Defcending, and in half cut fheer; nor ftaid,
But with fwift wheel reverfe, deep entring 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 fubflance clos'd, 330
Not long divifible; and from the gafh
A ftream of nectarous humor iffuing flow'd,
Sanguin (fuch as coeleftial fpirits may bleed,)
And all his armor ftain'd, e're while fo bright.
Forthwith on all fides to his aid was run
By Angels many and ftrong, who interpos'd
Defenfe; while others bore him on their shields
Back to his chariot; where it flood retir'd
From off the files of war: there they him laid
Gnafhing for anguish, and defpite, and fhame, 340
To find himself not matchlefs, and his pride
Humbled by fuch rebuke, fo far beneath
His confidence to equal Gop in pow'r.
Yet foon he heal'd; for fpirits that live throughout
Vital in every 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 ear,
All intellect, all fenfe; and as they please,
They limb themfelves, and color, fhape and fize
Affume, as likes them beft, condenfe or rare.
Mean while in other parts like deeds deferv'd
Memorial, where the might of GABRIEL fought,
And with fierce enfigns pierc'd the deep array
Of Moroc, furious King! who him defy'd,
And at his chariot wheels to drag him bound
Threaten'd, nor from the Holy One of Heav'n
Refrain'd his tongue blafphemous: but anon
Down claven to the wafte, with fhatter'd arms
And uncouth pain fled bellowing. On each wing
URIEL, and RAPHAEL, his vaunting foe
(Though huge, and in a rock of diamond arm'd)
Tanquifh'd, ADRAMELEC, and ASMADAI, 365
Two potent Thrones! that to be less than Gods
Difdain'd; but meaner thoughts learn'd in their flight,
Mangl'd with gaftly wounds thro' plate and mail.
Nor Itood unmindful A B DIEL, to annoy
The atheift-crew, but with redoubl'd blow
ARIEL, and ARIOC, and the violence
Of RAMIEL fcorch'd and blafted overthrew.
I might relate of thousands, and their names Eternize here on earth; but those elect
Angels, contented with their fame in Heav'n, 375
Seek not the praise of men: the other fort,
In might though wondrous, and in acts of war,
Nor of renown lefs eager, yet by doom
Cancel'd from Heav'n and facred memory,
Nameless in dark oblivion let them dwell.
For ftrength from truth divided, and from juft,
Illaudable, nought merits but difpraise
And ignominy; yet to glory afpires,
Vain-glorious, and through infamy feeks fame:
Therefore eternal filence be their doom!
And now, their mightiest quell'd, the battel fwerv'd,
With many an inrode gor'd; deformed rout
Enter'd, and foul diforder: all the ground
With fhiver'd armor ftrown, and on a heap
Chariot and charioteer lay overturn'd,
And fiery foaming fteeds: what flood, recoil'd
O'er-wearied, thro' the faint Satanic hoft
Defenfive scarce, or with pale fear furpriz'd;
Then firft with fear furpriz'd, and fenfe of pain,
Fled ignominious: to fuch evil brought
By fin of difobedience; till that hour,
Not liable to fear, or flight, or pain.
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