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Proud limitary Cherub; but ere then
Far heavier load thyself expect to feel
From my prevailing arm, tho' Heav'n's King
Ride on thy wings, and thou with thy compeers,
Us'd to the yoke, draw'st his triumphant wheels
In progress thro' the road of Heav'n star-pav'd.
While thus he spake, th' angelic squadron
bright

Turn'd fiery red, sharp'ning in mooned horns
Their phalanx, and began to hem him round
With ported spears, as thick as when a field 980
Of Ceres ripe for harvest waving bends

Her bearded grove of ears, which way the wind

Sways them; the careful plowman doubting stands,

Lest on the threshing-floor his hopeful sheaves
Prove chaff. On th' other side Satan, alarm'd,
Collecting all his might, dilated stood,
Like Teneriff or Atlas, unremov'd:

His stature reach'd the sky, and on his crest

986

Sat horror plum'd; nor wanted in his grasp

What seem'd both spear and shield. Now dread

ful deeds

Might have ensu'd, nor only Paradise

In this commotion, but the starry cope

Of Heav'n perhaps, or all the elements

990

At least had gone to wrack, disturb'd and torn With violence of this conflict, had not soon 995 Th' Eternal, to prevent such horrid fray,

Hung forth in Heav'n his golden scales, yet seen

Betwixt Astrea and the Scorpion sign,

1001

Wherein all things created first he weigh'd,
The pendulous round earth with balanc'd air
In counterpoise, now ponders all events,
Battles, and realms: in these he put two weights,
The sequel each of parting and of fight;
The latter quick up flew, and kick'd the beam ;
Which Gabriel spying, thus bespake the Fiend:
Satan, I know thy strength, and thou know'st

mine;

1006

Neither our own, but giv'n: What folly then To boast what arms can do? since thine no more Than Heav'n permits, nor mine, tho' doubled now To trample thee as mire: for proof look up, And read thy lot in yon celestial sign, IOII Where thou art weigh'd, and shewn how light, how weak,

If thou resist. The Fiend look'd up, and knew His mounted scale aloft: nor more; but fled Murm'ring, and with him fled the shades of night.

END OF THE FOURTH BOOK.

THE ARGUMENT.

Morning approached, Eve relates to Adam ber troublesome dream; he likes it not, yet comforts her: They

come forth to their day labours: Their morning hymn at the door of their bower. God, to render man inexcusable, sends Raphael to admonish him of bis obedience, of his free estate, of his enemy near at band, who he is, and why his enemy, and whatever else may avail Adam to know. Raphael comes down to Paradise, his appearance described, his coming discerned by Adam afar off, sitting at the door of his bower; he goes out to meet him, brings him to his lodge, entertains him with the choicest fruits of Paradise got together by Eve; their discourse at table: Raphael performs his message, minds Adam of his state and of b's enemy; relates, at Adam's request, who that enemy is, and how he came to be so, beginning from his first revolt in Heaven, and the occasion thereof; how he drew his legions after him to the parts of the north, and there incited them to rebel with him, persuading all but only Abdiel a Seraph; who in argument dissuades and opposes him, then forsakes him.

PARADISE LOST.

BOOK THE FIFTH.

NOW

WOW Morn her rosy steps in th'eastern clime
Advancing, 'sow'd the earth with orient
pearl,

When Adam wak'd, so custom'd, for his sleep
Was aery light from pure digestion bred,
And temp'rate vapours bland, which th' only sound
Of leaves and fuming rills, Aurora's fan, 6
Lightly dispers'd, and the shrill matin song
Of birds on ev'ry bough; so much the more
His wonder was to find unwaken'd Eve
With tresses discompos'd, and glowing cheek,
As through unquiet rest: he on his side
Leaning, half rais'd, with looks of cordial love
Hung over her enamour'd, and beheld
Beauty, which whether waking or asleep,
Shot forth peculiar graces; then with voice 15
Mild, as when Zephyrus on Flora breathes,
Her hand soft touching, whisper'd thus: Awake,

II