Against revolted multitudes the cause Of truth, in word mightier than they in arms : And for the testimony of truth hast born Universal reproach; far worse to bear Than violence: for this was all thy care, To stand approv'd in fight of God, tho' worlds Judg'd thee perverse. The cafier conquest now Remains thee, aided by this host of friends, Back on thy foes more glorious to return, Than scorn'd thou didst depart; and to fubdue By force, who reason for their law refuse, Right reason for their law; and for their King MESSIAH, who by right of merit reigns. Go, MICHAEL, of cæleftial armies Prince, And thou, in military prowess next, GABRIEL, lead forth to battel these my fons Invincible; lead forth my armed Saints, By thousands and by millions rang'd for fight; Equal in number to that godless crew, Rebellious: them with fire, and hoftile arms, Fearless affault; and to the brow of Heav'n Persuing, drive them out from Gon, and blifs, Into their place of punishment, the gulph OF TARTARUs, which ready opens wide
His fiery Chaos to receive their fall.
So spake the Sovereign Voice, and clouds began
To darken all the hill, and smoke to rowl In dusky wreathes, reluctant flames, the fign Of wrath awak'd. Nor with less dread the loud Ethereal trumpet from on high 'gan blow: At which command, the Powers militant That ftood for Heav'n, (in mighty quadrate join'd Of union irrefsistible) mov'd on
In filence their bright legions, to the found Of instrumental harmony, that breath'd Heroic ardor to advent'rous deeds,
Under their God-like Leaders, in the cause
Of God and his MESSIAH. On they move
Indiffolubly firm; nor obvious hill,
Nor ftreit'ning vale, nor wood, nor stream divides 70 Their perfect ranks; for high above the ground
Their march was, and the paffive air up-bore Their nimble tread: as when the total kind
Of birds, in orderly array on wing,
Came fummon'd over EDEN, to receive Their names of thee: fo, over many a tract Of Heav'n they march'd, and many a province wide,
Tenfold the length of this terrene. At last, Far in th' horizon to the north appear'd, From skirt to skirt a fiery region, stretch'd
In battailous afpect, and nearer view
Briftled with upright beams innumerable Of rigid fpears, and helmets throng'd, and shields Various, with boastful argument portraid, The banded Pow'rs of SATAN, hafting on With furious expedition: for they ween'd That felf-fame day by fight, or by furprize To win the mount of GOD; and on his throne
To fet the envier of his state, the proud
Aspirer; but their thoughts prov'd fond and vain 90 In the mid-way. Though strange to us it feem'd At first, that Angel should with Angel war, And in fierce hofting meet, who wont to meet So oft in festivals of joy, and love Unanimous, as fons of one great Sire, Hymning th' Eternal FATHER: but the shout Of battel now began, and rushing found Of on-fet ended foon each milder thought. High in the midst, exalted as a God, Th'apoftate in his fun-bright chariot fat, Idol of majesty divine! inclos'd With flaming Cherubim, and golden shields: Then, lighted from his gorgeous throne, (for now 'Twixt hoft and hoft but narrow space was left, A dreadful interval! and front to front
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