thir phalanx； and began to hemm him round with ported spears； as thick as when a field ＇ 980 ＇ of ceres ripe for harvest waving bends her bearded grove of ears； which way the wind swayes them； the careful plowman doubting stands least on the threshing floore his hopeful sheaves prove chaff。 on th other side satan allarmd ＇ 985 ＇ collecting all his might dilated stood； like teneriff or atlas unremovd： his stature reacht the skie； and on his crest sat horror plumd； nor wanted in his graspe what seemd both spear and shield： now dreadful deeds ＇ 990 ＇ might have ensud； nor onely paradise in this motion； but the starrie cope of heavn perhaps； or all the elements at least had gon to rack； disturbd and torne with violence of this conflict； had not soon ＇ 995 ＇ th eternal to prevent such horrid fray hung forth in heavn his golden scales； yet seen betwixt astrea and the scorpion signe； wherein all things created first he weighd； the pendulous round earth with balanct aire ＇ 1000 ＇ in counterpoise； now ponders all events； battels and realms： in these he put two weights the sequel each of parting and of fight； the latter quick up flew； and kickt the beam； which gabriel spying； thus bespake the fiend。 ＇ 1005 ＇ satan； i know thy strength； and thou knowst mine； neither our own but givn； what follie then to boast what arms can doe； since thine no more then heavn permits； nor mine； though doubld now to trample thee as mire： for proof look up； ＇ 1010 ＇ and read thy lot in yon celestial sign where thou art weighd； and shown how light； how weak； if thou resist。 the fiend lookt up and knew his mounted scale aloft： nor more； but fled murmuring； and with him fled the shades of night。 ＇ 1015 ＇ the end of the fourth book。 ．。 ，