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[BOOK I.-544-57

PARADISE LOST.

That fought at Thebes and Ilium, on each side Mixed with auxiliar gods; and what resounds In fable or romance of Uther's son Begirt with British and Armoric knights; And all who since, baptized or infidel, Jousted in Aspramont, or Montalban, Damasco, or Morocco, or Trebisond, Or whom Biserta sent from Afric shore, When Charlemain with all his peerage fell By Fontarabia. Thus far these beyond Compare of mortal prowess, yet observed Their dread commander. He, above the rest In shape and gesture proudly eminent, Stood like a tower. His form had yet not lost All its original brightness; nor appeared Less than Archangel ruined, and the excess Of glory obscured,—as when the sun, new risen, Looks through the horizontal misty air, Shorn of his beams; or from behind the moon, In dim eclipse, disastrous twilight sheds On half the nations, and with fear of change Perplexes monarchs. Darkened so, yet shone Above them all the Archangel. But his face Deep scars of thunder had intrenched, and care Sat on his faded cheek, but under brows Of dauntless courage, and considerate pride Waiting revenge. Cruel his eye, but cast Signs of remorse and passion, to behold The fellows of his crime, the followers rather— Far other once beheld in bliss-condemned For ever now to have their lot in pain, Millions of spirits for his fault amerced Of Heaven, and from eternal splendours flung For his revolt, yet faithful how they stood,

1 Theles and Rium. - The Greek Theles and Troy.

All in a moment, through the gloom were seen Ten thousand banners rise into the air, With orient colours waving. With them rose A forest huge of spears; and thronging helms Appeared, and serried shields in thick array Of death immeasurable: anon they move In perfect phalanx to the Darian mood¹ Of flutes and soft recorders,—such as raised To height of noblest temper heroes old Arming to battle; and instead of rage Deliberate valour breathed, firm and unmoved With dread of death to flight or foul retreat: Nor wanting power to mitigate and 'suage 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, Moved on in silence to soft pipes, that charmed Their painful steps o'er the burnt soil. And now Advanced in view they stand, a horrid front Of dreadful length and dazzling arms, in guise Of warriors old with ordered spear and shield, Awaiting what command their mighty chief Had to impose. He through the armed files Darts his experienced eye, and soon traverse2 The whole battalion views, their order due, Their visages and stature as of gods, Their number last he sums. And now his heart Distends with pride, and hardening in his strength Glories. For never, since created man, Met such embodied force, as named with these Could merit more than that small infantry

Warred on by cranes, though all the giant brood

Of Phlegra³ with the heroic race were joined The Dorian mood.—In the Greek or Spartan manner. 1 Traverse. - From end to end.

^\* Of Phlegra,—Some make the giant war in which Hercules was engaged to have taken place in Phlegra.