liis 1.215 our laws; all honour to him done Returns our own.

Cease then his impious rage,
And tempt not these; but hasten to appease
Th'incunsod Fatler, and th' incensed Son,
Wile pardon may he founi in time besought.

So spake the fervent Angel; but his zeal
None seconded, as out of season judgød, 850
Or singular and rash, whereat rejoic d
Th’ Apostate, and more haughty thus reply'd.
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 wbich we would know whence learn'd:

who saw
When this creation was ? Remeinber'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, seif-rais'd 860
By our own quick’ning pow'r, when fatal course
Had circled his full orb, the birth mature
Of this our native Heav'n, ethereal sons.
Our puissance is our own; cur 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 th' almighty throne
Beseeching or besieging. This report,
These tidings carry to th' anointed King:
And fly, ere evil intercept thy flight.

He said, and as the sound of waters deep

870

Hoarse murinur echo'd to his words applause
Through the infinite host; nor less for that
The flaming Seraph fearless, though alone
Incompass'd round with foes, thus answer'd bold.

O alienate from God, o Spi'rit accurs’d,
Forsaken of all good; I see thy fall
Determin’d, and thy hapless crew involv’d
In this perfidious fraud, contagion spread 880
Both of thy crime and punishment: lienceforth
No more to 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 sceptre, 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 sire.
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, unterrify'd
Flis loyalty he kept, his love, his zeal;

900
Nor nunter, nor example with him wrought
To swerve from truth, or change his constant mind

890

Though single. From amidst them forth he pass'd,
Long way through hostile scorn, which he sustain'd
Superior, nor of violence fear'd ought;
And with retorted scorn his back he turn'd
On those proud tow'rs to swift destruction doom'd.