第8章 7

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, And left large field, unsafe within the wind Of such commotion, such as to set forth [ 310 ]

Great things by small, If Natures concord broke, Among the Constellations warr were sprung, Two Planets rushing from aspect maligne Of fiercest opposition in mid Skie, Should combat, and thir jarring Sphears confound. [ 315 ] Together both with next to Almightie Arme, Uplifted imminent one stroke they aimd

That might determine, and not need repeate, As not of power, at once; nor odds appeerd In might or swift prevention; but the sword [ 320 ] Of Michael from the Armorie of God Was givn him temperd so, that neither keen Nor solid might resist that edge: it met The sword of Satan with steep force to smite

Descending, 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 convolvd; so sore The griding sword with discontinuous wound Passd through him, but th Ethereal substance closd [ 330 ]

Not long divisible, and from the gash A stream of Nectarous humor issuing flowd Sanguin, such as Celestial Spirits may bleed, And all his Armour staind ere while so bright. 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 for anguish and despite and shame [ 340 ] To find himself not matchless, and his pride Humbld by such rebuke, so farr beneath His confidence to equal God in power.