19

So spake the fervent Angel, but his zeale

None seconded, as out of season judgd, [ 850 ]

Or singular and rash, whereat rejoicd

Th Apostat, and more haughty thus replid.

That we were formd then saist thou? and the work

Of secondarie hands, by task transferd

From Father to his Son? strange point and new! [ 855 ]

Doctrin which we would know whence learnt: who saw

When this creation was? rememberst thou

Thy making, while the Maker gave thee being?

We know no time when we were not as now;

Know none before us, self-begot, self-raisd [ 860 ]

By our own quickning power, when fatal course

Had circld his full Orbe, the birth mature

Of this our native Heavn, Ethereal Sons.

Our puissance is our own, our own right hand

Shall teach us highest deeds, by proof to try [ 865 ]

Who is our equal: then thou shalt behold

Whether by supplication we intend

Address, and to begirt th Almighty Throne

Beseeching or besieging. This report,

These tidings carrie to th anointed King; [ 870 ]

And fly, ere evil intercept thy flight.

He said, and as the sound of waters deep

Hoarce murmur echod to his words applause

Through the infinite Host, nor less for that

The flaming Seraph fearless, though alone [ 875 ]

Encompassd round with foes, thus answerd bold.

O alienate from God, O spirit accurst,

Forsakn of all good; I see thy fall

Determind, and thy hapless crew involvd

In this perfidious fraud, contagion spred [ 880 ]

Both of thy crime and punishment: henceforth

No more be troubld how to quit the yoke

Of Gods Messiah; those indulgent Laws

Will not now be voutsaft, other Decrees

Against thee are gon forth without recall; [ 885 ]

That Golden Scepter which thou didst reject

Is now an Iron Rod to bruise and breake

Thy disobedience. Well thou didst advise,

Yet not for thy advise or threats I fly

These wicked Tents devoted, least the wrauth [ 890 ]

Impendent, raging into sudden flame

Distinguish not: for soon expect to feel

His Thunder on thy head, devouring fire.

Then who created thee lamenting learne,

When who can uncreate thee thou shalt know. [ 895 ]

So spake the Seraph Abdiel faithful found,

Among the faithless, faithful only hee;

Among innumerable false, unmovd,

Unshakn, unseducd, unterrifid

His Loyaltie he kept, his Love, his Zeale; [ 900 ]

Nor number, nor example with him wrought

To swerve from truth, or change his constant mind

Though single. From amidst them forth he passd,

Long way through hostile scorn, which he susteind

Superior, nor of violence feard aught; [ 905 ]

And with retorted scorn his back he turnd

On those proud Towrs to swift destruction doomd.

The End of the Fifth Book.