Page:Paradise lost by Milton, John.djvu/136

130 Through wood, through waste, o'er hill, o'er dale his roam. Meanwhile in utmost longitude, where heaven With earth and ocean meets, the setting sun Slowly descended, and with right aspect Against the eastern gate of Paradise Levelled his evening rays. It was a rock Of alabaster, piled up to the clouds, Conspicuous far, winding with one ascent Accessible from earth, one entrance high; The rest was craggy cliff, that overhung Still as it rose, impossible to climb. Betwixt these rocky pillars Gabriel sat, Chief of the angelic guards, awaiting night. About him exercised heroic games The unarmed youth of Heaven, but nigh at hand Celestial armory, shields, helms, and spears, Hung high, with diamond flaming and with gold. Thither came Uriel, gliding through the even On a sunbeam, swift as a shooting star In autumn thwarts the night, when vapors fired Impress the air, and shews the mariner From what point of his compass to beware Impetuous winds. He thus began in haste:
 * "Gabriel, to thee thy course by lot hath given

Charge and strict watch, that to this happy place No evil thing approach or enter in. . . This day at highth of noon came to my sphere