O Heavn! that such resemblance of the Highest

Victor; though brutish that contest and foule,

Then lighted from his gorgeous Throne, for now

And thus his own undaunted heart explores.

His puissance, trusting in th Almighties aide,

When Reason hath to deal with force, yet so [ 125 ]

Unaided could have finisht thee, and whelmd

Incenst, and thus securely him defid. htｔｐ://ｗｗw.9９liｂ•ｎeｔ[ 130 ]

Thy Legions under darkness; but thou seest

All are not of thy Train; there be who Faith

There fail where Vertue fails, or weakest prove

Forth stepping opposite, half way he met

The Throne of God unguarded, and his side

Should yet remain, where faith and realtie [ 115 ]

Proud, art thou met? thy hope was to have reacht

Remain not; where

99lib.net

fore should not strength and might

Came towring, armd in Adamant and Gold; [ 110 ]

With Flaming Cherubim, and golden Shields;

Presented stood in terrible array

His daring foe, at this prevention more

On the rough edge of battel ere it joynd,

Twixt Host and Host but narrow space was left,

Reaching beyond all limit at one blow [ 140 ]

Seemd in thy World e九_九_藏_书_网rroneous to dissent

Where boldest; though to sight unconquerable?

Prefer, and Pietie to God, though then

Thy folly; or with solitarie hand

So pondering, and from his armed Peers

That he who in debate of Truth hath won,

Th Apostate in his Sun-bright Chariot sate [ 100 ]

Unsound and false; nor is it aught but just,

Abandond at the terror of thy Power

How few somtim99lib.netes may know, when thousands err.

Among the mightiest, bent on highest deeds,

Satan with vast and haughtie strides advanct,

Against th Omnipotent to rise in Arms;

The highth of thy aspiring unopposd,

I mean to try, whose Reason I have trid [ 120 ]

Who out of smallest things could without end

Idol of Majesty Divine, enclosd

High in the midst exalted as a God

From all: my Sec九九藏书网t thou seest, now learn too late

Most reason is that Reason overcome.

Should win in Arms, in both disputes alike

Of hideous length: before the cloudie Van,

Abdiel that sight endurd not, where he stood

Have raisd incessant Armies to defeat

To thee not visible, when I alone [ 145 ]

Or potent tongue; fool, not to think how vain [ 135 ]

A dreadful intervall, and Front to Front [ 105 ]