infinite; for wide was spread That war, and various: sometimes on firm ground A standing fight; then, soaring on main wing, Tormented all the air; all air seemed then Conflicting fire. Long time in even scale The battle hung; till Satan, who that day Prodigious power had shown, and met in arms No equal, ranging through the dire attack Of fighting Seraphim confused, at length Saw where the sword of Michael smote, and felled Squadrons at once: with huge two-handed sway Brandished aloft the horrid edge came down Wide-wasting; such destruction to withstand He hasted, and opposed the rocky orb Of tenfold adamant, his ample shield, A vast circumference. At his approach The great Archangel from his warlike toil Surceased, and, glad, as hoping here to end Intestine war in Heaven, the Arch-foe subdued Or captive dragged in chains, with hostile frown And visage all inflamed, first thus began:
“ ‘Author of evil, unknown till thy revolt, Unnamed in Heaven, now plenteous as thou seest These acts of hateful strife, hateful to all, Though heaviest, by just measure, on thyself And thy adherents: how hast thou disturbed Heaven’s blessed peace, and into Nature brought Misery, uncreated till the crime Of thy rebellion! how hast thou instilled Thy malice