To whom thus Michael: “These are the product Of those ill-mated marriages thou saw’st; Where good with bad were matched, who of themselves Abhor to join, and, by imprudence mixed, Produce prodigious births of body or mind. Such were these Giants, men of high renown; For in those days might only shall be admired, And valour and heroic virtue called; To overcome in battle, and subdue Nations, and bring home spoils with infinite Man-slaughter, shall be held the highest pitch Of human glory, and for glory done Of triumph, to be styled great conquerors, Patrons of mankind, gods, and sons of gods⁠— Destroyers rightlier called, and plagues of men. Thus fame shall be achieved, renown on Earth, And what most merits fame in silence hid. But he, the seventh from thee, whom thou beheld’st The only righteous in a world perverse, And therefore hated, therefore so beset With foes, for daring single to be just, And utter odious truth, that God would come To judge them with his Saints⁠—him the Most High, Rapt in a balmy cloud with winged steeds,