Page:Paradise lost by Milton, John.djvu/224

218 Therefore to me their doom he hath assigned; That they may have their wish, to try with me In battle which the stronger proves; they all, Or I alone against them; since by strength They measure all, of other excellence Not emulous, nor care who them excels; Nor other strife with them do I vouchsafe.'
 * "So spake the Son, and into terror changed

His countenance, too severe to be beheld, And full of wrath bent on his enemies. At once the Four spread out their starry wings, With dreadful shade contiguous, and the orbs Of his fierce chariot rolled, as with the sound Of torrent floods, or of a numerous host. He on his impious foes right onward drove, Gloomy as night; under his burning wheels The steadfast Empyrean shook throughout, All but the throne itself of God. Full soon Among them he arrived, in his right-hand Grasping ten thousand thunders, which he sent Before him, such as in their souls infixed Plagues; they, astonished, all resistance lost, All courage; down their idle weapons cropt; O'er shields, and helms, and helmed heads he rode O'er Thrones and mighty Seraphim prostrate, That wished the mountains now might be again Thrown on them, as a shelter from his ire.