THE ARGUMENT. Raphael cont.nyes to relate how Michael and Gabriel were sent forth to battle against Satan and his angels. The first fight described: Satan and his powers retire under night: he calls a council; invents devilish engines, wha: h, in the second day's fight, put Michael and his angels to some disorder; but they at length pulling up mountains, overwhelm both the force and machines of Satan: yet, the tumult not so enaing, God, on the third day, sends Messiah his son, for whom he had reserved the glory of that victory; he, in the power of his Father, coming to the place, and causing all his legions to stand still on either side, with his chariot and thunder driving into the midst of his enemies, pursues them, unable to resist, towards the wall of heaven; which opening, they leap down with horror and confusion into the place of punishment prepared for them in the deep: Messiah returns with triumph to his Father. PARADISE LOST. BOOK VI. ALL night the dreadless angel, unpursued, Through heaven's wide champain held his way, till Morn, Waked by the circling hours, with rosy 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 heaven Grateful vicissitude, like day and night; Light issues forth, and, at the other door, To veil the heaven, though darkness there might well ⚫. Seem twilight here: and now went forth the Morn, Such as in highest heaven, array'd in gold Empyreal; from before her vanish'd Night, Cover'd with thick embattled squadrons bright, Already known what he for news had thought The better fight, who single hast maintain'd Of truth, in word mightier than they in arms; Than violence; for this was all thy care, To stand approved in sight of God, though worlds Judged thee perverse: the easier conquest now · Remains thee: aided by this host of friends, Back on thy foes more glorious to return, Than scorn'd thou didst depart: and to subdue 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 "So spake the Sovereign Voice, and clouds began To darken all the hill, and smoke to roll In dusky wreaths, reluctant flames, the sign In silence, their bright legions to the sound Nor straitening vale, nor wood, nor stream, divides Came summon'd over Eden to receive |