Of fighting Seraphim confusd, at length

Of Battel, open when, and when to close [ 235 ]

Dreadful combustion warring, and disturb, [ 225 ]

And visage all enflamd first thus began.

Th Arch-Angel trumpet; through the vast of Heaven

Prodigious power had shewn, and met in Armes

Wide wasting; such destruction to withstand

As each divided Legion might have seemd [ 230 ]

And limited thir might; though numberd such

And clamour such as heard in Heavn till now

Or Captive dragd in Chains, with hostile frown [ 260 ]

Of fiery Darts in flaming九-九-藏-書 volies flew,

Horrible discord, and the madding Wheeles [ 210 ]

Each Warriour single as in Chief, expert

Thus foild thir mightiest, ours joy filld, and shout, [ 200 ]

Of victorie; deeds of eternal fame [ 240 ]

Such ruin intercept: ten paces huge

Had not th Eternal King Omnipotent

Intestine War in Heavn, the arch foe subdud

A numerous Host, in strength each armed hand

Had to her Center shook. What wonder? when

Winds under ground or waters forcing way

Both Battels maine, with ruinous assault

Of Battel: whereat Michael b九*九*藏*書id sound

Nor motion of swift thought, less could his Shield

Millions of fierce encountring Angels fought [ 220 ]

A Legion; led in fight, yet Leader seemd

A standing fight, then soaring on main wing

None of retreat, no unbecoming deed

Half sunk with all his Pines. Amazement seisd

A vast circumference: At his approach

These Elements, and arm him with the force

So saying, a noble stroke he lifted high,

No equal, raunging through the dire attack

Armie against Armie numberless to raise

Surceasd, and glad as hoping here to end

Anread.99csw.comd inextinguishable rage; all Heavn

Of conflict; over head the dismal hiss

The Battel hung; till Satan, who that day

Which hung not, but so swift with tempest fell [ 190 ]

As onely in his arm the moment lay

Squadrons at once, with huge two-handed sway

Of tenfold Adamant, his ample Shield [ 255 ]

When to advance, or stand, or turn the sway

On either side, the least of whom could weild

Presage of Victorie and fierce desire

Saw where the Sword of Michael smote, and felld [ 250 ]

The ridges of grim Warr; no thought of flight,

He hasread.99csw.comted, and opposd the rockie Orb

The horrid shock: now storming furie rose,

On the proud Crest of Satan, that no sight,

Hosanna to the Highest: nor stood at gaze [ 205 ]

The Rebel Thrones, but greater rage to see

Were don, but infinite: for wide was spred

He back recoild; the tenth on bended knee

Conflicting Fire: long time in eeven scale [ 245 ]

That Warr and various; somtimes on firm ground

Sidelong, had pusht a Mountain from his seat

Of all thir Regions: how much more of Power

His massie Spear upstaid; as if on Earth [ 195 ]

The adve九-九-藏-書rse Legions, nor less hideous joynd

And flying vaulted either Host with fire.

The great Arch-Angel from his warlike toile

Resounded, and had Earth bin then, all Earth

So under fierie Cope together rushd [ 215 ]

Brandisht aloft the horrid edge came down

Of brazen Chariots ragd; dire was the noise

That argud fear; each on himself relid,

From his strong hold of Heavn high over-ruld

Was never, Arms on Armour clashing brayd

Though not destroy, thir happie Native seat;

Tormented all the Air; all Air seemd then

It sounded, and the faithful Armies rung