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As may express them best; though what if earth Be but the shadow of heaven, and things therein Each to other like, more than on earth is thought?

As yet this world was not, and Chaos wild Reigned where these heavens now roll, where earth now rests Upon her centre poised; when on a day-For time, though in eternity, applied To motion, measures all things durable By present, past, and future—on such day As heaven's great year brings forth, the empyreal host Of Angels, by impereal summons called, Innumerable before the Almighty's throne Forthwith, from all the ends of heaven, appeared Under their Hierarchs in orders bright. Ten thousand thousand ensigns high advanced, Standards and gonfalons 'twixt van and rear Stream in the air, and for distinction serve Of Hierarchies, of Orders and Degrees; Or in their glittering tissues bear imblazed Holy memorials, acts of zeal and love Recorded eminent. Thus when in orbs Of circuit inexpressible they stood, Orb within orb, the Father infinite, By whom in bliss embosomd sat the Son, Amidst, as from a flaming mount, whose top Brightness had made invisible, thus spake:

Hear, all ye Angels, progeny of light,

Thrones, Dominations, Princedoms, Virtues, Powers;

Hear my decree, which unrevoked shall stand.

This day I have begot whom I declare

My only Son, and on this holy hill

Him have anointed, whom ye now behold

At my right hand; your head I Him appoint;

And by myself have sworn, to Him shall bow

All knees in heaven, and shall confess him Lord:

Under his great vicegerent reign abide

United, as one individual soul,

For ever happy. Him who disobeys,

Me disobeys, breaks union; and that day,

Cast out from God and blessed vision, falls

Into utter darkness, deep engulfed, his place

Ordained without redemption, without end.

So spake the Omnipotent, and with his words All seemed well pleased—all seemed, but were not all. That day, as other solemn days, they spent In song and dance about the sacred hill; Mystical dance, which yonder starry sphere Of planets, and of fixed, in all her wheels Resembles nearest, mazes intricate, Eccentric, intervolved, yet regular Then most, when most irregular they seem; And in their motions harmony divine So smoothes her charming tones, that God's own ear Listens delighted. Evening now approached-For we have also our evening and our morn, We ours for change delectable not need-Forthwith from dance to sweet repast they turn Desirous. All in circles as they stood, Tables are set, and on a sudden piled With angels' food; and rubied nectar flows In pearl, in diamond, and massy gold, Fruit of delicious vines, the growth of heaven. On flowers reposed, and with fresh flowerets crowned, They eat, they drink; and in communion sweet Quaff immortality and joy, secure Of surfeit, where full measure only bounds Excess, before the all-bounteous King, who showered With copious hand, rejoicing in their joy. Now when ambrosial night with clouds exhaled From that high mount of God, whence light and shade

1 Secure of surfeit. - Secure against it.