THE ARGUMENT. Raphael continues to relate how Michael and Gabriel were fent forth to battel against Satan and his Angels. The firft fight defcrib'd: Satan and his Powers retire under night: He calls a council, invents devilish engins, 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 MESSIAH 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 ftand ftill on either fide, with his chariot and thunder driving into the midft of his enemies, pursues them unable to resist towards the wall of Heaven; which opening, they leap down with horror and confufion into the place of punishment prepar'd for them in the deep: MESSIAH returns with triumph to his Father. PARADISE A воок LOST. VI. LL night the dreadlefs Angel unpursued Through Heav'n's wide champain held his way; till Wak'd by the circling hours, with rofy hand [morn, Unbarr'd the gates of light. There is a cave Within the mount of God, faft by his throne, 5 Where light and darkness in perpetual round Lodge and diflodge by turns, which makes through Light iffues forth, and at the other door [Heaven 10 To veil the Heav'n, though 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 through with orient beams; when all the plain 15 20 With joy and acclamations loud, that one, Of truth, in word mightier than they in arms; 25 30 Universal reproach, far worse to bear Than violence; for this was all thy care, 35 To stand approv'd in fight of God, though worlds 40 And thou in military prowefs next 45 Gabriel, lead forth to hattel these my fons Rebellious; them with fire and hoftile arms 50 Into Into their place of punishment, the gulf His fiery Chaos to receive their fall. 55 So fpake the fovran voice, and clouds began To darken all the hill, and smoke to roll In dusky wreaths, reluctant flames, the sign Of wrath awak'd; nor with lefs dread the loud In filence their bright legions, to the found Under their God-like leaders, in the caufe 60 65 Nor strait'ning vale, nor wood, nor ftream divides' 70 Their perfect ranks; for high above the ground Their march was, and the paffive air upbore Their nimble tread; as when the total kind Came fummon'd over Eden to receive 75 Their names of thee; fo over many a tract Of Heav'n they march'd, and many a province-wide 80 of |