These tidings carry to th' anointed King;
And fly, ere evil intercept thy flight.

870

875

880

He said, and as the sound of waters deep Hoarse Murmur echo'd to his words applause Through th' infinite host; nor less for that The flaming seraph fearless, though alone Incompass'd round with foes, thus answer'd bold, O Alienate from God, O Spi'rit accurs❜d, Forsaken of all good; I see thy fall Determin'd, and thy hapless crew involv'd In this perfidious fraud, contagion spread Both of thy crime and punishment: henceforth No more be troubled how to quit the yoke Of God's Messiah; those indulgent laws Will not be now vouchsaf'd; other decrees Against thee are gone forth without recal; That golden sceptre, which thou didst reject, Is now an iron rød to bruise and break Thy disobedience. Well thou didst advise, Yet not for thy advice or threats I fly These wicked tents devoted, lest the wrath Impendent, raging into sudden flame Distinguish not: for soon expect to feel His thunder on thy head, devouring fire. Then who created thee lamenting learn,

885

890

When who can uncreate thee thou shalt know. 895 So spake the seraph Abdiel faithful found

Among the faithless, faithful only he;

Among innumerable false, unmov'd,

Unshaken, unseduc'd, unterrify'd

900

His loyalty he kept, his love, his zeal ;
Nor number, nor example with him wrought
To swerve from truth, or change his constant mind
Though single. From amidst them forth he pass'd
Long way through hostile scorn, which he sustain'd,
Superior, nor of violence fear'd aught; 905

And with retorted scorn his back he turn'd

On those proud towers to swift destruction doom'd,

END OF VOL. I.

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