PARADISE LOST.

BOOK VI.

The Argument.

Raphael continues to relate how Michael and Gabriel were sent forth to battle against Satan and his angels. The first fight describ'd: Satan and his powers retire under night: he calls a council, invents devilish engines, which in the second day's fight put Michael and his Angels to some disorder; but they at length pulling up mountains overwhelmed both the force and machines of Satan : yet the tumult not so ending, God on the third day sends Mess ah his Son, for whom he had reserved the glory of that victory: be, in the power of his Father, coming to the place, and causing all his legions to stand still on either side, with his chariot and thunder driving into the midst of his enemies, pursues them, unable to resist, towards the wall of Heaven; which opening, they leap down with horror and confusion into the place of punishment prepared for them in the deep: Messiah returns with triumph to his Father.

ALL night the dreadless Angel unpursued

[Morn,

Through Heav'n's wide champain held his way; 'till Wak'd by the circling Hours, with rosy hand Unbarr'd the gates of Light. There is a cave

Within the mount of God, fast by his throne,

Where light and darkness in perpetual round

Lodge and dislodge by turns, which makes through
Grateful vicissitude, like day and night;

Light issues forth, and at the other door
Obsequious Darkness enters, till her hour

[Heav'n

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To veil the Heaven, though darkness there might we!! Seem twilight here: and now went forth the Morn Such as in highest Heav'n, atray'd in gold

Empyreal; from before her vanish'd Night,
Shot through with orient beams; when all the plain
Cover'd with thick embattl'd squadrons bright,

Chariots and flaming arms, and fiery steeds
Reflecting blaze on blaze, first met his view:
War he perceiv'd, war in procinct, and found
Already known what he for news had thought
To have reported: gladly then he mix'd
Among those friendly powers, who him receiv'd
With joy and acclamations loud, that one,
That of so many myriads fall'n, yet one
Return'd not lost: on to the Sacred Hill
They led him high applauded, and present
Before the seat supreme; from whence a voice
From midst a golden cloud thus mild was heard:
Servant of God, well done, well hast thou fought
The better fight, who single hast maintain'd
Against revolted multitudes the cause

Of truth, in word mightier than they in arms;
And for the testimony' of truth hast borne
Universal reprcach, far worse to bear

Than violence; for this was all thy care

To stand approv'd in sight of God, though worlds
Judg'dnce perverse: the easier 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 subdue
By force, who reason for their law refuse,
Right reason for their law, and for their king
Messiah, who by right of merit reigns.

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