Paradise Lost

Of this right hand provok't, since first that tongue 
Inspir'd with contradiction durst oppose 
A third part of the Gods, in Synod met 
Thir Deities to assert, who while they feel 
Vigour Divine within them, can allow 
Omnipotence to none.  But well thou comst 
Before thy fellows, ambitious to win 
From me som Plume, that thy success may show 
Destruction to the rest: this pause between 
(Unanswerd least thou boast) to let thee know; 
At first I thought that Libertie and Heav'n 
To heav'nly Soules had bin all one; but now 
I see that most through sloth had rather serve, 
Ministring Spirits, traind up in Feast and Song; 
Such hast thou arm'd, the Minstrelsie of Heav'n, 
Servilitie with freedom to contend, 
As both thir deeds compar'd this day shall prove. 
  To whom in brief thus ABDIEL stern repli'd. 
Apostat, still thou errst, nor end wilt find 
Of erring, from the path of truth remote: 
Unjustly thou deprav'st it with the name 
Of SERVITUDE to serve whom God ordains, 
Or Nature; God and Nature bid the same, 
When he who rules is worthiest, and excells 
Them whom he governs.  This is servitude, 
To serve th' unwise, or him who hath rebelld 
Against his worthier, as thine now serve thee, 
Thy self not free, but to thy self enthrall'd; 
Yet leudly dar'st our ministring upbraid. 
Reign thou in Hell thy Kingdom, let mee serve 
In Heav'n God ever blessed, and his Divine 
Behests obey, worthiest to be obey'd, 
Yet Chains in Hell, not Realms expect: mean while 
From mee returnd, as erst thou saidst, from flight, 
This greeting on thy impious Crest receive. 
  So saying, a noble stroke he lifted high, 
Which hung not, but so swift with tempest fell 
On the proud Crest of SATAN, that no sight, 
Nor motion of swift thought, less could his Shield 
Such ruin intercept: ten paces huge 
He back recoild; the tenth on bended knee 
His massie Spear upstaid; as if on Earth 
Winds under ground or waters forcing way 
Sidelong, had push't a Mountain from his seat 
Half sunk with all his Pines.  Amazement seis'd 
The Rebel Thrones, but greater rage to see 
Thus foil'd thir mightiest, ours joy filld, and shout, 
Presage of Victorie and fierce desire 
Of Battel: whereat MICHAEL bid sound 
Th' Arch-Angel trumpet; through the vast of Heav'n 
It sounded, and the faithful Armies rung 
HOSANNA to the Highest: nor stood at gaze 
The adverse Legions, nor less hideous joyn'd 
The horrid shock: now storming furie rose, 
And clamour such as heard in Heav'n till now 
Was never, Arms on Armour clashing bray'd 
Horrible discord, and the madding Wheeles 
Of brazen Chariots rag'd; dire was the noise 
Of conflict; over head the dismal hiss 
Of fiery Darts in flaming volies flew, 
And flying vaulted either Host with fire. 
Sounder fierie Cope together rush'd 
Both Battels maine, with ruinous assault 
And inextinguishable rage; all Heav'n 
Resounded, and had Earth bin then, all Earth 
Had to her Center shook.  What wonder? when 
Millions of fierce encountring Angels fought 
On either side, the least of whom could weild 
These Elements, and arm him with the force 
Of all thir Regions: how much more of Power 
Armie against Armie numberless to raise 
Dreadful combustion warring, and disturb, 
Though not destroy, thir happie Native seat; 
Had not th' Eternal King Omnipotent 
From his strong hold of Heav'n high over-rul'd 
And limited thir might; though numberd such 
As each divided Legion might have seemd 
A numerous Host, in strength each armed hand 
A Legion; led in fight, yet Leader seemd 
Each Warriour single as in Chief, expert 
When to advance, or stand, or turn the sway 
Of Battel, open when, and when to close 
The ridges of grim Warr; no thought of flight, 
None of retreat, no unbecoming deed 
That argu'd fear; each on himself reli'd, 
As onely in his arm the moment lay 
Of victorie; deeds of eternal fame 
Were don, but infinite: for wide was spred 
That Warr and various; somtimes on firm ground 
A standing fight, then soaring on main wing 
Tormented all the Air; all Air seemd then 
Conflicting Fire: long time in eeven scale 
The Battel hung; till SATAN, who that day 
Prodigious power had shewn, and met in Armes 
No equal, raunging through the dire attack 
Of fighting Seraphim confus'd, at length 
Saw where the Sword of MICHAEL smote, and fell'd 
Squadrons at once, with huge two-handed sway 
Brandisht aloft the horrid edge came down 
Wide wasting; such destruction to withstand