Chapter 20 20

Nigh on the Plain in many cells prepard, [ 700 ] That underneath had veins of liquid fire Slucd from the Lake, a second multitude With wondrous Art found out the massie Ore, Severing each kind, and scumd the Bullion dross: A third as soon had formed within the ground [ 705 ] A various mould, and from the boying cells By strange conveyance filld each hollow nook, As in an Organ from one blast of wind To many a row of Pipes the sound-board breaths. Anon out of the earth a Fabric huge [ 710 ] Rose like an Exhalation, with the sound Of Dulcet Symphonies and voices sweet, Built like a Temple, where Pilasters round

Were set, and Doric pillars overlaid With Golden Architrave; nor did there want [715] Cornice or Freeze, with bossy Sculptures gravn, The Roof was fretted Gold. Not Babilon, Nor great Alcairo such magnificence Equald in all thir glories, to inshrine Belus or Serapis thir Gods, or seat [ 720 ] Thir Kings, when Ægypt with Assyria strove In wealth and luxury. Th ascending pile Stood fixt her stately high, and strait the dores Opning thir brazen would discover wide Within, her ample spaces, ore the smooth [ 725 ] And level pavement: from the arched roof Pendant by suttle Magic many a row

Of Starry Lamps and blazing Cressets fed With Naphtha and Asphaltus yielded light As from a sky. The hasty multiple [ 730 ] Admiring enterd, and the work some praise And some the Architect: his hand was known In Heavn by many a Towred structure high, Where Scepterd Angels held thir residence, And sat as Princes, whom the supreme King [ 735 ] Exalted to such power, and gave to rule, Each in his Hierarchie, the Orders bright.