Paradise Lost

Soon as midnight brought on the duskie houre 
Friendliest to sleep and silence, he resolv'd 
With all his Legions to dislodge, and leave 
Unworshipt, unobey'd the Throne supream 
Contemptuous, and his next subordinate 
Awak'ning, thus to him in secret spake. 
  Sleepst thou Companion dear, what sleep can close 
Thy eye-lids? and remembrest what Decree 
Of yesterday, so late hath past the lips 
Of Heav'ns Almightie.  Thou to me thy thoughts 
Wast wont, I mine to thee was wont to impart; 
Both waking we were one; how then can now 
Thy sleep dissent? new Laws thou seest impos'd; 
New Laws from him who reigns, new minds may raise 
In us who serve, new Counsels, to debate 
What doubtful may ensue, more in this place 
To utter is not safe.  Assemble thou 
Of all those Myriads which we lead the chief; 
Tell them that by command, ere yet dim Night 
Her shadowie Cloud withdraws, I am to haste, 
And all who under me thir Banners wave, 
Homeward with flying march where we possess 
The Quarters of the North, there to prepare 
Fit entertainment to receive our King 
The great MESSIAH, and his new commands, 
Who speedily through all the Hierarchies 
Intends to pass triumphant, and give Laws. 
  So spake the false Arch-Angel, and infus'd 
Bad influence into th' unwarie brest 
Of his Associate; hee together calls, 
Or several one by one, the Regent Powers, 
Under him Regent, tells, as he was taught, 
That the most High commanding, now ere Night, 
Now ere dim Night had disincumberd Heav'n, 
The great Hierarchal Standard was to move; 
Tells the suggested cause, and casts between 
Ambiguous words and jealousies, to sound 
Or taint integritie; but all obey'd 
The wonted signal, and superior voice 
Of thir great Potentate; for great indeed 
His name, and high was his degree in Heav'n; 
His count'nance, as the Morning Starr that guides 
The starrie flock, allur'd them, and with lyes 
Drew after him the third part of Heav'ns Host: 
Mean while th' Eternal eye, whose sight discernes 
Abstrusest thoughts, from forth his holy Mount 
And from within the golden Lamps that burne 
Nightly before him, saw without thir light 
Rebellion rising, saw in whom, how spred 
Among the sons of Morn, what multitudes 
Were banded to oppose his high Decree; 
And smiling to his onely Son thus said. 
  Son, thou in whom my glory I behold 
In full resplendence, Heir of all my might, 
Neerly it now concernes us to be sure 
Of our Omnipotence, and with what Arms 
We mean to hold what anciently we claim 
Of Deitie or Empire, such a foe 
Is rising, who intends to erect his Throne 
Equal to ours, throughout the spacious North; 
Nor so content, hath in his thought to trie 
In battel, what our Power is, or our right. 
Let us advise, and to this hazard draw 
With speed what force is left, and all imploy 
In our defence, lest unawares we lose 
This our high place, our Sanctuarie, our Hill. 
  To whom the Son with calm aspect and cleer 
Light'ning Divine, ineffable, serene, 
Made answer.  Mightie Father, thou thy foes 
Justly hast in derision, and secure 
Laugh'st at thir vain designes and tumults vain, 
Matter to mee of Glory, whom thir hate 
Illustrates, when they see all Regal Power 
Giv'n me to quell thir pride, and in event 
Know whether I be dextrous to subdue 
Thy Rebels, or be found the worst in Heav'n. 
  So spake the Son, but SATAN with his Powers 
Farr was advanc't on winged speed, an Host 
Innumerable as the Starrs of Night, 
Or Starrs of Morning, Dew-drops, which the Sun 
Impearls on every leaf and every flouer. 
Regions they pass'd, the mightie Regencies 
Of Seraphim and Potentates and Thrones 
In thir triple Degrees, Regions to which 
All thy Dominion, ADAM, is no more 
Then what this Garden is to all the Earth, 
And all the Sea, from one entire globose 
Stretcht into Longitude; which having pass'd 
At length into the limits of the North 
They came, and SATAN to his Royal seat 
High on a Hill, far blazing, as a Mount 
Rais'd on a Mount, with Pyramids and Towrs 
From Diamond Quarries hew'n, & Rocks of Gold, 
The Palace of great LUCIFER, (so call 
That Structure in the Dialect of men 
Interpreted) which not long after, hee 
Affecting all equality with God, 
In imitation of that Mount whereon 
MESSIAH was declar'd in sight of Heav'n, 
The Mountain of the Congregation call'd;