Both of thy crime and punishment: henceforth 885 Well thou didst advise ; 890 Then who created thee lamenting learn, When who can uncreate thee thou shalt know.' "So spake the Seraph Abdiel, faithful found 896 Among the faithless, faithful only he; Among innumerable false, unmov'd, Unshaken, unsednc'd, unterrify'd, His loyalty he kept, his love, his zeal; 900 Nor number, nor example with him wrought To swerve from truth, or change his constant mind, Tho' single. From amidst them forth he pass'd, Long way thro' hostile scorn which he sustain'd 905 And with retorted scorn his back he turn'd On those proud tow'rs to swift destruction doom'd." END OF THE FIFTH BOOK. ARGUMENT. Raphael continues to relate how Michael and Gabriel were sent forth to battle against Satan and his Angels. The first fight described. 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 Messiah his Son, for whom he had reserv'd the glory of that victory. He, 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. PARADISE LOST. BOOK VI. "ALL night the dreadless Angel, unpursued, Through Heav'n's wide champaign held his way; till morn, Wak'd by the circling hours, with rosy hand Grateful vicissitude, like day and night; To veil the Heav'n tho' darkness there might well 10 16 20 25 Before the seat supreme; from whence a voice Of truth, in word mightier than they in arms; Than violence; for this was all thy care To stand approv'd in sight of God, though worlds 30 35 40 45 By thousands and by millions rang'd for fight, 50 Into their place of punishment, the gulf Of Tartarus, which ready opens wide His fiery Chaos to receive their fall.' 55 "So spake the Sov'reign voice, and clouds began To darken all the hill, and smoke to roll In dusky wreaths, reluctant flames, the sign Of wrath awak'd; nor with less dread the loud 60 At which command the Powers militant, That stood for Heav'n, in mighty quadrate join'd In silence, their bright legions to the sound 65 |