Page:Paradise lost by Milton, John.djvu/154

At least had gone to wrack, disturbed and torn
With violence of this conflict, had not soon
The Eternal, to prevent such horrid fray,
Hung forth in heaven his golden scales, yet, seen
Betwixt Astrea and the Scorpion sign,
Wherein all things created first he weighed.
The pendulous round earth with balanced air1000
In counterpoise, now ponders all events,
Battles and realms. In these he put two weights
The sequel each of parting and of fight:
The latter quick up flew, and kicked the beam,
Which Gabriel spying thus bespake the Fiend:
"Satan, I know thy strength, and thou knowest mine,
Neither our own, but given; what folly then
To boast what arms can do! since thine no more
Than Heaven permits, nor mine, though doubled now
To trample thee as mire. For proof look up,1010
And read thy lot in yon celestial sign,
Where thou art weighed, and shown how light, how weak,
If thou resist." The Fiend looked up, and knew
His mounted scale aloft: nor more; but fled
Murmuring, and with him fled the shades of night.