Within these hallow'd limits thou appear.
Back to th' infernal pit I drag thee chain'd,
And feal thee fo, as henceforth not to fcorn
The facil gates of Hell too flightly barr'd.

So threaten'd he, but SATAN to no threats
Gave heed, but waxing more in rage reply'd.

965

Then when I am thy captive talk of chains, 97a Proud limitary Cherub! hut e're then Far heavier load thy felf expect to feel From my prevailing arm; though Heaven's King Ride on thy wings, and thou with thy compeers, Us'd to the yoke, draw'ft his triumphant wheels 975 In progress through the road of Heav'n ftar-pav'd.

980

While thus he spake, th' Angelic fquadron bright Turn'd fiery red, tharpning in mooned horns Their phalanx, and began to hem him round With ported fpears, as thick as when a field Of CERES ripe for harveft waving bends Her bearded grove of ears, which way the wind Sways them; the careful plowman doubting ftands, Left on the threshing floor his hopeful fheaves

Prove chaff. On the other fide SATAN alarm'd, 985
Collecting all his might dilated flood

Like TENERIF, OF ATLAS, unremov'd:
His ftature reach'd the sky, and on his creft
Sat horror plum'd; nor wanted in his grafp

What feem'd both fpear & fhield. Now dreadful deeds
Might have enfu'd, nor only Paradife

In this commotion, but the starry cope

Of heav'n perhaps, or all the elements

At least had gone to wrack, disturb'd and torn
With violence of this conflict, had not foon
Th' Eternal to prevent fuch horrid fray
Hung forth in Heav'n his golden fcales, yet feen
Betwixt ASTRA and the Scorpion fign,

995

995

Wherein