As when earth's son Antäus (to compare
Small things with greatest) in Irassa ftrove
With Jove's Alcides, and oft foild still rose, 565
Receiving from his mother earth new strength,
Fresh from his fall, and fiercer grapple joind,
Throttled at length in th' air, expir’d, and fell ;
So after many a foil the Tempter proud,
Renewing fresh assaults, amidst his pride

570
Fell whence he stood to see his victor fall.
And as that Theban monster that propos’d
Her riddle', and him who solv'd it not, devour'd,
That once found out and solv’d, for grief and spite
Caft herself headlong from th' Ismenian steep; 575
So struck with dread and anguish fell the Fiend,
And to his crew, that sat consulting, brought
Joyless triumphals of his hop'd success,
Ruin, and desperation, and dismay,
Who durst so proudly tempt the Son of God.
So Satan fell; and strait a fiery globe
Of Angels on full fail of wing flew nigh,
Who on their plumy vans receiv'd him soft
From his uneasy station, and upbore
As on a floting couch through the blithe air, 585
Then in a flow'ry valley set him down
On a green bank, and set before him spread

of celestial food, divine, Ambrosial fruits, fetch'd from the tree of life, And from the fount of life ambrosial drink,

590 That foon refresh'd him wearied, and repair'd What hunger, if ought hunger had impair’d,

Or

580

bos

Or thirst; and as he fed, angelic quires
Sung heav'nly anthems of his victory
Over temptation, and the Tempter proud. 595

True image of the Father, whether thron'd
In the bosom of bliss, and light of light
Conceiving, or remote from Heav'n, inihrin'd
In fleshly tabernacle, and human form,
Wand'ring the wilderness, whatever place, 600
Habit, or state, or motion, still expressing
The Son of God, with God-like force indued
Against th' attempter of thy Father's throne,
And thief of Paradise; him long of old
Thou didst debel, and down from Heaven cast
With all his army, now thou hast aveng'd
Supplanted Adam, and by vanquishing
'Temptation, hast regain d lost Paradise;
And frustrated tħe conquest fraudulent:
He never more henceforth will dare set foot 610
In Paradise to tempt; his frares are broke:
For though that seat of earthly bliss be fail'd,
A fairer Paradise is founded now
For Adam and his chosen sons, whom thou
A Saviour art come down to re-install
Where they fháil dwell secure, when time Mall be,
Of Tempter and temptation without fear.
But thou, infernal Serpent, shalt not long
Rule in the clouds; like an autumnal star
Or lightning thou shalt fall from Heav'n, trod down
Under his feet: for proof, ere this thou feel'st
Thy wound, yet not thy last and deadliest wound,

615

Ву

a

By this repulse receiv'd, and hold'ft in Hell
No triumph; in all her gates Abaddon rue's
Thy bold attempt; hereafter learn with awe

62;
To dread the Son of God: he all unarm'd
Shall chace thee with the terror of his voice
From thy demoniác holds, poffeffion foul,
Thee and thy legions; yelling they shall fly,
And beg to hide them in a herd of swine, 636
Lest he command them down into the deep
Bound, and to torment fent before their time.
Hail, Son of the most high, heir of both worlds,
Queller of Satan, on thy glorious work
Now enter, and begin to save mankind.

Thus they the Son of God our Saviour meek Sung victor, and from heavenly feast refresh'd Brought on his way with joy; he unobserv’d Home to his mother's house private return'd.

635

IND OF PARADISE REGAIN'D.