Page:The Complete Poetical Works of John Milton.djvu/209

 BOOK SIXTH

��167

��* Apostat ! still tbou err'st, nor end wilt

find

Of erring, from the path of truth remote. Unjustly thou deprav'st it with the name Of servitude, to serve whom God ordains, Or Nature: God and Nature bid the same, When he who rules is worthiest, and excels Them whom he governs. This is servi- tude

To serve the unwise, or him who hath re- belled Against his worthier, as thine now serve

thee, 180

Thyself not free, but to thyself enthralled; Yet lewdly dar'st our ministering upbraid. Reign thou in Hell, thy kingdom; let me

serve

In Heaven God ever blest, and his divine Behests obey, worthiest to be obeyed. Yet chains in Hell, not realms, expect:

meanwhile, From me returned, as erst thou saidst,

from flight,

This greeting on thy impious crest receive.' " So saying, a noble stroke he lifted

high, Which hung not, but so swift with tempest

fell 190

On the proud crest of Satan that no sight, Nor motion of swift thought, less could his

shield,

Such ruin intercept. Ten paces huge He back recoiled; the tenth on bended

knee

His massy spear upstayed: as if, on earth, Winds under ground, or waters forcing

way, Sidelong had pushed a mountain from his

seat, Half-sunk with all his pines. Amazement

seized

The rebel Thrones, but greater rage, to see Thus foiled their mightiest; ours joy filled,

and shout, 200

Presage of victory, and fierce desire Of battle : whereat Michael bid sound The Archangel trumpet. Through the vast

of Heaven

It sounded, and the faithful armies rung Hosannah to the Highest; nor stood at

gaze

The adverse legions, nor less hideous joined The horrid shock. Now storming fury rose, And clamour such as heard in Heaven till

��Was never; arms on armour clashing

brayed

Horrible discord, and the madding wheels Of brazen chariots raged; dire was the

noise 211

Of conflict; overhead the dismal hiss Of fiery darts in flaming volleys flew, And, flying, vaulted either host with fire. So under fiery cope together rushed Both battles main with ruinous assault And inextinguishable rage. All Heaven Resounded; and, had Earth been then, all

Earth Had to her centre shook. What wonder,

when Millions of fierce encountering Angels

fought 220

On either side, the least of whom could

wield These elements, and arm him with the

force Of all their regions ? How much more of

power

Army against army numberless to raise Dreadful combustion warring, and disturb, Though not destroy, their happy native

seat;

Had not the Eternal King Omnipotent From his strong hold of Heaven high over- ruled And limited their might, though numbered

such

As each divided legion might have seemed A numerous host, in strength each armed

hand 231

A legion ! Led in fight, yet leader seemed Each warrior single as in chief; expert When to advance, or stand, or turn the

sway

Of battle, open when, and when to close The ridges of grim war. No thought of

flight,

None of retreat, no unbecoming deed That argued fear; each on himself relied As only in his arm the moment lay Of victory. Deeds of eternal fame 240 Were done, but infinite; for wide was

spread That war, and various: sometimes on firm

ground A standing fight; then, soaring on main

wing,

Tormented all the air; all air seemed then Conflicting fire. Long time in even scale The battle hung; till Satan, who that day

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