Paradise Lost

And in luxurious Cities, where the noyse 
Of riot ascends above thir loftiest Towrs, 
And injury and outrage: And when Night 
Darkens the Streets, then wander forth the Sons 
Of BELIAL, flown with insolence and wine. 
Witness the Streets of SODOM, and that night 
In GIBEAH, when hospitable Dores 
Yielded thir Matrons to prevent worse rape. 
These were the prime in order and in might; 
The rest were long to tell, though far renown'd, 
Th' IONIAN Gods, of JAVANS Issue held 
Gods, yet confest later then Heav'n and Earth 
Thir boasted Parents; TITAN Heav'ns first born 
With his enormous brood, and birthright seis'd 
By younger SATURN, he from mightier JOVE 
His own and RHEA'S Son like measure found; 
So JOVE usurping reign'd: these first in CREET 
And IDA known, thence on the Snowy top 
Of cold OLYMPUS rul'd the middle Air 
Thir highest Heav'n; 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 th' HESPERIAN Fields, 
And ore the CELTIC roam'd the utmost Isles. 
All these and more came flocking; but with looks 
Down cast and damp, yet such wherein appear'd 
Obscure som glimps of joy, to have found thir chief 
Not in despair, to have found themselves not lost 
In loss it self; which on his count'nance cast 
Like doubtful hue: but he his wonted pride 
Soon recollecting, with high words, that bore 
Semblance of worth not substance, gently rais'd 
Their fainted courage, and dispel'd their fears. 
Then strait commands that at the warlike sound 
Of Trumpets loud and Clarions be upreard 
His mighty Standard; that proud honour claim'd 
AZAZEL as his right, a Cherube tall: 
Who forthwith from the glittering Staff unfurld 
Th' Imperial Ensign, which full high advanc't 
Shon like a Meteor streaming to the Wind 
With Gemms and Golden lustre rich imblaz'd, 
Seraphic arms and Trophies: all the while 
Sonorous mettal blowing Martial sounds: 
At which the universal Host upsent 
A shout that tore Hells Concave, and beyond 
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 Forrest huge of Spears: and thronging Helms 
Appear'd, and serried Shields in thick array 
Of depth immeasurable: Anon they move 
In perfect PHALANX to the Dorian mood 
Of Flutes and soft Recorders; such as rais'd 
To highth of noblest temper Hero's old 
Arming to Battel, and in stead of rage 
Deliberate valour breath'd, firm and unmov'd 
With dread of death to flight or foul retreat, 
Nor wanting power to mitigate and swage 
With solemn touches, troubl'd 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 
Mov'd on in silence to soft Pipes that charm'd 
Thir painful steps o're the burnt soyle; and now 
Advanc't in view they stand, a horrid Front 
Of dreadful length and dazling Arms, in guise 
Of Warriers old with order'd Spear and Shield, 
Awaiting what command thir mighty Chief 
Had to impose: He through the armed Files 
Darts his experienc't eye, and soon traverse 
The whole Battalion views, thir order due, 
Thir visages and stature as of Gods, 
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 nam'd with these 
Could merit more then that small infantry 
Warr'd on by Cranes: though all the Giant brood 
Of PHLEGRA with th' Heroic Race were joyn'd 
That fought at THEB'S and ILIUM, on each side 
Mixt with auxiliar Gods; and what resounds 
In Fable or ROMANCE of UTHERS Son 
Begirt with BRITISH and ARMORIC Knights; 
And all who since, Baptiz'd or Infidel 
Jousted in ASPRAMONT or MONTALBAN, 
DAMASCO, or MAROCCO, or TREBISOND, 
Or whom BISERTA sent from AFRIC shore 
When CHARLEMAIN with all his Peerage fell 
By FONTARABBIA.  Thus far these beyond 
Compare of mortal prowess, yet observ'd 
Thir dread Commander: he above the rest 
In shape and gesture proudly eminent 
Stood like a Towr; his form had yet not lost 
All her Original brightness, nor appear'd 
Less then Arch Angel ruind, and th' excess 
Of Glory obscur'd: As when the Sun new ris'n 
Looks through the Horizontal misty Air 
Shorn of his Beams, or from behind the Moon 
In dim Eclips disastrous twilight sheds