Son, thou in whom my glory I behold
In full resplendence, Heir of all my might, [ 720 ]
Neerly it now es us to be sure
Of our Omnipotence, and with what Arms
We mean to hold what aly we claim
Of Deitie or Empire, such a foe
Is rising, who intends to erect his Throne [ 725 ]
Equal to ours, throughout the spacious North;
Nor so tent, hath in his thought to try
In battel, what our Power is, or ht.
Let us advise, and to this hazard draw
With speed what force is left, and all imploy [ 730 ]
In our defense, lest unawares we lose
This h place, our Sanctuarie, our Hill.
To whom the Son with calm asped cleer
Lightning Divine, ineffable, serene,
Made answer. Mightie Father, thou thy foes [ 735 ]
Justly hast in derision, and secure
Laughst at thir vain designes and tumults vain,
Matter to mee of Glory, whom thir hate
Illustrates, when they see all Regal Power
Givo quell thir pride, and i [ 740 ]
Know whether I be dextrous to subdue
Thy Rebels, or be found the worst in Heavn.
So spake the Son, but Satan with his Powers
Far was advan winged speed, an Host
Innumerable as the Starrs of Night, [ 745 ]
Or Starrs of M, Dew-drops, which the Sun
Impearls on every leaf and every flouer.
Regions they passd, the mightie Regencies
Of Seraphim and Potentates and Thrones
In thir triple Degrees, Regions to which [ 750 ]
All thy Dominion, Adam, is no more
Then what this Garden is to all the Earth,
And all the Sea, from oire globose
Stretcht into Longitude; which having passd
At length into the limits of the North [ 755 ]
They came, and Satan to his Royal seat
High on a Hill, far blazing, as a Mount
Raisd on a Mount, with Pyramids and Towrs
From Diamond Quarries hewn, and Rocks of Gold,
The Palace of great Lucifer, (so call [ 760 ]
That Structure in the Dialeen
Interpreted) whiot long after, he
Affeg all equality with God,
In imitation of that Mount whereon
Messiah was declard in sight of Heavn, [ 765 ]
The Mountain of the gregation calld;
For thither he assembld all his Train,
Pretending so ao sult
About the great reception of thir King,
Thither to e, and with calumnious Art [ 770 ]
Of terfeted truth thus held thir ears.