Milton, Paradise Lost, Book 6

	THE ARGUMENT

	Raphael continues to relate how Michael and Gabriel were sent forth to battel against Satanand his Angels. The first Fight describ’d: Satan and his Powers retire under Night: He calls a Councel, invents devilish Engines, which in the second dayes Fight put Michael and his Angels to some disorder; But, they at length pulling up Mountains overwhelm’d both the force and Machins of Satan: Yet the Tumult not so ending, God on the third day sends Messiah his Son, for whom he had reserv’d the glory of that Victory: Hee 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 horrour and confusion into the place of punishment prepar’d for them in the Deep: Messiah returns with triumph to his Father.

	All night the dreadless Angel unpursu’d
	Through Heav’ns wide Champain held his way, till Morn,
	Wak’t by the circling Hours, with rosie hand
	Unbarr’d the gates of Light. There is a Cave
6.5	Within the Mount of God, fast by his Throne,
	Where light and darkness in perpetual round
	Lodge and dislodge by turns, which makes through Heav’n
	Grateful vicissitude, like Day and Night;
	Light issues forth, and at the other dore
6.10	Obsequious darkness enters, till her houre
	To veile the Heav’n, though darkness there might well
	Seem twilight here; and now went forth the Morn
	Such as in highest Heav’n, arrayd in Gold
	Empyreal, from before her vanisht Night,
6.15	Shot through with orient Beams: when all the Plain	eastern
	Coverd with thick embatteld Squadrons bright,
	Chariots and flaming Armes, and fierie Steeds
	Reflecting blaze on blaze, first met his view:
	Warr he perceav’d, warr in procinct, and found
6.20	Already known what he for news had thought
	To have reported: gladly then he mixt
	Among those friendly Powers who him receav’d
	With joy and acclamations loud, that one
	That of so many Myriads fall’n, yet one
6.25	Returnd not lost: On to the sacred hill
	They led him high applauded, and present
	Before the seat supream; from whence a voice	where
	From midst a Golden Cloud thus milde was heard.

	Servant of God, well done, well hast thou fought
6.30	The better fight, who single hast maintaind
	Against revolted multitudes the Cause
	Of Truth, in word mightier then they in Armes;
	And for the testimonie of Truth hast born
	Universal reproach, far worse to beare
6.35	Then violence: for this was all thy care
	To stand approv’d in sight of God, though Worlds
	Judg’d thee perverse: the easier conquest now
	Remains thee, aided by this host of friends,	crowd
	Back on thy foes more glorious to return
6.40	Then scornd thou didst depart, and to subdue
	By force, who reason for thir Law refuse,
	Right reason for thir Law, and for thir King
	Messiah, who by right of merit Reigns.
	Go Michael of Celestial Armies Prince,
6.45	And thou in Military prowess next
	Gabriel, lead forth to Battel these my Sons
	Invincible, lead forth my armed Saints
	By Thousands and by Millions rang’d for fight;
	Equal in number to that Godless crew
6.50	Rebellious, them with Fire and hostile Arms
	Fearless assault, and to the brow of Heav’n
	Pursuing drive them out from God and bliss,
	Into thir place of punishment, the Gulf
	Of Tartarus, which ready opens wide
6.55	His fiery Chaos to receave thir fall.

	So spake the Sovran voice, and Clouds began	sovereign
	To darken all the Hill, and smoak to rowl
	In duskie wreathes, reluctant flames, the signe
	Of wrauth awak’t: nor with less dread the loud
6.60	Ethereal Trumpet from on high gan blow:
	At which command the Powers Militant,
	That stood for Heav’n, in mighty Quadrate joyn’d
	Of Union irresistible, mov’d on
	In silence thir bright Legions, to the sound
6.65	Of instrumental Harmonie that breath’d
	Heroic Ardor to advent’rous deeds
	Under thir God-like Leaders, in the Cause
	Of God and his Messiah. On they move
	Indissolubly firm; nor obvious Hill
6.70	Nor streit’ning Vale, nor Wood, nor Stream divides
	Thir perfet ranks; for high above the ground
	Thir march was, and the passive Air upbore
	Thir nimble tread, as when the total kind
	Of Birds in orderly array on wing
6.75	Came summond over Eden to receive
	Thir names of thee; so over many a tract
	Of Heav’n they march’d, and many a Province wide
	Tenfold the length of this terrene: at last	earth
	Farr in th’ Horizon to the North appeer’d
6.80	From skirt to skirt a fierie Region, stretcht
	In battailous aspect, and neerer view
	Bristl’d with upright beams innumerable
	Of rigid Spears, and Helmets throng’d, and Shields
	Various, with boastful Argument portraid,
6.85	The banded Powers of Satan hasting on
	With furious expedition; for they weend
	That self same day by fight, or by surprize
	To win the Mount of God, and on his Throne
	To set the envier of his State, the proud
6.90	Aspirer, but thir thoughts prov’d fond and vain
	In the mid way: though strange to us it seemd
	At first, that Angel should with Angel warr,
	And in fierce hosting meet, who wont to meet	accustoned to
	So oft in Festivals of joy and love
6.95	Unanimous, as sons of one great Sire
	Hymning th’ Eternal Father: but the shout
	Of Battel now began, and rushing sound
	Of onset ended soon each milder thought.
	High in the midst exalted as a God
6.100	Th’ Apostate in his Sun-bright Chariot sate	infidel
	Idol of Majesty Divine, enclos’d
	With Flaming Cherubim, and golden Shields;	angels
	Then lighted from his gorgeous Throne, for now
	’Twixt Host and Host but narrow space was left,	between armies
6.105	A dreadful intervall, and Front to Front
	Presented stood in terrible array
	Of hideous length: before the cloudie Van,
	On the rough edge of battel ere it joyn’d,	before
	Satan with vast and haughtie strides advanc’t,
6.110	Came towring, armd in Adamant and Gold;
	Abdiel that sight endur’d not, where he stood
	Among the mightiest, bent on highest deeds,
	And thus his own undaunted heart explores.

	O Heav’n! that such resemblance of the Highest
6.115	Should yet remain, where faith and realtie
	Remain not; wherefore should not strength and might
	There fail where Vertue fails, or weakest prove
	Where boldest; though to sight unconquerable?
	His puissance, trusting in th’ Almightie’s aide,
6.120	I mean to try, whose Reason I have tri’d
	Unsound and false; nor is it aught but just,
	That he who in debate of Truth hath won,
	Should win in Arms, in both disputes alike
	Victor; though brutish that contest and foule,
6.125	When Reason hath to deal with force, yet so
	Most reason is that Reason overcome.	reasonable

	So pondering, and from his armed Peers
	Forth stepping opposite, half way he met
	His daring foe, at this prevention more
6.130	Incens’t, and thus securely him defi’d.

	Proud, art thou met? thy hope was to have reacht
	The highth of thy aspiring unoppos’d,	height
	The Throne of God unguarded, and his side
	Abandond at the terror of thy Power
6.135	Or potent tongue; fool, not to think how vain
	Against th’ Omnipotent to rise in Arms;
	Who out of smallest things could without end
	Have rais’d incessant Armies to defeat
	Thy folly; or with solitarie hand
6.140	Reaching beyond all limit at one blow
	Unaided could have finisht thee, and whelmd
	Thy Legions under darkness; but thou seest
	All are not of thy Train; there be who Faith
	Prefer, and Pietie to God, though then
6.145	To thee not visible, when I alone
	Seemd in thy World erroneous to dissent
	From all: my Sect thou seest, now learn too late
	How few somtimes may know, when thousands err.

	Whom the grand foe with scornful eye askance
6.150	Thus answerd. Ill for thee, but in wisht houre
	Of my revenge, first sought for thou returnst
	From flight, seditious Angel, to receave
	Thy merited reward, the first assay	attempt
	Of this right hand provok’t, since first that tongue
6.155	Inspir’d with contradiction durst oppose	dare
	A third part of the Gods, in Synod met
	Thir Deities to assert, who while they feel
	Vigour Divine within them, can allow
	Omnipotence to none. But well thou comst
6.160	Before thy fellows, ambitious to win
	From me som Plume, that thy success may show
	Destruction to the rest: this pause between
	(Unanswerd least thou boast) to let thee know;
	At first I thought that Libertie and Heav’n
6.165	To heav’nly Soules had bin all one; but now
	I see that most through sloth had rather serve,
	Ministring Spirits, traind up in Feast and Song;
	Such hast thou arm’d, the Minstrelsie of Heav’n,
	Servilitie with freedom to contend,
6.170	As both thir deeds compar’d this day shall prove.

	To whom in brief thus Abdiel stern repli’d.
	Apostat, still thou errst, nor end wilt find	infidel
	Of erring, from the path of truth remote:
	Unjustly thou deprav’st it with the name
6.175	Of Servitude to serve whom God ordains,
	Or Nature; God and Nature bid the same,
	When he who rules is worthiest, and excells
	Them whom he governs. This is servitude,
	To serve th’ unwise, or him who hath rebelld
6.180	Against his worthier, as thine now serve thee,
	Thy self not free, but to thy self enthrall’d;	enslaved
	Yet leudly dar’st our ministring upbraid.
	Reign thou in Hell thy Kingdom, let mee serve
	In Heav’n God ever blest, and his Divine
6.185	Behests obey, worthiest to be obey’d,
	Yet Chains in Hell, not Realms expect: mean while
	From mee returnd, as erst thou saidst, from flight,	before
	This greeting on thy impious Crest receive.

	So saying, a noble stroke he lifted high,
6.190	Which hung not, but so swift with tempest fell
	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 recoild; the tenth on bended knee
6.195	His massie Spear upstaid; as if on Earth
	Winds under ground or waters forcing way
	Sidelong, had push’t a Mountain from his seat
	Half sunk with all his Pines. Amazement seis’d
	The Rebel Thrones, but greater rage to see
6.200	Thus foil’d thir mightiest, ours joy filld, and shout,
	Presage of Victorie and fierce desire
	Of Battel: whereat Michael bid sound
	Th’ Arch-Angel trumpet; through the vast of Heaven
	It sounded, and the faithful Armies rung
6.205	Hosanna to the Highest: nor stood at gaze
	The adverse Legions, nor less hideous joyn’d
	The horrid shock: now storming furie rose,
	And clamour such as heard in Heav’n till now
	Was never, Arms on Armour clashing bray’d
6.210	Horrible discord, and the madding Wheeles
	Of brazen Chariots rag’d; dire was the noise
	Of conflict; over head the dismal hiss
	Of fiery Darts in flaming volies flew,	spears
	And flying vaulted either Host with fire.	army
6.215	So under fierie Cope together rush’d	vault
	Both Battels maine, with ruinous assault
	And inextinguishable rage; all Heav’n
	Resounded, and had Earth bin then, all Earth
	Had to her Center shook. What wonder? when
6.220	Millions of fierce encountring Angels fought
	On either side, the least of whom could weild
	These Elements, and arm him with the force
	Of all thir Regions: how much more of Power
	Armie against Armie numberless to raise
6.225	Dreadful combustion warring, and disturb,
	Though not destroy, thir happie Native seat;
	Had not th’ Eternal King Omnipotent
	From his strong hold of Heav’n high over-rul’d
	And limited thir might; though numberd such
6.230	As each divided Legion might have seemd
	A numerous Host, in strength each armed hand	army
	A Legion; led in fight, yet Leader seemd
	Each Warriour single as in Chief, expert
	When to advance, or stand, or turn the sway
6.235	Of Battel, open when, and when to close
	The ridges of grim Warr; no thought of flight,
	None of retreat, no unbecoming deed
	That argu’d fear; each on himself reli’d,
	As onely in his arm the moment lay
6.240	Of victorie; deeds of eternal fame
	Were don, but infinite: for wide was spred
	That Warr and various; somtimes on firm ground
	A standing fight, then soaring on main wing
	Tormented all the Air; all Air seemd then
6.245	Conflicting Fire: long time in eeven scale
	The Battel hung; till Satan, who that day
	Prodigious power had shewn, and met in Armes
	No equal, raunging through the dire attack
	Of fighting Seraphim confus’d, at length	angels
6.250	Saw where the Sword of Michael smote, and fell’d
	Squadrons at once, with huge two-handed sway
	Brandisht aloft the horrid edge came down
	Wide wasting; such destruction to withstand
	He hasted, and oppos’d the rockie Orb
6.255	Of tenfold Adamant, his ample Shield
	A vast circumference: At his approach
	The great Arch-Angel from his warlike toile
	Surceas’d, and glad as hoping here to end
	Intestine War in Heav’n, the arch foe subdu’d	civil
6.260	Or Captive drag’d in Chains, with hostile frown
	And visage all enflam’d first thus began.

	Author of evil, unknown till thy revolt,
	Unnam’d in Heav’n, now plenteous, as thou seest
	These Acts of hateful strife, hateful to all,
6.265	Though heaviest by just measure on thy self
	And thy adherents: how hast thou disturb’d
	Heav’ns blessed peace, and into Nature brought
	Miserie, uncreated till the crime
	Of thy Rebellion? how hast thou instill’d
6.270	Thy malice into thousands, once upright
	And faithful, now prov’d false. But think not here
	To trouble Holy Rest; Heav’n casts thee out
	From all her Confines. Heav’n the seat of bliss
	Brooks not the works of violence and Warr.
6.275	Hence then, and evil go with thee along	(go) from here
	Thy ofspring, to the place of evil, Hell,
	Thou and thy wicked crew; there mingle broiles,
	Ere this avenging Sword begin thy doome,
	Or som more sudden vengeance wing’d from God
6.280	Precipitate thee with augmented paine.

	So spake the Prince of Angels; to whom thus
	The Adversarie. Nor think thou with wind
	Of airie threats to aw whom yet with deeds
	Thou canst not. Hast thou turnd the least of these
6.285	To flight, or if to fall, but that they rise
	Unvanquisht, easier to transact with mee
	That thou shouldst hope, imperious, and with threats
	To chase me hence? erre not that so shall end	from here
	The strife which thou call’st evil, but wee style
6.290	The strife of Glorie: which we mean to win,
	Or turn this Heav’n it self into the Hell
	Thou fablest, here however to dwell free,
	If not to reign: mean while thy utmost force,
	And join him nam’d Almighty to thy aid,
6.295	I flie not, but have sought thee farr and nigh.

	They ended parle, and both addresst for fight	negotiation
	Unspeakable; for who, though with the tongue	inexpressible
	Of Angels, can relate, or to what things
	Liken on Earth conspicuous, that may lift
6.300	Human imagination to such highth	height
	Of Godlike Power: for likest Gods they seemd,
	Stood they or mov’d, in stature, motion, arms
	Fit to decide the Empire of great Heav’n.
	Now wav’d thir fierie Swords, and in the Aire
6.305	Made horrid Circles; two broad Suns thir Shields
	Blaz’d opposite, while expectation stood
	In horror; from each hand with speed retir’d
	Where erst was thickest fight, th’ Angelic throng,	first
	And left large field, unsafe within the wind
6.310	Of such commotion, such as to set forth
	Great things by small, If Natures concord broke,
	Among the Constellations warr were sprung,
	Two Planets rushing from aspect maligne
	Of fiercest opposition in mid Skie,
6.315	Should combat, and thir jarring Sphears confound.
	Together both with next to Almightie Arme,
	Uplifted imminent one stroke they aim’d
	That might determine, and not need repeate,
	As not of power, at once; nor odds appeerd
6.320	In might or swift prevention; but the sword
	Of Michael from the Armorie of God
	Was giv’n him temperd so, that neither keen
	Nor solid might resist that edge: it met
	The sword of Satan with steep force to smite
6.325	Descending, and in half cut sheere, nor staid,
	But with swift wheele reverse, deep entring shar’d
	All his right side; then Satan first knew pain,
	And writh’ d him to and fro convolv’d; so sore
	The griding sword with discontinuous wound
6.330	Passd through him, but th’ Ethereal substance clos’d
	Not long divisible, and from the gash
	A stream of Nectarous humor issuing flow’d	liquid
	Sanguin, such as Celestial Spirits may bleed,
	And all his Armour staind ere while so bright.	before
6.335	Forthwith on all sides to his aide was run
	By Angels many and strong, who interpos’d
	Defence, while others bore him on thir Shields
	Back to his Chariot; where it stood retir’d
	From off the files of warr; there they him laid
6.340	Gnashing for anguish and despite and shame
	To find himself not matchless, and his pride
	Humbl’d by such rebuke, so farr beneath
	His confidence to equal God in power.
	Yet soon he heal’d; for Spirits that live throughout
6.345	Vital in every part, not as frail man
	In Entrailes, Heart or Head, Liver or Reines;
	Cannot but by annihilating die;
	Nor in thir liquid texture mortal wound
	Receive, no more then can the fluid Aire:
6.350	All Heart they live, all Head, all Eye, all Eare,
	All Intellect, all Sense, and as they please,
	They Limb themselves, and colour, shape or size
	Assume, as likes them best, condense or rare.

	Mean while in other parts like deeds deservd
6.355	Memorial, where the might of Gabriel fought,
	And with fierce Ensignes pierc’d the deep array
	Of Moloc furious King, who him defi’d
	And at his Chariot wheeles to drag him bound
	Threatn’d, nor from the Holie One of Heav’n
6.360	Refrein’d his tongue blasphemous; but anon	soon
	Down clov’n to the waste, with shatterd Armes
	And uncouth paine fled bellowing. On each wing	unfamiliar
	Uriel and Raphael his vaunting foe,
	Though huge, and in a Rock of Diamond Armd,
6.365	Vanquish’d Adramelec, and Asmadai,
	Two potent Thrones, that to be less then Gods
	Disdain’d, but meaner thoughts learnd in thir flight,
	Mangl’d with gastly wounds through Plate and Maile,
	Nor stood unmindful Abdiel to annoy
6.370	The Atheist crew, but with redoubl’d blow
	Ariel and Arioc, and the violence
	Of Ramiel scorcht and blasted overthrew.
	I might relate of thousands, and thir names
	Eternize here on Earth; but those elect
6.375	Angels contented with thir fame in Heav’n	reputation
	Seek not the praise of men: the other sort
	In might though wondrous and in Acts of Warr,
	Nor of Renown less eager, yet by doome
	Canceld from Heav’n and sacred memorie,
6.380	Nameless in dark oblivion let them dwell.
	For strength from Truth divided and from Just,
	Illaudable, naught merits but dispraise	unworthy of praise
	And ignominie, yet to glorie aspires	disgrace
	Vain glorious, and through infamie seeks fame:
6.385	Therfore Eternal silence be thir doome.

	And now thir Mightiest quelld, the battel swerv’d,
	With many an inrode gor’d; deformed rout
	Enter’d, and foul disorder; all the ground
	With shiverd armour strow’n, and on a heap
6.390	Chariot and Charioter lay overturnd
	And fierie foaming Steeds; what stood, recoyld
	Orewearied, through the faint Satanic Host	army
	Defensive scarse, or with pale fear surpris’d,
	Then first with fear surpris’d and sense of paine
6.395	Fled ignominious, to such evil brought
	By sin of disobedience, till that hour
	Not liable to fear or flight or paine.
	Far otherwise th’ inviolable Saints
	In Cubic Phalanx firm advanc’t entire,
6.400	Invulnerable, impenitrably arm’d:
	Such high advantages thir innocence
	Gave them above thir foes, not to have sinnd,
	Not to have disobei’d; in fight they stood
	Unwearied, unobnoxious to be pain’d
6.405	By wound, though from thir place by violence mov’d.

	Now Night her course began, and over Heav’n
	Inducing darkness, grateful truce impos’d,
	And silence on the odious dinn of Warr:
	Under her Cloudie covert both retir’d,
6.410	Victor and Vanquisht: on the foughten field
	Michael and his Angels prevalent
	Encamping, plac’d in Guard thir Watches round,
	Cherubic waving fires: on th’ other part	angelic
	Satan with his rebellious disappeerd,
6.415	Far in the dark dislodg’d, and void of rest,
	His Potentates to Councel call’d by night;
	And in the midst thus undismai’d began.

	O now in danger tri’d, now known in Armes
	Not to be overpowerd, Companions deare,
6.420	Found worthy not of Libertie alone,
	Too mean pretense, but what we more affect,
	Honour, Dominion, Glorie, and renowne,
	Who have sustaind one day in doubtful fight
	(And if one day, why not Eternal dayes?)
6.425	What Heavens Lord had powerfullest to send
	Against us from about his Throne, and judg’d
	Sufficient to subdue us to his will,
	But proves not so: then fallible, it seems,
	Of future we may deem him, though till now
6.430	Omniscient thought. True is, less firmly arm’d,
	Some disadvantage we endur’d and paine,
	Till now not known, but known as soon contemnd,
	Since now we find this our Empyreal form
	Incapable of mortal injurie
6.435	Imperishable, and though pierc’d with wound,
	Soon closing, and by native vigour heal’d.
	Of evil then so small as easie think
	The remedie; perhaps more valid Armes,
	Weapons more violent, when next we meet,
6.440	May serve to better us, and worse our foes,
	Or equal what between us made the odds,
	In Nature none: if other hidden cause
	Left them Superiour, while we can preserve
	Unhurt our mindes, and understanding sound,
6.445	Due search and consultation will disclose.

	He sat; and in th’ assembly next upstood
	Nisroc, of Principalities the prime;
	As one he stood escap’t from cruel fight,
	Sore toild, his riv’n Armes to havoc hewn,
6.450	And cloudie in aspect thus answering spake.
	Deliverer from new Lords, leader to free
	Enjoyment of our right as Gods; yet hard
	For Gods, and too unequal work we find
	Against unequal arms to fight in paine,
6.455	Against unpaind, impassive; from which evil
	Ruin must needs ensue; for what availes
	Valour or strength, though matchless, quelld with pain
	Which all subdues, and makes remiss the hands
	Of Mightiest. Sense of pleasure we may well
6.460	Spare out of life perhaps, and not repine,
	But live content, which is the calmest life:
	But pain is perfet miserie, the worst
	Of evils, and excessive, overturnes
	All patience. He who therefore can invent
6.465	With what more forcible we may offend
	Our yet unwounded Enemies, or arme
	Our selves with like defence, to me deserves
	No less then for deliverance what we owe.

	Whereto with look compos’d Satan repli’d.
6.470	Not uninvented that, which thou aright
	Believst so main to our success, I bring;
	Which of us who beholds the bright surface
	Of this Ethereous mould whereon we stand,
	This continent of spacious Heav’n, adornd
6.475	With Plant, Fruit, Flour Ambrosial, Gemms & Gold,
	Whose Eye so superficially surveyes
	These things, as not to mind from whence they grow	where
	Deep under ground, materials dark and crude,
	Of spiritous and fierie spume, till toucht
6.480	With Heav’ns ray, and temperd they shoot forth
	So beauteous, op’ning to the ambient light.
	These in thir dark Nativitie the Deep
	Shall yield us pregnant with infernal flame,
	Which into hallow Engins long and round
6.485	Thick-rammd, at th’ other bore with touch of fire
	Dilated and infuriate shall send forth
	From far with thundring noise among our foes
	Such implements of mischief as shall dash
	To pieces, and orewhelm whatever stands
6.490	Adverse, that they shall fear we have disarmd
	The Thunderer of his only dreaded bolt.
	Nor long shall be our labour, yet ere dawne,	before
	Effect shall end our wish. Mean while revive;
	Abandon fear; to strength and counsel joind
6.495	Think nothing hard, much less to be despaird.
	He ended, and his words thir drooping chere
	Enlightn’d, and thir languisht hope reviv’d.
	Th’ invention all admir’d, and each, how hee
	To be th’ inventor miss’d, so easie it seemd
6.500	Once found, which yet unfound most would have thought
	Impossible: yet haply of thy Race
	In future dayes, if Malice should abound,
	Some one intent on mischief, or inspir’d
	With dev’lish machination might devise
6.505	Like instrument to plague the Sons of men
	For sin, on warr and mutual slaughter bent.
	Forthwith from Councel to the work they flew,
	None arguing stood, innumerable hands
	Were ready, in a moment up they turnd
6.510	Wide the Celestial soile, and saw beneath
	Th’ originals of Nature in thir crude
	Conception; Sulphurous and Nitrous Foame
	They found, they mingl’d, and with suttle Art,	skill
	Concocted and adusted they reduc’d
6.515	To blackest grain, and into store convey’d:
	Part hidd’n veins diggd up (nor hath this Earth
	Entrails unlike) of Mineral and Stone,
	Whereof to found thir Engins and thir Balls
	Of missive ruin; part incentive reed	inflammable
6.520	Provide, pernicious with one touch to fire.
	So all ere day-spring, under conscious Night	before
	Secret they finish’d, and in order set,
	With silent circumspection unespi’d.
	Now when fair Morn Orient in Heav’n appeerd	eastern
6.525	Up rose the Victor Angels, and to Arms
	The matin Trumpet Sung: in Arms they stood
	Of Golden Panoplie, refulgent Host,	armor — shining — army
	Soon banded; others from the dawning Hills
	Lookd round, and Scouts each Coast light-armed scoure,
6.530	Each quarter, to descrie the distant foe,
	Where lodg’d, or whither fled, or if for fight,
	In motion or in alt: him soon they met
	Under spred Ensignes moving nigh, in slow	near
	But firm Battalion; back with speediest Sail
6.535	Zophiel, of Cherubim the swiftest wing,	angels
	Came flying, and in mid Aire aloud thus cri’d.

	Arme, Warriours, Arme for fight, the foe at hand,
	Whom fled we thought, will save us long pursuit
	This day, fear not his flight; so thick a Cloud
6.540	He comes, and settl’d in his face I see
	Sad resolution and secure: let each
	His Adamantine coat gird well, and each
	Fit well his Helme, gripe fast his orbed Shield,
	Born eevn or high, for this day will pour down,
6.545	If I conjecture aught, no drizling showr,
	But ratling storm of Arrows barbd with fire.
	So warnd he them aware themselves, and soon
	In order, quit of all impediment;
	Instant without disturb they took Allarm,
6.550	And onward move Embattelld; when behold
	Not distant far with heavie pace the Foe
	Approaching gross and huge; in hollow Cube
	Training his devilish Enginrie, impal’d
	On every side with shaddowing Squadrons Deep,
6.555	To hide the fraud. At interview both stood
	A while, but suddenly at head appeerd
	Satan: And thus was heard Commanding loud.

	Vanguard, to Right and Left the Front unfould;
	That all may see who hate us, how we seek
6.560	Peace and composure, and with open brest
	Stand readie to receive them, if they like
	Our overture, and turn not back perverse;
	But that I doubt, however witness Heaven,
	Heav’n witness thou anon, while we discharge	now
6.565	Freely our part; yee who appointed stand
	Do as you have in charge, and briefly touch
	What we propound, and loud that all may hear.

	So scoffing in ambiguous words he scarce
	Had ended; when to Right and Left the Front
6.570	Divided, and to either Flank retir’d.
	Which to our eyes discoverd new and strange,	revealed
	A triple mounted row of Pillars laid
	On Wheels (for like to Pillars most they seem’d
	Or hollow’d bodies made of Oak or Firr
6.575	With branches lopt, in Wood or Mountain fell’d)
	Brass, Iron, Stonie mould, had not thir mouthes
	With hideous orifice gap’t on us wide,
	Portending hollow truce; at each behind
	A Seraph stood, and in his hand a Reed	angel
6.580	Stood waving tipt with fire; while we suspense,
	Collected stood within our thoughts amus’d,
	Not long, for sudden all at once thir Reeds
	Put forth, and to a narrow vent appli’d
	With nicest touch. Immediate in a flame,
6.585	But soon obscur’d with smoak, all Heav’n appeerd,
	From those deep throated Engins belcht, whose roar
	Emboweld with outragious noise the Air,
	And all her entrails tore, disgorging foule
	Thir devilish glut, chaind Thunderbolts and Hail
6.590	Of Iron Globes, which on the Victor Host	army
	Level’d, with such impetuous furie smote,
	That whom they hit, none on thir feet might stand,
	Though standing else as Rocks, but down they fell
	By thousands, Angel on Arch-Angel rowl’d;
6.595	The sooner for thir Arms, unarm’d they might
	Have easily as Spirits evaded swift
	By quick contraction or remove; but now
	Foule dissipation follow’d and forc’t rout;
6.600	Nor serv’d it to relax thir serried files.
	What should they do? if on they rusht, repulse
	Repeated, and indecent overthrow
	Doubl’d, would render them yet more despis’d,
	And to thir foes a laughter; for in view
	Stood rankt of Seraphim another row	angel
6.605	In posture to displode thir second tire
	Of Thunder: back defeated to return
	They worse abhorr’d. Satan beheld thir plight,
	And to his Mates thus in derision call’d.

	O Friends, why come not on these Victors proud?
6.610	Ere while they fierce were coming, and when wee,
	To entertain them fair with open Front
	And Brest, (what could we more?) propounded terms
	Of composition, strait they chang’d thir minds,	immediately
	Flew off, and into strange vagaries fell,
6.615	As they would dance, yet for a dance they seemd
	Somwhat extravagant and wilde, perhaps
	For joy of offerd peace: but I suppose
	If our proposals once again were heard
	We should compel them to a quick result.

6.620	To whom thus Belial in like gamesom mood,
	Leader, the terms we sent were terms of weight,
	Of hard contents, and full of force urg’d home,
	Such as we might perceive amus’d them all,
	And stumbl’d many, who receives them right,
6.625	Had need from head to foot well understand;
	Not understood, this gift they have besides,
	They shew us when our foes walk not upright.

	So they among themselves in pleasant veine
	Stood scoffing, highthn’d in thir thoughts beyond	heightened
6.630	All doubt of victorie, eternal might
	To match with thir inventions they presum’d
	So easie, and of his Thunder made a scorn,
	And all his Host derided, while they stood	army
	A while in trouble; but they stood not long,
6.635	Rage prompted them at length, and found them arms
	Against such hellish mischief fit to oppose.
	Forthwith (behold the excellence, the power
	Which God hath in his mighty Angels plac’d)
	Thir Arms away they threw, and to the Hills
6.640	(For Earth hath this variety from Heav’n
	Of pleasure situate in Hill and Dale)
	Light as the Lightning glimps they ran, they flew,
	From thir foundations loosning to and fro
	They pluckt the seated Hills with all thir load,
6.645	Rocks, Waters, Woods, and by the shaggie tops
	Up lifting bore them in thir hands: Amaze,
	Be sure, and terrour seis’d the rebel Host,	army
	When coming towards them so dread they saw
	The bottom of the Mountains upward turn’d,
6.650	Till on those cursed Engins triple-row
	They saw them whelm’d, and all thir confidence
	Under the weight of Mountains buried deep,
	Themselves invaded next, and on thir heads
	Main Promontories flung, which in the Air
6.655	Came shadowing, and opprest whole Legions arm’d,
	Thir armor help’d thir harm, crush’t in and bruis’d
	Into thir substance pent, which wrought them pain
	Implacable, and many a dolorous groan,
	Long strugling underneath, ere they could wind	before
6.660	Out of such prison, though Spirits of purest light,
	Purest at first, now gross by sinning grown.
	The rest in imitation to like Armes
	Betook them, and the neighbouring Hills uptore;
	So Hills amid the Air encounterd Hills
6.665	Hurl’d to and fro with jaculation dire,
	That under ground, they fought in dismal shade;
	Infernal noise; Warr seem’d a civil Game
	To this uproar; horrid confusion heapt	ruin
	Upon confusion rose: and now all Heav’n	ruin
6.670	Had gone to wrack, with ruin overspred,
	Had not th’ Almightie Father where he sits
	Shrin’d in his Sanctuarie of Heav’n secure,
	Consulting on the sum of things, foreseen
	This tumult, and permitted all, advis’d:
6.675	That his great purpose he might so fulfill,
	To honour his Anointed Son aveng’d
	Upon his enemies, and to declare
	All power on him transferr’d: whence to his Son	from where
	Th’ Assessor of his Throne he thus began.

6.680	Effulgence of my Glorie, Son belov’d,
	Son in whose face invisible is beheld
	Visibly, what by Deitie I am,
	And in whose hand what by Decree I doe,
	Second Omnipotence, two dayes are past,
6.685	Two dayes, as we compute the dayes of Heav’n,
	Since Michael and his Powers went forth to tame
	These disobedient; sore hath been thir fight,
	As likeliest was, when two such Foes met arm’d;
	For to themselves I left them, and thou knowst,
6.690	Equal in thir Creation they were form’d,
	Save what sin hath impaird, which yet hath wrought
	Insensibly, for I suspend thir doom;
	Whence in perpetual fight they needs must last	from where
	Endless, and no solution will be found:
6.695	Warr wearied hath perform’d what Warr can do,
	And to disorder’d rage let loose the reines,
	With Mountains as with Weapons arm’d, which makes
	Wild work in Heav’n, and dangerous to the maine.
	Two dayes are therefore past, the third is thine;
6.700	For thee I have ordain’d it, and thus farr
	Have sufferd, that the Glorie may be thine
	Of ending this great Warr, since none but Thou
	Can end it. Into thee such Vertue and Grace
	Immense I have transfus’d, that all may know
6.705	In Heav’n and Hell thy Power above compare,
	And this perverse Commotion governd thus,
	To manifest thee worthiest to be Heir
	Of all things, to be Heir and to be King
	By Sacred Unction, thy deserved right.
6.710	Go then thou Mightiest in thy Fathers might,
	Ascend my Chariot, guide the rapid Wheeles
	That shake Heav’ns basis, bring forth all my Warr,
	My Bow and Thunder, my Almightie Arms
	Gird on, and Sword upon thy puissant Thigh;
6.715	Pursue these sons of Darkness, drive them out
	From all Heav’ns bounds into the utter Deep:
	There let them learn, as likes them, to despise
	God and Messiah his anointed King.

	He said, and on his Son with Rayes direct
6.720	Shon full, he all his Father full exprest
	Ineffably into his face receiv’d,
	And thus the filial Godhead answering spake.

	O Father, O Supream of heav’nly Thrones,
	First, Highest, Holiest, Best, thou alwayes seekst
6.725	To glorifie thy Son, I alwayes thee,
	As is most just; this I my Glorie account,
	My exaltation, and my whole delight,
	That thou in me well pleas’d, declarst thy will
	Fulfill’d, which to fulfil is all my bliss.
6.730	Scepter and Power, thy giving, I assume,
	And gladlier shall resign, when in the end
	Thou shalt be All in All, and I in thee
	For ever, and in mee all whom thou lov’st:
	But whom thou hat’st, I hate, and can put on
6.735	Thy terrors, as I put thy mildness on,
	Image of thee in all things; and shall soon,
	Armd with thy might, rid heav’n of these rebell’d,
	To thir prepar’d ill Mansion driven down
	To chains of darkness, and th’ undying Worm,
6.740	That from thy just obedience could revolt,
	Whom to obey is happiness entire.
	Then shall thy Saints unmixt, and from th’ impure
	Farr separate, circling thy holy Mount
	Unfeigned Halleluiahs to thee sing,
6.745	Hymns of high praise, and I among them chief.
	So said, he o’re his Scepter bowing, rose
	From the right hand of Glorie where he sate,
	And the third sacred Morn began to shine
	Dawning through Heav’n: forth rush’d with whirl-wind sound
6.750	The Chariot of Paternal Deitie,
	Flashing thick flames, Wheele within Wheele, undrawn,
	It self instinct with Spirit, but convoyd
	By four Cherubic shapes, four Faces each	angelic
	Had wondrous, as with Starrs thir bodies all
6.755	And Wings were set with Eyes, with Eyes the wheels
	Of Beril, and careering Fires between;
	Over thir heads a chrystal Firmament,
	Whereon a Saphir Throne, inlaid with pure
	Amber, and colours of the showrie Arch.
6.760	Hee in Celestial Panoplie all armd
	Of radiant Urim, work divinely wrought,
	Ascended, at his right hand Victorie
	Sate Eagle-wing’d, beside him hung his Bow
	And Quiver with three-bolted Thunder stor’d,
6.765	And from about him fierce Effusion rowld
	Of smoak and bickering flame, and sparkles dire;
	Attended with ten thousand thousand Saints,
	He onward came, farr off his coming shon,
	And twentie thousand (I thir number heard)
6.770	Chariots of God, half on each hand were seen:
	Hee on the wings of Cherub rode sublime	angel
	On the Chrystallin Skie, in Saphir Thron’d.
	Illustrious farr and wide, but by his own
	First seen, them unexpected joy surpriz’d,
6.775	When the great Ensign of Messiah blaz’d
	Aloft by Angels born, his Sign in Heav’n:
	Under whose Conduct Michael soon reduc’d
	His Armie, circumfus’d on either Wing,
	Under thir Head imbodied all in one.
6.780	Before him Power Divine his way prepar’d;
	At his command the uprooted Hills retir’d
	Each to his place, they heard his voice and went
	Obsequious, Heav’n his wonted face renewd,	servile — usual
	And with fresh Flourets Hill and Valley smil’d.
6.785	This saw his hapless Foes but stood obdur’d,
	And to rebellious fight rallied thir Powers
	Insensate, hope conceiving from despair.
	In heav’nly Spirits could such perverseness dwell?
	But to convince the proud what Signs availe,
6.790	Or Wonders move th’ obdurate to relent?
	They hard’nd more by what might most reclame,
	Grieving to see his Glorie, at the sight
	Took envie, and aspiring to his highth,	height
	Stood reimbattell’d fierce, by force or fraud
6.795	Weening to prosper, and at length prevaile
	Against God and Messiah, or to fall
	In universal ruin last, and now
	To final Battel drew, disdaining flight,
	Or faint retreat; when the great Son of God
6.800	To all his Host on either hand thus spake.	troops

	Stand still in bright array ye Saints, here stand
	Ye Angels arm’d, this day from Battel rest;
	Faithful hath been your warfare, and of God
	Accepted, fearless in his righteous Cause,
6.805	And as ye have receivd, so have ye don
	Invincibly; but of this cursed crew
	The punishment to other hand belongs,
	Vengeance is his, or whose he sole appoints;
	Number to this dayes work is not ordain’d
6.810	Nor multitude, stand onely and behold
	Gods indignation on these Godless pourd
	By mee, not you but mee they have despis’d,
	Yet envied; against mee is all thir rage,
	Because the Father, t’ whom in Heav’n supream
6.815	Kingdom and Power and Glorie appertains,
	Hath honourd me according to his will.
	Therefore to mee thir doom he hath assig’n’d;
	That they may have thir wish, to trie with mee
	In Battel which the stronger proves, they all,
6.820	Or I alone against them, since by strength
	They measure all, of other excellence
	Not emulous, nor care who them excells;
	Nor other strife with them do I voutsafe.

	So spake the Son, and into terrour chang’d
6.825	His count’nance too severe to be beheld
	And full of wrauth bent on his Enemies.
	At once the Four spred out thir Starrie wings
	With dreadful shade contiguous, and the Orbes
	Of his fierce Chariot rowld, as with the sound
6.830	Of torrent Floods, or of a numerous Host.	army
	Hee on his impious Foes right onward drove,
	Gloomie as Night; under his burning Wheeles
	The stedfast Empyrean shook throughout,
	All but the Throne it self of God. Full soon
6.835	Among them he arriv’d; in his right hand
	Grasping ten thousand Thunders, which he sent
	Before him, such as in thir Soules infix’d
	Plagues; they astonisht all resistance lost,
	All courage; down thir idle weapons drop’d;
6.840	O’re Shields and Helmes, and helmed heads he rode
	Of Thrones and mighty Seraphim prostrate,	angels
	That wisht the Mountains now might be again
	Thrown on them as a shelter from his ire.
	Nor less on either side tempestuous fell
6.845	His arrows, from the fourfold-visag’d Foure,
	Distinct with eyes, and from the living Wheels,
	Distinct alike with multitude of eyes,
	One Spirit in them rul’d, and every eye
	Glar’d lightning, and shot forth pernicious fire
6.850	Among th’ accurst, that witherd all thir strength,
	And of thir wonted vigour left them draind,	usual
	Exhausted, spiritless, afflicted, fall’n.
	Yet half his strength he put not forth, but check’d	held back
	His Thunder in mid Volie, for he meant
6.855	Not to destroy, but root them out of Heav’n:
	The overthrown he rais’d, and as a Heard
	Of Goats or timerous flock together throngd
	Drove them before him Thunder-struck, pursu’d
	With terrors and with furies to the bounds
6.860	And Chrystal wall of Heav’n, which op’ning wide,
	Rowld inward, and a spacious Gap disclos’d
	Into the wastful Deep; the monstrous sight
	Strook them with horror backward, but far worse
	Urg’d them behind; headlong themselves they threw
6.865	Down from the verge of Heav’n, Eternal wrauth
	Burnt after them to the bottomless pit.

	Hell heard th’ unsufferable noise, Hell saw
	Heav’n ruining from Heav’n and would have fled
	Affrighted; but strict Fate had cast too deep
6.870	Her dark foundations, and too fast had bound.
	Nine dayes they fell; confounded Chaos roard,
	And felt tenfold confusion in thir fall	ruin
	Through his wilde Anarchie, so huge a rout
	Incumberd him with ruin: Hell at last
6.875	Yawning receavd them whole, and on them clos’d,
	Hell thir fit habitation fraught with fire
	Unquenchable, the house of woe and paine.
	Disburdnd Heav’n rejoic’d, and soon repaird
	Her mural breach, returning whence it rowld.	of a wall — from where
6.880	Sole Victor from th’ expulsion of his Foes
	Messiah his triumphal Chariot turnd:
	To meet him all his Saints, who silent stood
	Eye witnesses of his Almightie Acts,
	With Jubilie advanc’d; and as they went,
6.885	Shaded with branching Palme, each order bright,
	Sung Triumph, and him sung Victorious King,
	Son, Heir, and Lord, to him Dominion giv’n,
	Worthiest to Reign: he celebrated rode
	Triumphant through mid Heav’n, into the Courts
6.890	And Temple of his mightie Father Thron’d
	On high: who into Glorie him receav’d,
	Where now he sits at the right hand of bliss.

	Thus measuring things in Heav’n by things on Earth
	At thy request, and that thou maist beware
6.895	By what is past, to thee I have reveal’d
	What might have else to human Race bin hid;
	The discord which befel, and Warr in Heav’n
	Among th’ Angelic Powers, and the deep fall
	Of those too high aspiring, who rebelld
6.900	With Satan, hee who envies now thy state,
	Who now is plotting how he may seduce
	Thee also from obedience, that with him
	Bereavd of happiness thou maist partake
	His punishment, Eternal miserie;
6.905	Which would be all his solace and revenge,
	As a despite don against the most High,
	Thee once to gaine Companion of his woe.
	But list’n not to his Temptations, warne
	Thy weaker; let it profit thee to have heard
6.910	By terrible Example the reward
	Of disobedience; firm they might have stood,
	Yet fell; remember, and fear to transgress.

	The End of the Sixth Book.

Paradise Lost
Book 6

John Milton

Edited by Jack Lynch

THE ARGUMENT

The End of the Sixth Book.

Notes

Paradise Lost Book 6

John Milton

Edited by Jack Lynch

THE ARGUMENT

The End of the Sixth Book.

Notes

Paradise Lost
Book 6