Paradise Lost: Book 6 [Full Audiobook]

book six of Paradise Lost second edition by John Milton this LibriVox recording is in the public domain recording by Thomas copeland book 6 the argument rafael continues to relate how Michael and Gabriel were sent forth to battle against Satan and his angels the first fight described Satan and his powers retire under night he calls the council invents devilish engines which in the second day's fight put Michael and his angels to some disorder but they at length pulling up mountains overwhelmed both the force and machines of Satan yet the tumult not so ending God on the third day sends Messiah his son for whom he had reserved the glory of that victory he in the power of his father coming to the place and causing all his legions to stand still on either side with his chariot and Thunder driving into the midst of his enemies pursues them unable to resist towards the wall of heaven which opening they leaped down with horror and confusion into the place of punishment prepared for them in the deep Messiah returns with triumph to his father all night the dread loss angel unpursued through heavens wide champagne held his way till morn waked by the circling hours with rosy hand unbarred the gates of light there is a cave within the Mount of God fast by his throne where light and darkness and perpetual round Lodge and dislodged by turns which makes the heaven grateful vicissitude like day and night light issues forth and at the other door obsequious darkness enters till her hour to veil to heaven though darkness there might well seem twilight here and now when forth the more such as in highest heaven arrayed in gold imperial from before her banished night shot through with orient beams when all the plain covered with thick embattled squadrons bright chariots and flaming arms and fiery steeds reflecting blazed on blaze first met his view war he perceived war and force inked and found already known what he for news that thought to have reported gladly then he mixed among those friendly powers who him received with joy and acclamations loud that one that have so many myriads fall yet one returned not lost on to the sacred Hill they led him I applauded and present before the seat supreme from whence a voice for midst a golden cloud the smiled was heard servant of God well done well hast thou thought the better fight who single has maintained against revolted multitudes the cause of truth in word mightier than they in arms and for the testimony of truth as born universal reproach our worth to bear than violence but this was all thy care to stand approved in sight of God the world's judged the perverse the easier conquest now remains thee aided by this host friends back on thy foes more glorious to return than scorn without its depart and to subdue by force who reason for their law refuse right reason for their law and for their King Messiah who by right of Mary brains go Michael with celestial armies Prince and thou in military prowess next Gabriel lead forth to battle these my sons invincible lead forth my armored saints by thousands and by millions ranged for fight equal in number two that godless crew rebellious them with fire and hostile arms fearless assault and to the brow of heaven pursuing drive them out from God and bliss into the place of punishment the Gulf of Tartarus which ready opens wide his fiery chaos to receive their fall so speak sovereign voice and clouds began to darken all the hill and smoke to roll in dusky wreaths reluctant flames the sign of wrath awaked nor with less dread the loud ethereal trumpet from on high gang blow at which command the powers militant that stood for heaven in mighty quadrate joined of Union irresistible moved on in silence the right legions to the sound of instrumental harmony that breathed heroic harder to adventurous deeds under their godlike leaders in the cause of god and his messiah on they move in DISA lovely firm nor obvious hill nor straightening veil nor would nor stream divides the perfect ranks for high above the ground their march was in the passive air a bore their nimble tread as when the total kind of birds in orderly array on wing came summoned over Eden to receive their names of thee so over many attract of heaven they marched and many a province-wide tenfold the length of this terrine at last far in the risin to the North appeared from skirt to skirt a fiery region stretched in battle a suspect and nearer view bristled with upright beams innumerable rigid spheres and helmets thronged and shields various the boastful argument portrayed the banded powers of satan hasting on with furious expedition but they weaned that self same day by fight or by surprise to win the mount of God and on his throne to set the end layer of his state the proudest Pyrrha but their thoughts proved fond and vain in the midway though strange to us it seemed at first that angel should with angel war and in fierce hosting meet who want to meet so often festivals of joy and love unanimous as sons of one great higher hymning the Eternal Father but the Chartres battle now began at rushing sound of onset ended soon each milder thought high in the midst exalted as a god the prostate in his son bright chariots eight idol of majesty divine enclosed with flaming cherubim and golden fields then lighted from his gorgeous throne for now Twix toast and host but narrow space was left a dreadful interval and front-to-front presented stood in terrible array of hideous lengths before the cloudy van on the rough edge of battle era joined Satan with vast and haughty strides advanced came towering armed with adamant and gold abdiel that sight endured not where he stood among the mightiest bent on highest deeds and thus his own undaunted heart explores o heaven that such resemblance of the highest should yet remain where faith and Realty remained not wherefore should not strengthen might dare fail where virtue fails or weakest prove where boldest though to sight unconquerable his presense trusting in Almighty's aid I mean to try whose reason I have tried and found and false nor is it art but just that he who in debate of true that one should win in arms in both disputes alike Victor though brutish that contest and foul when reason had to deal with force yet so most reason is that reason overcome so pondering and from his armoured peers forth stepping opposite halfway he met his daring foe that this prevention more incensed and thus securely him defied proud of our met I hope was to have reached height that I aspiring unopposed the throne of God unguarded and his side abandoned at the terror of thy power or potent tongue fool not to think how vain against the omnipotent to rise in arms who out of smallest things could without end of raised incessant armies to defeat that folly or with solitary hand reaching beyond all limit at one blow unaided could have finished thee and whelmed by legions under darkness but thou seized all or not of thy train there be who faith prefer and piety to God though then to the not visible when I alone seemed in thy world erroneous to dissent from all my sect thou seest now learn too late how few sometimes may know when thousands earth whom the grand foe with scornful eye askance thus answered ill for thee but in wished hour of my revenge first sought for thou returnest from flight seditious angel to receive thy merited reward the first to say of this right hand provoked since first that tongue inspired with contradiction Durst oppose a third part of the gods in Synod met their deities to assert who while they feel bigger divine within them can allow omnipotence to none but well thou comes before thy fellows ambitious to win from me some plume that thy success may show destruction to the rest this pause between unanswered lest thou boast to let thee know at first I thought that Liberty in heaven to heavenly souls had been all one but now I see that most through sloth I'd rather serve ministering spirits trained up in feast and song such hast thou armed the minstrelsy of heaven civility with freedom to contend as both the deeds compare this day shall prove to whom in brief thus Abdul stern replied apostate still thou Hearst nor end wilt find of erring from the path of truth remote unjustly thou depraved it with the name of servitude to serve whom God ordains or nature God and nature bid the same when he who rules is worthy stand excels them whom he governs this is servitude to served unwise or him who hath rebelled against his worthier as thine now serve thee thyself not free but to thyself enthralled yet you'd lead err sour ministering upgrade rain thou in Hell thy kingdom let me serve in heaven God ever blessed and His divine behest sobei worthy us to be obeyed yet changed in hell not realms expect meanwhile from me returned as erster sets from flight this greeting on the impious crest receive so saying a noble stroke he lifted high which hung not but so Swift with tempest fell on the proud crest of Satan that no sight nor motion of Swift thought less could he shield such ruin intercepted ten paces huge he back recoiled the tenth on bended knee his massive spear up stayed as if on earth winds underground or waters forcing way side long had pushed a mountain from his seat half sunk with all his pines amazement seized the rebel Thrones but greater range to see the spoiled their mightiest hours joy filled and shout presage of victory and fierce desire of bad we're Michiel bid sound Archangel trumpet through the vast of heaven it sounded and the faithful armies rung Hosanna to the highest nor stood at gaze the adverse legions nor less hideous joined the horrid shock now storming fury rose and clamour such as heard in heaven till now was never arms on armor clashing braid horrible discord and the madding wheels of brazen chariots ranged dire was the noise of conflict overhead the dismal hysts of fiery darts in flaming volleys flew and flying vaulted either hosts with fire so wonder fiery cope together rushed both battles mane the ruinous assault an inextinguishable rage all heav'n resounded and had earth been then all earth had to her center shook what wonder when millions of fierce encountering angels fought on either side the east of whom could wield these elements and armed him with the force of all the regions are much more of power army against army numberless to raise dreadful combustion warring and disturb though not destroy their happy native seat had not the eternal King omnipotent from his stronghold of heaven high overruled and limited their might though numbered such as each divided legion might have seemed a numerous host in strength each armoured hand a legion led in fight yet leader seemed each warrior single as in chief expert when to advance or stand or turn the sway of battle open when and when to close the ridges of grimoire no thought of light none of retreat no one becoming deed that argued fear each on himself relied as only in his arm the moment lay of victory deeds of eternal fame were done but infinite for wide was spread that war in various sometimes on firm ground a standing fight then soaring on main wing tormented all the air all air seemed then conflicting fire long time and even scale the battle hung till Satan who that day prodigious power had shown and met in arms no equal ranging through the dire attack of fighting Seraphim confused at length saw where the sword of Michael smoked and felled squadrons at once with huge two-handed sway brandished aloft the horrid edge came down wide wasting such destruction to withstand he hasted and opposed the rocky orb of tenfold adamant his ample shield a vast circumference and his approached the great Archangel from his warlike toils has ceased and glad as hoping here to end intestine war in heaven the arch foe subdued or captive dragged in Chains with hostile frown and visit all inflamed first thus began Authority evil unknown till i revoke unnamed in heaven no plenteous as thou seest these acts of hateful strife hateful to all though heaviest by just measure on thyself and i adherence how hast thou disturbed heavens blessed peace and into nature brought misery uncreated to the crime of thy rebellion how hast thou instilled I'm Alice into thousands once of right and faithful now prove false but think not here to trouble holy rest heaven casts the out from all her confines heaven the seat of bliss Brooks not the works of violence and war hence then and evil go with thee along thy offspring to the place of evil hell thou and thy wicked crew their mingled Royals air this avenging sword begin thy doom or some more sudden vengeance winged from God precipitate thee with augmented pain so spake the Prince of angels to whom thus the adversary northing now with window very threats to our whom yet with deeds thou canst not hast thou turn the least of these to flight or if to fall but that they rise unvanquished easier to transact with me that thou shalt o imperious and with threats to chase me hence or not that social end the strife which thou caused evil but we style the strife of glory which we mean to win or turn this heaven itself into the hell thou fables here however to dwell free if not to rain meanwhile thy utmost force and join him named Almighty to thy aid I fly not but have sought thee bard 9 they ended Paro and both addressed for fight unspeakable for who though with the tongue of angels can relate o - what things lichen on earth conspicuous that may lift human imagination to such height the godlike power for like us gods they seemed stood they are moved in stature motion arms fit to decide the Empire great heaven now waved the fiery swords and in the air made horrid circles - broad Suns their shields blazed opposite while expectations stood in horror from each hand with speed retired / erst was thickest fight than gellick throng and left large field unsafe within the wind of such commotion such as to set forth great things by small if nature's Concord growth among the constellations war was sprung two planets rushing from aspect malign of fiercest opposition in mid sky should combat and their jarring spheres confound together both with next to almighty arm uplifted imminent one stroke they aim that might determine and not need repeat as not a power at once nor odd appeared in my tour Swift prevention but the sword of Michael from the armory of God was given him tempered so that neither keen nor solid might resist that edge it met the sword of Satan with Steve force to smite descending and in half-cut sheer nor stage but with Swift wheel reverse deep entering shared all his right side then Satan first knew pain and writhed him to and fro convolve so saw the grinding sword with discontinuous wound passed through him a material substance closed not long divisible and from the gash a stream of nectarous humor issuing glowed sanguine such a celestial spirits may bleed and all his Armour stained their while so bright forthwith on all side to his aid was run by angels many and strong who interposed defense while others bore him on their shields back to his chariot where he stood retired from off the files of war there they him laid gnashing for anguish and despite and shame to find himself not matchless and his pride humbled by such rebuke so far beneath his confidence to equal God in power yet soon he healed 4 spirits that live throughout vital in every part not as frail man in entrails art or head liver or brains cannot but by an eye elating die nor in their liquid texture mortal wound received no more than can the fluid air all heart they live all had all I all ear all intellect all sense and as they please they limb themselves and color shape or size assume as likes the best condense or rare meanwhile in other parts like deeds deserved memorial where the might of Gabriel fought and with fierce Anson's pierced the deep array of Moloch furious who him divided and it is chariot wheels to drag him bound threatened nor from the Holy One of heaven refrained his tongue blasphemous but an on down cloven to the waist with shattered arms and uncouth pain fled bellowing on each wing Uriel and rafel his vaunting foe though huge and in a rock of diamond armed vanquished a drama lack and asthma died too potent Thrones but to be less than God's disdain but meaner thoughts learned in their flight mangled with ghastly wounds through plate and mail no stood on mindful Abdul to annoy the atheist true but with redoubled blow Ariel and area and the violence of Rama all scorched and blasted over through I might relate of thousands and their names attorneys here on earth but those elect angels contented with their fame in heaven seek not the praise of men the other sort and might though wondrous and in acts of war nor of renown less eager yet by doom canceled from heaven and sacred memory nameless in dark oblivion let them dwell for strength from truth divided and from just ill audible not merits but dis praise and ignominy yet two glorious pyres vainglorious and through infamy seeks Fame therefore eternal silence be their doom and now the mightiest quell the battle swirled with many an inroad gold deformer drought entered and foul disorder all the ground with shivered Armour stroll and on a heap chariot and child hurl a overturned and fiery foaming steeds but stood recoiled or we read through the faint satanic host defensive scarce or with pale fear surprised then first with fear surprised and sense of pain fled ignominy us to such evil brought by sin of disobedience till that our not liable to fear or flight or pain far otherwise the inviolable Saints in Kubek phalanx firm advanced and tire invulnerable impenetrably armed such high advantages their innocence gave them above their foes not to have sin not to have disobeyed in fight they stood unwi read an obnoxious to be pained by wound though from their place by violence moved now night her course began and over heav'n inducing darkness grateful troops imposed and silence on the odious gin of war under her cloudy covered both retired Victor and vanquished on the Bottenfield Michael and his angels prevalent in camping placed in guard the watchers round cherubic waving fires on the other parts Satan with his rebellious disappeared far in the dark dislodged and void of rest his potentates to counsel called by night and in the midst thus undismayed began oh now in danger tried now known in arms not to be overpowered companions dear found worthy not of Liberty alone to mean pretense but what we more effect honor Dominion glory and renown who have sustained one day and doubtful fight and if one day why not eternal days what heavens Lord had powerful to send against us from about his throne and judged sufficient to subdue as to his will but proves not so then thurible it seems of future we may deem him though till now omniscient thoughts drew his less firmly arm some disadvantage we endured and pain till now not known but known as soon contempt since now we find this our imperial form incapable of mortal injury imperishable and though pierced with wound soon closing and by native vigor healed of evil then so small as easy think the remedy perhaps more valid arms weapons more violence when next we meet may serve to better us and worse out foes or equal what between us made the odds in nature none if other hidden cars left and superior while we can preserve unhurt our minds and understanding sound juice search and consultation will disclose he sat and in the sembly next up stood in Israel a principality is the prime as one he stood escaped from cruel fight saw toiled his riven arms to havoc hume and cloudy in aspect thus answering spake deliverer from new lords leader to free enjoyment of our right as gods yet hard for gods and two unequal work we find against unequal arms to fight in pain against unpaid impassive from which evil ruin must need since you for what obey is valor or strength though matchless quelled with pain which all subdues and makes remiss the hands of mightiest sense of pleasure we may well spare out of life perhaps and not repine but live content which is the calmest life but pain is perfect misery the worst of Evil's and excessive overturns all patience he who therefore can invent with what more forcible we may offend now yet unwanted enemies or arm ourselves with like defense to me deserves no less than for deliverance what we owe where to with look composed satan replied not on invented that which thou right beliefs so main to our success ivory which of us who beholds the bright surface of this city rias mold whereon we stand this continent of spacious heaven adorned with plant fruit flower ambrosial gems and gold whose I so superficially surveys these things as not to mine from whence they grow deep underground materials dark and crude of spiritus and fiery spoon till touched with heavens ray and tempered they shook forth so beauteous opening to the ambient light these in their dark Nativity the deep shall yield us pregnant with the infernal flame which into hollow engines long and round thick rammed the other poor with touch of fired elated in fury 'it shall send forth from far with thundering noise among our foes such implements of mischief as shall dash to pieces and/or whelmed whatever stands adverse that they shall fear we have disarmed the Thunderer of his only dreaded boat no long shall be our labor yet ere dawn effect shall end our wish meanwhile revived abandoned fear to strengthen Council join think nothing hard much less to be despaired he ended in his words they're drooping cheer enlightened and the languished hope revived the invention all admired and each how he to be the inventor miss so easy it seemed once bound which yet unfound most would have thought impossible yet happily of thy race in future days if malice should abound someone intent on mischief or inspired with devilish machination might devise like instrument to plague the sons of men for sin on war and mutual slaughter bent both with council to the work they flew none arguing stood innumerable hands were ready in a moment up they turned wide the celestial soil and saw beneath the originals of nature in their crude conception sulfur us and nitrous foam they found they mingled and with subtle art concocted and adjusted they reduced to blackest grain and into store conveyed part hidden veins digged up nor had this earth entrails unlike but mineral and stove were out to found their engines and their balls of missive ruin part incentive read provide pernicious with one touch to fire so all aired a spring under conscious night secret they finished and in order set with silent circumspection on a spied now when fair morn orient in heaven appeared up rose the victor angels into arms the matin trumpet sung in arms they stood of golden panoply repulsion hosts soon banded others from the dawning hills looked round and scouts each coast light armored scour each quarter to describe a distant foe where large door whither fled or if for fight in motion or in old hymn soon they met under spread engines moving nigh in slow but firm battalion back with speediest sails f fill of cherubim swiftest wing came flying and in midair aloud thus cried armed warriors armed for fight the poet hand whom fled we thought will save us long pursuit this day fear not his flight so thicker cloudy comes and settled in his face I see sad resolution and secure that each his adamantine coat gird well and each fifth well his helm right fast his orbit shield born even or high or this day will pour down if i conjecture aught no drizzling shower but rattling storm of arrows barbed with fire so worn did them aware themselves and soon in order quit of all impediment instance without disturbed they took alarm and onward move embattled when behold not distant far with heavy pace the foe approaching gross and huge in hollow cube training his devilish engine Rey impaled on every side with shadowing squadrons deep to hide the frog that interview both stood a while but suddenly at head appeared Satan and thus was heard commanding loud Vanguard to right and left the front unfold that all may see who hate us how we seek peace and composure and with open breasts stand ready to receive them if they like our overture and turn out back perverse but that I doubt however witness heaven heaven witness thou anon while we discharge freely our part ye who appointed stand do as you have in charge and briefly touch what we profound and loud that all may hear so scoffing in ambiguous words he scarce had ended when to right and left the front divided and to either flank retired which to our eyes discovered new and strange a triple mounted row of pillars laid on wheels before like two pillars most they seemed or hollowed bodies made of oak or fir with branches locked in wood or mountain failed brass iron stony mole had not their mouths with hideous orifice gaped on us wide for tending hollow truths at each behind a Sara stood and in his hand a reed stood waving tipped with fire why we suspense collected stood within our thoughts amused not long for sudden all at once the reeds put forth and to a narrow vent applied with nicest touch immediate in a flame but soon obscured with smoke all heaven appeared from those deep throated engines belched whose roar and bowel dwith outrageous noise the air and all her entrails tall disgorging fowl than devilish glut chained Thunderbolts and hail of iron glows which on the Victor host leveled with such impetuous fury smoked that whom they hit none on their feet might stand those standing else's rocks but down they fell by thousands angel on Archangel rolled the sooner for their arms unarmed they might have easily as spirits if they did Swift by a quick contraction or removed but now foul dissipation followed and forced rout nor served it to relax their serried files what should they do if on they rushed repulse repeated and indecent overthrow doubled would render them yet more despised into their foes and laughter for in view stood ranked of Seraphim another row in posture to display the second tire of Thunder back defeated to return they were support Satan beheld the flight and to his mates thus in derision called Oh burns why come not on these Victor's proud yea while they fierce for coming and when we to entertain them fair with open front and rest what could be more for pound in terms of composition straight they changed them Minds flew off and into strange mcGarry's fell as they would dance you for a dance they seem somewhat extravagant and wild perhaps for joy of Harford peace but I suppose if our proposals once again were heard we should compel them to a quick result to whom thus Belial and like games a mood leader the terms we sent were terms of weight of hard contents and full of force urged home such as we might perceive amuse them all and stump many who receives them right had neat from head to foot well understand not understood this gift they have besides they show us when our foes walked not upright so they among themselves in pleasant vain stood scoffing heightened in their thoughts beyond all doubt a victory eternal might to match with their inventions they presume so easy and of his Thunder made a scorn and all his hosts derided while they stood awhile in trouble but they stood not long rage prompted them at length and found them arms against such hellish mischief fit to oppose forthwith behold the excellence the power which God hath in his mighty angels placed their arms away they threw into the hills for earth hath this variety from heaven of pleasure situate in Hill and Dale light as the lightning glimpse they ran they flew from their foundations loosening to and fro they plucked the seated hills with all their load rocks waters woods and by the shaggy tops uplifting bore them in their hands amazed be sure and terror seized the rebel hosts when coming towards them so dread they saw the bottom of the mountains upward turn till on those cursed engines triple row they saw them whelmed and all their confidence under the weight of mountains buried deep themselves invaded next and on their heads main promontory slung which in the air came shadowing and oppressed whole legions on their armor helped a harm crushed in and bruised into their substance pent which wrought them pain implacable and many $1 grown long struggling underneath ere they could wind out of such prison though spirits of purest light purest at first now gross by sinning grown the rest in imitation to like arms be took them and the neighboring hills up tall hills amid the air encountered Hills heard to and fro with Jackie elation dire that underground they fought in dismal shaved infernal noise war seemed a civil game to this uproar horrid confusion heaped upon confusion rose now all heaven had gone to wrack with ruin overspread had not the mighty father where he sits shrined in his sanctuary of heaven secured consulting on the sum of things foreseen this tumult and permitted all advised that his great purpose he might so fulfil to honor his anointed son avenged upon his enemies and to declare all power on him transferred whence to his son the Assessor of his throne he thus began if all jhin's of my glory son beloved son in whose face invisible is beheld visibly what by deity I am and in whose hand what by decree I do second omnipotence two days are passed two days as we compute the days of heaven since Michael and his powers went forth to tame these disobedient sore had been their fight as like lists was when two such foes met armed for to themselves I left them and our nosed equal in their creation they were formed save what sin had impaired but yet hath wrought insensibly for I suspend their doom whence in perpetual fight they needs must last endless and no solution will be found war wearied had performed what war can do and two disordered rage let loose the reins with mountains as with weapons on which makes wild work in heaven and dangerous to the main two days are therefore passed the third is thine who thee I have ordained it and thus far have suffered that the glory may be thine of ending this great war since none but thou can end it into the such virtue and grace immense I have transfused that all may know in heaven and hell' thy power above compare and this perverse commotion governed us to manifest the worthy to be heir of all things to be heir and to be king by sacred unction they deserve it right go then thou mightiest sin thy father's might ascend my chariot guide the rapid wheels that shake heavens basis bring forth all my war my bow and Thunder my almighty arms gird on and sword upon thy peace enthusiasm darkness drive them out from all heavens bounds into the utter deep there let them learn as likes them to despise God and Messiah his anointed king he said and on his son with Ray's direct shun full he all his father ful expressed ineffably into his face received and dust the philia godhead answering spake Oh father o supreme of heavenly Thrones first highest holiest best thou always seeks to glorify thy son I always D as his most just this are my glory account my exultation and my whole delight that thou in me well pleased declares thy will fulfilled which to fulfil is all my bliss sceptre and power thy giving I assume and gladly or shall resign when in the end thou shalt be all in all and I in thee forever and in me all whom thou lost but whom thou hast I hate and can put on thy terrors as I put thy mildness on image of the in all things and shall soon armed with I might read heaven of these rebelled to the preparer ille mansion driven down to chains of darkness and undying worm that from thy just obedience could revolt boom to obey his happiness in Tyre then shall thy Saints unmixed and from the impure far separate circling thy holy mount unfaded hallelujahs to thee sing hymns of high praise and i among them chief so said he or his sceptre bowing rose from the right hand of glory verse 8 and the third sacred morn began to shine dawning through heaven forth rushed with whirlwind sound the chariot of paternal deity flashing thick flames wheel within wheel undrawn itself instinct with spirit but convoyed by for Teru Bakhsh apes for faces each had wondrous as with stars the bodies all in wings were set with eyes with eyes the wheels of Barrow and careering fires between over their heads a crystal firmament were on a suffer through inlaid with pure amber and colors of the showery arch ii in celestial panoply all armed of radiant Urim work divinely wrought ascended at his right hand victory sate Eagle wing beside him hung his bow and quiver with three bolted thunder stored and from about him fierce suffusion rolled of smoke and bickering flame and sparkles dire attended with ten thousand thousand saints he onward came far off is coming Shaun and twenty thousand by the number heard chariots of God half on each hand was seen he on the wings of cherub rode sublime on the crystalline sky in Suffern throned illustrious far and wide but by his own first scene there Manik spected joy surprised when the great ensign of Messiah blazed aloft by angels borne his sign in heaven under whose contact Michael soon reduced his army sir confused on either wing under their head embodied all in one before him our divine is way prepared at his command the uprooted Hills retired each to his place they heard his voice and went obsequious heaven has wanted faith renewed and with fresh flower its hill and valley smile this saw his hapless foes but stood up dude and too rebellious fight rallied their powers insensate hope conceiving from despair in heavenly spirits could such perverseness dwell but to convince the proud what signs of ale or wonders move the burette to relent they hardened more by what might most reclaim grieving to see his glory that the site took envy and aspiring to his height stood reom battled fierce by force or fraud weaning to prosper and at length prevail against God and Messiah or to fall in universal ruin last and now to final battle drew disdaining flight or faint retreat when the great son of God to all his hosts on either hand thus spake standstill in bright array you Saints here stand ye angels armed this day from battle rest faithful hath been your warfare and of God accepted fearless in his righteous cause and as she have received so have you done invincibly but of this Kherson crew the punishment to other hand belongs vengeance is his or whose he solo points number to this day's work is not ordained nor multitude stand only and behold God's indignation on these godless poured by me not you but me they have despised yet envied against me is all their rage because the father to him in heaven supreme Kingdom and power and glory appertains have honored me according to his will therefore to me there do me at the sign that they may have their wish to try with me in battle which the stronger proves they all or I alone against them since by strength they measure all of other excellence not emulous nor care who them excels nor others strife with them do I've out safe so spake the son and into terror changed his countenance to severe to be beheld and full of wrath bent on his enemies at once the for spread out their starry wings with dreadful shade contiguous and the orbs of his fierce chariot rolled as with the sound of torrent floods or of a numerous hosts he on his impious foes right onward drove gloomy as night under his burning wheels the steadfast Emperor and shook throughout all but the throne itself of God Paul soon among them he arrived in his right hand grasping ten thousand thunders which he sent before him such as in their souls in fixed plagues they astonished all resistance lost all courage down their idle weapons dropped or shields and Helms and helmet heads he rode of Thrones and mighty Seraphim prostrate that wished the mountains now might be again thrown on them as a shelter from his ire nor less on either side tempestuous fellows arrows from the four hold visit four distinct with eyes and from the living wheels distinct alight with multitude of eyes one spirit in them rule and every eye glared lightning and shot forth pernicious fire among the cursed that withered all their strength and of their wanted bigger left them drained exhausted spiritless afflicted fall yet happiest strength he put not forth but checked his Thunder in mid volley for he meant not to destroy but route them out of heaven the overthrown he raised and as a herd of goats or tim'rous fought together thronged drove them before him thunderstruck pursued with terrors and with Furies to the bounds and crystal wall of heaven which opening wide rolled inward and a spacious gap disclosed into the wasteful deep but monstrous sights struck them with horror backward but far worse urged them behind headlong themselves they threw down from the verge of heaven eternal wrath burnt after them to the bottomless pit L heard and sufferable noise hell saw heaven ruining from heaven and would have fled affrighted but strict fate had cast too deep her dark foundations and too fast at bound nine days they fell confounded chaos roared and felt tenfold confusion in their fall through his wild Anarchy so huge a route encumbered him with ruin hell at last yawning received them whole and on them closed hell the fit habitation fraught with fire unquenchable the house of woe and pain disburdened heaven rejoiced and soon repaired her mural breach returning whence it rolled soul victor from the expulsion of his foes messiah his triumphal chariot turned to meet him all his saints who silence stood eyewitnesses of his almighty acts with jubilee advanced and as they went shaded with branching palm each order bright song triumph and him son victorious King son heir and Lord to him Dominion given worthy us to reign he celebrated rode triumphant through mid heaven into the courts and temple of his mighty father throned on high who into glory him received where now he sits at the right hand of bliss thus measuring things in heaven buy things on earth and I request and that thou mayst beware about what his past do they I have revealed what might have else to human race been in the discord which befell and war in heaven among the angelic powers and the deep fall of those two high aspiring who rebelled with Satan he who envies now thy state who now is plotting how he may seduce the also from obedience that with him bereaved of happiness the Mizpah take his punishment eternal misery which would be all his solace and revenge as a despite done against the Most High he wants to gain companion of his role but listen not to his temptations warn my weaker let it profit thee to have heard by terrible example the reward of disobedience firm I might have stood yet fell remember and fear to transgress the end of the sixth book recording by Thomas Copeland a world's judged the perverse the easier conquest now remains thee aided by this host friends back on thy foes more glorious to return than scorn without its depart and to subdue by force who reason for their law refuse right reason for their law and for their King Messiah ruled by right of merry brains go michael with celestial armies Prince and thou in military prowess next Gabriel lead forth to battle these my sons invincible lead forth by armored saints by thousands and by millions range for fight equal in number two that godless crew rebellious them with fire and hostile arms fearless assault and to the brow of heaven pursuing drive them out from God and bliss into the place of punishment the gulf of Tartarus which ready opens wide his fiery chaos to receive their fall so spake the sovereign voice and clouds began to darken all the Hill and smoke to roll in dusky wreaths reluctant flames the sign of Wrath awaked nor with less dread the loud ethereal trumpet from on high gang blow at which command the powers militant that stood for heaven the mighty quadrate joined of union irresistible moved on in silence the right legions to the sound of instrumental harmony book 6 of Paradise Lost 2nd edition by John Milton this LibriVox recording is in the public domain recording by Thomas Copeland book 6 the argument raffio continues to relate how Michael and Gabriel were sent forth to battle against Satan and his angels the first fight described Satan and his powers retire under night he calls a council invents devilish engines which in the second day's fight put Michael and his angels to some disorder but they at length pulling up mountains overwhelmed both the force and machines of Satan yet the tumult not so ending God on the third day sends Messiah his son for whom he had reserved the glory of that victory he in the power of his father coming to the place and causing all his legions to stand still on either side with his chariot and Thunder driving into the midst of his enemies pursues them unable to resist towards the wall of heaven which opening they leapt down with horror and confusion into the place of punishment prepared for them in the deep Messiah returns with triumph to his father all night the dread loss angel unpursued through heavens wide champagne held his way till morn waked by the circling hours with rosy hand unbarred the gates of light there is a cave within the Mount of God fast his throne where light and darkness and perpetual round large and dislodged by turns which makes the heaven grateful vicissitude like day and night light issues forth and at the other door obsequious darkness enters till her hour to veil to heaven though darkness there might well seem Twilight here and now when forth the more such as in highest heaven arrayed in gold Imperial from before her banished night shot through with orient beams when all the plain covered with thick embattled squadrons bright chariots and flaming arms and fiery steeds reflecting blaze on blades first met his view war he perceived war and force inked and found already known what he for news that thought to have reported gladly then he mixed among those friendly powers who him received with joy and acclamations loud that one that have so many myriads fall yet one returned not lost on to the sacred Hill they led him I applauded and present before the seat supreme from whence a voice amidst a golden cloud the smiled was heard servant of God well done well hast thou thought the better fight who single has maintained against revolted multitudes the cause of truth in word mightier than they in arms and for the testimony of truth as born universal reproach far worth to bear than violence but this was all thy care to stand approved in sight of God though that breathed heroic ardor to adventurous deeds under their godlike leaders in the cause of god and his messiah on they move in DISA lovely firm nor obvious hill nor straightening Vale nor would nor stream divides the perfect ranks for high above the ground their March was in the passive air bore their nimble tread as when the total kind of birds in orderly array on wing came summoned over Eden to receive their names of thee so over many attract of heaven they marched and many a province-wide tenfold the length of this terrine at last far in the risin to the North appeared from skirt to skirt a fiery region stretched in battle a suspect and nearer view bristled with upright beams innumerable rigid spheres and helmets thronged and shields various with boastful argument portrayed the banded powers of satan hasting on with furious expedition but they weaned that self same day by fight or by surprise to win the mount of God and on his throne to set the end layer of his state the proudest Pyrrha but their thoughts proof fond and vain in the midway those strange to us had seemed at first that angel should with angel war and in fierce hosting meet who want to meet so often festivals of joy and love unanimous as sons of one great sire himming the Eternal Father but the Chartres battle now began at rushing sound of onset ended soon each milder thought high in the midst exalted as a god the PAS state in his son bright chariots eight idol of majesty divine enclosed with flaming cherubim and golden fields then lighted from his gorgeous throne for now Twix toast and host but narrow space was left a dreadful interval and front-to-front presented stood in terrible array of hideous length before the cloudy van on the rough edge of battle arid joined Satan with vast and haughty strides advanced came towering armed with adamant and gold Abdiel that sight endured not he stood among the mightiest bent on highest deeds and thus his own undaunted heart explores oh heaven that such resemblance of the highest should yet remain where faith and Realty remained not wherefore should not strengthened might dare fail where virtue fails or weakest prove where boldest though to sight unconquerable his presense trusting in Almighty's aid I mean to try whose

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Length: 62min 58sec (3778 seconds)

Published: Wed Mar 14 2018