BOOK SIXTH
��167
��* Apostat ! still tbou err'st, 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 excels Them whom he governs. This is servi- tude
To serve the unwise, or him who hath re- belled Against his worthier, as thine now serve
thee, 180
Thyself not free, but to thyself enthralled; Yet lewdly dar'st our ministering upbraid. Reign thou in Hell, thy kingdom; let me
serve
In Heaven God ever blest, and his divine Behests obey, worthiest to be obeyed. Yet chains in Hell, not realms, expect:
meanwhile, From me returned, 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 190
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 recoiled; the tenth on bended
knee
His massy spear upstayed: as if, on earth, Winds under ground, or waters forcing
way, Sidelong had pushed a mountain from his
seat, Half-sunk with all his pines. Amazement
seized
The rebel Thrones, but greater rage, to see Thus foiled their mightiest; ours joy filled,
and shout, 200
Presage of victory, and fierce desire Of battle : whereat Michael bid sound The Archangel trumpet. Through the vast
of Heaven
It sounded, and the faithful armies rung Hosannah to the Highest; nor stood at
gaze
The adverse legions, nor less hideous joined The horrid shock. Now storming fury rose, And clamour such as heard in Heaven till
��Was never; arms on armour clashing
brayed
Horrible discord, and the madding wheels Of brazen chariots raged; dire was the
noise 211
Of conflict; overhead the dismal hiss Of fiery darts in flaming volleys flew, And, flying, vaulted either host with fire. So under fiery cope together rushed Both battles main with ruinous assault And inextinguishable rage. All Heaven Resounded; and, had Earth been then, all
Earth Had to her centre shook. What wonder,
when Millions of fierce encountering Angels
fought 220
On either side, the least of whom could
wield These elements, and arm him with the
force Of all their regions ? How much more of
power
Army against army numberless to raise Dreadful combustion warring, and disturb, Though not destroy, their happy native
seat;
Had not the Eternal King Omnipotent From his strong hold of Heaven high over- ruled And limited their might, though numbered
such
As each divided legion might have seemed A numerous host, in strength each armed
hand 231
A legion ! Led in fight, yet leader seemed Each warrior single as in chief; expert When to advance, or stand, or turn the
sway
Of battle, open when, and when to close The ridges of grim war. No thought of
flight,
None of retreat, no unbecoming deed That argued fear; each on himself relied As only in his arm the moment lay Of victory. Deeds of eternal fame 240 Were done, but infinite; for wide was
spread That war, and various: sometimes on firm
ground A standing fight; then, soaring on main
wing,
Tormented all the air; all air seemed then Conflicting fire. Long time in even scale The battle hung; till Satan, who that day
�� �
