5
When to advance, or stand, or turn the sway
Of fighting Seraphim confusd, at length
Presage of Victorie and fierce desire
Of brazen Chariots ragd; dire was the noise
Conflicting Fire: long time in eeven scale [ 245 ]
None of retreat, no unbecoming deed
That argud fear; each on himself relid,
That Warr and various; somtimes on firm ground
And clamour such as heard in Heavn till now
The horrid shock: now storming furie rose,
Of fiery Darts in flaming volies flew,
A vast circumference: At his approach
Of Battel, open when, and when
99lib•net
to close [ 235 ]Armie against Armie numberless to raise
As onely in his arm the moment lay
A numerous Host, in strength each armed hand
Or Captive dragd in Chains, with hostile frown [ 260 ]
The great Arch-Angel from his warlike toile
Of all thir Regions: how much more of Power
And limited thir might; though numberd such
Had not th Eternal King Omnipotent
His massie Spear upstaid; as if on Earth [ 195 ]
Intestine War in Heavn, the arch foe subdud
Prodigious power had shewn, and met in Armes
He back recoild; th九九藏书网e tenth on bended knee
Saw where the Sword of Michael smote, and felld [ 250 ]
Hosanna to the Highest: nor stood at gaze [ 205 ]
Sidelong, had pusht a Mountain from his seat
Dreadful combustion warring, and disturb, [ 225 ]
Of conflict; over head the dismal hiss
Which hung not, but so swift with tempest fell [ 190 ]
A standing fight, then soaring on main wing
From his strong hold of Heavn high over-ruld
Was never, Arms on Armour clashing brayd
And visage all enflamd first thus began.
A Legion; led in fight, yet Leader seemd
H九_九_藏_书_网alf sunk with all his Pines. Amazement seisd
Were don, but infinite: for wide was spred
Thus foild thir mightiest, ours joy filld, and shout, [ 200 ]
Winds under ground or waters forcing way
And inextinguishable rage; all Heavn
Wide wasting; such destruction to withstand
On either side, the least of whom could weild
Of Battel: whereat Michael bid sound
Each Warriour single as in Chief, expert
Had to her Center shook. What wonder? when
The Rebel Thrones, but greater rage to see
And flying vaulted either Host with fire.
Th Arch-Ang99lib.netel trumpet; through the vast of Heaven
Brandisht aloft the horrid edge came down
The adverse Legions, nor less hideous joynd
The Battel hung; till Satan, who that day
Of tenfold Adamant, his ample Shield [ 255 ]
As each divided Legion might have seemd [ 230 ]
On the proud Crest of Satan, that no sight,
Of victorie; deeds of eternal fame [ 240 ]
He hasted, and opposd the rockie Orb
The ridges of grim Warr; no thought of flight,
Squadrons at once, with huge two-handed sway
It sounded, and the faithful Armies rung
These Elements, and arm hi99lib.netm with the force
Both Battels maine, with ruinous assault
No equal, raunging through the dire attack
Surceasd, and glad as hoping here to end
Horrible discord, and the madding Wheeles [ 210 ]
So saying, a noble stroke he lifted high,
Such ruin intercept: ten paces huge
Nor motion of swift thought, less could his Shield
Resounded, and had Earth bin then, all Earth
Tormented all the Air; all Air seemd then
Millions of fierce encountring Angels fought [ 220 ]
So under fierie Cope together rushd [ 215 ]
Though not destroy, thir happie Native seat;