17

    But come, for t give account

    to  us, wo keep

    these from harm.

    So spake the Cherube, and his grave rebuke

    Severe in youtie, added grace [ 845 ]

    Invincible: abasood,

    And felt how awful goodness is, and saw

    Vertue in her shape how lovly, saw, and pind

    co find here observd

    re visibly impaird; yet seemd [ 850 ]

    Undaunted. If I must contend, said he,

    Best , t t,

    Or all at once; more glorie will be wonn,

    Or less be lost. thy fear, said Zephon bold,

    ill save us trial  can doe [ 855 ]

    Single against thence weak.

    t, overcome h rage;

    But like a proud Steed reind,  ie on,

    Co strive or flie

    vain; awe from above had quelld [ 860 ]

    , not else dismaid. Nohey nigh

    tern Point, whose half-rounding guards

    Just met, and closing stood in squadron joind

    Aing next command. to whir Chief

    Gabriel from t thus calld aloud. [ 865 ]

    O friends, I read of nimble feet

    ing this way, and now by glimps discerne

    Ithe shade,

    And ,

    But faded splendor wan; we [ 870 ]

    And fierce demeanour seems the Prince of hell,

    Not likely to part  contest;

    Stand firm, for in his look defiance lours.

    wo approachd

    And brief related w, where found, [ 875 ]

    form and posture coucht.

    to hus Gabriel spake.

    tan, broke the bounds prescribd

    to transgressions, and disturbd the charge

    Of ot to transgress [ 880 ]

    By t

    to question trance on this place;

    Imploid it seems to violate sleep, and those

    ed here in bliss?