Chapter 15 15

All in a moment through the gloom were seen Ten thousand Banners rise into the Air [ 545 ] With Orient Colors waving: with them rose A Forest huge of Spears: and thronging Helms Appeared, and serried shields in thick array Of depth immeasurable: Anon they move In perfect Phalanx to the Dorian mood [ 550 ] Of Flutes and soft Recorders; To hight of noblest temper Heros old Arming to Battel, and in stead of rage Deliberate valor breathd, firm and unmoved With dread of death to flight or foul retreat, [ 555 ] 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 Breathing united force with fixed thought [ 560 ] Movd on in silence to soft Pipes that charmd Thir painful steps ore the burnt soyle; and now Advanct in view, they stand, a horrid Front Of dreadful length and dazling Arms, in guise Of Warriors old with order Spear and Shield, [ 565 ] Awaiting what command thir mighty Chief Had to impose: He through the armed Files Darts his experiment eye, and soon traverse The whole Battalion views, thir order due, Thir visages and stature as of Gods, [ 570 ]

Thir number last he summs. And now his heart Distends with pride, and hardning in his strength Glories: For never since created man, Met such imbodied force, as namd with these Could merit more then that small infantry [ 575 ] Warrd on by Cranes: though all the Giant brood Of Phlegra with th Heroic Race were joynd That fought at Thebs and Ilium, on each side Mixt with auxiliar Gods; and what resounds In Fable or Romance of Uthers Son [ 580 ] Begirt with British and Armoric Knights;