Now wavd thir fierie Swords, and in the Aire
Made horrid Circles; two broad Suns thir Shields [ 305 ]
Blazd opposite, while expectation stood
In horror; from each hand with speed retird
Where erst was thickest fight, th Angelic throng,
And left large field, unsafe within the wind
Of such commotion, such as to set forth [ 310 ]
Great things by small, If Natures concord broke,
Among the Constellations warr were sprung,
Two Planets rushing from aspect maligne
Of fiercest opposition in mid Skie,
Should combat, and thir jarring Sphears confound. [ 315 ]
Together both with next to Almightie Arme,
Uplifted imminent one stroke they aimd
That might determine, and not need repeate,
As not of power, at once; nor odds appeerd
In might or swift prevention; but the sword [ 320 ]
Of Michael from the Armorie of God
Was givn him temperd so, that neither keen
Nor solid might resist that edge: it met
The sword of Satan with steep force to smite
Descending, and in half cut sheere, nor staid, [ 325 ]
But with swift wheele reverse, deep entring shard
All his right side; then Satan first knew pain,
And writh d him to and fro convolvd; so sore
The griding sword with discontinuous wound
Passd through him, but th Ethereal substance closd [ 330 ]
Not long divisible, and from the gash
A stream of Nectarous humor issuing flowd
Sanguin, such as Celestial Spirits may bleed,
And all his Armour staind ere while so bright.
Forthwith on all sides to his aide was run [ 335 ]
By Angels many and strong, who interposd
Defence, while others bore him on thir Shields
Back to his Chariot; where it stood retird
From off the files of warr; there they him laid
Gnashing for anguish and despite and shame [ 340 ]
To find himself not matchless, and his pride
Humbld by such rebuke, so farr beneath
His confidence to equal God in power.