9

As we erewhile, astounded and amazd,

No wonder, falln such a pernicious highth.

He scarce had ceast when the superiour Fiend

Was moving toward the shoar; his ponderous shield

Ethereal temper, massy, large and round, [ 285 ]

Behind him cast; the broad circumference

Hung on his shoulders like the Moon, whose Orb

Through Optic Glass the Tuscan Artist views

At Evning from the top of Fesole,

Or in Valdarno, to descry new Lands, [ 290 ]

Rivers or Mountains in her spotty Globe.

His Spear, to equal which the tallest Pine

Hewn on Norwegian hills, to be the Mast

Of some great Ammiral, were but a wand,

He walkt with to support uneasie steps [ 295 ]

Over the burning Marle, not like those steps

On Heavens Azure, and the torrid Clime

Smote on him sore besides, vaulted with Fire;

Nathless he so endurd, till on the Beach

Of that inflamed Sea, he stood and calld [ 300 ]

His Legions, Angel Forms, who lay intranst

Thick as Autumnal Leaves that strow the Brooks

In Vallombrosa, where th Etrurian shades

High overarcht imbowr; or scatterd sedge

Afloat, when with fierce Winds Orion armd [ 305 ]

Hath vext the Red-Sea Coast, whose waves orethrew

Busiris and his Memphian Chivalry,

While with perfidious hatred they pursud

The Sojourners of Goshen, who beheld

From the safe shore thir floating Carkases [ 310 ]

And broken Chariot Wheels, so thick bestrown

Abject and lost lay these, covering the Flood,

Under amazement of thir hideous change.

He calld so loud, that all the hollow Deep

Of Hell resounded. Princes, Potentates, [ 315 ]

Warriers, the Flowr of Heavn, once yours, now lost,

If such astonishment as this can sieze

Eternal spirits; or have ye chosn this place

After the toyl of Battel to repose

Your wearied vertue, for the ease you find [ 320 ]

To slumber here, as in the Vales of Heavn?