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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.

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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

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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,

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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

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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

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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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