Your wish inflames My spirit to begin, this fearful fray In calmness to describe, with sequence just, Success the army crowns that fights with God. The Field-marshal, great Michael (being warned By the envoy of Heaven, who from above Flew downward, downward swifter than a star That shoots athwart the sky, with the tidings how, 30 Against the high decree proud Lucifer Himself so openly opposed, prepared To lead his incense-swinging worshippers-- All who his standard and his morning-star Had sworn their bold allegiance), quickly donned, At Gabriel's report--that Herald true-- His scaly coat of mail, and with firm voice He forthwith then gave charge to all his chiefs, His captains, lords, and officers to place, In the name of God, the troops in battle rank, 40 That, with united forces and with all Their strength, they might sweep from the airy vast Of purest crystalline this perjured scum: To cast in darkness all those Spirits vile, Ere unawares they us surprise. Upon This charge the legions rapidly deployed Themselves in battle-line, as speedily As flies the nimble arrow from the bow. We saw there countless throngs together swarm In bright array and glowing martial pomp, 50 Until they formed, in serried rank, one firm Trilateral host that, like a triangle, Thrust out its edges sharp upon the eye. We saw a solid mass, like one dense light, Three-pointed, polished mirror-smooth, even like To diamond, and a battle-front advance By God more than by Spirit understood. The Field-marshal towered in the army's heart, Full-faced before God's banner, with the glow Of lurid lightnings in his lifted hand. 60 Who courage would preserve.--would victory And triumph e'er attain.--should first have care To make sure of and then to gain the heart.
But where the host accursed that us would storm?
It came into the field of daring full With all its primal faith, obedience, Honor, and oath, and what besides, forgot In this base and presumptuous attempt 'Gainst God, despite our prayers. It swiftly waxed. And pointed like a crescent moon its ends. 70 It sharpened both its points, and these, even like Two horns, closed in upon us, as amid The Zodiac the Bull doth threaten with His golden horns the other animals Celestial and the monsters that revolve Around. Upon the right horn there advanced Prince Belzebub, whose purpose was to clip Our spreading wings, and also to keep guard. The left horn to Prince Belial was assigned. Thus both stood there in shining panoply, 80 Vying in splendors grand. The Stadtholder, Now Field-marshal 'gainst God, the centre held Of this array, that he might guard the key,-- The point strategic of the legions there. The lofty standard, from whose morning-star The day did seem to stream, Apollion Behind him bore, as bravely as he could, In his full glory seated high to view.