Paradise Lost

Whether by supplication we intend 
Address, and to begirt th' Almighty Throne 
Beseeching or besieging.  This report, 
These tidings carrie to th' anointed King; 
And fly, ere evil intercept thy flight. 
  He said, and as the sound of waters deep 
Hoarce murmur echo'd to his words applause 
Through the infinite Host, nor less for that 
The flaming Seraph fearless, though alone 
Encompass'd round with foes, thus answerd bold. 
  O alienate from God, O spirit accurst, 
Forsak'n of all good; I see thy fall 
Determind, and thy hapless crew involv'd 
In this perfidious fraud, contagion spred 
Both of thy crime and punishment: henceforth 
No more be troubl'd how to quit the yoke 
Of Gods MESSIAH; those indulgent Laws 
Will not be now voutsaf't, other Decrees 
Against thee are gon forth without recall; 
That Golden Scepter which thou didst reject 
Is now an Iron Rod to bruise and breake 
Thy disobedience.  Well thou didst advise, 
Yet not for thy advise or threats I fly 
These wicked Tents devoted, least the wrauth 
Impendent, raging into sudden flame 
Distinguish not: for soon expect to feel 
His Thunder on thy head, devouring fire. 
Then who created thee lamenting learne, 
When who can uncreate thee thou shalt know. 
  So spake the Seraph ABDIEL faithful found, 
Among the faithless, faithful only hee; 
Among innumerable false, unmov'd, 
Unshak'n, unseduc'd, unterrifi'd 
His Loyaltie he kept, his Love, his Zeale; 
Nor number, nor example with him wrought 
To swerve from truth, or change his constant mind 
Though single.  From amidst them forth he passd, 
Long way through hostile scorn, which he susteind 
Superior, nor of violence fear'd aught; 
And with retorted scorn his back he turn'd 
On those proud Towrs to swift destruction doom'd. 
     THE END OF THE FIFTH BOOK. 


PARADISE LOST 
BOOK VI. 
 
All night the dreadless Angel unpursu'd 
Through Heav'ns wide Champain held his way, till Morn, 
Wak't by the circling Hours, with rosie hand 
Unbarr'd the gates of Light.  There is a Cave 
Within the Mount of God, fast by his Throne, 
Where light and darkness in perpetual round 
Lodge and dislodge by turns, which makes through Heav'n 
Grateful vicissitude, like Day and Night; 
Light issues forth, and at the other dore 
Obsequious darkness enters, till her houre 
To veile the Heav'n, though darkness there might well 
Seem twilight here; and now went forth the Morn 
Such as in highest Heav'n, arrayd in Gold 
Empyreal, from before her vanisht Night, 
Shot through with orient Beams: when all the Plain 
Coverd with thick embatteld Squadrons bright, 
Chariots and flaming Armes, and fierie Steeds 
Reflecting blaze on blaze, first met his view: 
Warr he perceav'd, warr in procinct, and found 
Already known what he for news had thought 
To have reported: gladly then he mixt 
Among those friendly Powers who him receav'd 
With joy and acclamations loud, that one 
That of so many Myriads fall'n, yet one 
Returnd not lost: On to the sacred hill 
They led him high applauded, and present 
Before the seat supream; from whence a voice 
From midst a Golden Cloud thus milde was heard. 
  Servant of God, well done, well hast thou fought 
The better fight, who single hast maintaind 
Against revolted multitudes the Cause 
Of Truth, in word mightier then they in Armes; 
And for the testimonie of Truth hast born 
Universal reproach, far worse to beare 
Then violence: for this was all thy care 
To stand approv'd in sight of God, though Worlds 
Judg'd thee perverse: the easier conquest now 
Remains thee, aided by this host of friends, 
Back on thy foes more glorious to return 
Then scornd thou didst depart, and to subdue 
By force, who reason for thir Law refuse, 
Right reason for thir Law, and for thir King 
MESSIAH, who by right of merit Reigns. 
Goe MICHAEL of Celestial Armies Prince, 
And thou in Military prowess next 
GABRIEL, lead forth to Battel these my Sons 
Invincible, lead forth my armed Saints 
By Thousands and by Millions rang'd for fight; 
Equal in number to that Godless crew 
Rebellious, them with Fire and hostile Arms 
Fearless assault, and to the brow of Heav'n 
Pursuing drive them out from God and bliss, 
Into thir place of punishment, the Gulf