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Paradiſe loſt.
Book 3.

Thir ſacred Song, and waken raptures high;
370No voice exempt, no voice but well could joine
Melodious part, ſuch concord is in Heav’n.
Thee Father firſt they ſung Omnipotent,
Immutable, Immortal, Infinite,
Eternal King; thee Author of all being,
Fonntain of Light, thy ſelf inviſible
Amidſt the glorious brightneſs where thou ſit’ſt
Thron'd inacceſſible, but when thou ſhad'ſt
The full blaze of thy beams, and through a cloud
Drawn round about thee like a radiant Shrine,
380Dark with exceſſive bright thy skirts appeer,
Yet dazle Heav’n, that brighteſt Seraphim
Approach not, but with both wings veil thir eyes.
Thee next they ſang of all Creation firſt,
Begotten Son, Divine Similitude,
In whoſe conſpicuous count'nance, without cloud
Made viſible, th' Almighty Father ſhines,
Whom elſe no Creature can behold; on thee
Impreſst the effulgence of his Glorie abides,
Transfus'd on thee his ample Spirit reſts.
390Hee Heav’n of Heavens and all the Powers therein
By thee created, and by thee threw down
Th' aſpiring Dominations: thou that day
Thy Fathers dreadful Thunder didſt not ſpare,
Nor ſtop thy flaming Chariot wheels, that ſhook
Heav’ns everlaſting Frame, while o’re the necks
Thou drov'ſt of warring Angels diſarraid.
Back from purſuit thy Powers with loud acclaime
Thee only extold, Son of thy Fathers might,
To execute fierce vengeance on his foes,
400Not so on Man; him through their malice fall'n,