Imatges de pàgina
PDF
EPUB

770

About the great reception of their King,
Thither to come, and with calumnious art
Of counterfeited truth thus held their ears.
Thrones,Dominations, Princedoms, Virtues, Powers,
If these magnific titles yet remain
Not merely titular, fince by decree
Another now hath to himself ingrofs'd

All power, and us eclips'd, under the name
Of King Anointed, for whom all this hafte

775

Of midnight march, and hurried meeting here,
This only to confult how we may best

980

With what may be devis'd of honors new
Receive him coming to receive from us
Knee-tribute yet unpaid, prostration vile,
Too much to one, but double how endur'd
To one and to his image now proclam'd?
But what if better counfels might erect

Our minds, and teach us to cast off this yoke?
Will ye fubmit your necks, and chufe to bend
The fupple knee? ye will not, if I trust
To know ye right, or if ye know yourselves
Natives and fons of Heav'n poffefs'd before
By none, and if not equal all, yet free,
Equally free; for orders and degrees
Jar not with liberty, but well confist.
Who can in reason then or right assume
Monarchy over fuch as live by right
His equals, if in power and fplendor lefs,
In freedom equal? or can introduce

785

799

795

Law and edict on us, who without law

Err not? much lefs for this to be our Lord,
And look for adoration to th' abuse

8c0

Of those imperial titles, which affert

Our being ordain'd to govern, not to serve.
Thus far his bold discourse without control
Had audience, when among the seraphim
Abdiel, than whom none with more zeal ador'd 805
The Deity', and divine commands obey'd,
Stood up, and in a flame of zeal fevere
The current of his fury thus oppos'd.

O argument blafphemous, false and proud!
Words which no ear ever to hear in Heav'n
Expected, least of all from thee, Ingrate,
In place thyself so high above thy peers.

810

Canft thou with impious obloquy condemn

The juft decree of God, pronounc'd and sworn,

That to his only Son by right endued

815

With regal scepter, every foul in Heav'n

Shall bend the knee, and in that honor due

Confefs him rightful King? Unjust, thou say'st,
Flatly unjust, to bind with laws the free,

And equal over equals to let reign,

One over all with unfucceeded power.

Shalt thou give law to God, fhalt thou dispute
With him the points of liberty, who made

820

Thee what thou art, and form'd the pow'rs of Heav'n Such as he pleas'd, and circumfcrib'd their being? Yet by experience taught we know how good, 826

And of our good and of our dignity
How provident he is, how far from thought
To make us lefs, bent rather to exalt

Our happy state under one head more near

830

United. But to grant it thee unjust,

That equal over equals monarch reign :

Thyself though great and glorious doft thou count,

Or all angelic nature join'd in one,

Equal to him begotten Son? by whom

835

As by his Word the mighty Father made

4

All things, ev'n thee; and all the spi'rits of Heav'n By him created in their bright degrees,

841

Crown'd them with glory', and to their glory nam'd
Thrones, dominations, princedoms, virtues, powers,
Effential powers; nor by his reign obscur'd,
But more illuftrious made; since he the head
One of our number thus reduc'd becomes ;
His laws our laws: all honor to him done
Returns our own. Cease then this impious rage, 845
And tempt not these; but haften to appease
Th' incenfed Father, and th' incenfed Son,
While pardon may be found in time befought.

So fpake the fervent angel; but his zeal
None feconded, as out of season judg'd,
Or fingular and rash, whereat rejoic'd

Th' Apoftate, and more haughty thus reply'd,

850

That we were form'd then say'st thou? and the work

Of fecondary hands, by task transferr'd

From Father to his Son? strange point and new! 855

[fa w

860

Doctrin which we would know whence learn'd: who
When this creation was? remember'ft thou
Thy making, while the Maker gave thee being?
We know no time when we were not as now;
Know none before us, felf-begot, self-rais'd
By our own quick'ning power, when fatal Course
Had circled his full orb, the birth mature
Of this our native Heav'n, ethereal fons.
Our puiffance is our own; our own right hand
Shall teach us highest deeds, by proof to try
Who is our equal: then thou shalt behold
Whether by fupplication we intend
Address, and to begirt th' almighty throne
Befceching or befieging. This report,
These tidings carry to th' anointed King;
And fly, ere evil intercept thy flight.

865

870

875

He faid, and as the found of waters deep Hoarfe Murmur echo'd to his words applaufe Through th' infinite hoft; nor lefs for that The flaming feraph fearless, though alone Incompass'd round with foes, thus answer'd bold. O Alienate from God, O Spi'rit accurs'd, Forfaken of all good; I fee thy fall Determin'd, and thy hapless crew involv'd In this perfidious fraud, contagion spread Both of thy crime and punishment: henceforth No more be troubled how to quit the yoke Of God's Meffiah; those indulgent laws Will not be now vouchfaf'd; other degrees

880

Against thee are gone forth without recal;
That golden fcepter, which thou didst reject,
Is now an iron rod to bruise and break
Thy difobedience. Well thou didst advise,
Yet not for thy advice or threats I fly

885

Thefe wicked tents devoted, left the wrath

890

Impendent, raging into fudden flame

Distinguish not for foon expect to feel
His thunder on thy head, devouring fire.
Then who created thee lamenting learn,

When who can uncreate thee thou shalt know. 895
So fpake the feraph Abdiel faithful found
Among the faithlefs, faithful only he;
Among innumerable false, unmov'd,
Unshaken, unfeduc'd, unterrify'd

His loyalty he kept, his love, his zeal;

Nor number, nor example with him wrought

900

To fwerve from truth, or change his constant mind Though fingle. From amidst them forth he pass'd Long way through hostile scorn, which he sustain'd, Superior, nor of violence fear'd ought;

And with retorted fcorn his back he turn'd

905

On thofe proud towers to swift destruction doom'd.

From the APOLLO PRESS,

by the MARTINS, 17th

August, 1776.

END OF VOLUME FIRST.

« AnteriorContinua »