2
Equal in number to that Godless crew
Heroic Ardor to adventrous deeds
In the mid way: though strange to us it seemd
Pursuing drive them out from God and bliss,
Of Union irresistible, movd on
Go Michael of Celestial Armies Prince,
Ethereal Trumpet from on high gan blow: [ 60 ]
With furious expedition; for they weend
Bristld with upright beams innumerable
Of God and his Messiah. On they mov九九藏书e
Unanimous, as sons of one great Sire [ 95 ]
Indissolubly firm; nor obvious Hill
From skirt to skirt a fierie Region, stretcht [ 80 ]
In silence thir bright Legions, to the sound
Tenfold the length of this terrene: at last
Thir names of thee; so over many a tract
Of Tartarus, which ready opens wide
Of Heavn they marchd, and many a Province wide
That self same day by fight, or九_九_藏_书_网 by surprize
His fiery Chaos to receave thir fall. [ 55 ]
Into thir place of punishment, the Gulf
In battailous aspect, and neerer view
Of Birds in orderly array on wing
So spake the Sovran voice, and Clouds began
To set the envier of his State, the proud
Nor streitning Vale, nor Wood, nor Stream divides [ 70 ]
Came summond over Eden to receive [ 75 ]
Aspirer, but thir thoughts pro九*九*藏*书*网vd fond and vain [ 90 ]
Under thir God-like Leaders, in the Cause
Of onset ended soon each milder thought.
Thir nimble tread, as when the total kind
Of instrumental Harmonie that breathd [ 65 ]
Rebellious, them with Fire and hostile Arms [ 50 ]
At which command the Powers Militant,
To darken all the Hill, and smoak to rowl
Invincible, lead forth my armed Saints
Of wrauth awakt: nor with less dread the loud
Gabriel, lead forth to Battel these my Sons
Thir march was, and the passive Air upbore
That stood for Heavn, in mighty Quadrate joynd
Farr in th Horizon to the North appeerd
So oft in Festivals of joy and love
In duskie wreathes, reluctant flames, the signe
To win the Mount of God, and on his Throne
By Thousands and by Millions rangd for fight;
Various, with boastful Argume99lib•netnt portraid,
And in fierce hosting meet, who wont to meet
And thou in Military prowess next [ 45 ]
Thir perfet ranks; for high above the ground
Fearless assault, and to the brow of Heavn
The banded Powers of Satan hasting on [ 85 ]
At first, that Angel should with Angel warr,
Of Battel now began, and rushing sound
Hymning th Eternal Father: but the shout
Of rigid Spears, and Helmets throngd, and Shields