Chapter 19 18
Illustrious farr and wide, but by his own
First seen, they unexpected joy surprised,
When the great Ensign of Messiah blazd [ 775 ]
Aloft by Angels born, his Sign in Heavn:
Under whose Conduct Michael soon reducd
His Armie, circumfused on either Wing,
Under thir Head imbodied all in one.
Before him Power Divine his way prepard; [ 780 ]
At his command the uprooted Hills retired
Each to his place, they heard his voice and went
Obsequious, Heavn his wonted face renewed,
And with fresh Flourets Hill and Valley smild.
This saw his hapless Foes but stood obdurd, [ 785 ]
And to rebellious fight rallied thir Powers
Insensate, hope conceiving from despair.
In heavily Spirits could such perverseness dwell?
But to convince the proud what Signs availe,
Or Wonders move th obdurate to relent? [ 790 ]
They hardnd more by what might most reclame,
Grieving to see his Glorie, at the sight
Took envie, and aspiring to his highth,
Stood reimbattelld fierce, by force or fraud
Weening to prosper, and at length prevail [ 795 ]
Against God and Messiah, or to fall
In universal ruin last, and now
To final Battel drew, disdaining flight,
Or faint retreat; when the great Son of God
To all his Host on either hand thus spake. [ 800 ]
Stand still in bright array ye Saints, here stand
Ye Angels armd, this day from Battel rest;
Faithful hath been your warfare, and of God
Accepted, fearless in his righteous Cause,
And as ye have receivd, so have ye don [ 805 ]
Invincibly; but of this cursed crew
The punishment to other hand belongs,
Vengeance is his, or whose he sole appointments;
Number to this days work is not ordained
Nor multiple, stand alone and behold [ 810 ]
Gods indignation on these Godless pour
By mee, not you but mee they have despised,
Yet envied; against mee is all thir rage,
Because the Father, t whom in Heavn supream
Kingdom and Power and Glorie appertains, [ 815 ]
Hath honored me according to his will.