Now wavd thir fierie Swords, and in the Aire
Made horrid Circles; two broad Suns thir Shields [ 305 ]
Blazd opposite, while expectation stood
In horror; from each hand with speed retird
Where erst was thickest fight, th Angelic throng,
A large field, uhin the wind
Of suotion, such as to set forth [ 310 ]
Great things by small, If Natures cord broke,
Among the stellations warr were sprung,
Two Plas rushing from aspect maligne
Of fiercest opposition in mid Skie,
Should bat, and thir jarring Sphears found. [ 315 ]
Together both with o Almightie Arme,
Uplifted immi oroke they aimd
That might determine, and not need repeate,
As not of power, at onor odds appeerd
In might or swift prevention; but the sword [ 320 ]
Of Michael from the Armorie of God
Was givn him temperd so, that her keen
Nor solid might resist that edge: it met
The sword of Satan with steep forite
Desding, and in half cut sheere, nor staid, [ 325 ]
But with swift wheele reverse, deep entring shard
All his right side; then Satan first knew pain,
And writh d him to and fro volvd; so sore
The griding sword with distinuous wound
Passd through him, but th Ethereal substance closd [ 330 ]
Not long divisible, and from the gash
A stream of arous humor issuing flowd
Sanguin, such as Celestial Spirits may bleed,
And all his Armour staind ere while sht.
Forthwith on all sides to his aide was run [ 335 ]
By Angels many and strong, who interposd
Defence, while others bore him on thir Shields
Back to his Chariot; where it stood retird
From off the files of warr; there they him laid
Gnashing fuish ae and shame [ 340 ]
To find himself not matchless, and his pride
Humbld by such rebuke, so farr beh
His fideo equal God in power.