We have the full majesty of Homer in this short description, improved by the imagination of Claudian, without its puerilities. I need not point out the description of the fallen angels seeing the promontories hanging over their heads in such a dreadful manner, with the other numberless beauties in this book, which are so conspicuous, that they cannot escape the notice of the most ordinary reader. There are indeed so many wonderful strokes of poetry in this book, and such a variety of sublime ideas, that it would have been impossible to have given them a place within the bounds of this paper. In a word, Milton's genius, which was so great in itself, and so strengthened by all the helps of learning, appears in this book every way equal to his subject, which was the most sublime that could enter into the thoughts of a poet. As he knew all the arts of affecting the mind, he has given it certain resting-places, and opportunities of recovering itself from time to time; several speeches, reflections, similitudes, and the like reliefs, being interspersed to diversify his narration, and ease the attention of the reader. ADDISON. RAPHAEL continues to relate how Michael and Gabriel were sent forth to battel against Satan and his angels. The first fight described. Satan and his powers retire under night: he calls a council; invents devilish engines, which, in the second day's fight, put Michael and his angels to some disorder; but they at length, pulling up mountains, overwhelmed both the force and machines of Satan: yet, the tumult not so ending, God on the third day sends Messiah his Son, for whom he had reserved the glory of that victory. He, 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 prepared for them in the deep. Messiah returns with triumph to his Father. way; ALL night the dreadless angel, unpursued, till Morn, Lodge and dislodge by turns, which makes through heaven 5 Light issues forth, and at the other door Obsequious darkness enters, till her hour 10 To veil the heaven, though darkness there might well Seem twilight here: and now went forth the Morn, Empyreal: from before her vanish'd Night, Shot through, with orient beams; when all the plain, Cover'd with thick embattel'd squadrons bright, 15 20 used, before going into the battle, to gird their flowing garments close about them. Hence the figurative allusion of the apostle, "Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind:" that is, be ready to "fight the good fight of faith." 1 Peter i. 13. That of so many myriads fallen, yet one Of truth, in word mightier than they in arms; To stand approved in sight of God, though worlds By thousands and by millions, ranged for fight, So spake the Sovran Voice, and clouds began To darken all the hill, and smoke to roll That stood for heaven, in mighty quadrate join'd In silence their bright legions, to the sound 65 Under their godlike leaders, in the cause Indissolubly firm; nor obvious hill, Nor straitening vale, nor wood, nor stream, divides 29. Abdiel signifies servant of God in the Hebrew. 58. Reluctant flames. The word reluctant is here used in the sense of its 70 original Latin, reluctari, "to struggle against," implying a most violent exertion of the fire to break through the smoke and clouds that envelop it. Their march was, and the passive air upbore Their names of thee; so over many a tract Of heaven they march'd, and many a province wide, Far in the horizon to the north appear'd From skirt to skirt a fiery region, stretch'd Bristled with upright beams innumerable 75 80 Of rigid spears, and helmets throng'd, and shields With flaming cherubim and golden shields; Then lighted from his gorgeous throne, for now Of hideous length. Before the cloudy van, O heaven! that such resemblance of the Highest Remain not: wherefore should not strength and might 76. Of thee, that is, of Adam, to whom Raphael is continuing the narration. $1. This image is amazing, picturesque, and magnificent.-BRYDGES. 85 90 95 100 105 110 115 93. Hosting, encounter, from hostis. "an enemy." 101. Idol, that is, representative. I mean to try, whose reason I have tried So pondering, and, from his armed peers Proud, art thou met? thy hope was to have reach'd The highth of thy aspiring unopposed; The throne of God unguarded, and his side Or potent tongue: fool! not to think how vain Unaided, could have finish'd thee, and whelm'd 120 125 130 135 140 145 Seem'd in thy world erroneous to dissent From all: my sect thou seest; now learn too late How few sometimes may know, when thousands err. Whom the grand foe, with scornful eye askance, Thus answer'd:-Ill for thee, but in wish'd hour 150 Of my revenge first sought for, thou return'st From flight, seditious angel! to receive Thy merited reward, the first assay Of this right hand provoked, since first that tongue, Inspir'd with contradiction, durst oppose 155 A third part of the gods, in synod met Their deities to assert; who, while they feel Vigour divine within them, can allow Omnipotence to none. But well thou comest Before thy fellows, ambitious to win 160 From me some plume, that thy success may show 139. Solitary hand, single hand. 165 used in the sense of ill-success, as in book ii. 9. |