The Revolt in Heaven

The Divine Being spoke three times, the commencement of a psalm.

The god of holy songs, Lord of religion and worship

seated a thousand singers and musicians: and established a choral band who to his hymn were to respond in multitudes ...

With a loud cry of contempt they broke up his holy song

spoiling, confusing, confounding, his hymn of praise.

The god of the bright crown with a wish to summon his adherents

sounded a trumpet blast which would wake the dead,

which to those rebel angels prohibited return,

he stopped their service, and sent them to the gods who were his enemies. In their room he created mankind.

The first who received life dwelt along with him.

May he give them strength, never to neglect his word,

following the serpent's voice, whom his hands had made.

And may the god of divine speech expel from his five thousand that wicked thousand who in the midst of his heavenly son, had shouted evil blasphemies! The god Ashur, who had seen the malice of those gods who deserted their allegiance to raise a rebellion, refused to go forth with them.