Yet, by experience taught, we know how good, And of our good and of our dignity
How provident he is; how far from thought To make us less, bent rather to exalt
Our happy state, under one head more near United. But to grant it thee unjust,
That equal over equals monarch reign: Thyself, though great and glorious, dost thou count, Or all angelick nature join'd in one,
Equal to him begotten Son? by whom,
As by his Word, the Mighty Father made
All things, even thee; and all the Spirits of Heaven By him created in their bright degrees,
Crown'd them with glory, and to their glory nam'd Thrones, Dominations, Princedoms, Virtues, Powers, Essential Powers; nor by his reign obscur❜d, But more illustrious made; since he the head One of our number thus reduc'd becomes; His laws our laws; all honour to him done Returns our own. Cease then this impious rage, And tempt not these; but hasten to appease The incensed Father, and the incensed Son, While pardon may be found in time besought. So spake the fervent Angel; but his zeal None seconded, as out of season judg'd,
Or singular and rash: Whereat rejoic'd
The Apostate, and, more haughty, thus replied. That we were form'd then say'st thou ? and the work
Of secondary hands, by task transferr'd
From Father to his Son? strange point and new! Doctrine which we would know whence learn'd:
When this creation was? remember'st thou
Thy making, while the Maker gave thee being? We know no time when we were not as now; Know none before us, self-begot, self-rais'd By our own quickening power, when fatal course Had circled his full orb, the birth mature Of this our native Heaven, ethereal sons. Our puissance is our own; our own right hand Shall teach us highest deeds, by proof to try Who is our equal: Then thou shalt behold Whether by supplication we intend
Address, and to begirt the almighty throne Beseeching or besieging. This report, These tidings carry to the anointed King; And fly, ere evil intercept thy flight.
He said; and, as the sound of waters deep, Hoarse murmur echo'd to his words applause Through the infinite host; nor less for that The flaming Seraph fearless, though alone Encompass'd round with foes, thus answer'd bold. O alienate from God, O Spirit accurs'd, Forsaken of all good! I see thy fall Determin'd, and thy hapless crew involv'd In this perfidious fraud, contagion spread
Both of thy crime and punishment: Henceforth No more be troubled how to quit the yoke Of God's Messiah; those indulgent laws Will not be now vouchsaf'd; other decrees Against thee are gone forth without recall; That golden scepter, which thou didst reject, Is now an iron rod to bruise and break Thy disobedience. Well thou didst advise; Yet not for thy advice or threats I fly These wicked tents devoted, lest the wrath 'Impendent, raging into sudden flame, Distinguish not: For soon expect to feel His thunder on thy head, devouring fire. Then who created thee lamenting learn, When who can uncreate thee thou shalt know. So spake the Seraph Abdiel, faithful found Among the faithless, faithful only he; Among innumerable false, unmov'd, Unshaken, unseduc'd, unterrified,
His loyalty he kept, his love, his zeal;
Nor number, nor example, with him wrought
To swerve from truth, or change his constant mind, Though single. From amidst them forth he pass'd, Long way through hostile scorn, which he sustain'd Superiour, nor of violence fear'd aught;
And, with retorted scorn, his back he turn'd On those proud towers to swift destruction doom'd. 907
END OF THE FIFTH BOOK.
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