BOOK FIRST
��109
��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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