From thefe, two ftrong and fubtile fpirits he call'd, That near him ftood, and gave them thus in charge.
ITHURIEL and ZEPHON, with wing'd speed Search through this garden, leave unfearch'd no nook; But chiefly where thofe two fair creatures lodge, 790 Now laid perhaps afleep fecure of harm.
This evening from the Sun's decline arriv'd,
Who tells of fome infernal fpirit seen
Hitherward bent (who could have thought?) efcap'd
The bars of Hell, on errand bad no doubt:
Such where ye find, feize faft, and hither bring.
So faying, on he led his radiant files,
Dazling the moon; thefe to the bow'r direct,
In fearch of whom they fought: him there they found
Squat like a toad, clofe at the ear of EvE;
Allaying by his devilish art to reach
The organs of her fancy, and with them forge
Illufions as he lift, phantafms and dreams:
Or if, infpiring venom, he might taint
Th' animal fpirits, that from pure blood arise
Like gentle breaths from rivers pure; thence raise
At laft diftemper'd, difcontented thoughts,
Vain hopes, vain aims, inordinate defires,
Blow up with high conceits ingendring pride.
Him thus intent ITHURIEL with his fpear
Touch'd lightly; (for no falfehood can indure
Touch of cœleftial temper, but returns
Of force to its own likeness) up he starts
Discover'd and furpriz'd. As when a spark
Lights on a heap of nitrous powder, laid
Fit for the tun, fome magazine to store
Against a rumor'd war, the fmutty grain
With fudden blaze diffus'd, inflames the air:
So ftarted up in his own shape the Fiend.
Back ftep'd thofe two fair angels half amaz'd
So fudden to behold the grifly King;
Yet thus, unmov'd with fear, accolt him foon.
Which of thofe rebel fpirits adjudg'd to Hell
Com'ft thou, efcap'd thy prifon, and transform'd
Why fat'ft thou, like an enemy in wait,
Here watching at the head of these that fleep?
Know ye not then, faid SATAN, fill'd with fcorn, Know ye not Me? ye knew me once no mate For you, there fitting where you durft not foar; Not to know me argues your felves unknown, 830 The lowest of your throng: or if ye know, Why ask ye, and fuperfluous begin. Your meffage, like to end as much in vain?
To whom thus ZEPHON, anfwering fcorn with fcorn,
Think not, revolted fpirit, thy fhape the fame, 835
Or undiminish'd brightnefs, to be known
As when thou ftoodit in Heav'n upright and pure:
That glory then, when thou no more waft good
Departed from thee; and thou resembl'ft now
Thy fin, and place of doom, obfcure and foul. 840
But come, for thou, befure, fhalt give account
To him who fent us, whofe charge is to keep
This place inviolable, and these from harm.
So fpake the Cherub, and his grave rebuke,
Severe in youthful beauty, added grace
Invincible: abash'd the Devil stood,
And felt how awful goodness is, and faw
Virtue in her shape how lovely, faw and pin'd
His lofs but chiefly to find here obferv'd
His luftre vifibly impair'd; yet feem'd
Undaunted. If I must contend, faid he,
Beft with the beft, the fender not the fent,`
Or all at once; more glory will be won,
Or lefs be loft. Thy fear, faid ZEPHON bold,
Will fave us tryal what the least can do
Single against thee wicked, and thence weak.
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