860 865 We know no time when we were not as now; 870 875 He said, and, as the sound of waters deep, Hoarse murmur echo'd to his words applause Through the infinite host; nor less for that The flaming seraph fearless, though alone Encompass'd round with foes, thus answer'd bold. O alienate from GOD, O spirit accurst, Forsaken of all good, I see 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 MESSIAH; those indulgent laws 869 Beseeching] See Heywood's Spider and Flie, p. 376. 'Myne answere is, not a harnes cap-a-pie Besieging (stead of beseeching).' 880 875 flaming] 'Each flaming seraph.' v. Beaumont's Psyche, c. xxix. st. 184. Will not be now vouchsaf'd, other decrees 885 890 When who can uncreate thee thou shalt know. 895 900 His loyalty he kept, his love, his zeal; 905 And with retorted scorn his back he turn'd 888 Thy disobedience] Thee disobedient, v. 2. 702, b. 139, b. 687. Bentl. MS. 890 lest.] The construction is deficient. Pearce would understand, but I fly' before 'lest.' Bentley proposes reading, 'These wicked tents devote, but lest the wrath,' &c. Newton. 38 PARADISE LOST. BOOK VI. 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 reserved 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. ALL night the dreadless angel unpursu'd [morn, Through heaven'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, 5 Where light and darkness in perpetual round Lodge and dislodge by turns, which makes through heaven "Lodge] This thought borrowed from Hesiod. Theog. 748. Newton. 10 Grateful vicissitude, like day and night: Of truth, in word mightier than they in arms; 10 Obsequious] opacous. Bentl. MS. 14 vanish'd] Some editions absurdly read 'vanquish'd.' 20 25 30 Newton. Than violence: for this was all thy care, 35 45 To stand approv'd in sight of GOD, though worlds His fiery chaos to receive their fall. 50 55 So spake the sovereign voice, and clouds began To darken all the hill, and smoke to roll In dusky wreaths reluctant flames, the sign 60 Of wrath awak'd: nor with less dread the loud 60 Ethereal] Archangel. Bentl. MS. |