{ "id": "john-milton/book-vi", "title": "Book VI", "ordinal": null, "subtitle": null, "poet": "John Milton", "poet_slug": "john-milton", "language": "en", "book": "Paradise Lost", "book_slug": "paradise-lost", "book_kind": "volume", "sequence": 6, "container": "Book VI", "epigraph": null, "first_published": { "year": 1674, "venue": "Paradise Lost (1674)", "note": "First located printing is this volume; an earlier periodical printing has not been established.", "uncertain": false, "sources": [ "https://github.com/standardebooks/john-milton_paradise-lost" ] }, "source": { "kind": "standard-ebooks", "repo": "standardebooks/john-milton_paradise-lost", "file": "book-6.xhtml", "upstream": [ "https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/000634929" ], "rights": "public domain (SE dedication; underlying text pre-1931)" }, "verification": { "level": "structural-only", "last_checked": "2026-08-20" }, "stats": { "n_lines": 912, "n_stanzas": 37, "n_parts": 0, "longest_line_chars": 57, "max_indent": 0 }, "site_ready": true, "parts": [], "stanzas": [ [ { "text": "“All night the dreadless Angel unpursued,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Through Heaven’s wide champain held his way, till Morn,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Waked by the circling Hours, with rosy hand", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Unbarred the gates of light. There is a cave", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Within the mount of God, fast by his throne,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Where light and darkness in perpetual round", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Lodge and dislodge by turns, which makes through Heaven", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Grateful vicissitude, like day and night;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Light issues forth, and at the other door", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Obsequious darkness enters, till her hour", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To veil the Heaven, though darkness there might well", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Seem twilight here. And now went forth the Morn", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Such as in highest Heaven, arrayed in gold", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Empyreal; from before her vanished Night,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Shot through with orient beams; when all the plain", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Covered with thick embattled squadrons bright,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Chariots, and flaming arms, and fiery steeds,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Reflecting blaze on blaze, first met his view:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "War he perceived, war in procinct, and found", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Already known what he for news had thought", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To have reported; gladly then he mixed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Among those friendly powers, who him received", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With joy and acclamations loud, that one,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That of so many myriads fallen yet one,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Returned not lost. On to the sacred hill", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "They led him high applauded, and present", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Before the seat supreme; from whence a voice,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From midst a golden cloud, thus mild was heard:", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“ ‘Servant of God, well done! Well hast thou fought", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The better fight, who single hast maintained", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Against revolted multitudes the cause", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of truth, in word mightier than they in arms;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And for the testimony of truth hast borne", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Universal reproach, far worse to bear", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Than violence; for this was all thy care⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To stand approved in sight of God, though worlds", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Judged thee perverse. The easier conquest now", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Remains thee⁠—aided by this host of friends,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Back on thy foes more glorious to return", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Than scorned thou didst depart, and to subdue", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "By force who reason for their law refuse,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Right reason for their law, and for their King", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Messiah, who by right of merit reigns.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Go, Michael, of celestial armies prince,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And thou, in military prowess next,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Gabriel; lead forth to battle these my sons", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Invincible; lead forth my armed Saints,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "By thousands and by millions ranged for fight,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Equal in number to that godless crew", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Rebellious; them with fire and hostile arms", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Fearless assault, and, to the brow of Heaven", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Pursuing, drive them out from God and bliss,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Into their place of punishment, the gulf", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of Tartarus, which ready opens wide", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His fiery chaos to receive their fall.’", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“So spake the Sovereign Voice, and clouds began", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To darken all the hill, and smoke to roll", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In dusky wreaths reluctant flames, the sign", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of wrath awaked; nor with less dread the loud", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Ethereal trumpet from on high gan blow:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "At which command the powers militant", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That stood for Heaven, in mighty quadrate joined", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of union irresistible, moved on", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In silence their bright legions, to the sound", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of instrumental harmony, that breathed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Heroic ardour to adventurous deeds", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Under their godlike leaders, in the cause", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of God and his Messiah. On they move,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Indissolubly firm; nor obvious hill,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Nor straitening vale, nor wood, nor stream, divides", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Their perfect ranks; for high above the ground", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Their march was, and the passive air upbore", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Their nimble tread; as when the total kind", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of birds, in orderly array, on wing", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Came summoned over Eden to receive", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Their names of thee; so over many a tract", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of Heaven they marched, and many a province wide,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Tenfold the length of this terrene. At last,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Far in the horizon to the North, appeared", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From skirt to skirt a fiery region, stretched", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In battailous aspect; and, nearer view,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Bristled with upright beams innumerable", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of rigid spears, and helmets thronged, and shields", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Various, with boastful argument portrayed,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The banded powers of Satan hasting on", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With furious expedition; for they weened", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That self-same day, by fight or by surprise,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To win the mount of God, and on his throne", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To set the envier of his state, the proud", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Aspirer; but their thoughts proved fond and vain", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In the mid-way. Though strange to us it seemed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "At first that Angel should with Angel war,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And in fierce hosting meet, who wont to meet", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So oft in festivals of joy and love", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Unanimous, as sons of one great Sire,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Hymning the Eternal Father. But the shout", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of battle now began, and rushing sound", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of onset ended soon each milder thought.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "High in the midst, exalted as a god,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The Apostate in his sun-bright chariot sat,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Idol of majesty divine, enclosed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With flaming Cherubim and golden shields;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Then lighted from his gorgeous throne, for now", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "’Twixt host and host but narrow space was left,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A dreadful interval, and front to front", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Presented stood, in terrible array", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of hideous length. Before the cloudy van,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "On the rough edge of battle ere it joined,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Satan, with vast and haughty strides advanced,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Came towering, armed in adamant and gold.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Abdiel that sight endured not, where he stood", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Among the mightiest, bent on highest deeds,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And thus his own undaunted heart explores:", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“ ‘O Heaven! that such resemblance of the Highest", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Should yet remain, where faith and realty", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Remain not! Wherefore should not strength and might", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "There fail where virtue fails, or weakest prove", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Where boldest, though to sight unconquerable?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His puissance, trusting in the Almighty’s aid,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "I mean to try, whose reason I have tried", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Unsound and false; nor is it aught but just", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That he who in debate of truth hath won", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Should win in arms, in both disputes alike", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Victor; though brutish that contest and foul,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "When reason hath to deal with force, yet so", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Most reason is that reason overcome.’", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“So pondering, and from his armed peers", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Forth-stepping opposite, half-way he met", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His daring foe, at this prevention more", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Incensed, and thus securely him defied:", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“ ‘Proud, art thou met? Thy hope was to have reached", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The highth of thy aspiring unopposed,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The throne of God unguarded, and his side", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Abandoned at the terror of thy power", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or potent tongue. Fool! not to think how vain", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Against the Omnipotent to rise in arms;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Who, out of smallest things, could without end", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Have raised incessant armies to defeat", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thy folly; or with solitary hand,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Reaching beyond all limit, at one blow,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Unaided could have finished thee, and whelmed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thy legions under darkness! But thou seest", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "All are not of thy train; there be who faith", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Prefer, and piety to God, though then", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To thee not visible when I alone", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Seemed in thy world erroneous to dissent", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From all: my sect thou seest; now learn too late", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "How few sometimes may know, when thousands err.’", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“Whom the grand Foe, with scornful eye askance,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thus answered: ‘Ill for thee, but in wished hour", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of my revenge, first sought for, thou return’st", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From flight, seditious Angel, to receive", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thy merited reward, the first assay", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of this right hand provoked, since first that tongue,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Inspired with contradiction, durst oppose", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A third part of the gods, in synod met", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Their deities to assert; who, while they feel", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Vigour divine within them, can allow", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Omnipotence to none. But well thou com’st", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Before thy fellows, ambitious to win", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From me some plume, that thy success may show", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Destruction to the rest. This pause between", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "(Unanswered lest thou boast) to let thee know⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "At first I thought that liberty and Heaven", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To heavenly souls had been all one; but now", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "I see that most through sloth had rather serve,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Ministering Spirits, trained up in feast and song:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Such hast thou armed, the minstrelsy of Heaven,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Servility with freedom to contend,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As both their deeds compared this day shall prove.’", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“To whom, in brief, thus Abdiel stern replied:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "‘Apostate! still thou err’st, nor end wilt find", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of erring, from the path of truth remote.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Unjustly thou deprav’st it with the name", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of servitude, to serve whom God ordains,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or Nature: God and Nature bid the same,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "When he who rules is worthiest, and excels", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Them whom he governs. This is servitude,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To serve the unwise, or him who hath rebelled", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Against his worthier, as thine now serve thee,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thyself not free, but to thyself enthralled;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Yet lewdly dar’st our ministering upbraid.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Reign thou in Hell, thy kingdom; let me serve", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In Heaven God ever blest, and his divine", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Behests obey, worthiest to be obeyed;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Yet chains in Hell, not realms, expect: meanwhile,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From me returned, as erst thou saidst, from flight,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "This greeting on thy impious crest receive.’", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“So saying, a noble stroke he lifted high,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Which hung not, but so swift with tempest fell", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "On the proud crest of Satan that no sight,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Nor motion of swift thought, less could his shield,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Such ruin intercept. Ten paces huge", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "He back recoiled; the tenth on bended knee", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His massy spear upstayed: as if, on Earth,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Winds under ground, or waters forcing way,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sidelong had pushed a mountain from his seat,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Half-sunk with all his pines. Amazement seized", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The rebel Thrones, but greater rage, to see", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thus foiled their mightiest; ours joy filled, and shout,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Presage of victory, and fierce desire", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of battle: whereat Michael bid sound", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The Archangel trumpet; through the vast of Heaven", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "It sounded, and the faithful armies rung", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Hosannah to the Highest; nor stood at gaze", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The adverse legions, nor less hideous joined", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The horrid shock. Now storming fury rose,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And clamour such as heard in Heaven till now", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Was never; arms on armour clashing brayed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Horrible discord, and the madding wheels", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of brazen chariots raged; dire was the noise", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of conflict; overhead the dismal hiss", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of fiery darts in flaming volleys flew,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And, flying, vaulted either host with fire.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So under fiery cope together rushed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Both battles main, with ruinous assault", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And inextinguishable rage; all Heaven", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Resounded, and, had Earth been then, all Earth", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Had to her centre shook. What wonder, when", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Millions of fierce encountering Angels fought", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "On either side, the least of whom could wield", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "These elements, and arm him with the force", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of all their regions? How much more of power", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Army against army numberless to raise", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Dreadful combustion warring, and disturb,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Though not destroy, their happy native seat!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Had not the Eternal King Omnipotent", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From his stronghold of Heaven high overruled", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And limited their might; though numbered such", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As each divided legion might have seemed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A numerous host; in strength each armed hand", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A legion; led in fight, yet leader seemed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Each warrior single as in chief⁠—expert", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "When to advance, or stand, or turn the sway", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of battle, open when, and when to close", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The ridges of grim war. No thought of flight,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "None of retreat, no unbecoming deed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That argued fear; each on himself relied,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As only in his arm the moment lay", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of victory. Deeds of eternal fame", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Were done, but infinite; for wide was spread", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That war, and various: sometimes on firm ground", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A standing fight; then, soaring on main wing,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Tormented all the air; all air seemed then", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Conflicting fire. Long time in even scale", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The battle hung; till Satan, who that day", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Prodigious power had shown, and met in arms", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "No equal, ranging through the dire attack", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of fighting Seraphim confused, at length", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Saw where the sword of Michael smote, and felled", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Squadrons at once: with huge two-handed sway", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Brandished aloft the horrid edge came down", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Wide-wasting; such destruction to withstand", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "He hasted, and opposed the rocky orb", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of tenfold adamant, his ample shield,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A vast circumference. At his approach", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The great Archangel from his warlike toil", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Surceased, and, glad, as hoping here to end", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Intestine war in Heaven, the Arch-foe subdued", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or captive dragged in chains, with hostile frown", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And visage all inflamed, first thus began:", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“ ‘Author of evil, unknown till thy revolt,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Unnamed in Heaven, now plenteous as thou seest", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "These acts of hateful strife, hateful to all,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Though heaviest, by just measure, on thyself", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And thy adherents: how hast thou disturbed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Heaven’s blessed peace, and into Nature brought", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Misery, uncreated till the crime", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of thy rebellion! how hast thou instilled", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thy malice into thousands, once upright", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And faithful, now proved false! But think not here", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To trouble holy rest; Heaven casts thee out", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From all her confines; Heaven, the seat of bliss,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Brooks not the works of violence and war.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Hence, then, and evil go with thee along,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thy offspring, to the place of evil, Hell,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thou and thy wicked crew! there mingle broils,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Ere this avenging sword begin thy doom,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or some more sudden vengeance, winged from God,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Precipitate thee with augmented pain.’", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“So spake the prince of Angels; to whom thus", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The Adversary: ‘Nor think thou with wind", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of airy threats to awe whom yet with deeds", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thou canst not. Hast thou turned the least of these", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To flight⁠—or, if to fall, but that they rise", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Unvanquished⁠—easier to transact with me", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That thou shouldst hope, imperious, and with threats", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To chase me hence? Err not that so shall end", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The strife which thou call’st evil, but we style", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The strife of glory; which we mean to win,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or turn this Heaven itself into the Hell", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thou fablest; here, however, to dwell free,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "If not to reign. Meanwhile, thy utmost force", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "(And join him named Almighty to thy aid)", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "I fly not, but have sought thee far and nigh.’", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“They ended parle, and both addressed for fight", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Unspeakable; for who, though with the tongue", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of Angels, can relate, or to what things", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Liken on Earth conspicuous, that may lift", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Human imagination to such highth", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of godlike power? for likest gods they seemed,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Stood they or moved, in stature, motion, arms,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Fit to decide the empire of great Heaven.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Now waved their fiery swords, and in the air", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Made horrid circles; two broad suns their shields", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Blazed opposite, while Expectation stood", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In horror; from each hand with speed retired,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Where erst was thickest fight, the angelic throng,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And left large field, unsafe within the wind", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of such commotion: such as (to set forth", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Great things by small) if, Nature’s concord broke,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Among the constellations war were sprung,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Two planets, rushing from aspect malign", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of fiercest opposition, in mid sky", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Should combat, and their jarring spheres confound.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Together both, with next to almighty arm", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Uplifted imminent, one stroke they aimed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That might determine, and not need repeat,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As not of power at once; nor odds appeared", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In might or swift prevention. But the sword", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of Michael from the armoury of God", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Was given him tempered so, that neither keen", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Nor solid might resist that edge: it met", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The sword of Satan, with steep force to smite", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Descending, and in half cut sheer; nor stayed,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But, with swift wheel reverse, deep entering shared", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "All his right side. Then Satan first knew pain,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And writhed him to and fro convolved; so sore", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The griding sword with discontinuous wound", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Passed through him; but the ethereal substance closed,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Not long divisible, and from the gash", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A stream of nectarous humour issuing flowed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sanguine, such as celestial Spirits may bleed,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And all his armour stained, erewhile so bright", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Forthwith on all sides to his aid was run", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "By Angels many and strong, who interposed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Defence, while others bore him on their shields", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Back to his chariot, where it stood retired", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From off the files of war; there they him laid", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Gnashing for anguish, and despite, and shame", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To find himself not matchless, and his pride", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Humbled by such rebuke, so far beneath", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His confidence to equal God in power.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Yet soon he healed; for Spirits, that live throughout", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Vital in every part⁠—not, as frail Man,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In entrails, heart or head, liver or reins⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Cannot but by annihilating die;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Nor in their liquid texture mortal wound", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Receive, no more than can the fluid air:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "All heart they live, all head, all eye, all ear,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "All intellect, all sense; and as they please", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "They limb themselves, and colour, shape, or size", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Assume, as likes them best, condense or rare.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“Meanwhile, in other parts, like deeds deserved", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Memorial, where the might of Gabriel fought,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And with fierce ensigns pierced the deep array", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of Moloch, furious king, who him defied,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And at his chariot-wheels to drag him bound", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Threatened, nor from the Holy One of Heaven", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Refrained his tongue blasphemous; but anon,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Down cloven to the waist, with shattered arms", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And uncouth pain fled bellowing. On each wing", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Uriel and Raphael his vaunting foe,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Though huge and in a rock of diamond armed,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Vanquished⁠—Adramelech and Asmadai,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Two potent Thrones, that to be less than gods", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Disdained, but meaner thoughts learned in their flight,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Mangled with ghastly wounds through plate and mail.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Nor stood unmindful Abdiel to annoy", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The atheist crew, but with redoubled blow", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Ariel, and Arioch, and the violence", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of Ramiel, scorched and blasted, overthrew.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "I might relate of thousands, and their names", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Eternize here on Earth; but those elect", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Angels, contented with their fame in Heaven,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Seek not the praise of men; the other sort,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In might though wondrous and in acts of war,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Nor of renown less eager, yet by doom", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Cancelled from Heaven and sacred memory,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Nameless in dark oblivion let them dwell;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For strength from truth divided, and from just,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Illaudable, nought merits but dispraise", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And ignominy, yet to glory aspires,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Vain-glorious, and through infamy seeks fame:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Therefore eternal silence be their doom.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“And now, their mightiest quelled, the battle swerved,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With many an inroad gored; deformed rout", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Entered, and foul disorder; all the ground", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With shivered armour strown, and on a heap", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Chariot and charioter lay overturned,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And fiery foaming steeds; what stood recoiled,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "O’er-wearied, through the faint Satanic host,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Defensive scarce, or with pale fear surprised,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Then first with fear surprised and sense of pain,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Fled ignominious, to such evil brought", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "By sin of disobedience; till that hour", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Not liable to fear, or flight, or pain.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Far otherwise the inviolable Saints", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In cubic phalanx firm advanced entire,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Invulnerable, impenetrably armed;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Such high advantages their innocence", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Gave them above their foes⁠—not to have sinned,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Not to have disobeyed; in fight they stood", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Unwearied, unobnoxious to be pained", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "By wound, though from their place by violence moved.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“Now Night her course began, and, over Heaven", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Inducing darkness, grateful truce imposed,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And silence on the odious din of war;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Under her cloudy covert both retired,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Victor and vanquished. On the foughten field", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Michael and his Angels prevalent", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Encamping placed in guard their watches round,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Cherubic waving fires: on the other part,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Satan with his rebellious disappeared,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Far in the dark dislodged, and, void of rest,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His potentates to council called by night,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And in the midst thus undismayed began:", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“ ‘O now in danger tried, now known in arms", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Not to be overpowered, companions dear,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Found worthy not of liberty alone,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Too mean pretence, but, what we more affect,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Honour, dominion, glory, and renown;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Who have sustained one day in doubtful fight", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "(And if one day, why not eternal days?)", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "What Heaven’s Lord had powerfullest to send", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Against us from about his throne, and judged", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sufficient to subdue us to his will,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But proves not so: then fallible, it seems,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of future we may deem him, though till now", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Omniscient thought. True is, less firmly armed,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Some disadvantage we endured, and pain", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Till now not known, but, known, as soon contemned;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Since now we find this our empyreal form", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Incapable of mortal injury,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Imperishable, and, though pierced with wound,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Soon closing, and by native vigour healed.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of evil, then, so small as easy think", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The remedy: perhaps more valid arms,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Weapons more violent, when next we meet,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "May serve to better us and worse our foes,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or equal what between us made the odds,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In nature none: if other hidden cause", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Left them superior, while we can preserve", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Unhurt our minds, and understanding sound,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Due search and consultation will disclose.’", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“He sat; and in the assembly next upstood", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Nisroch, of Principalities the prime;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As one he stood escaped from cruel fight,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sore toiled, his riven arms to havoc hewn,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And, cloudy in aspect, thus answering spake:", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“ ‘Deliverer from new Lords, leader to free", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Enjoyment of our right as gods! yet hard", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For gods, and too unequal work, we find", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Against unequal arms to fight in pain,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Against unpained, impassive; from which evil", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Ruin must needs ensue; for what avails", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Valour or strength, though matchless, quelled with pain,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Which all subdues, and makes remiss the hands", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of mightiest? Sense of pleasure we may well", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Spare out of life perhaps, and not repine,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But live content, which is the calmest life;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But pain is perfect misery, the worst", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of evils, and, excessive, overturns", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "All patience. He who, therefore, can invent", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With what more forcible we may offend", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Our yet unwounded enemies, or arm", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Ourselves with like defence, to me deserves", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "No less than for deliverance what we owe.’", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“Whereto, with look composed, Satan replied:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "‘Not uninvented that, which thou aright", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Believ’st so main to our success, I bring.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Which of us who beholds the bright surface", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of this ethereous mould whereon we stand⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "This continent of spacious Heaven, adorned", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With plant, fruit, flower ambrosial, gems and gold⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Whose eye so superficially surveys", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "These things, as not to mind from whence they grow", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Deep under ground, materials dark and crude,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of spiritous and fiery spume, till touched", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With Heaven’s ray, and tempered, they shoot forth", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So beauteous, opening to the ambient light?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "These in their dark nativity the deep", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Shall yield us, pregnant with infernal flame;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Which, into hollow engines long and round", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thick-rammed, at the other bore with touch of fire", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Dilated and infuriate, shall send forth", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From far, with thundering noise, among our foes", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Such implements of mischief as shall dash", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To pieces and o’erwhelm whatever stands", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Adverse, that they shall fear we have disarmed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The Thunderer of his only dreaded bolt.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Nor long shall be our labour; yet ere dawn", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Effect shall end our wish. Meanwhile revive;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Abandon fear; to strength and counsel joined", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Think nothing hard, much less to be despaired.’", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“He ended; and his words their drooping cheer", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Enlightened, and their languished hope revived.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The invention all admired, and each how he", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To be the inventor missed; so easy it seemed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Once found, which yet unfound most would have thought", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Impossible. Yet, haply, of thy race,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In future days, if malice should abound,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Some one intent on mischief, or inspired", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With devilish machination, might devise", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Like instrument to plague the sons of men", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For sin, on war and mutual slaughter bent.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Forthwith from council to the work they flew;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "None arguing stood; innumerable hands", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Were ready; in a moment up they turned", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Wide the celestial soil, and saw beneath", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The originals of Nature in their crude", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Conception; sulphurous and nitrous foam", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "They found, they mingled, and, with subtle art", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Concocted and adusted, they reduced", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To blackest grain, and into store conveyed.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Part hidden veins digged up (nor hath this Earth", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Entrails unlike) of mineral and stone.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Whereof to found their engines and their balls", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of missive ruin; part incentive reed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Provide, pernicious with one touch to fire.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So all ere day-spring, under conscious night,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Secret they finished, and in order set,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With silent circumspection, unespied.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“Now when fair Morn orient in Heaven appeared,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Up rose the victor Angels, and to arms", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The matin trumpet sung: in arms they stood", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of golden panoply, refulgent host,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Soon banded; others from the dawning hills", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Looked round, and scouts each coast light-armed scour,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Each quarter, to descry the distant foe,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Where lodged, or whither fled, or if for fight,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In motion or in halt. Him soon they met", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Under spread ensigns moving nigh, in slow", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But firm battalion; back with speediest sail,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Zophiel, of Cherubim the swiftest wing,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Came flying, and in mid air aloud thus cried:", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“ ‘Arm, warriors, arm for fight! The foe at hand,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Whom fled we thought, will save us long pursuit", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "This day; fear not his flight; so thick a cloud", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "He comes, and settled in his face I see", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sad resolution and secure. Let each", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His adamantine coat gird well, and each", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Fit well his helm, gripe fast his orbed shield,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Borne even or high; for this day will pour down,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "If I conjecture aught, no drizzling shower,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But rattling storm of arrows barbed with fire.’", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“So warned he them, aware themselves, and soon", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In order, quit of all impediment;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Instant, without disturb, they took alarm,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And onward move embattled: when, behold!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Not distant far, with heavy pace the foe", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Approaching gross and huge; in hollow cube", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Training his devilish enginry, impaled", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "On every side with shadowing squadrons deep,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To hide the fraud. At interview both stood", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A while; but suddenly at head appeared", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Satan, and thus was heard commanding loud:", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“ ‘Vanguard, to right and left the front unfold,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That all may see who hate us, how we seek", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Peace and composure, and with open breast", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Stand ready to receive them, if they like", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Our overture, and turn not back perverse;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But that I doubt: however, witness Heaven!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Heaven, witness thou anon! while we discharge", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Freely our part. Ye, who appointed stand,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Do as you have in charge, and briefly touch", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "What we propound, and loud that all may hear.’", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“So scoffing in ambiguous words, he scarce", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Had ended, when to right and left the front", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Divided, and to either flank retired;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Which to our eyes discovered, new and strange,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A triple mounted row of pillars laid", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "On wheels (for like to pillars most they seemed,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or hollowed bodies made of oak or fir,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With branches lopt, in wood or mountain felled),", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Brass, iron, stony mould, had not their mouths", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With hideous orifice gaped on us wide,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Portending hollow truce. At each behind", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A Seraph stood, and in his hand a reed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Stood waving tipt with fire; while we, suspense,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Collected stood within our thoughts amused;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Not long, for sudden all, at once, their reeds", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Put forth, and to a narrow vent applied", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With nicest touch. Immediate in a flame,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But soon obscured with smoke, all Heaven appeared,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From those deep-throated engines belched, whose roar", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Embowelled with outrageous noise the air,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And all her entrails tore, disgorging foul", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Their devilish glut, chained thunderbolts and hail", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of iron globes; which, on the victor host", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Levelled, with such impetuous fury smote,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That whom they hit none on their feet might stand,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Though standing else as rocks, but down they fell", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "By thousands, Angel on Archangel rolled,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The sooner for their arms: unarmed, they might", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Have easily, as Spirits, evaded swift", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "By quick contraction or remove; but now", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Foul dissipation followed, and forced rout;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Nor served it to relax their serried files.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "What should they do? If on they rushed, repulse", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Repeated, and indecent overthrow", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Doubled, would render them yet more despised,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And to their foes a laughter; for in view", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Stood ranked of Seraphim another row,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In posture to displode their second tire", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of thunder; back defeated to return", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "They worse abhorred. Satan beheld their plight,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And to his mates thus in derision called:", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“ ‘O friends, why come not on these victors proud?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Erewhile they fierce were coming; and when we,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To entertain them fair with open front", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And breast (what could we more?), propounded terms", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of composition, straight they changed their minds,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Flew off, and into strange vagaries fell,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As they would dance: yet for a dance they seemed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Somewhat extravagant and wild, perhaps", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For joy of offered peace. But I suppose,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "If our proposals once again were heard,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "We should compel them to a quick result.’", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“To whom thus Belial, in like gamesome mood:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "‘Leader, the terms we sent were terms of weight,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of hard contents, and full of force urged home,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Such as we might perceive amused them all,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And stumbled many: who receives them right", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Had need from head to foot well understand;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Not understood, this gift they have besides,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "They show us when our foes walk not upright.’", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“So they among themselves in pleasant vein", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Stood scoffing, highthened in their thoughts beyond", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "All doubt of victory; Eternal Might", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To match with their inventions they presumed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So easy, and of his thunder made a scorn,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And all his host derided, while they stood", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A while in trouble: but they stood not long;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Rage prompted them at length, and found them arms", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Against such hellish mischief fit to oppose.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Forthwith (behold the excellence, the power,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Which God hath in his mighty Angels placed!)", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Their arms away they threw, and to the hills", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "(For Earth hath this variety from Heaven", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of pleasure situate in hill and dale)", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Light as the lightning-glimpse they ran, they flew;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From their foundations loosening to and fro,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "They plucked the seated hills, with all their load,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Rocks, waters, woods, and by the shaggy tops", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Uplifting bore them in their hands. Amaze,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Be sure, and terror seized the rebel host,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "When coming towards them so dread, they saw", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The bottom of the mountains upward turned;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Till on those cursed engines’ triple row", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "They saw them whelmed, and all their confidence", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Under the weight of mountains buried deep;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Themselves invaded next, and on their heads", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Main promontories flung, which in the air", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Came shadowing, and oppressed whole legions armed.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Their armour helped their harm, crushed in and bruised", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Into their substance pent, which wrought them pain", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Implacable, and many a dolorous groan,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Long struggling underneath, ere they could wind", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Out of such prison, though Spirits of purest light,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Purest at first, now gross by sinning grown.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The rest, in imitation, to like arms", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Betook them, and the neighbouring hills uptore;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So hills amid the air encountered hills,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Hurled to and fro with jaculation dire,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That underground they fought in dismal shade;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Infernal noise! war seemed a civil game", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To this uproar; horrid confusion heaped", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Upon confusion rose. And now all Heaven", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Had gone to wrack, with ruin overspread,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Had not the Almighty Father, where he sits", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Shrined in his sanctuary of Heaven secure,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Consulting on the sum of things, foreseen", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "This tumult, and permitted all, advised,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That his great purpose he might so fulfil,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To honour his anointed Son, avenged", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Upon his enemies, and to declare", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "All power on him transferred: whence to his Son,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The assessor of his throne, he thus began:", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“ ‘Effulgence of my glory, Son beloved,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Son in whose face invisible is beheld", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Visibly, what by Deity I am,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And in whose hand what by decree I do,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Second Omnipotence! two days are passed,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Two days, as we compute the days of Heaven,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Since Michael and his powers went forth to tame", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "These disobedient. Sore hath been their fight,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As likeliest was when two such foes met armed;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For to themselves I left them; and thou know’st,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Equal in their creation they were formed,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Save what sin hath impaired⁠—which yet hath wrought", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Insensibly, for I suspend their doom:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Whence in perpetual fight they needs must last", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Endless, and no solution will be found.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "War wearied hath performed what war can do,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And to disordered rage let loose the reins,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With mountains, as with weapons, armed; which makes", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Wild work in Heaven, and dangerous to the main.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Two days are, therefore, passed, the third is thine:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For thee I have ordained it, and thus far", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Have suffered, that the glory may be thine", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of ending this great war, since none but thou", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Can end it. Into thee such virtue and grace", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Immense I have transfused, that all may know", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In Heaven and Hell thy power above compare;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And this perverse commotion governed thus,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To manifest thee worthiest to be Heir", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of all things⁠—to be Heir and to be King", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "By sacred unction, thy deserved right.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Go, then, thou Mightiest, in thy Father’s might;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Ascend my chariot, guide the rapid wheels", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That shake Heaven’s basis; bring forth all my war,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "My bow and thunder, my almighty arms", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Gird on, and sword upon thy puissant thigh;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Pursue these Sons of Darkness, drive them out", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From all Heaven’s bounds into the utter deep;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "There let them learn, as likes them, to despise", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "God and Messiah his anointed King.’", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“He said, and on his Son with rays direct", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Shone full; he all his Father full expressed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Ineffably into his face received;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And thus the Filial Godhead answering spake:", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“ ‘O Father, O Supreme of Heavenly Thrones,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "First, Highest, Holiest, Best, thou always seek’st", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To glorify thy Son; I always thee,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As is most just. This I my glory account,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "My exaltation, and my whole delight,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That thou in me well pleased declar’st thy will", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Fulfilled, which to fulfil is all my bliss.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sceptre and power, thy giving, I assume,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And gladlier shall resign, when in the end", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thou shalt be all in all, and I in thee", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For ever, and in me all whom thou lov’st:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But whom thou hat’st I hate, and can put on", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thy terrors, as I put thy mildness on,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Image of thee in all things; and shall soon,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Armed with thy might, rid Heaven of these rebelled,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To their prepared ill mansion driven down,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To chains of darkness and the undying worm,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That from thy just obedience could revolt,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Whom to obey is happiness entire.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Then shall thy Saints, unmixed, and from the impure", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Far separate, circling thy holy mount,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Unfeigned hallelujahs to thee sing,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Hymns of high praise, and I among them chief.’", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“So said, he, o’er his sceptre bowing, rose", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From the right hand of Glory where he sat;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And the third sacred morn began to shine,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Dawning through Heaven. Forth rushed with whirlwind sound", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The chariot of Paternal Deity,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Flashing thick flames, wheel within wheel, undrawn,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Itself instinct with spirit, but convoyed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "By four Cherubic shapes. Four faces each", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Had wondrous; as with stars, their bodies all", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And wings were set with eyes; with eyes the wheels", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of beryl, and careering fires between;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Over their heads a crystal firmament,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Whereon a sapphire throne, inlaid with pure", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Amber and colours of the showery arch.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "He, in celestial panoply all armed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of radiant Urim, work divinely wrought,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Ascended; at his right hand Victory", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sat eagle-winged; beside him hung his bow", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And quiver with three-bolted thunder stored;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And from about him fierce effusion rolled", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of smoke, and bickering flame, and sparkles dire.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Attended with ten thousand thousand Saints,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "He onward came; far off his coming shone;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And twenty thousand (I their number heard)", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Chariots of God, half on each hand, were seen.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "He on the wings of Cherub rode sublime", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "On the crystalline sky, in sapphire throned,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Illustrious far and wide, but by his own", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "First seen; them unexpected joy surprised", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "When the great ensign of Messiah blazed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Aloft by Angels borne, his sign in Heaven;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Under whose conduct Michael soon reduced", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His army, circumfused on either wing,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Under their Head embodied all in one.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Before him Power Divine his way prepared;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "At his command the uprooted hills retired", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Each to his place; they heard his voice, and went", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Obsequious; Heaven his wonted face renewed,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And with fresh flowerets hill and valley smiled.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“This saw his hapless foes, but stood obdured,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And to rebellious fight rallied their powers,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Insensate, hope conceiving from despair.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In Heavenly Spirits could such perverseness dwell?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But to convince the proud what signs avail,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or wonders move the obdurate to relent?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "They, hardened more by what might most reclaim,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Grieving to see his glory, at the sight", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Took envy, and, aspiring to his highth,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Stood re-embattled fierce, by force or fraud", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Weening to prosper, and at length prevail", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Against God and Messiah, or to fall", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In universal ruin last; and now", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To final battle drew, disdaining flight,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or faint retreat: when the great Son of God", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To all his host on either hand thus spake:", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“ ‘Stand still in bright array, ye Saints; here stand,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Ye Angels armed; this day from battle rest.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Faithful hath been your warfare, and of God", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Accepted, fearless in his righteous cause;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And as ye have received, so have ye done,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Invincibly. But of this cursed crew", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The punishment to other hand belongs;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Vengeance is his, or whose he sole appoints:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Number to this day’s work is not ordained,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Nor multitude; stand only and behold", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "God’s indignation on these godless poured", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "By me; not you, but me, they have despised,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Yet envied; against me is all their rage,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Because the Father, to whom in Heaven supreme", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Kingdom and power and glory appertains,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Hath honoured me, according to his will.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Therefore to me their doom he hath assigned,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That they may have their wish, to try with me", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In battle which the stronger proves⁠—they all,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or I alone against them; since by strength", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "They measure all, of other excellence", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Not emulous, nor care who them excels;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Nor other strife with them do I vouchsafe.’", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“So spake the Son, and into terror changed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His countenance, too severe to be beheld,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And full of wrath bent on his enemies.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "At once the Four spread out their starry wings", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With dreadful shade contiguous, and the orbs", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of his fierce chariot rolled, as with the sound", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of torrent floods, or of a numerous host.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "He on his impious foes right onward drove,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Gloomy as night; under his burning wheels", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The steadfast Empyrean shook throughout,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "All but the throne itself of God. Full soon", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Among them he arrived, in his right hand", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Grasping ten thousand thunders, which he sent", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Before him, such as in their souls infixed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Plagues; they, astonished, all resistance lost,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "All courage; down their idle weapons dropt;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "O’er shields, and helms, and helmed heads he rode", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of Thrones and mighty Seraphim prostrate,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That wished the mountains now might be again", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thrown on them, as a shelter from his ire.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Nor less on either side tempestuous fell", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His arrows, from the fourfold-visaged Four,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Distinct with eyes, and from the living wheels,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Distinct alike with multitude of eyes;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "One spirit in them ruled, and every eye", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Glared lightning, and shot forth pernicious fire", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Among the accursed, that withered all their strength,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And of their wonted vigour left them drained,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Exhausted, spiritless, afflicted, fallen.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Yet half his strength he put not forth, but checked", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His thunder in mid-volley; for he meant", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Not to destroy, but root them out of Heaven.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The overthrown he raised, and, as a herd", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of goats or timorous flock together thronged,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Drove them before him thunderstruck, pursued", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With terrors and with furies to the bounds", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And crystal wall of Heaven; which, opening wide,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Rolled inward, and a spacious gap disclosed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Into the wasteful deep. The monstrous sight", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Strook them with horror backward, but far worse", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Urged them behind; headlong themselves they threw", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Down from the verge of Heaven; eternal wrath", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Burned after them to the bottomless pit.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“Hell heard the unsufferable noise; Hell saw", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Heaven ruining from Heaven, and would have fled", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Affrighted; but strict Fate had cast too deep", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Her dark foundations, and too fast had bound.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Nine days they fell; confounded Chaos roared,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And felt tenfold confusion in their fall", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Through his wild anarchy; so huge a rout", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Encumbered him with ruin. Hell at last,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Yawning, received them whole, and on them closed;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Hell, their fit habitation, fraught with fire", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Unquenchable, the house of woe and pain.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Disburdened Heaven rejoiced, and soon repaired", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Her mural breach, returning whence it rolled.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sole victor, from the expulsion of his foes", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Messiah his triumphal chariot turned.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To meet him all his Saints, who silent stood", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Eye-witnesses of his almighty acts,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With jubilee advanced; and as they went,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Shaded with branching palm, each order bright", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sung triumph, and him sung victorious King,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Son, Heir, and Lord, to him dominion given,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Worthiest to reign. He, celebrated, rode", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Triumphant through mid Heaven, into the courts", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And temple of his mighty Father throned", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "On high; who into glory him received,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Where now he sits at the right hand of bliss.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“Thus, measuring things in Heaven by things on Earth,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "At thy request, and that thou may’st beware", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "By what is past, to thee I have revealed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "What might have else to human race been hid;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The discord which befell, and war in Heaven", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Among the angelic powers, and the deep fall", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of those too high aspiring, who rebelled", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With Satan: he who envies now thy state,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Who now is plotting how he may seduce", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thee also from obedience, that, with him", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Bereaved of happiness, thou may’st partake", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His punishment, eternal misery;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Which would be all his solace and revenge,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As a despite done against the Most High,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thee once to gain companion of his woe.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But listen not to his temptations; warn", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thy weaker; let it profit thee to have heard,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "By terrible example, the reward", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of disobedience. Firm they might have stood,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Yet fell; remember, and fear to transgress.”", "indent": 0 } ] ] }