Chapter 9 9
As we erewhile, astounded and amazed,
No wonder, falln such a pernicious high.
He scarce had ceiling when the superior 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 walked 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 called [ 300 ]
His Legions, Angel Forms, who lay intranst
Thick as Autumn Leaves that strow the Brooks
In Vallombrosa, where th Etrurian shades
High overarcht imbowr; or scattered sedge
Afloat, when with fierce Winds Orion armd [ 305 ]
Hath vext the Red-Sea Coast, whose waves orthrew
Busiris and his Memphian Chivalry,
While with perfidious hated they pursued
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 ]
Warriors, 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 toy of Battel to repose
Your worn vertue, for the ease you find [ 320 ]
To slumber here, as in the Vales of Heavn?