Paradise Lost

he dreadless

wide Champain held

circling Hours,

gates of Light.

unt of God, fas

nd darkness in

e by turns, which m

issitude, like

forth, and at

arkness enters

v'n, though darkne

here; and now we

ighest Heav'n,

om before her

th orient Beams:

hick embatteld

flaming Armes,

ze on blaze, fir

v'd, warr in pro

n what he for

orted: gladly

riendly Powers

acclamations

many Myriads

lost: On to

high applaude

at supream; fro

olden Cloud thus

d, well done, wel

ght, who single

olted multitu

ord mightier the

testimonie of

eproach, far

e: for this wa

v'd in sight of

erverse: the ea

aided by this

foes more glor

hou didst depar

o reason for t

for thir Law, a

o by right of

of Celestial

in Military

forth to Batte

lead forth m

nd by Millions r

umber to tha

hem with Fire a

ult, and to the

e them out from

lace of punis

S, which rea

HAOS to recea

e Sovran voice,

l the Hill, an

thes, reluctant

't: nor with les

umpet from on

mmand the Pow

Heav'n, in migh

irresistibl

ir bright Legio

ntal Harmonie

dor to adve

od-like Leader

his MESSIAH

ly firm; nor

Vale, nor Wood,

anks; for high

as, and the pa

tread; as when

in orderly

ond over ED

f thee; so ove

march'd, and ma

ength of this t

Horizon to the

skirt a fierie

us aspect, an

th upright be

, and Helmets thr

h boastful Arg

Powers of SAT

s expedition;

e day by fight,

ount of God, a

nvier of his S

hir thoughts pro

y: though stran

t Angel should

hosting meet,

Festivals of

as sons of

Eternal Father

ow began, and

ed soon each m

e midst exal

in his Sun-bri

ajestie Div

Cherubim, and

rom his gorgeous

d Host but narro

interval, and

stood in t

ength: before

edge of batte

t and haughtie s

g, armd in Ad

ight endur'd no

htiest, bent on

own undaunted

at such resembla

emain, where f

erfore should no

re Vertue fails,

; though to sig

trusting in th'

y, whose Reaso

alse; nor is it

in debate of T

n Arms, in bot

brutish that co

ath to deal wit

n is that Re

ng, and from h

ng opposite, h

foe, at this

nd thus secur

ou met? thy hope

of thy aspiri

f God unguarde

t the terror

gue; fool, not

Omnipotent t

allest things c

incessant Ar

; or with s

yond all limi

have finisht t

under darkness

f thy Train; th

Pietie to Go

ot visible,

y World erron

ect thou seest,

es may know, whe

rand foe with sc

Ill for thee, bu

, first sought

seditious Ang

d reward, th

nd provok't, since

h contradictio

t of the Gods

to assert, who

ine within t

to none. But w

fellows, am

lume, that thy

o the rest: thi

st thou boast) t

ought that Libe

oules had bin a

t through sloth

rits, traind up

arm'd, the Mins

with freedo

eds compar'd this

brief thus ABDI

l thou errst, n

rom the path o

u deprav'st it

E to serve wh

God and Natur

ules is worthie

governs. This

unwise, or him

rthier, as thine

ree, but to thy

ar'st our mini

Hell thy Kingd

d ever blessed

y, worthiest

ell, not Realms e

d, as erst thou s

on thy impious

a noble stroke

, but so swift w

Crest of SATAN,

wift thought, les

intercept: t

ild; the tenth

pear upstaid;

ground or wate

push't a Mount

all his Pines.

rones, but gre

mightiest, ours j

Victorie and

whereat MIC

trumpet; through

and the faithf

he Highest: no

egions, nor les

hock: now stor

uch as heard in

rms on Armour

cord, and the

riots rag'd; di

; over head t

rts in flamin

aulted either

erie Cope to

maine, with r

guishable rag

d had Earth bin

enter shook. W

ierce encountri

e, the least of

ts, and arm hi

egions: how muc

st Armie numb

bustion warrin

stroy, thir hap

' Eternal Ki

g hold of Heav'n

hir might; thou

ided Legion m

st, in strength

d in fight, ye

r single as in

ce, or stand, o

open when, an

grim Warr; no th

treat, no un

fear; each on

n his arm th

e; deeds of

t infinite: fo

various; somtime

ght, then soari

l the Air; all

Fire: long tim

ung; till SATA

wer had shewn,

unging through

Seraphim confu

Sword of MICHAEL

once, with huge

oft the horrid

such destructi

and oppos'd t

Adamant, hi

umference: At

h-Angel from hi

nd glad as hop

in Heav'n, the

g'd in Chains, w

ll enflam'd fi

evil, unknown

v'n, now plenteo

hateful strife

st by just meas

rents: how has

d peace, and int

uncreated t

lion? how hast

into thousand

ow prov'd false.

ly Rest; Heav'n

onfines. Heav'n

he works of vi

and evil go

, to the place

icked crew; ther

nging Sword be

udden vengeance

thee with au

e Prince of Ang

ie. Nor think

eats to aw who

Hast thou turnd

if to fall, bu

easier to tra

dst hope, imperio

ence? erre not

h thou call'st ev

Glorie: which

Heav'n it sel

, here however

gn: mean while

nam'd ALMIGHT

t have sought th

arle, and both a

for who, though

an relate, or

th conspicuous

gination to

wer: for likest

mov'd, in stat

e the Empire o

r fierie Swords

rcles; two broad

ite, while exp

om each hand wi

thickest fight, t

e field, unsafe

motion, such

y small, If Natu

nstellations w

rushing from

t opposition

and thir jarring

h with next to

minent one st

termine, and no

wer, at once;

wift prevention

from the Ar

temperd so, th

ght resist tha

SATAN with stee

d in half cut sh

wheele reverse, d

side; then SATAN

im to and fro c

sword with dis

im, but th' Ethere

visible, and

Nectarous humo

as Celestial S

mour staind ere

all sides to

ny and strong,

others bore him

hariot; where i

iles of warr; th

anguish and d

lf not matchles

such rebuke,

nce to equal

'd; for Spirits th

ery part, not

Heart or Head,

t by annihi

liquid textu

more then can

live, all Head, a

, all Sense, an

selves, and colo

kes them best,

n other parts li

re the might of

e Ensignes pierc

rious King, w

ariot wheeles t

r from the Holi

s tongue blasp

o the waste, wi

ine fled bellowi

RAPHAEL his

and in a Rock o

ADRAMELEC,

rones, that to

eaner thoughts lea

stly wounds throu

unmindful AB

crew, but with

ARIOC, and

orcht and blas

e of thousands,

re on Earth;

nted with thir

praise of men

gh wondrous and

wn less eager

m Heav'n and

dark oblivion

rom Truth divide

naught merit

nie, yet to

and through inf

ernal silence

ightiest quelld, t

inrode gor'd;

foul disorder

armour strow'

d Charioter

ming Steeds; wha

through the fa

se, or with pale

fear surpris'd a

nious, to suc

disobedience,

to fear or fl

ise th' invi

alanx firm ad

ble, impeni

advantages t

ve thir foes, n

disobei'd; in

unobnoxious

h from thir place

er course began

kness, gratefu

on the odiou

loudie covert

nquisht: on the

nd his Ange

c'd in Guard thi

ing fires: on

his rebelliou

rk dislodg'd, a

es to Councel

midst thus un

nger tri'd, now

verpowerd, Co

hy not of Li

ense, but what

inion, Glorie

aind one day in

day, why not E

Lord had powe

om about his Th

to subdue u

t so: then fall

may deem him,

ught. True is, l

antage we end

nown, but known

find this our

le of mor

and though pei

, and by nativ

en so small

; perhaps mor

violent, when

better us, and

at between us

one: if other

periour, while

ndes, and under

nd consultatio

d in th' assem

Principalit

ood escap't fr

his riv'n Arme

n aspect thus a

om new Lords,

our right as

nd too unequa

ual armes to f

nd, impassive;

eeds ensue; f

th, though matchle

dues, and makes

Sense of pleas

life perhaps,

ent, which is t

perfet miser

and excessiv

. He who there

ore forcible

wounded Enem

th like defence

for deliveran

h look compos'd

ted that, whi

main to our su

who beholds th

reous mould wh

nt of spacious

it, Flour Ambrosi

so superfici

s not to mind fro

ound, materials

and fierie sp

ay, and temperd

op'ning to the

ir dark Nativ

s, pregnant wit

hallow Engins

th' other bore w

infuriate sh

thundring nois

nts of mischie

and orewhelm

they shall fea

er of his onl

l be our labour

end our wish. M

to strength an

hard, much les

his words thir

nd thir languis

all admir'd, a

enter miss'd, s

h yet unfound most

e: yet hapl

yes, if Malice

ent on mischie

sh machinatio

ent to plague

arr and mutual

m Councel to th

g stood, innu

in a moment

estial soile,

ls of Nature

Sulphurous and

ey mingl'd, and

and adusted

grain, and int

ins diggd up (no

like) of Mine

und thir Engins

ruin; part

icious with one

y spring, under

finish'd, an

t circumspec

Morn Orient in

Victor Angel

umpet Sung: in

Panoplie, re

others from t

Scouts each Coast

, to descrie t

or whither fled,

r in alt: him

Ensignes movin

alion; back wit

Cherubim the

nd in mid Aire a

rs, Arme for figh

hought, will sav

not his flight;

nd settl'd in

tion and sec

ine coat gird

elme, gripe fast

igh, for this da

ure aught, no

torm of Arrows

hem aware thems

quit of al

out disturb th

move Embattel

far with heavi

gross and huge

s devilish En

with shaddowin

fraud. At inte

t suddenly at

hus was heard

Right and Left t

see who hate

mposure, and w

to receive th

, and turn not

oubt, however

s thou anon, wh

art: yee who a

e in charge, an

und, and loud t

in ambiguous w

en to Right and

d to either F

eyes discoverd

ounted row o

like to Pillars

bodies made

lopt, in Wood or

tonie mould, had

s orifice gap

hollow truce;

ood, and in h

ipt with fire; w

od within our t

sudden all at

and to a narr

touch. Immedia

'd with smoak, al

-throated Engins

th outragious

ntrails tore, d

glut, chaind Thun

es, which on t

h such impetuo

hit, none on thir

else as Rocks, b

, Angel on Arc

r thir Arms, un

y as Spirits

ntraction or

tion follow'd a

t to relax thi

ey do? if on the

and indece

d render them y

foes a laughte

t of Seraphi

to displode t

: back defea

orr'd. SATAN beh

ates thus in d

y come not on the

fierce were com

n them fair w

t could we more?)

, strait they ch

d into strange

dance, yet for a

ravagant and

offerd peace:

osals once ag

mpel them to a

s BELIAL in lik

rms we sent were

ts, and full of

ight perceive

many, who recei

head to foot w

d, this gift th

when our foes w

ng themselves i

highthn'd in thi

of Victorie,

thir invention

d of his Thund

Host derided,

ouble; but they

them at length,

hellish mischie

hold the excell

h in his mighty

y they threw, a

ath this varie

situate in H

ghtning glimps th

undations loos

e seated Hills w

, Woods, and by

ore them in th

terrour seis'd

towards them s

f the Mountain

se cursed Eng

whelmd, and al

ight of Mounta

nvaded next, a

ories flung, w

, and opprest wh

'd thir harm, cru

ance pent, which

and many a d

underneath, ere

son, though Spiri

st, now gross b

n imitation

nd the neighbour

id the Air en

nd fro with j

und they fought

se; Warr seem'

oar; horrid c

ion rose: and

wrack, with

Almightie Fath

s Sanctuarie of

n the sum of t

and permitted

t purpose he mi

his Anointed

enemies, an

im transferr'd:

of his Throne

e of my Glori

e face invisi

what by D

e hand what b

potence, two

we compute the

and his Powers w

ient; sore hath

as, when two suc

ves I left them,

ir Creation th

ath impaird, whic

, for I susp

etual fight they

d no solution

hath perform'd

er'd rage let l

as with Weapons a

eav'n, and dange

herefore past, th

ave ordain'd i

, that the Glo

great Warr, sin

nto thee such V

e transfus'd, t

Hell thy Power

verse Commotio

thee worthie

s, to be Heir

nction, thy d

Mightiest in th

ariot, guide t

'ns basis, bring

Thunder, my A

Sword upon thy

sons of Darknes

'ns bounds into

learn, as likes

SSIAH his an

d on his Son wi

e all his Fath

into his f

filial Godhead

O Supream of h

Holiest, Best, t

e thy Son, I

ust; this I my

ion, and my

e well pleas'd,

ich to fulfil i

Power, thy giv

shall resign,

be All in All

d in mee all w

hat'st, I hate

, as I put th

in all things;

ight, rid heav'n

ar'd ill Mansi

Darkness, and t

y just obedien

bey is happ

Saints unmixt, an

te, circling

ALLELUIAHS t

praise, and I

o're his Scept

t hand of Glori

d sacred Morn

eav'n: forth rush'd

ot of Pater

lames, Wheele with

inct with Spir

ubic shapes, f

as with Starrs

set with Eyes, wi

nd careering

eads a chryst

phir Throne, i

colours of th

estial Panop

URIM, work di

at his right

ing'd, beside

th three-bolted

ut him fierce

ickering flame,

ten thousand t

me, farr off h

thousand (I th

od, half on eac

wings of Cher

allin Skie, in

farr and wide,

them unexpecte

eat Ensign of

els born, his

Conduct MICHAE

circumfus'd o

Head imbodi

ower Divine hi

nd the uproote

ace, they heard

Heav'n his won

Flourets Hill a

hapless Foes, b

ious fight rall

ope conceiving

rits could such p

ce the proud wh

move th' obdu

more by what mi

see his Glorie

and aspiring

tell'd fierce,

rosper, and at

d and MESSIA

sal ruin la

tel drew, disd

eat; when the g

ost on either

n bright array ye

'd, this day fr

been your Warf

arless in his

ave receivd,

; but of thi

ent to other

his, or whose h

is dayes work

de, stand one

ation on thes

ou but mee they

against mee is

ather, t' whom

Power and Glor

d me accordin

mee thir doom h

have thir wish,

h the stronger p

gainst them, s

e all, of oth

, nor care wh

rife with them

e Son, and into

ance too seve

wrauth bent

our spred out t

shade contiguo

Chariot rowld, a

loods, or of a

pious Foes righ

ght; under his

t Empyrean sh

hrone it self o

e arriv'd; in

thousand Thunde

such as in thi

astonisht all

down thir idle

d Helmes, and hel

nd mighty Sera

he Mountains no

em as a shelte

either side te

rom the fourfol

eyes, and from t

ike with mult

in them rul'd

ng, and shot for

st, that witherd

onted vigour le

piritless, aff

rength he put not

in mid Volie

y, but root the

wn he rais'd,

imerous flock t

fore him Thunde

and with furi

all of Heav'n, wh

, and a spacio

tful Deep; the

th horror backwa

ind; headlong th

verge of Heav'

them to the

th' unsufferabl

from Heav'n and

ut strict Fate

dations, and to

ey fell; confou

nfold confusi

wilde Anarchie

im with ruin:

d them whole, an

t habitation f

, the house of

av'n rejoic'd,

ach, returning

from th' expul

s triumphal

ll his Saints,

ses of his A

advanc'd; and

anching Palme, e

and him sung V

nd Lord, to him

o Reign: he c

ough mid Heav'n,

f his mightie

o into Glorie

sits at the rig

things in Heav'n

st, and that t

ast, to thee I

ve else to huma

hich befel, and

elic Powers, an

o high aspiri

hee who envies

plotting how

rom obedience

happiness tho

hment, Eter

be all his sol

e don against

gaine Compani

ot to his Temp

et it profit th

ble Exampl

ce; firm they m

ember, and fear

SIXTH BOOK.