Page:Paradise lost by Milton, John.djvu/148

Invincible. Abashed the Devil stood,
And felt how awful goodness is, and saw
Virtue in her shape how lovely; saw, and pined
His loss; but cheifly to find here observed
His lustre visibly impaired; yet seemed850
Undaunted:—"If I must contend," said he,
"Best with the best, the sender, not the sent,
Or all at once; more glory will be won,
Or less be lost."—"Thy fear," said Zephon bold,
"Will save us trial what the least can do
Single against thee wicked, and thence weak."
The Fiend replied not, overcome with rage;
But, like a proud steed reined went haughty on,
Champing his iron curb: to strive or fly
He held it vain; awe from above had quelled860
His heart, not else dismayed. Now drew they nigh
The western point, where those half-rounding guards
Just met, and closing stood in squadron joined,
Awaiting next command. To whom their chief,
Gabriël, from the front thus called aloud:
"O friends, I hear the tread of nimble feet
Hasting this way, and now by glimpse discern
Ithuriël and Zephon though the shade;
And with them comes a third of regal port,
But faded splendor wan, who by his gait870
And fierce demeanour seems the Prince of Hell,
Not likely to part hence without contest.