Bute,forthou,besure,shaltgiveat

    Tohimwhosentus,whosechargeistokeep

    Thisplaviolable,andthesefromharm.

    SospaketheCherube,andhisgraverebuke

    Severeinyouthfulbeautie,addedgrace[845]

    Invincible:abashttheDevilstood,

    Ahowawfulgoodnessis,andsaw

    Vertueinhershapehowlovly,saind

    Hisloss;butchieflytofindhereobservd

    Hislustrevisiblyimpaird;yetseemd[850]

    Undaunted.IfImusttend,saidhe,

    Bestwiththebest,theSethesent,

    Orallatonce;mloriewillbewonn,

    Orlessbelost.Thyfear,saidZephonbold,

    Willsaveustrialwhattheleastdoe[855]

    Singleagainsttheewicked,andthenceweak.

    TheFiendreplidnot,overewithrage;

    ButlikeaproudSteedreihautieon,

    Chaumpinghisironcurb:tostriveorflie

    Hehelditvain;awefromabovehadquelld[860]

    Hisheart,notelsedismaid.Nowdrewtheynigh

    ThewesternPoint,wherethosehalf-roundingguards

    Justmet,andclosingstoodinsquadronjoind

    Awaitiand.TowhomthirChief

    GabrielfromtheFrontthuscalldaloud.[865]

    Ofriends,Ihearthetreadofnimblefeet

    Hastingthisway,andnowbyglimpsdise

    IthurielandZephhtheshade,

    Andwiththemesathirdalport,

    Butfadedsplendorwan;whobyhisgate[870]

    AndfiercedemeanourseemsthePrinceofHell,

    Notlikelytoparthehouttest;

    Standfirm,forinhislookdefiancelours.

    Hescarcehadended,whenthosetroachd

    Andbriefrelatedwhomtheybrought,wherefound,[875]

    Howbusied,inwhatformandposturec