THE ARGUMENT. Raphael continues to relate how Michael and Gabriel were fent forth to battel against Satan and his Angels. The firft fight defcrib'd: Satan and his Powers retire under night: He calls a council, invents devilish engins, which in the fecond day's fight put Michael and his Angels to fome disorder: but they at length pulling up mountains overwhelm'd both the force and machines of Satan: Yet the tumult not fo ending, God on the third day fends MESSIAH his Son, for whom he had referv'd the glory of that victory: He in the power of his Father coming to the place, and caufing all his legions to stand still on either fide, with his chariot and thunder driving into the midst of his enemies, purfues them unable to refift towards the wall of Heaven; which opening, they leap down with horror and confufion into the place of punishment prepar'd for them in the deep: MESSIAH returns with triumph to his Father. PARADISE LOST. A LL night the dreadless Angel unpursued till Through Heav'n's wide champain held his way; Wak'd by the circling hours, with rosy hand [morn, Unbarr'd the gates of light. There is a cave Within the mount of God, faft by his throne, 5 Where light and darkness in perpetual round Lodge and diflodge by turns, which makes through Light iffues forth, and at the other door [Heaven 10 To veil the Heav'n, though darkness there might well Seem twilight here: and now went forth the morn Such as in highest Heav'n, array'd in gold Empyreal; from before her vanish'd night, Shot through with orient beams; when all the plain 15 20 With joy and acclamations loud, that one, Of truth, in word mightier than they in arms; To stand approv'd in fight of God, though worlds 25 30 35 40 And thou in military prowess next Gabriel, lead forth to hattel these my fons 45 By thousands and by millions rang'd for fight, 50 Rebellious; them with fire and hoftile arms Into their place of punishment, the gulf So fpake the fovran voice, and clouds began In filence their bright legions, to the found Under their God-like leaders, in the caufe 55 60 65 Nor ftrait'ning vale, nor wood, nor ftream divides 70 Their perfect ranks; for high above the ground Their march was, and the paffive air upbore Their nimble tread; as when the total kind Came fummon'd over Eden to receive 75 Of Heav'n they march'd, and many a province wide 80 of F |