So spake th Omnipotent, and with his words
All seemd well pleasd, all seemd, but were not all.
That day, as other solemn dayes, they spent
In song and dance about the sacred Hill,
Mystical dance, which yonder starrie Spheare [ 620 ]
Of Planets and of fixt in all her Wheeles
Resembles nearest, mazes intricate,
Eccentric, intervolvd, yet regular
Then most, when most irregular they seem,
And in thir motions harmonie Divine [ 625 ]
So smooths her charming tones, that Gods own ear
Listens delighted. Eevning now approachd
(For wee have also our Eevning and our Morn,
Wee ours for change delectable, not need)
Forthwith from dance to sweet repast they turn [ 630 ]
Desirous, all in Circles as they stood,
Tables are set, and on a sudden pild
With Angels Food, and rubied Nectar flows
In Pearl, in Diamond, and massie Gold,
Fruit of delicious Vines, the growth of Heavn. [ 635 ]
On flours reposd, and with fresh flourets crownd,
They eate, they drink, and in communion sweet
Quaff immortalitie and joy, secure
Of surfet where full measure onely bounds
Excess, before th all bounteous King, who showrd [ 640 ]
With copious hand, rejoycing in thir joy.
Now when ambrosial Night with Clouds exhald
From that high mount of God, whence light & shade
Spring both, the face of brightest Heavn had changd
To grateful Twilight (for Night comes not there [ 645 ]
In darker veile) and roseat Dews disposd
All but the unsleeping eyes of God to rest,
Wide over all the Plain, and wider farr
Then all this globous Earth in Plain out spred,
(Such are the Courts of God) th Angelic throng [ 650 ]
Disperst in Bands and Files thir Camp extend
By living Streams among the Trees of Life,
Pavilions numberless, and sudden reard,
Celestial Tabernacles, where they slept
Fannd with coole Winds, save those who in thir course [ 655 ]
Melodious Hymns about the sovran Throne
Alternate all night long: but not so wakd
Satan, so call him now, his former name
Is heard no more in Heavn; he of the first,
If not the first Arch-Angel, great in Power, [ 660 ]
In favour and præeminence, yet fraught
With envie against the Son of God, that day
Honourd by his great Father, and proclaimd
Messiah King anointed, could not beare
Through pride that sight, & thought himself impaird. [ 665 ]
Deep malice thence conceiving and disdain,
Soon as midnight brought on the duskie houre
Friendliest to sleep and silence, he resolvd
With all his Legions to dislodge, and leave
Unworshipt, unobeyd the Throne supream [ 670 ]
Contemptuous, and his next subordinate
Awakning, thus to him in secret spake.