Un-shaken, un-feduc'd, un-terrify'd,
His loyalty he kept, his love, his zeal.
Nor number, nor example, with him wrought
To fwerve from truth, or change his conftant mind
Though fingle. From amidst them forth he pafs'd,
Long way through hoftile fcorn; which he sustain'd
Superior, nor of violence fear'd ought:
And, with retorted scorn, his back he turn'd
On those proud tow'rs, to fwift deftruction doom'd.
The end of the fifth Book.
Raphael continues to relate how Michael and Gabriel were fent forth to battel against Satan and his Angels. The first fight defcrib'd Satan and his Powers retire under night he calls a council, invents devilish engines, which in the fecond day's fight put Michael and his Angels to fome diforder; but they at length pulling up mountains, overwhelm'd both the force and machines of Satan: yet the tumult not fo ending, God on the third day fends Met fiah His Son, for whom He had referv'd the glory of that victory: He in the power of His Father coming to the place, and
caufing all His legions to stand fill on either fide, with His chariot and thunder driving into the midst of His enemies, purfues them, unable to refift, towards the vall of heaven; which opening, they leap down with horror and confufion into the place of punishment prepared for them in the Deep: Meffiad returns with triumph to His Father.
LL night the dread-lefs Angel, un-purfu'd; Thro' heav'n's wide champain held his way; till Morn,
Wak'd by the circling Hours, with rofy hand
Un-barr'd the gates of light. There is a cave
Within the mount of God, faft by His throne
Where light, and darkness, in perpetual round
Lodge, and dif-lodge, by turns; which makes thro,
heav'n
Grateful viciffitude, like day, and night :
Light iffues forth, and at the other door
Obfequious darkness enters, till her hour
To veil the heav'n, (tho' darkness there might well
Seem twilight here) and now went forth the Morn
Such as in highest heav'n, array'd in gold
Empyreal; from before her vanish'd night,
Shot thro' with orient beams: when all the plain
Cover'd with thick imbattled fquadrons bright,
Chariots, and flaming arms, and fiery steeds,
Reflecting blaze on blaze, first met his view.
War he perceiv'd, war in procinît; and found
Already known, what he for news had thought
To have reported gladly then he mix'd
Among those friendly Pow'rs, who him receiv'd
With joy, and acclamations loud, that One,
That of so many myriads fall'n, yet One
Return'd, not loft. On to the facred hill
They led him high applauded, and prefent
Before the feat supreme; from whence a voice,
From midst a golden cloud, thus mild was heard.
Servant of God, well done! well haft thou fought
The better fight, who single haft maintain'd,
Against revolted multitudes, the cause
Of truth, in word mightier than they in arms:
And for the teftimony of truth haft born
Univerfal reproach; far worse to bear
Than violence for this was all thy care
To ftand approv'd in fight of God, tho' worlds
Judg'd thee perverfe. The easier conqueft now
Remains thee, aided by this hoft of friends,
Back on thy foes more glorious to return,
Than fcorn'd thou didst depart; and to fubdue
By force, who reafon for their law refuse,
Right reafon for their law; and for their King
Meffiah, who by right of merit reigns.
Go, Michael! of cœleftial armies Prince;
And thou, in military prowess next,
Gabriel lead forth to battel these my fons
Invincible; lead forth thy armed Saints,
By thousands, and by millions, rang'd for fight ;
Equal in number to that Godless crew,
Rebellious them with fire, and hoftile arms,
Fearlefs affault; and to the brow of heav'n
Pursuing, drive them out from God, and blifs
Into their place of punishment, the gulph
Of Tartarus; which ready opens wide
His fiery chaos to receive their fall.
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