Chapter 20 19
So spake the fervent Angel, but his zeale
None seconded, as out of season judgd, [ 850 ]
Or singular and rash, what a rejoicing
Th Apostat, and more haughty thus replid.
That we were formd then saist thou?
Of secondarie hands, by task transfer
From Father to his Son? strange point and new! [ 855 ]
Doctrin which we would know whence learned: who saw
When this creation was? remembert thou
Thy making, while the Maker gave thee being?
We know no time when we were not as now;
Know none before us, self-begot, self-raisd [ 860 ]
By our own quickning power, when fatal course
Had circld his full Orbe, the birth mature
Of this our native Heavn, Ethereal Sons.
Our puissance is our own, our own right hand
Shall teach us highest deeds, by proof to try [ 865 ]
Who is our equal: then thou shalt behold
Whether by supplication we intend
Address, and to begirt th Almighty Throne
Beseeching or besieging. This report,
These tidings carrie to th anointed King; [ 870 ]
And fly, ere evil intercept thy flight.
He said, and as the sound of waters deep
Hoarce murmur echoed to his words applause
Through the infinite Host, nor less for that
The flaming Seraph fearless, though alone [ 875 ]
Encompassed round with foes, thus answered bold.
O alienate from God, O spirit accurst,
Forsakn of all good; I see thy fall
Determine, and thy hapless crew involved
In this perfidious fraud, contagion spred [ 880 ]
Both of thy crime and punishment: henceforth
No more be troubled how to quit the yoke
Of Gods Messiah; those indulgent Laws
Will not now be voutsafe, other Decrees
Against thee are gon forth without recall; [ 885 ]
That Golden Scepter which thou didst reject
Is now an Iron Rod to bruise and break
Thy disobedience. Well thou didst advise,
Yet not for thy advise or threats I fly
These wicked Tents devoted, least the wrauth [ 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 learne,
When who can uncreate thee thou shalt know. [ 895 ]
So spake the Seraph Abdiel faithfully found,
Among the faithless, faithful only hee;
Among innumerable false, unmovd,
Unshakn, unseducd, unterrifid
His Loyaltie he kept, his Love, his Zeale; [ 900 ]
Nor number, nor example with him wrought
To swerve from truth, or change his constant mind
Though single. From amidst them forth he passd,
Long way through hostile scorn, which he susteind
Superior, nor of violence feared aught; [ 905 ]
And with retorted scorn his back he turn
On those proud Towrs to swift destruction doomed.