“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: