durft oppose A third part of the Gods, in fynod met, Their deities to affert, who while they fee

Vigour divine within them, can allow
Omnipotence to none. But well thou com'ft
Before thy fellows, ambitious to win
From me fome plume, that thy fuccefs may fhew
Destruction to the reft: this paufe between
(Unanfwer'd left thou boast) to let thee know;
At first I thought that Liberty and Heaven
To heavenly fouls had been all one; but now
I fee that most through floth had rather ferve,
Minift ring fpirits, train'd up in feaft and fong;
Such haft thou arm'd, the minstrelfy of Heaven,
Servility with freedom to contend,

As both their deeds compar'd this day fhall prove.
To whom in brief thus Abdiel ftern replied:
Apoftate, ftill thou err'ft, nor end wilt find
Of erring, from the path of truth remote:
Unjustly thou deprav'ft it with the name
Of fervitude, to ferve whom God ordains,
Or Nature; God and Nature bid the same,
When he who rules it worthieft, and excels
Them whom he governs. This is fervitude,
To ferve th' unwife, or him who hath rebell'd
Against his worthier, as thine now ferve thee,
Thyfelf not free, but to thyfelf enthrall'd;
Yet lewdly dar'ft our minift'ring upbraid.
Reign thou in hell, thy kingdom; let me ferve
In heaven God ever bleft, and his divine
Behefts obey, worthieft to be obey'd;
Yet chains in hell, not realms, expect; meanwhile
From me return'd, as crft thou faidft from
Hight,

This greeting on thy impious creft receive.

So faying, a noble ftroke he lifted high,
Which hung not, but fo fwift with tempeft fell
On the proud creft of Satan, that no fight,
Nor motion of fwift thought, lefs could his fhicld,
Such ruin intercept: ten paces huge
He back recoil'd; the tenth on bended knee
His maffy fpear upftaid; as if on earth
Winds under ground, or waters forcing way,
Sidelong had pufh'd a mountain from his feat,
Half funk with all his pines. Amazement feiz'd
The rebel thrones, but greater rage, to fee
Thusfoil'd their mightieft; ours joy fill'd,andshout,
Prefage of victory, and fierce defire

Of battle: whereat Michaël bid found
Th' Arch-Angel trumpet; thro'the vast of heaven-
It founded, and the faithful armies rung
Hofanna to the Higheft: nor ftood at gaze
The adverfe legions, nor lefs hideous join'd
The horrid fhock. Now ftorming fury rofe,
And clamour fuch as heard in heaven till now
Was never; arms on armour clashing bray'd
Horrible difcord, and the madding wheels
Of brazen chariots rag'd; dire was the noise
Of conflict; over head the dismal hifs
Cf fiery darts in flaming vollies flew,
And flying vaulted either hoft with fire.
So under fiery cope together fufh'd
Both battles main, with ruinous affault
And inextinguishable rage: all Heaven
Refounded; and had Earth been then, all Earth
Had to her centre fhock. What wonder? when
Millions of fierce encount'ring Angels fought
On either fide, the least of whom could wield

Thefe

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Thefe elements, and arm him with the force
Of all their regions: how much more of pow'r
Army against army numberlefs to raise
Dreadful combuftion wairing, and disturb,
Though not deftroy, their happy native seat ;
Had not th'eternal King omnipotent
From his ftrong hold of Heaven high over-rul'd
And limited their might; though number'd fuch
As each divided legion might have feem'd
A numerous hoft, in ftrength each armed hand
A legion, led in fight yet leader feem'd
Each warrior, fingle as in chief, expert
When to advance, or ftand, or turn the fway
Of battle, open when, and when to close
The ridges of grim war: no thought of flight,
None of retreat, no unbecoming deed
That argued fear; cach on himfelf relied,
As only in his arm the moment ley
Of victory: deeds of eternal fame
Were done, but infinite; for wide was spread
That war, and various; fometimes on firm ground
A ftanding fight, then foaring on main wing
Toriented all the air; all air feem'd then
Conflicting fire: long time in even scale
The battle hung; till Satan, who that day
Prodigious pow'r had fhewn, and met in arms
No equal, ranging through the dire attack
Of fighting feraphim confus'd, at length
Saw where the fword of Michaël fmote, and fell'd
Squadrons at once; with huge two-handed fway
Brandish'd aloft the horrid edge came down
Wide wafting; fuch deftruction to withstand
He hafted, and oppos'd the rocky orb
Of tenfold adamant, his ample fhield,
A vaft circumference. At his approach
The great arch-angel from his warlike toil
Surceas'd, and glad, as hoping here to end
Inteftine war in heaven, the arch-foc fubdued
Or captive dragg'd in chains, with hoftile frown
And vifage all inflam'd firft thus began:

Author of evil unknown till thy revolt, Unnam'd in heaven, now plenteous, as thou feeft Thefe acts of hateful ftrife, hateful to all, Though heaviest by just measure on thyfelf, And thy adherents: how haft thou difturb'd Heaven's bleffed peace, and into nature brought Mifery, uncreated till the crime

Of thy rebellion! How haft thou inftill'd
Thy malice into thousands, once upright
And faithful, now prov'd falfe! But think not here
To trouble holy reft; heaven cafts thee out
From all her confines. Heaven, the feat of blifs,
Brooks not the works of violence and war.
Hence then, and evil go with thee along,
Thy offspring, to the place of evil, hell,
Thou and thy wicked crew; there mingle broils,
Ere this avenging fword begin thy doom,
Or fome more fudden vengeance wing'd from God
Precipitate thee with augmented pain.

So fpake the Prince of Angels; to whom thus
The adverfary: Nor think thou with wind
Of airy threats to awe whom yet with deeds
Thou cauft not. Haft thou turn'd the leaft of thefe
To flight, or if to fall, but that they rife
Unvanquish'd, easier to tranfact with me

That thou shouldft hope, imperious, and with
Tochafe mehence? Err not,that fo fhall end threats
The ftrife which thou call it evil, but we fiyle
The ftrife of glory; which we mean to win,
Or turn this heaven itfelf into the hell
Thou fableft; here however to dwell free,
If not to reign: meanwhile thy utmost force,
And join him nam'd Almighty to thy aid,
I fly not, but have fought thee far and nigh.

They ended parle, 'and both addrefs'd for fight
Unfpeakable; for who, though with the tongue
Of angels, can relate, or to what things
Liken on earth confpicuous, that may lift
Human imagination to fuch height

Of Godlike pow'r? for likeft gods they feem'd,
Stood they or mov'd, in ftature, motion, arms,
Fit to decide the empire of great heaven.
Now wav'd their fiery fwords, and in the air
Made horrid circles; two broad funs their fhields
Blaz'd oppofite, while expectation stood
In horror: from each hand with speed retir'd,
Where erft was thickeft fight, th' angelic throng,
And left large field, unfafe within the wind
Of fuch commotion; fuch as, to set forth
Great things by small, if nature's concord broke,
Among the conftellations war were sprung,
Two planets, rufhing from afpect malign
Of fierceft oppofition in mid-fky
Should combat, and their jarring fpheres confound.
Together both, with next to' Almighty arm
Uplifted imminent, one stroke they aim'd
That might determine, and not need repeat,
As not of pow'r at once; nor odds appear'd
In might or fwift prevention: but the fword
Of Michael from the armoury of God
Was given him temper'd fo, that neither keen
Nor folid might refift that edge: it met
The fword of Satan, with fteep force to fmite
Defcending, and in half cut theer; nor ftay`d,
But with fwift wheel reverfe, deep ent'ring, fhar'd
All his right fide: then Satan first knew pain,
And writh'd him to and fro, convolv'd; fo fore
The griding fword with difcontinuous wound
Pafs'd thro' him: but th' ethereal substance clos`d,
Not long divisible; and from the gash

A ftream of nect'rous humour iffuing flow'd
Sanguine, fuch as celcftial spi'rits may bleed,
And all his armour ftain'd, ere while fo bright.
Forthwith on all fides to his aid was run
By angels many and strong, who interpos'd
Defence, while others bore him on their fhields
Back to his chariot, where it stood retir'd
From off the files of war: where they him laid
Gnathing for anguish, and defpite, and shame,
To find himself not matchlefs, and his pride
Humbled by fuch rebuke, fo far beneath
His confidence to equal God in pow`r.
Yet foon he heal'd; for fpirits that live throughout
Vital in ev'ry part, not as frail man
In entrails, Heart or head, liver or reins,
Cannot but by annihilating die;
Nor in their liquid texture mortal wound
Receive, no more than can the fluid air:
All heart they live, all head, all eye, all car,
All intellect, all fenfe; and as they pleafe,

T

They

They limb themselves, and colour, fhape, or fize | In order, quit of all impediment;
Affume, as likes them beft, condenfe or rare.

Meanwhile in other parts like deeds deferv'd
Memorial, where the might of Gabriel fought,
And with fierce enfigns pierc'd the deep array
Of Moloch, furious king; who him defied,
And at his chariot-wheels to drag him bound
Threaten'd, nor from the Holy One of Heaven
Refrain'd his tongue blafphemous; but anon
Down cloven to the waift, with fhatter'd arms
And uncouth pain tled bellowing. On each wing,
Uriel and Raphael, his vaunting foe,
Though huge, and in a rock of diamond arm'd,
Vanquish'd Adramalech and Afmadai,
Two potent thrones, that to be lefs than Gods
Difdain'd, but meaner thoughts learn'd in their
flight,

Mangled with ghaftly wounds through plate and
Nor ftood unmindful Abdiel to annoy [mail.
The atheift crew, but with redoubled blow
Ariel and Arioch, and the violence
Of Ramiel fcorch'd and blafted overthrew.

I might relate of thousands, and their names
Eternize here on earth; but thofe elect
Angels, contented with their fame in Heaven,
Seek not the praife of men: the other fort
In might though wondrous, and in acts of war,
Nor of renown lefs eager, yet by doom
Cancell'd from Heaven and facred memory,
Nameless in dark oblivion let them dwell.
For ftrength from truth divided, and from juft,
Illaudable, nought merits but dispraise
And ignominy, yet to glory afpires,
Vain-glorious, and through infamy feeks fame:
Therefore eternal filence be their doom.

§ 64.

203

Inftant without disturb they took alarm,
And onward move embattled: when behold
Not diftant far with heavy pace the foe
Approaching grofs and huge, in hollow cube
Training his devilish enginry, impal'd
On ev'ry fide with thadowing fquadrons deep,
To hide the fraud. At interview both food
Awhile; but fuddenly at head appcar'd
Satan, and thus was heard commanding loud:

Vanguard, to right and left the front unfold;
That ali may see, who hate us, how we feck
Peace and compofure, and with open breast
Stand ready to receive them, if they like
Our overture, and turn not back perverfe:
But that I doubt; however witnefs Heaven,
Heaven witness thou anon, while we difcharge
Freely our part: ye who appointed ftand,
Do as you have in charge, and briefly touch
What we propound, and loud that all may hear..

So fcoffing in ambiguous words, he fcarce
Had ended; when to right and left the front
Divided, and to either flank retir'd :
Which to our eyes difcover'd, new and strange,
A triple mounted row of pillars laid
On wheels (for like to pilla's most they feem'd,
Or hollow'd bodies made of oak or fir,
With branches lopt, in wood or mountain fell'd)
Brafs, iron, ftony mould, had not their mouths
Wide hideous orifice gap'd on us wide,
Portending hollow truce: at each behind
A feraph ftood, and in his hand a reed
Stood waving tipt with fire; while we suspense,
Collected food within our thoughts amus'd:
Not long, for fudden all at once their reeds
Put forth, and to a narrow vent applied
With nicest touch. Immediate in a flame,

From thofe deep-throated engines belch'd, whote

roar

The Angels Second Battle, and the But foon obfcur'd with smoke, all heaven appear'd, Meliah's Victory on the third Day. NOW when fair morn orient in heaven appear'd, Up rofe the victor angels, and to arms The matin trumpet fung: in arins they stood Of golden panoply, refulgent hoft,

Soon banded; others from the drawing hills Look'd round, and scouts each coaft light-armed fcour,

Each quarter, to defcry the diftant foe,

Where lodg'd, or whither fled, or if for fight,
In motion or in halt: him foon they met
Under fpread eniigns moving nigh, in flow
But firm battalion; back with fpeediest fail
Zophiel, of cherubim the swifteft wing,
Came flying, and in mid air aloud thus cried :
Arm, warriors, arm for fight; the foe at hand,
Whom fled we thought, will fave us long purfuit
This day; fear not his flight; fo thick a cloud
He comes, and fettled in his face I fee
Sad refolution, and fecure: let each
His adamantine coat gird well, and each
Fit well his helm, gripe faft his orbed fhield,
Borne even or high, for this day will pour down,
If I conjecture aught, no drizzling fhow'r,
But rattling ftorm of arrows barb'd with fire.
So warn'd he them aware themselves, and foon

Imbowell'd with outrageous noise the air,
And all her entrails tore, difgorging foul
Their devilith glut, chain'd thunderbolts, and hail
Of iron globes; which, on the victor hoft
Levell'd, with fuch impetuous fury fmote,
That whom they hit, none on their feet might

ftand,

Though ftanding elfe as rocks, but down they fell
By thoufands. Angel on arch-angel roll'd,
The fooner for their arms; unarm'd they might
Have eafily, as fpirits, evaded fwift
By quick contraction or remove; but now
Foul diffipation follow'd, and forc'd rout;
Nor ferv'd it to relax their ferried files.
What should they do? if on they ruth'd, repulfe
Repeated, and indecent overthrow
Doubled, would render them yet more defpis'd,
And to their foes a laughter; for in view
Stook rank'd of feraphim another row,
In pofture to difplode their fecond tire
Of thunder: back defeated to return
They worfe abhorr'd. Satan beheld their plight,
And to his mates thus in derifion call'd:

O friends! why come not on thefe victors proud?
Erewhile they fierce were coming; and when we,

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Of compofition, ftraight they chang'd their minds,
Flew off, and into strange vagaries fell,
As they would dance; yet for a dance they feem'd
Somewhat extravagant and wild, perhaps
For joy of offer'd peace: but I fuppofe,
If our propofal once again were heard,
We fhould compel them to a quick refult.

To whom thus Belial in like gamefome mood: Leader, the terms we fent were terms of weight, Of hard contents, and full of force urg'd home, Such as we might perceive amus'd them all, And ftumbled many; who receives them right, Had need from head to foot well understand; Not understood, this gift they have befides, They fhew us when our foes walk not upright. So they among themselves in pleafant vein Stood fcoffing, heighten'd in their thoughts beyond All doubt of victory; eternal might

To match with their inventions they prefum'd
So cafy, and of his thunder made a fcorn,
And all his hoft derided, while they ftood
Awhile in trouble: but they stood not long;
Rage prompted them at length, and found them
Against fuch hellish mifchief fit t'oppofe. [arms
Forthwith (behold the excellence, the pow'r,
Which God hath in his mighty angels plac'd)
Their arms away they threw, and to the hills
(For earth hath this variety from heaven
Of pleasure fituate in hill and dale)
Light as the lightning glimpfe they ran, they flew;
From their foundations loofening to and fro,
They pluck'd the feated hills, with all their load,
Rocks, waters, woods, and by the fhaggy tops
Uplifting bore them in their hands. Amaze,
Be fure, and terror feiz'd the rebel hoft,
When coming towards them so dread they faw
The bottom of the mountains upward turn'd;
Till on those curfed engines triple-row
They faw them whelm'd, and all their confidence
Under the weight of mountains buried deep;
Themfelves invaded next, and on their heads
Main promontories flung, which in the air
Came fhadowing, and opprefs'd whole legions
arm'd;
[bruis'd
Their armour help'd their harm, crush'd in and
Into their fubftance pent, which wrought them pain
Implacable, and many a dolorous groan,
Long ftruggling underneath, ere they could wind
Out of fuch prifon, though fpirits of pureft light,
Purest at first, now grofs by finning grown.
The reft in imitation to like arms
Betook them, and the neighb'ring hills uptore;
So hills amid the air encounter'd hills
Hurl'd to and fro with jaculation dire,
That under ground they fought in difmal shade;
Infernal noife; war feem'd a civil game
To this uproar: horrid confufion heap'd
Upon confufion rofe. And now all heaven
Had gone to wreck, with ruin overspread;
Had not th' Almighty Father where he fits
Shrin'd in his fanétuary of heaven fecure,
Confulting on the fum of things, foreseen

This tumult, and permitted all, advis'd :
That his great purpose he might so fulfil,
To honour his anointed Son aveng'd
Upon his enemies, and to declare

All pow'r on him transferr'd: whence to his Son,
Th'affeffor of his throne, he thus began:
Effulgence of my glory, Son beloved,
Son in whofe face invifible is beheld
Vifibly, what by Deity I am,

And in whofe hand what by decree I do,
Second Omnipotence, two days are past,
Two days, as we compute the days of heaven,
Since Michaël and his pow'rs went forth to tame
Thefe difobedient: fore has been their fight,
As likelieft was when two fuch foes met arm'd;
For to themselves I left them; and thou know'fi,
Equal in their creation they were form'd,
Save what fin hath impair'd; which yet hath
wrought

Infenfibly, for I fufpend their doom;
Whence in perpetual fight they needs must laft
Endlefs, and no folution will be found:
War wearied hath perform'd what war can do,
And to diforder'd rage let loofe the reins,
With mountains as with weapons arm'd; which
makes

Wild work in heaven, and dangerous to the main.
Two days are therefore paft, the third is thine;
For thee I have ordain'd it, and thus far
Have fuffer'd, that the glory may be thine
Of ending this great war, fince none but thou
Can end it. Into thee fuch virtue and grace
Immenfe I have transfus'd, that all may know
In heaven and hell thy pow'r above compare;
And this perverfe commotion govern'd thus,
To manifeft thee worthieft to be heir
Of all things, to be heir, and to be king
By facred unction, thy deferved right.
Go then, thou mightieft, in thy Father's might,
Afcend my chariot, guide the rapid wheels
That shake heaven's basis, bring forth all my war,
My bow and thunder, my almighty arms
Gird on, and fword upon thy puiflant thigh:
Purfue thefe fons of darknefs, drive them out
From all heaven's bounds into the utter deep:
There let them learn, as likes them, to despite
God, and Meffiah his anointed king.

He faid, and on his Son with rays dire&
Shone full; he all his Father full exprefs'd
Ineffably into his face receiv'd;
And thus the Filial Godhead anfw'ring spake:

O Father! O Supreme of heavenly Thrones' Tirft, Higheft, Holieft, Beft! thou always feek'st To glorify thy Son, I always thee,

As is moft juft: this I my glory' account,
My exaltation, and my whole delight,
That thou, in me well pleas'd, declar'ft thy will
Fulfill'd, which to fulfill is all my biifs.
Sceptre and pow'r, thy giving, I affume;
And gladlier fhall refign, when in the end
Thou shalt be all in all, and I in thee
For ever, and in me all whom thou lov`ft:
But whom thou hateft, I hate, and can put on
Thy terrors, as I put thy mildnefs on,
Image of thee in all things; and shall soon,

Arm'

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