We know no time when we were not as now; 860 Of this our native heaven, ethereal sons. Our puissance is our own, our own right hand 865 Address, and to begirt th' Almighty throne Beseeching or besieging. This report, 870 875 He said, and, as the sound of waters deep, Hoarse murmur echo'd to his words applause Through the infinite host; nor less for that The flaming seraph fearless, though alone Encompass'd round with foes, thus answer'd bold. O alienate from GOD, O spirit accurst, Forsaken of all good, I see thy fall Determin'd, and thy hapless crew involv'd 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 869 Beseeching] See Heywood's Spider and Flie, p. 376. 'Myne answere is, not a harnes cap-a-pie Besieging (stead of beseeching).' 875 flaming] 'Each flaming seraph.' v. Beaumont's Psyche, c. xxix. st. 184. 880 885 Will not be now vouchsaf'd, other decrees So spake the seraph Abdiel faithful found, 890 Among the faithless faithful only he: 900 905 888 Thy disobedience] Thee disobedient, v. 2. 702, b. 139, b. 687. Bentl. MS. 890 lest.] The construction is deficient. Pearce would understand, but I fly' before 'lest.' Bentley proposes reading, 'These wicked tents devote, but lest the wrath,' &c. Newton. 38 PARADISE LOST. BOOK VI. ARGUMENT. RAPHAEL Continues to relate how Michael and Gabriel were sent forth to battel 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. ALL night the dreadless angel unpursu'd [morn, Through heaven's wide champain held his way, till Wak'd by the circling hours, with rosy hand Unbarr'd the gates of light. There is a cave Within the mount of GOD, fast by his throne, Where light and darkness in perpetual round Lodge and dislodge by turns, which makes through 5 heaven 7 Lodge] This thought borrowed from Hesiod. Theog. 748. Newton. Grateful vicissitude, like day and night: Obsequious darkness enters, till her hour 10 Such as in highest heaven, array'd in gold Empyreal; from before her vanish'd night, Chariots, and flaming arms, and fiery steeds, Reflecting blaze on blaze, first met his view. That of so many myriads fall'n yet one 25 They led him high applauded, and present Before the seat supreme; from whence a voice From midst a golden cloud thus mild was heard. Servant of GOD, well done, well hast thou fought The better fight, who single hast maintain'd 30 Against revolted multitudes the cause 10 Obsequious] opacous. Bentl. MS. 14 vanish'd] Some editions absurdly read 'vanquish'd.' Newton. 35 Than violence: for this was all thy care, Back on thy foes more glorious to return Than scorn'd thou didst depart, and to subdue 40 By force, who reason for their law refuse, 45 50 55 So spake the sovereign voice, and clouds began To darken all the hill, and smoke to roll In dusky wreaths reluctant flames, the sign 60 Ethereal trumpet from on high gan blow: At which command the powers militant 60 Ethereal] Archangel. Bentl. MS. |