Such whifp'ring wak'd her, but with ftartled
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.
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
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 :
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.
§ 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
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 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,
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.
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
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
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,
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,
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