Witness the streets of Sodom, and that night In Gibeah, when the hospitable door Expos'd a matron to avoid worse rape. These were the prime in order and in might; The reft were long to tell, though far renown'd: Th' Ionian Gods, of Javan's issue held
Gods, yet confefs'd later than Heav'n and Earth, Their boasted parents: Titan Heav'n's first-born, With his enormous brood, and birthright feis'd By younger Saturn; he from mightier Jove His own and Rhea's fon like measure found; So Jove ufurping reign'd: these first in Crete And Ida known, thence on the snowy top Of cold Olympus rul'd the middle air, Their highest Heav'n; or on the Delphian cliff, Or in Dodona, and through all the bounds Of Doric land; or who with Saturn old
Fled over Adria to th' Hefperian fields, And o'er the Celtic roam'd the utmost iles.
All these and more came flocking; but with looks Down caft and damp, yet fuch wherein appear'd Obfcure fome glimpse of joy, to' have found their chief Not in despair, to' have found themselves not loft In lofs itself; which on his count'nance cast Like doubtful hue: but he his wonted pride Soon recollecting, with high words, that bore Semblance of worth not substance, gently rais'd Their fainting courage, and difpell'd their fears. Then ftrait commands that at the warlike found Of trumpets loud and clarions be uprear'd
His mighty ftandard: that proud honor clam'd Azazel as his right, a Cherub tall;
Who forthwith from the glittering staff unfurl'd Th' imperial enfign, which full high advanc'd Shone like a meteor ftreaming to the wind, With gems and golden luftre rich imblaz'd, Seraphic arms and trophies; all the while Sonorous metal blowing martial founds: At which the universal hoft up fent
A fhout, that tore Hell's concave, and beyond Frighted the reign of Chaos and old Night. All in a moment through the gloom were feen Ten thousand banners rife into the air
With orient colors waving: with them rose A foreft huge of fpears; and thronging helms Appear'd, and ferried shields in thick array Of depth immeasurable: anon they move In perfect phalanx to the Dorian mood of flutes and soft recorder; fuch as rais'd To highth of nobleft temper heroes old Arming to battel, and instead of rage Deliberate valor breath'd, firm and unmov'd With dread of death to flight or foul retreat; Nor wanting pow'r to mitigate and swage With folemn touches troubled thoughts, and chase Anguish and doubt and fear and forrow' and pain From mortal or immortal minds. Thus they Breathing united force with fixed thought Mov'd on in filence to foft pipes, that charm'd Their painful steps o'er the burnt foil; and now
Advanc'd in view they stand, a horrid front Of dreadful length and dazling arms, in guife Of warriors old with order'd spear and fhield, Awaiting what command their mighty chief Had to impofe: He through the armed files Darts his experienc'd eye, and foon traverse 'The whole battalion views, their order due, Their vifages and stature as of Gods :
Their number laft he fums. And now his heart Diftends with pride, and hard'ning in his ftrength Glories for never fince created man
Met fuch imbodied force, as nam'd with these Could merit more than that small infantry Warr'd-on by cranes; though all the giant brood Of Phlegra with th' heroic race were join'd That fought at Thebes and Ilium, on each fide Mix'd with auxiliar Gods; and what resounds In fable or romance of Uther's fon Begirt with British and Armoric knights; And all who fince, baptiz'd or infidel, Joufted in Afpramont or Montalban, Damafco, or Marocco, or Trebisond, Or whom Biferta fent from Afric fhore, When Charlemain with all his peerage fell By Fontarabbia. Thus far thefe beyond Compare of mortal prowefs, yet observ'd Their dread commander: he above the reft In fhape and gefture proudly eminent Stood like a tow'r; his form had yet not loft All her original brightness, nor appear'd
Lefs than Arch-Angel ruin'd, and th' excess Of glory' obfcur'd'; as when the fun new rifen Looks through the horizontal misty air Shorn of his beams, or from behind the moon In dim eclipse disastrous twilight sheds
On half the nations, and with fear of change Perplexes monarchs. Darken'd fo, yet fhone Above them all th' Arch-Angel: but his face Deep fears of thunder had intrench'd, and care Sat on his faded cheek, but under brows Of dauntlefs courage, and confiderate pride Waiting revenge: cruel his eye, but caft Signs of remorfe and paffion to behold The fellows of his crime, the followers rather (Far other once beheld in blifs) condemn'd For ever now to have their lot in pain, Millions of Spirits for his fault amerc'd Of Heav'n, and from eternal splendors flung For his revolt, yet faithful how they stood, Their glory wither'd: as when Heaven's fire Hath feath'd the foreft oaks, or mountain pines, With finged top their ftately growth though bare Stands on the blafted heath. He now prepar'd To speak; whereat their doubled ranks they bend From wing to wing, and half inclose him round With all his peers: attention held them mute. Thrice he affay'd, and thrice in spite of scorn Tears, fuch as Angel's weep, burst forth: at last Words interwove with fighs found out their way. O Myriads of immortal Spirits, O Powers
« AnteriorContinua » |