Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1918.djvu/388

 JOHN MILTON

To quell the mighty of the Earth, th' oppressour,

The brute and boist'rous force of violent men

Hardy and industrious to support

Tyrannic power, but raging to pursue

The righteous and all such as honour Truth;

He all thir Ammunition

And feats of War defeats

With plain Heroic magnitude of mind

And celestial vigour arnTd,

Thir Armories and Magazins contemns.

Renders them useless, while

With winged expedition

Swift as the lightning glance he executes

His errand on the wicked, who surprised

Lose thir defence distracted and amaz'd.

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is best, though we oft doubt, What th' unsearchable dispose Of highest wisdom brings about, And ever best found in the close. Oft he seems to hide his face, But unexpectedly returns And to his faithful Champion hath in place Bore witness gloriously, whence Gaza mourns And all that band them to resist His uncontroulable intent. His servants he with new acquist Of true experience from this great event With peace and consolation hath dismist, And calm of mind all passion spent.

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