Page:Paradise lost by Milton, John.djvu/69

Rh That fires the length of Ophiuchus huge, In the artic sky, undand [sic] from his horrid hair Shakes pestilence and war. Each at the head Levelled his deadly aim; their fatal hands No second stroke intend; and such a frown Each cast at the other, as when the two black clouds, With heaven's artillery fraught, come rattling on Over the Caspian, then stand front to front, Hovering a space, till winds the signal blow To join their dark encounter in mid air: So frowned the mighty combatants, that Hell Grew darker at their frown; so matched they stood; For never but once more was either like To meet so great a foe. And now great deeds Had been achieved, whereof all Hell had rung, Had not the snaky Sorceress, that sat Fast by Hell-gate and kept the fatal key, Risen, and with hideous outcry rushed between.
 * "O father, what intends thy hand, she cried,

Against thy only son? What fury, O son, Possesses thee to bend that mortal dart Against thy father's head? and knowest for whom; For him who sits above, and laughs the while At thee ordained his drudge, to execute