Page:The Complete Poetical Works of John Milton.djvu/191

 BOOK FOURTH

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��From these, two strong and subtle Spirits

he called That near him stood, and gave them thus

in charge : " Ithuriel and Zephon, with winged

speed Search through this Garden; leave un-

searched no nook; But chiefly where those two fair creatures

lodge, 79 o

Now laid perhaps asleep, secure of harm. This evening from the Sun's decline arrived Who tells of some infernal Spirit seen Hither ward bent (who could have

thought ?), escaped

The bars of Hell, on errand bad, no doubt: Such, where ye find, seize fast, and hither

bring."

So saying, on he led his radiant files, Dazzling the moon; these to the bower

direct In search of whom they sought. Him there

they found

Squat like a toad, close at the ear of Eve, Assaying by his devilish art to reach 801 The organs of her fancy, and with them

forge

Illusions as he list, phantasms and dreams; Or if, inspiring venom, he might taint The animal spirits, that from pure blood

arise Like gentle breaths from rivers pure, thence

raise,

At least distempered, discontented thoughts, Vain hopes, vain aims, inordinate desires, Blown up with high conceits ingendering

pride.

Him thus intent Ithuriel with his spear 810 Touched lightly; for no falsehood can en- dure

Touch of celestial temper, but returns Of force to its own likeness. Up he starts, Discovered and surprised. As, when a

spark

Lights on a heap of nitrous powder, laid Fit for the tun, some magazin to store Against a rumoured war, the smutty grain, With sudden blaze diffused, inflames the

air;

So started up, in his own shape, the Fiend. Back stept those two fair Angels, half

amazed 820

So sudden to behold the griesly King; Yet thus, unmoved with fear, accost him

��" Which of those rebel Spirits adjudged

to Hell Com'st thou, escaped thy prison ? and,

transformed,

Why satt'st thou like an enemy in wait, Here watching at the head of these that

sleep ? " " Know ye not, then," said Satan, filled

with scorn, " Know ye not me ? Ye knew me once no

mate For you, there sitting where ye durst not

soar !

Not to know me argues yourselves un- known, 830 The lowest of your throng; or, if ye know, Why ask ye, and superfluous begin Your message, like to end as much in

vain?" To whom thus Zephon, answering scorn

with scorn : " Think not, revolted Spirit, thy shape the

same,

Or undiminished brightness, to be known As when tbou stood'st in Heaven upright

and pure. That glory then, when thou no more wast

good, Departed from thee; and thou resemblest

now Thy sin and place of doom obscure and

foul. 840

But come ; for thou, be sure, shalt give ac- count

To him who sent us, whose charge is to keep This place inviolable, and these from harm." So spake the Cherub; and his grave re- buke,

Severe in youthful beauty, added grace Invincible. Abashed the Devil stood, And felt how awful goodness is, and saw Virtue in her shape how lovely saw, and

pined

His loss ; but chiefly to find here observed His lustre visibly impaired; yet seemed Undaunted. " If I must contend," said he, 85 1

" Best with the best the sender, not the

sent;

Or all at once: more glory will be won, Or less be lost." " Thy fear," said Zephon

bold,

" Will save us trial what the least can do Single against thee wicked, and thence weak."

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