12

Forthwith from Councel to the work they flew,

None arguing stood, innumerable hands

Were ready, in a moment up they turnd

Wide the Celestial soile, and saw beneath [ 510 ]

Th originals of Nature in thir crude

Conception; Sulphurous and Nitrous Foame

They found, they mingld, and with suttle Art,

Concocted and adusted they reducd

To blackest grain, and into store conveyd: [ 515 ]

Part hiddn veins diggd up (nor hath this Earth

Entrails unlike) of Mineral and Stone,

Whereof to found thir Engins and thir Balls

Of missive ruin; part incentive reed

Provide, pernicious with one touch to fire. [ 520 ]

So all ere day-spring, under conscious Night

Secret they finishd, and in order set,

With silent circumspection unespid.

Now when fair Morn Orient in Heavn appeerd

Up rose the Victor Angels, and to Arms [ 525 ]

The matin Trumpet Sung: in Arms they stood

Of Golden Panoplie, refulgent Host,

Soon banded; others from the dawning Hills

Lookd round, and Scouts each Coast light-armed scoure,

Each quarter, to descrie the distant foe, [ 530 ]

Where lodgd, or whither fled, or if for fight,

In motion or in alt: him soon they met

Under spred Ensignes moving nigh, in slow

But firm Battalion; back with speediest Sail

Zophiel, of Cherubim the swiftest wing, [ 535 ]

Came flying, and in mid Aire aloud thus crid.

Arme, Warriours, Arme for fight, the foe at hand,

Whom fled we thought, will save us long pursuit

This day, fear not his flight; so thick a Cloud

He comes, and settld in his face I see [ 540 ]

Sad resolution and secure: let each

His Adamantine coat gird well, and each

Fit well his Helme, gripe fast his orbed Shield,

Born eevn or high, for this day will pour down,

If I conjecture aught, no drizling showr, [ 545 ]

But ratling storm of Arrows barbd with fire.