Then to the Heavn of Heavns he shall asd
With victory, triumphing through the aire
Over his foes and thihere shall surprise
The Serpent, Prince of aire, and drag in es
Through all his Realme, and there founded leave; [ 455 ]
Theer into glory, and resume
His Seat at Ght haed high
Above all names in Heavn; and thence shall e,
When this worlds dissolution shall be ripe,
With glory and power to judge both quid dead [ 460 ]
To judge th unfaithful dead, but to reward
His faithful, and receave them into bliss,
Whether in Heavn or Earth, for then the Earth
Shall all be Paradise, far happier place
Then this of Eden, and far happier daies. [ 465 ]
So spake th Argel Michael, then pausd,
As at the Worlds great period; and our Sire
Replete with joy and wohus replid.
O goodness infinite, goodness immense!
That all this good of evil shall produce, [ 470 ]
And evil turn to good; more wonderful
Then that which by creation first brought forth
Light out of darkness! full of doubt I stand,
Whether I should repent me now of sin
By mee done and occasiond, or rejoyce [ 475 ]
Much more, that much mood thereof shall spring,
To God mlory, mood will to Men
From God, and over wrauth grace shall abound.
But say, if our deliverer up to Heavn
Must reasd, what will betide the few [ 480 ]
His faithful, left among th unfaithful herd,
The enemies of truth; who then shall guide
His people, who defend? will they not deale
Wors with his followers then with him they dealt?