Milton-John Tvrz, Metaphysical Poetry

Of birds, whom are men's dreams, in orderly array on wing, Came summoned over Eden to receive Their names of you, so over many a tract or Paradise they marched, and many a province wide, Tenfold the length of this terrain. At last Far in the horizon, to the north, appeared From skirt to skirt, a fiery region, stretched In battalions of senile hair and, nearer view, Bristled with upright beams, innumerable rigid spears, and helmets thronged, and shields various, boastful argument portrayed. The banded Powers of Satan hasting on With furious expedition, for they self actuated, That same day, on to fight or by surprise, To win the Mount of God, and on his Throne To set the envious of his state, the proud Aspirer. But their thoughts proved fond and vain In the mid-way, though strange to us it seemed. At first that Angel should with Angel war. And in fierce hosting meet, who wanted to know So oft in festivals of joy and love Unanimous, as sons of one great Sire, Singing the Eternal Father. But the shout Of battle now began, and rushing sound Of onset ended soon, each milder thought. High in the midst, exalted as a God, The Devil  in his sun-bright chariot sat. Idol of majesty divine, enclosed With flaming Cherubim and golden shields ; Then lighted from his gorgeous Throne for now between host and host, but narrow space was left, A dreadful interval, and front to front, Presented stood, in terrible array Of hideous length. Before the cloudy conveyance. On the rough edge of battle here it joined, Satan. Lucifer with vast and haughty strides advanced. Came towering, armed in adamantine and gold. I myself that sight endured not, where he stood. Among the mightiest, bent on highest deeds. And thus his own undaunted heart explores.

  ' O Heaven ! that such bright cinders, children of the Lion made to suffer yet renounce. where faith and reality Remain not! Wherefore should not strength and might There fail, where virtue fails, or weakest prove, Where boldest though to sight unconquerable? His presence, trusting in the Almighty's pointed soldiers , One I mean to try, John Tvrz, whose reason, has traveled time. I his sound and false image is aught, but just That he who in debate of truth shall win, seeing the understanding content in arms, in both disputes alike, I am Victor. Though brutish that contest' and foul, lucid reason hath to deal with force.  Most reason is that reason overcome, So pondering and from his armed peers Forward stepping opposite, half-way he met His daring foe. At this prevention more Incensed, and thus securely him defied. ' Proud, are you met ? Your hope was to have reached The height of your aspiring unopposed. The Throne of God unguarded, and his side Abandoned at the terror of your power. Or potent tongue, Fool ! not to think how vain Against the omnipotent rise in arms. Who out of smallest things, could without end raise angry armies to defeat your folly, or with solitary hand, Reaching beyond all limit, at one blow, Unhailed could have finished you, and over whelmed your legions under darkness ! But your sight is of your train, there be who faith appoints and devotion to God. though then To you not visible when I alone Seemed in your world erroneous to dissent. Once upon a time that was true... but no more  all. My Group you see, now learn too late How few, they sometimes may know a thousand mistakes. We born the grand dust, with our scornful eyes ask, me. Thus answered one hundred and eleven for you, but in wished hour Of my revenge, first sought for, your return's. From flight, the seditious Angel, to receive. Your merited reward, the first assault Of this right hand provoked, since first that tongue. Inspired with contradiction, do oppose A third part of the Gods. In assembly of the Clergy meet. Their deities to assert, who while they feel Vigor divine within them. Can allow Omnipotence to none. Limit well your arrivals Before your fellows.  Ambitious to win, From me some plume, that your success may show destruction to the rest. This I use between, unanswered, If you would know Gods house, to let them know, At first thought that Tall Ruler and I,  To heavenly souls had been all one; but now I see that most through sloth had rather serve, Ministering Spirits trained in feast and song; Such had them armed, the musicians of heaven slaves, with freedom to contend. As both their deeds compared this day shall, we move. To whom, quickly, the Chief, in stern reply, said "Rebel! still you are mistaken, from the path of heaven. Unjustly you deprive it with the name Of servitude. To serve whom the lower demon ordains, or human Nature.   When he who rules is worthiest, nourishment., and arm him with the force of all their religions? Sunset, perennial ancestors of  your, diseased wicked sword and some more sudden concealed pain, So spoke the lie, him the deceiver of Chiefs, to whom this the Adversary, or mental, wind of airy tin cats spoke. We whom yet with deeds, rule. Canvass the Mast, we the least of pirates if to fall, shelter that they rise not covered with varnish easier to transact with me.