5
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 recoild; the tenth on bended knee
His massie Spear upstaid; as if on Earth [ 195 ]
Winds under ground or waters forcing way
Sidelong, had pusht a Mountain from his seat
Half sunk with all his Pines. Amazement seisd
The Rebel Thrones, but greater rage to see
Thus foild thir mightiest, ours joy filld, and shout, [ 200 ]
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
Hosanna to the Highest: nor stood at gaze [ 205 ]
The adverse Legions, nor less hideous joynd
The horrid shock: now storming furie rose,
And clamour such as heard in Heavn till now
Was never, Arms on Armour clashing brayd
Horrible discord, and the madding Wheeles [ 210 ]
Of brazen Chariots ragd; dire was the noise
Of conflict; over head the dismal hiss
Of fiery Darts in flaming volies flew,
And flying vaulted either Host with fire.
So under fierie Cope together rushd [ 215 ]
Both Battels maine, with ruinous assault
And inextinguishable rage; all Heavn
Resounded, and had Earth bin then, all Earth
Had to her Center shook. What wonder? when
Millions of fierce encountring Angels fought [ 220 ]
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
Dreadful combustion warring, and disturb, [ 225 ]
Though not destroy, thir happie Native seat;
Had not th Eternal King Omnipotent
From his strong hold of Heavn high over-ruld
And limited thir might; though numberd such
As each divided Legion might have seemd [ 230 ]
A numerous Host, in strength each armed hand
A Legion; led in fight, yet Leader seemd
Each Warriour single as in Chief, expert
When to advance, or stand, or turn the sway
Of Battel, open when, and when to close [ 235 ]
The ridges of grim Warr; no thought of flight,
None of retreat, no unbecoming deed
That argud fear; each on himself relid,
As onely in his arm the moment lay
Of victorie; deeds of eternal fame [ 240 ]
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
Conflicting Fire: long time in eeven scale [ 245 ]
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 confusd, at length
Saw where the Sword of Michael smote, and felld [ 250 ]
Squadrons at once, with huge two-handed sway
Brandisht aloft the horrid edge came down
Wide wasting; such destruction to withstand
He hasted, and opposd the rockie Orb
Of tenfold Adamant, his ample Shield [ 255 ]
A vast circumference: At his approach
The great Arch-Angel from his warlike toile
Surceasd, and glad as hoping here to end
Intestine War in Heavn, the arch foe subdud
Or Captive dragd in Chains, with hostile frown [ 260 ]
And visage all enflamd first thus began.