resent, past, and future; on such day [host eav'n's great year brings forth, th' empyreal ngels, by imperial summons call'd, merable before th' Almighty's throne with from all the ends of heav'n appear'd;

r their hierarchs in orders bright housand thousand ensigns high advanc'd, lards and gonfalons twixt van and rear m in the air, and for distinction serve erarchies, of orders, and degrees : their glittering tissues bear imblaz'd memorials, acts of zeal and love ded eminent. Thus when in orbs cuit inexpressible they stood, ithin orb, the Father infinite,

om in bliss imbosom'd sat the Son,

t as from a flaming mount, whose top
ness had made invisible, thus spake.
r all ye Angels, progeny of light,
s, Dominations, Princedoms, Virtues,
Powers,

s'd] Ov. Met. 1. 13. Ponderibus librata suis.' Newton.

585

590

395

600

rones] By all the Thrones, and Dominations, Vir

we have also our ev'ning and our morn, ours for change delectable, not need,

thwith from dance to sweet repast they turn 630 irous, all in circles as they stood,

les are set, and on a sudden pil'd

h angels food, and rubied nectar flows, pearl, in diamond, and massy gold;

it of delicious vines, the growth of heav'n. 635 flow'rs repos'd and with fresh flowrets crown'd, y eat, they drink, and in communion sweet ff immortality and joy, secure

urfeit where full measure only bounds

ess, before th' all-bounteous King, who showr'd 1 copious hand, rejoicing in their joy.

641

when ambrosial night with clouds exhal'd n that high mount of GOD, whence light and shade [changed ng both, the face of brightest heav'n had rateful twilight, for night comes not there 645 arker veil, and roseate dews dispos'd

ut the unsleeping eyes of GOD to rest,

e over all the plain, and wider far

rubied] Nectar of the colour of rubies. Hom. Il. xix. κταρ ἐρυθρόν. Newton.

In the first ed. the passage stood thus :

They eat, they drink, and with refection sweet

re filled, before the all bounteous King,' &c.

Newton.

imbrosial] Hom. Il. ii. 57. 'Außpoσíŋv dià výктa.

Newton.

roseate] roscid. Bentl. MS.

660

Melodious hymns about the sov'reign throne
Alternate all night long. But not so wak'd
Satan, so call him now, his former name
Is heard no more in heav'n; he of the first,
If not the first arch-angel, great in power,
In favour and preeminence, yet fraught
With envy against the Son of God, that day
Honour'd by his great Father, and proclaim'd
Messiah King anointed, could not bear
Thro' pride that sight, and thought himself im-
Deep malice thence conceiving and disdain,
Soon as midnight brought on the dusky hour,
Friendliest to sleep and silence, he resolv'd
With all his legions to dislodge, and leave
Unworship'd, unobey'd, the throne supreme, 670
Contemptuous, and his next subordinate
Awak'ning, thus to him in secret spake.

[pair'd.

[close

Sleep'st thou, companion dear, what sleep can

Thy eyelids? and remember'st what decree

649 globous earth] So in the Doctrine of Divorce, p. 208, ed. Burnet. 6 Circling upwards can make from the globy sea whereon she stands.'

073 Sleep'st thou] See Nonni Dionysiaca, lib. xxix. v. 328.