Chapter 2 1

ALL night the dreadless Angel unpursed Through Heavns wide Champain held his way, till Morn, Wakt by the circling Hours, with rosie hand Unbarrd the gates of Light. There is a Cave Within the Mount of God, fast by his Throne, [ 5 ] Where light and darkness in perpetual round Lodge and dislodge by turns, which makes through Heavn Grateful vicissitude, like Day and Night; Light issues forth, and at the other dore Obsequious darkness enters, till her hours [ 10 ] To veile the Heavn, though darkness there might well Seem twilight here; and now went forth the Morn Such as in highest Heavn, arrayed in Gold

Empyreal, from before her vanished Night, Shot through with orient Beams: when all the Plain [ 15 ] Covered with thick embatteld Squadrons bright, Chariots and flaming Armes, and fierie Steeds Reflecting blaze on blaze, first met his view: Warr he perceaved, warr in procinct, and found Already known what he for news had thought [ 20 ] To have reported: gladly then he mixt Among those friendly Powers who he receaved With joy and acclamations loud, that one That of so many Myriads falln, yet one Return not lost: On to the sacred hill [ 25 ] They led him high applauded, and present

Before the seat supream; from whence a voice From midst a Golden Cloud thus milde was heard. Servant of God, well done, well hast thou fought The better fight, who single has maintained [ 30 ] Against revolted multitudes the Cause Of Truth, in word mightier then they in Armes; And for the testimonie of Truth hast born Universal reproach, far worse to bear Then violence: for this was all thy care [ 35 ] To stand approvd in sight of God, though Worlds Judgd thee perverse: the easier conquest now Remains thee, aided by this host of friends, Back on thy foes more glorious to return

Then scorned thou didst depart, and to subdue [ 40 ] By force, who reason for thir Law refuse, Right reason for thir Law, and for thir King Messiah, who by right of merit Reigns.