13

So warnd he them aware themselves, and soon

In order, quit of all impediment;

Instant without disturb they took Allarm,

And onward move Embattelld; when behold [ 550 ]

Not distant far with heavie pace the Foe

Approaching gross and huge; in hollow Cube

Training his devilish Enginrie, impald

On every side with shaddowing Squadrons Deep,

To hide the fraud. At interview both stood [ 555 ]

A while, but suddenly at head appeerd

Satan: And thus was heard Commanding loud.

Vanguard, to Right and Left the Front unfould;

That all may see who hate us, how we seek

Peace and composure, and with open brest [ 560 ]

Stand readie to receive them, if they like

Our overture, and turn not back perverse;

But that I doubt, however witness Heaven,

Heavn witness thou anon, while we discharge

Freely our part; yee who appointed stand [ 565 ]

Do as you have in charge, and briefly touch

What we propound, and loud that all may hear.

So scoffing in ambiguous words he scarce

Had ended; when to Right and Left the Front

Divided, and to either Flank retird. [ 570 ]

Which to our eyes discoverd new and strange,

A triple mounted row of Pillars laid

On Wheels (for like to Pillars most they seemd

Or hollowd bodies made of Oak or Firr

With branches lopt, in Wood or Mountain felld) [ 575 ]

Brass, Iron, Stonie mould, had not thir mouthes

With hideous orifice gapt on us wide,

Portending hollow truce; at each behind

A Seraph stood, and in his hand a Reed

Stood waving tipt with fire; while we suspense, [ 580 ]

Collected stood within our thoughts amusd,

Not long, for sudden all at once thir Reeds

Put forth, and to a narrow vent applid

With nicest touch. Immediate in a flame,

But soon obscurd with smoak, all Heavn appeerd, [ 585 ]

From those deep throated Engins belcht, whose roar

Emboweld with outragious noise the Air,

And all her entrails tore, disgorging foule

Thir devilish glut, chaind Thunderbolts and Hail

Of Iron Globes, which on the Victor Host [ 590 ]

Leveld, with such impetuous furie smote,

That whom they hit, none on thir feet might stand,

Though standing else as Rocks, but down they fell

By thousands, Angel on Arch-Angel rowld;

The sooner for thir Arms, unarmd they might [ 595 ]

Have easily as Spirits evaded swift

By quick contraction or remove; but now

Foule dissipation followd and forct rout;

Nor servd it to relax thir serried files. [ 600 ]