Page:Paradise lost by Milton, John.djvu/225

Rh Nor less on either side tempestuous fell His arrows, from the fourfold-visaged Four Distinct with eyes, and from the living wheels Distinct alike with multitude of eyes; One spirit in them ruled, and every eye Glared lightning, and shot forth pernicious fire Among the accursed, that withered all their strength And of their wonted vigor left them drained, Exhausted, spiritless, afflicted, fallen. Yet half his strength he put not forth, but checked His thunder in mid-volley; for he meant Not to destroy, but root them out of Heaven. The overthrown he raised, and, as a herd Of goats or timorous flock, together thronged, Drove them before him thunderstruck, pursued With terrors and with furies, to the bounds And mystal wall of Heaven, which, opening wide, Rolled inward, and a spacious gap disclosed Into the wasteful Deep. The monstrous sight Struck them with horror backward, but far worse Urged them behind; headlong themselves they threw Down from the verge of Heaven; eternal wrath Burnt after them to the bottomless pit.
 * "Hell heard the unsufferable noise, Hell saw

Heaven ruining from Heaven, and would have fled Affrighted; but strict Fate had cast too deep