Page:Paradise lost by Milton, John.djvu/212

206 Some one intent on mischief, or inspired With devilish machination, might devise Like instrument to plague the sons of men, For sin, on war and mutual slaughter bent.
 * "Forthwith from council to the work they flew;

None arguing stood; innumerable hands Were ready; in a moment up they turned With the celestial soil, and saw beneath The originals of Nature in their crude Conception; sulphurous and nitrous foam They found, the mingled, and, with subtle art, Concocted and adusted, they reduced To blackest grain, and into store conveyed. Part hidden veins digged up—nor hath this Earth Entrails unlike—of mineral and stone, Whereof to found their engines and their balls Of missive ruin; part incentive reed Provide, pernicious with one touch to fire. So all ere day-spring, under conscious night, Secret they finished, and in order set, With silent circumspection unespied.
 * "Now when fair Morn orient in Heaven appeared

Up-rose the victor Angels, and to arms The matin-trumpet sung; in arms they stood Of golden panoply, refulgent host, Soon banded; others from the dawning hills Looked round, and scouts each coast light-armed scour,