to strive or fly He held it vain; awe from above had quelled His heart, not else dismayed. Now drew they nigh The western point, where those half-rounding guards Just met, and closing stood in squadron joined, Awaiting next command. To whom their chief, Gabriel, from the front thus called aloud:
“O friends, I hear the tread of nimble feet Hasting this way, and now by glimpse discern Ithuriel and Zephon through the shade; And with them comes a third, of regal port, But faded splendour wan, who by his gait And fierce demeanour seems the Prince of Hell; Not likely to part hence without contest. Stand firm, for in his look defiance lours.”
He scarce had ended, when those two approached, And brief related whom they brought, where found, How busied, in what form and posture couched. To whom, with stern regard, thus Gabriel spake: “Why hast thou, Satan, broke the bounds prescribed To thy transgressions, and disturbed the charge Of others, who approve not to transgress By thy example, but have power and right To question thy bold entrance on this place? Employed, it seems, to violate sleep, and those Whose dwelling God hath planted here in bliss.”