In Gibeah, when the hospitable door Exposed a matron to avoid worse rape These were the prime in order and in might : The rest were long to tell, though far renown'd: The Ionian Gods, of Javan's issue, held Gods, yet confess'd later than Heaven and Earth, $70 Their boasted parents: Titan, Heaven's first-born, With his enormous brood, and birth-right seized By younger Saturn; he, from mightier Jove, His own and Rhea's son, like measure found: So Jove usurping reign'd. These, first in Crete And Ida known, thence, on the snowy top Of cold Olympus, ruled the middle air, Their highest Heaven; or, on the Delphian cliff, Or in Dodona, and through all the bounds Of Doric land; or, who with Saturn old, 520 Fled over Adria to the Hesperian fields, And o'er the Celtic roam'd the utmost isles. All these, and more, came flocking; but with looks Down-cast and damp; yet such wherein appear'd Obscure some glimpse of joy, to have found their chief, Not in despair, to have found themselves not lost In loss itself; which on his countenance cast Like doubtful hue: but he, his wonted pride Soon recollecting, with high words, that bore Semblance of worth, not substance, gently raised 530 Their fainting courage, and dispell'd their fears. Then straight commands, that, at the warlike sound Of trumpets loud, and clarions, be uprear'd His mighty standard. That proud honour claim'd Azazel as his right, a Cherub tall; Who forthwith, from the glittering staff, unfurl'd The imperial ensign; which, full high advanced, Shone, like a meteor, streaming to the wind, With gems and golden lustre rich imblazed, Seraphic arms and trophies; all the while 540 Sonorous metal blowing martial sounds: At which the universal host up - sent A shout that tore Hell's concave; and beyond, Frighted the reign of Chaos and old Night. All in a moment, through the gloom, were seen Ten thousand banners rise into the air, With orient colours waving with them rose A forest huge of spears; and thronging helms Appear'd, and serried shields, in thick array, Of depth immeasurable. Anon they move 560 In perfect phalanx, to the Dorian mood Of flutes and soft recorders; such as raised To highth of noblest temper, heroes old, Arming to battle; and, instead of rage, Deliberate valour breathed, firm, and unmoved With dread of death, to flight or foul retreat; Nor wanting power to mitigate and swage, With solemn touches, troubled thoughts, and chase Anguish, and doubt, and fear, and sorrow, and pain From mortal or immortal minds. Thus they, $70 Breathing united force, with fixed thought, Moved on in silence to soft pipes, that charm'd Their painful steps o'er the burnt soil: and now Advanced in view they stand, a horrid front Of dreadful length, and dazzling arms, in guise Of warriors old, with order'd spear and shield; Awaiting what command their mighty Chief Had to impose. He, through the armed files Darts his experienced eye; and soon traverse The whole battalion views; their order due; Their visages and stature, as of Gods: Their number last he sums. And now his heart Distends with pride, and, hardening in his strength, Glories for never, since created man, Met such imbodied force, as, named with these, Could merit more than that small infantry Warr'd on by cranes; though all the giant-brood Of Phlegra, with the heroic race, were join'd, That fought at Thebes and Ilium, on each side Mix'd with auxiliar Gods; and what resounds go In fable or romance, of Uther's son, Begirt with British, and Armoric knights; Stood like a tower: his form had yet not lost D On half the nations, and with fear of change Put forth at full, but still his strength conceal'd; New war, provoked: our better part remains, At length from us may find, who overcomes A generation, whom his choice regard Celestial spirits in bondage, nor the abyss 680 He spake: and, to confirm his words, out-flew Far round illumined Hell: highly they raged There stood a hill not far, whose grisly top Men also, and by his suggestion taught, For treasures, better hid. Open'd, into the hill, a Soon had his crew 7 And digged out ribs of gold. Let none admire, That riches grow in Hell; that soil may best Deserve the precious bane. And here let those, Who boast in mortal things, and wondering, tell Of Babel, and the works of Memphian kings, Learn, how their greatest monuments of fame, And strength, and art, are easily out-done By Spirits reprobate; and in an hour, What in an age, they, with incessant toil, And hands innumerable, scarce perform. Nigh on the plain, in many cells prepared, That underneath had veins of liquid fire, Sluiced from the lake, a second multitude, With wondrous art, founded the massy ore, Severing each kind, and scummed the bullion dross : A third as soon had form'd, within the ground A various mold, and from the boiling cells, By strange conveyance, fill'd each hollow nook; As in an organ, from one blast of wind, To many a row of pipes, the sound-board breathes. 20 Anon, out of the earth, a fabric huge Rose, like an exhalation, with the sound Of dulcet symphonies, and voices sweet; Built like a temple, where pilasters round Were set, and Doric pillars overlaid With golden architrave: nor did there want Cornice or frieze, with bossy sculptures graven; The roof was fretted gold. Not Babylon, Nor great Alcairo, such magnificence Equall'd, in all their glories, to enshrine 730 Belus or Serapis their Gods; or seat Their kings, when Egypt with Assyria strove Admiring enter'd; and the work some praise, |