From these, two strong and fubtile spirits he call'd, That near him stood, and gave them thus in charge.
ITHURIEL and ZEPHON, with wing'd speed Search through this garden, leave unsearch'd no nook; But chiefly where those 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 spirit seen
Hitherward bent (who could have thought?) escap'd The bars of Hell, on errand bad no doubt:
Such where ye find, feize fast, and hither bring. So saying, on he led his radiant files, Dazling the moon; these to the bow'r direct, In search of whom they fought: him there they found Squat like a toad, close at the ear of Eve;
Aflaying by his devilish art to reach The organs of her fancy, and with them forge Illufions as he lift, phantasms and dreams: Or if, inspiring venom, he might taint Th' animal spirits, that from pure blood arife Like gentle breaths from rivers pure; thence raise At last distemper'd, discontented thoughts, Vain hopes, vain aims, inordinate defires, Blow up with high conceits ingendring pride. Him thus intent ITHURIEL with his spear Touch'd lightly; (for no falsehood can indure Touch of cœleftial temper, but returns Of force to its own likeness) up he starts Discover'd and surpriz'd. As when a spark Lights on a heap of nitrous powder, laid Fit for the tun, some magazine to store Againft a rumor'd war, the smutty grain With fudden blaze diffus'd, inflames the air : So started up in his own shape the Fiend. Back step'd those two fair angels half amaz'd
So sudden to behold the grifly King;
Yet thus, unmov'd with fear, accoft him foon.
Which of those rebel spirits adjudg'd to Hell Com'st thou, escap'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 scorn, Know ye not Me? ye knew me once no mate For you, there fitting where you durst not foar; Not to know me argues your selves 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 ZerHon, answering scorn with scorn, Think not, revolted spirit, thy shape the fame, 835 Or undiminish'd brightness, to be known As when thou stoodit in Heav'n upright and pure: That glory then, when thou no more wast good, Departed from thee; and thou resembl'st now Thy fin, and place of doom, obfcure and foul. 840 But come, for thou, befure, shalt give account To him who fent us, whose charge is to keep This place inviolable, and these from harm.
So spake the Cherub, and his grave rebuke, Severe in youthful beauty, added grace Invincible: abafh'd the Devil stood, And felt how awful goodness is, and faw Virtue in her shape how lovely, faw and pin'd His loss: but chiefly to find here observ'd His luftre visibly impair'd; yet seem'd
Undaunted. If I must contend, faid he, Best with the best, the sender not the fent, Or all at once; more glory will be won, Or less be loft. Thy fear, faid ZEPHON bold,
Will save us tryal what the least can do
Single against thee wicked, and thence weak.
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