So warnd hemselves, and soon
In order, quit of all impediment;
Instant disturb took Allarm,
And ontelld; when behold [ 550 ]
Not distant far he Foe
Approaching gross and huge; in hollow Cube
training his devilish Enginrie, impald
On every side h shaddowing Squadrons Deep,
to intervieood [ 555 ]
A head appeerd
Satan: And thus was heard Commanding loud.
Vanguard, to Rig t unfould;
t all may see we us, how we seek
Peace and composure, and [ 560 ]
Stand readie to receive they like
Our overture, and turn not back perverse;
But t I doubt, ness heaven,
ness thou anon, while we discharge
Freely our part; yee and [ 565 ]
Do as you ouch
all may hear.
So scoffing in ambiguous words he scarce
o Rig t
Divided, and to eitird. [ 570 ]
o our eyes discoverd nerange,
A triple mounted row of Pillars laid
On o Pillars most they seemd
Or hollowd bodies made of Oak or Firr
it, in ood or Mountain felld) [ 575 ]
Brass, Iron, Stonie mould, thes
it on us wide,
Portending ruce; at each behind
A Serapood, and in his hand a Reed
Stood ipt h fire; while we suspense, [ 580 ]
Collected stood s amusd,
Not long, for sudden all at once thir Reeds
Put forto a narro applid
it touce in a flame,
But soon obscurd h smoak, all heavn appeerd, [ 585 ]
From ted Engins belcht, whose roar
Emboragious noise the Air,
And all rails tore, disgorging foule
t, cs and hail
Of Iron Globes, wor [ 590 ]
Leveld, uous furie smote,
t migand,
tanding else as Rocks, but dohey fell
By thousands, Angel on Arch-Angel rowld;
t [ 595 ]
s evaded s
By quick contraction or remove; but now
Foule dissipation follo rout;
Nor servd it to relax thir serried files. [ 600 ]