“This saw his hapless foes, but stood obdured, And to rebellious fight rallied their powers, Insensate, hope conceiving from despair. In Heavenly Spirits could such perverseness dwell? But to convince the proud what signs avail, Or wonders move the obdurate to relent? They, hardened more by what might most reclaim, Grieving to see his glory, at the sight Took envy, and, aspiring to his highth, Stood re-embattled fierce, by force or fraud Weening to prosper, and at length prevail Against God and Messiah, or to fall In universal ruin last; and now To final battle drew, disdaining flight, Or faint retreat: when the great Son of God To all his host on either hand thus spake:
“ ‘Stand still in bright array, ye Saints; here stand, Ye Angels armed; this day from battle rest. Faithful hath been your warfare, and of God Accepted, fearless in his righteous cause; And as ye have received, so have ye done, Invincibly. But of this cursed crew The punishment to other hand belongs; Vengeance is his, or whose he sole appoints: Number to this day’s work is not ordained, Nor multitude; stand only and behold God’s indignation on these godless poured By me; not you, but me, they have despised, Yet envied; against me is all their rage, Because the Father, to whom in Heaven supreme Kingdom and power and glory appertains, Hath honoured me, according to his will. Therefore to me their doom he hath assigned, That they may have their wish, to try with me In battle which the stronger proves—they all, Or I alone against them; since by strength They measure all, of other excellence Not emulous, nor care who them excels; Nor other strife with them do I vouchsafe.’