With him the points of liberty, who made Thee what thou art, and form'd the pow'rs of Heav'n Such as he pleas'd, and circumscrib'd their being? How provident he is, how far from thought Our happy state under one head more near 830 That equal over equals monarch reign: Equal to him begotten Son? by whom As by his Word the mighty Father made 835 All things, even thee; and all the Sp'rits of Heav'n By him created in their bright degrees, Crown'd them with glory', and to their glory nam'd Thrones, Dominations, Princedoms, Virtues, Pow'rs, 840 Essential Pow'rs; nor by his reign obscur'd, So spake the fervent Angel; but his zeal None seconded, as out of season judg'd, Or singular and rash, whereat rejoic'd 850 Th' Apostate, and more haughty thus reply'd: That we were form'd then say'st thou? and the work Of secondary hands, by task transferr'd From Father to his Son? Strange point, and new! Doctrine which we would know whence learn'd. Thy making, while the Maker gave thee being? Address, and to begirt th' almighty throne These tidings, carry to th' anointed King; 870 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 875 Encompass'd round with foes, thus answer'd bold: O alienate from God, O Sp'rit accurs'd, Forsaken of all good! I see thy fall 880 Determin'd, and thy hapless crew involv'd · Distinguish not; for soon expect to feel So spake the Seraph Abdiel, faithful found 894 900 His loyalty he kept, his love, his zeal; 905 And with retorted scorn his back he turn'd END OF THE FIFTH BOOK. THE 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 bis 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 bis 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, |