Chapter 13 13

Where he fell flat, and shamed his Worshipers: Dagon his Name, Sea Monster, upward Man And downward Fish: yet had his Temple high Reard in Azotus, dreaded through the Coast Of Palestine, in Gath and Ascalon [ 465 ] And Accaron and Gazas frontier bounds. Him followed Rimmon, whose delightful Seat Was fair Damascus, on the fertil Banks Of Abbana and Pharphar, lucid streams. He also against the house of God was bold: [ 470 ] A Leper once he lost and gained a King, Ahaz his sottish Conquerour, whom he drew Gods Altar to disparage and displace For one of Syrian mode, whereon to burn

His odious offrings, and adore the Gods [ 475 ] Whom he had vanquisht. After these appeared A crew who under Names of old Renown, Osiris, Isis, Orus and their Train With monstrous shapes and sorceries abusd Fanatic Egypt and her Priests, to seek [ 480 ] Thir wandring Gods disguised in brutal forms Rather then human. Nor did Israel scape Th infection when thir borrowed Gold composd The Calf in Oreb: and the Rebel King Doubld that sin in Bethel and in Dan, [ 485 ] Likning his Maker to the Grazed Ox, Jehovah, who in one Night when he passed From Egypt marching, equald with one stroke

Both her first born and all her bleating Gods. Belial came last, then whom a Spirit more lewd [ 490 ] Fell not from Heaven, or more gross to love Vice for it self: To him no Temple stood Or Altar smoakd; yet who more oft then hee In Temples and at Altars, when the Priest Turns Atheist, as did Elys Sons, who filld [495] With lust and violence the house of God. In Courts and Palaces he also Reigns And in luxurious Cities, where the noyse Of riot ascends above thir loftiest Towrs, And injury and outrage: And when Night [ 500 ] Darkens the Streets, then wander forth the Sons

Of Belial, flown with insolence and wine.