14

Witness the Streets of Sodom, and that night

In Gibeah, when the hospitable door

Exposd a Matron to avoid worse rape. [ 505 ]

These were the prime in order and in might;

The rest were long to tell, though far renownd,

Th Ionian Gods, of Javans Issue held

Gods, yet confest later then Heavn and Earth

Thir boasted Parents; Titan Heavns first born [ 510 ]

With his enormous brood, and birthright seisd

By younger Saturn, he from mightier Jove

His own and Rheas Son like measure found;

So Jove usurping reignd: these first in Creet

And Ida known, thence on the Snowy top [ 515 ]

Of cold Olympus ruld the middle Air

Thir highest Heavn; 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 Hesperian Fields, [ 520 ]

And ore the Celtic roamd the utmost Isles.

All these and more came flocking; but with looks

Down cast and damp, yet such wherein appeard

Obscure some glimps of joy, to have found thir chief

Not in despair, to have found themselves not lost [ 525 ]

In loss it self; which on his countnance cast

Like doubtful hue: but he his wonted pride

Soon recollecting, with high words, that bore

Semblance of worth, not substance, gently raisd

Thir fainting courage, and dispeld thir fears. [ 530 ]

Then strait commands that at the warlike sound

Of Trumpets loud and Clarions be upreard

His mighty Standard; that proud honour claimd

Azazel as his right, a Cherube tall:

Who forthwith from the glittering Staff unfurld [ 535 ]

Th Imperial Ensign, which full high advanct

Shon like a Meteor streaming to the Wind

With Gemms and Golden lustre rich imblazd,

Seraphic arms and Trophies: all the while

Sonorous mettal blowing Martial sounds: [ 540 ]

At which the universal Host upsent

A shout that tore Hells Concave, and beyond

Frighted the Reign of Chaos and old Night.