Rather than human. Nor did Ifrael 'scape
Th' infection, when their borrow'd gold compos'd
The calf in Oreb; and the rebel king
Doubled that fin in Bethel and in Dan,
Likening his Maker to the grazed ox,
Jehovah, who in one night when he pass'd
From Egypt marching, equall'd with one stroke
Both her first-born and all her bleating gods.
Belial came last, than whom a spi'rit more lewd 490
Fell not from Heav'n, or more grofs to love
Vice for itself to him no temple stood
Or altar fmok'd; yet who more oft than he
In temples and at altars, when the priest
Turns Atheist, as did Eli's fons, who fill'd
With luft and violence the house of God?
In courts and palaces he also reigns
And in luxurious cities, where the noise
Of ri'ot afcends above their loftieft towers,
And injury and outrage: and when Night
Darkens the streets, then wander forth the fons
Of Belial, flown with infolence and wine.
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 iffue 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 seis'd 511 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 fnowy 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 such wherein appear'd
Obfcure fome glimpse of joy, to' have found their chief
Not in despair, to' have found themselves not lost
In lofs 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 fubftance, gently rais'd
Their fainting courage, and dispell'd their fears. 530
Then strait commands that at the warlike found
Of trumpets loud and clarions be uprear'd
His mighty standard: 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 streaming to the wind,
With gems and golden luftre rich imblaz'd,
Seraphic arms and trophies; all the while
Sonorous metal blowing martial sounds :
At which the universal host 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 seen
Ten thousand banners rife into the air
With orient colors waving: with them rofe
A forest huge of spears; and thronging helms
Appear'd, and ferried shields in thick array
Of depth immeafurable: anon they move
In perfect phalanx to the Dorian mood
Of flutes and foft 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 'fwage
With folemn touches troubled thoughts, and chase
Anguish and doubt and fear and sorrow' 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 dazzling arms, in guise
Of warriors old with order'd fpear and fhield, 565-
Awaiting what command their mighty Chief
Had to impose: he through the armed files
Darts his experienc'd eye, and soon traverse
The whole battalion views their order due,
Their visages and stature as of gods,
Their number last he fums. And now his heart Distends with pride, and hard'ning in his strength Glories: for never fince created man
Met fuch embodied force, as nam'd with these
Could merit more than that small infantry 575
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 side
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 Trebifond,
Or whom Biferta fent from Afric fhore,
When Charlemain with all his peerage fell
By Fontarabbia. Thus far these beyond
Compare of mortal prowess, yet obferv'd
Their dread Commander: he above the rest
In shape and gesture proudly eminent
Stood like a tower; his form had yet not loft
All her orig'inal brightness, nor appear'd
Lefs than Arch-angel ruin'd, and th' excess
Of glory' obfcur'd; as when the Sun new risen
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 dauntless courage, and confiderate pride
Waiting revenge: cruel his eye, but caft
Signs of remorfe and passion to behold
The fellows of his crime, the followers rather
(Far other once beheld in bliss) condemn'd
For ever now to have their lot in pain,
Millions of fpirits 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 fcath'd the forest oaks, or mountain pines,
With finged top their stately growth though bare
Stands on the blasted heath. He now prepar'd 615
To speak; whereat their doubled ranks they bend
From wing to wing, and half enclose him round
With all his peers: attention held them mute.
Thrice he affay'd, and thrice in spite of scorn
Tears, fuch as angels weep, burst forth at last 620
Words interwove with fighs found out their way.
|