BOOK FOURTH
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��From these, two strong and subtle Spirits
he called That near him stood, and gave them thus
in charge : " Ithuriel and Zephon, with winged
speed Search through this Garden; leave un-
searched no nook; But chiefly where those two fair creatures
lodge, 79 o
Now laid perhaps asleep, secure of harm. This evening from the Sun's decline arrived Who tells of some infernal Spirit seen Hither ward bent (who could have
thought ?), escaped
The bars of Hell, on errand bad, no doubt: Such, where ye find, seize fast, and hither
bring."
So saying, on he led his radiant files, Dazzling the moon; these to the bower
direct In search of whom they sought. Him there
they found
Squat like a toad, close at the ear of Eve, Assaying by his devilish art to reach 801 The organs of her fancy, and with them
forge
Illusions as he list, phantasms and dreams; Or if, inspiring venom, he might taint The animal spirits, that from pure blood
arise Like gentle breaths from rivers pure, thence
raise,
At least distempered, discontented thoughts, Vain hopes, vain aims, inordinate desires, Blown up with high conceits ingendering
pride.
Him thus intent Ithuriel with his spear 810 Touched lightly; for no falsehood can en- dure
Touch of celestial temper, but returns Of force to its own likeness. Up he starts, Discovered and surprised. As, when a
spark
Lights on a heap of nitrous powder, laid Fit for the tun, some magazin to store Against a rumoured war, the smutty grain, With sudden blaze diffused, inflames the
air;
So started up, in his own shape, the Fiend. Back stept those two fair Angels, half
amazed 820
So sudden to behold the griesly King; Yet thus, unmoved with fear, accost him
��" Which of those rebel Spirits adjudged
to Hell Com'st thou, escaped thy prison ? and,
transformed,
Why satt'st thou like an enemy in wait, Here watching at the head of these that
sleep ? " " Know ye not, then," said Satan, filled
with scorn, " Know ye not me ? Ye knew me once no
mate For you, there sitting where ye durst not
soar !
Not to know me argues yourselves un- known, 830 The lowest of your throng; or, if ye know, Why ask ye, and superfluous begin Your message, like to end as much in
vain?" To whom thus Zephon, answering scorn
with scorn : " Think not, revolted Spirit, thy shape the
same,
Or undiminished brightness, to be known As when tbou stood'st in Heaven upright
and pure. That glory then, when thou no more wast
good, Departed from thee; and thou resemblest
now Thy sin and place of doom obscure and
foul. 840
But come ; for thou, be sure, shalt give ac- count
To him who sent us, whose charge is to keep This place inviolable, and these from harm." So spake the Cherub; and his grave re- buke,
Severe in youthful beauty, added grace Invincible. Abashed the Devil stood, And felt how awful goodness is, and saw Virtue in her shape how lovely saw, and
pined
His loss ; but chiefly to find here observed His lustre visibly impaired; yet seemed Undaunted. " If I must contend," said he, 85 1
" Best with the best the sender, not the
sent;
Or all at once: more glory will be won, Or less be lost." " Thy fear," said Zephon
bold,
" Will save us trial what the least can do Single against thee wicked, and thence weak."
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