PL 10.31-57 (God to the angels)

. . . they towards the throne supreme His free Will, to her own inclining left

Accountable made haste to make appear In even scale. But fall'n he is, and now

With righteous plea, their utmost vigilance, What rests but that the mortal sentence pass

And easily approve, when the most High On his transgression: death denounced that day,
Eternal Father from His secret cloud, Which he presumes already vain and void,

Amidst in thunder uttered thus his voice: Because not yet inflicted, as he feared,

Assembled angels, and ye pow’rs returned By some immediate stroke, but soon shall find
From unsuccessful charge, be not dismayed, Forbearance no acquittance ere day end.
Nor troubled at these tidings from the Earth, Justice shall not return as bounty scorned.
Which your sincerest care could not prevent, But whom send I to judge them? whom but thee
Foretold so lately what would come to pass, Vicegerent Son, to thee I have transferred
When first this Tempter crossed the Gulf from Hell. All judgement whether in Heav'n, or Earth, or Hell.
I told ye then he should prevail and speed Easy it might be seen that I intend
On his bad errand, Man should be seduced Mercy colleague with justice, sending thee
And flattered out of all, believing lies Man’ friend, his mediator, his designed

Against his Maker; no decree of mine Both ransom and Redeemer voluntary,
Concurring to necessitate his Fall, And destined man himself to judge Man fallen.
Or touch with lightest moment of impulse