BOOK SIXTH
��'65
��Already known what he for news had thought 20
To have reported. Gladly then he mixed Among those friendly Powers, who him re- ceived
With joy and acclamations loud, that one, That of so many myriads fallen yet one, Returned not lost. On to the sacred Hill They led him, high applauded, and present Before the Seat supreme; from whence a
voice, From midst a golden cloud, thus mild was
heard: " ' Servant of God, well done ! Well
hast thou fought
The better fight, who single hast main- tained 30 Against revolted multitudes the cause Of truth, in word mightier than they in
arms,
And for the testimony of truth hast borne Universal reproach, far worse to bear Than violence ; for this was all thy care To stand approved in sight of God, though
worlds
Judged thee perverse. The easier con- quest now
Remains thee aided by this host of friends, Back on thy foes more glorious to return Than scorned thou didst depart; and to subdue 40
By force who reason for their law refuse Right reason for their law, and for their
King
Messiah, who by right of merit reigns. Go, Michael, of celestial armies prince, And thou, in military prowess next, Gabriel; lead forth to battle these my sons Invincible ; lead forth my armed Saints, By thousands and by millions ranged for
fight,
Equal in number to that godless crew Rebellious. Them with fire and hostile arms 50
Fearless assault; and, to the brow of Hea- ven Pursuing, drive them out from God and
bliss
Into their place of punishment, the gulf Of Tartarus, which ready opens wide His fiery chaos to receive their fall.'
" So spake the Sovran Voice; and clouds
began
To darken all the Hill, and smoke to rowl In dusky wreaths reluctant flames, the sign
��Of wrauth awaked; nor with less dread the
loud
Ethereal trumpet from on high gan blow. At which command the Powers Militant 61 That stood for Heaven, in mighty quadrate
joined
Of union irresistible, moved on In silence their bright legions to the sound Of instrumental harmony, that breathed Heroic ardour to adventrous deeds Under their godlike leaders, in the cause Of God and his Messiah. On they move, Indissolubly firm ; nor obvious hill, Nor straitening vale, nor wood, nor stream,
divides 70
Their perfet ranks; for high above the
ground
Their march was, and the passive air up- bore Their nimble tread. As when the total
kind
Of birds, in orderly array on wing, Came summoned over Eden to receive Their names of thee ; so over many a tract Of Heaven they marched, and many a pro- vince wide, Tenfold the length of this terrene. At
last,
Far in the horizon, to the north, appeared From skirt to skirt a fiery region, stretched In battailous aspect ; and, nearer view, 81 Bristled with upright beams innumerable Of rigid spears, and helmets thronged, and
shields
Various, with boastful argument portrayed, The banded Powers of Satan hasting on With furious expedition: for they weened That self-same day, by fight or by surprise, To win the Mount of God, and 011 his
Throne
To set the envier of his state, the proud Aspirer. But their thoughts proved fond
and vain 90
In the mid- way; though strange to us it
seemed
At first that Angel should with Angel war, And in fierce hosting meet, who wont to
meet
So oft in festivals of joy and love Unanimous, as sons of one great Sire, Hymning the Eternal Father. But the
shout
Of battle now began, and rushing sound Of onset ended soon each milder thought. High in the midst, exalted as a God,
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