His thunder on thy head, devouring fire.
Then who created thee lamenting learn,

When who can uncreate thee thou shalt know.
So fpake the Seraph Abdiel faithful found
Among the faithlefs, faithful only he;
Among innumerable false, unmov'd,
Unfhaken, unfeduc'd, unterrify'd,
His loyalty he kept, his love, his zeal;
Nor number, nor example with him wrought

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900

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

And with retorted fcorn his back he turn'd
On thofe proud tow'rs to swift deftruction doom'd.

995

THE END OF THE FIFTH BOOK.

THE

SIXTH

OF

BOOK

PARADISE LOST.

THE ARGUMENT.

Raphael continues to relate how Michael and Gabriel were fent forth to battel against Satan and his Angels. The first fight defcrib'd: Satan and his Powers retire under night: He calls a council, invents devilish engins, which in the fecond day's fight put Michael and his Angels to fome disorder: but they at length pulling up mountains overwhelm'd both the force and machines of Satan: Yet the tumult not fo ending, God on the third day fends MESSIAH his Son, for whom he had referv'd the glory of that victory: He in the power of his Father coming to the place, and caufing all his legions to ftand ftill on either fide, with his chariot and thunder driving into the midst of his enemies, purfues them unable to refift towards the wall of Heaven; which opening, they leap down with horror and confufion into the place of punishment prepar'd for them in the deep: MESSIAH returns with triumph to his Father.

PARADISE

A

воок

LOST.

VI.

till

[morn,

LL night the dreadless Angel unpursued Through Heav'n's wide champain held his way; Wak'd by the circling hours, with rofy 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

5

Lodge and diflodge by turns, which makes through
Grateful viciffitude, like day and night;

Light iffues forth, and at the other door
Obfequious darkness enters, till her hour

[Heaven

ΤΟ

To veil the Heav'n, though darkness there might well Seem twilight here: and now went forth the morn Such as in highest Heav'n, array'd in gold

Empyreal; from before her vanish'd night,

Shot through with orient beams; when all the plain 15
Cover'd with thick imbattel'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 Pow'rs, who him receiv'd

20