Page:The Complete Poetical Works of John Milton.djvu/151

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��Turus atheist, as did Eli's sons, who filled With lust aiid violence the house of God ? In courts and palaces he also reigns, And ia luxurious cities, where the noise Of riot ascends above their loftiest towers, And injury and outrage; and, when night Darkens the streets, then wander forth the

sons 501

Of Belial, flown with insolence and wine. Witness the streets of Sodom, and that

night

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 re- nowned

The Ionian gods of Javau's issue held Gods, yet confessed later than Heaven and

Earth, Their boasted parents ; Titan, Heaven's

first-born, 510

With his enormous brood, and birthright

seized

By younger Saturn : he from mightier Jove, His own and Rhea's son, like measure

found; So Jove usurping reigned. 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 Fled over Adria to the Hesperian fields, 520 And o'er the Celtic roamed the utmost

Isles. All these and more came flocking; but

with looks

Downcast and damp; yet such wherein ap- peared 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 Their fainting courage, and dispelled their

fears: 530

��Then straight commands that, at the war- like sound

Of trumpets loud and clarions, be upreared His mighty standard. That proud honour

claimed

Azazel as his right, a Cherub tall: Who forthwith from the glittering staff

unfurled

The imperial ensign; which, full high ad- vanced,

Shon like a meteor streaming to the wind, With gems and golden lustre rich imblazed, Seraphic arms and trophies; all the while Sonorous metal blowing martial sounds: 540 At which the universal host up-sent A shout that tore Hell's concave, and be- yond

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

Appeared, and serried shields in thick ar- ray

Of depth immeasurable. Anon they move In perfect phalanx to the Dorian mood 550 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 un- moved

With dread of death to flight or foul re- treat ;

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, 559

Breathing united force with fixed thought,

Moved on in silence to soft pipes that

charmed 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 ordered spear and

shield, Awaiting what command their njighty Chief

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