The poetical works of John Milton, with the life of the author by S. Johnson

These tidings carry to th' anointed King; 870 And fly, ere evil intercept thy flight.

He said, and as the sound of waters deep Hoarse Murmur echo'd to his words applause Through th' infinite host; nor less for that The flaming seraph fearless, though alone 875 Incompassid round with foes, thus answer'd bold,

O Alienate from God, O Spi'rit accurs’d,
Forsaken of all good; I see thy fall
Determin'd, and thy hapless crew involv'd
In this perfidious fraud, contagion spread 880
Both of thy crime and punishment: henceforth
No more be troubled how to quit the yoke
Of God's Messiah; those indulgent laws
Will not be now vouchsaf’d; other decrees
Against thee are gone forth without recal; 885
That golden sceptre, which thou didst reject,
Is now an iron rod to bruise and break
Thy disobedience.

Well thou didst advise,
Yet not for thy advice or threats I fly
These wicked tents devoted, lest the wrath

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 learn,
When who can uncreate thee thou shalt know. 895

So spake the seraph Abdiel faithful found Among the faithless, faithful only he ; mong innumerable false, unmov'd, Unshaken, unscduc'd, unterrify'd

His loyalty he kept, his love, his zeal ; 900
Nor number, nor example with him wrought
To swerve from truth, or change his constant mind
Though single. From amidst them forth he pass’d
Long way through hostile scorn, which he sustain’d,
Superior, nor of violence fear'd aughe ; 905
And with retorted scorn his back he turn'd
On those proud towers to-swift destruction doom'd.

END OF VOL. I.

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CONTENTS.

Page

1.-

he Life of the Author

Paradise Lost, in Twelve Books.