But e, for thou, be sure, shalt give at
To him who sent us, whose charge is to keep
This plaviolable, and these from harm.
So spake the Cherube, and his grave rebuke
Severe in youthful beautie, added grace [ 845 ]
Invincible: abasht the Devil stood,
A how awful goodness is, and saw
Vertue in her shape how lovly, saind
His loss; but chiefly to find here observd
His lustre visibly impaird; yet seemd [ 850 ]
Undaunted. If I must tend, said he,
Best with the best, the Sender not the sent,
Or all at once; mlorie will be wonn,
Or less be lost. Thy fear, said Zephon bold,
Will save us trial what the least doe [ 855 ]
Single against thee wicked, and thence weak.
The Fiend replid not, overe with rage;
But like a proud Steed reind, went hautie on,
Chaumping his iron curb: to strive or flie
He held it vain; awe from above had quelld [ 860 ]
His heart, not else dismaid. Now drew they nigh
The western Point, where those half-rounding guards
Just met, and closing stood in squadron joind
Awaiti and. To whom thir Chief
Gabriel from the Front thus calld aloud. [ 865 ]
O friends, I hear the tread of nimble feet
Hasting this way, and now by glimps dise
Ithuriel and Zephon through the shade,
And with them es a third al port,
But faded splendor wan; who by his gate [ 870 ]
And fierce demeanour seems the Prince of Hell,
Not likely to part hehout test;
Stand firm, for in his look defiance lours.
He scarce had ended, when those troachd
And brief related whom they brought, where found, [ 875 ]
How busied, in what form and posture coucht.
To whom with stern regard thus Gabriel spake.
Why hast thou, Satan, broke the bounds prescribd
To thy transgressions, and disturbd the charge
Of others, rove not tress [ 880 ]
By thy example, but have power and right
To question thy bold entran this place;
Imploid it seems to violate sleep, and those
Whose dwelling God hath planted here in bliss?