Level'd with such impetuous fury smote, 596 Repeated, and indecent overthrow Doubled, would render them yet more despis'd, 605 O friends, why come not on these victors proud? Ere while they fierce were coming, and when we, To entertain them fair with open front [terms And breast (what could we more?) propounded. Of composition, straight they chang'd their minds, Flew off, and into strange vagaries fell, As they would dance: yet for a dance they seem'd Somewhat extravagant and wild, perhaps For joy of offer'd peace: but I suppose, If our proposals once again were heard, We should compel them to a quick result. To whom thus Belial in like gamesome mood. 620 616 Leader, the terms we sent were terms of weight, Of hard contents, and full of force urg'd home; Such as we might perceive amus'd them all, And stumbled many; who receives them right, Had need from head to foot well understand; 625 Not understood, this gift they have besides, 630 So they among themselves in pleasant vein Stood scoffing, heighten'd in their thoughts beyond All doubt of victory; eternal might To match with their inventions they presum'd So easy, and of his thunder made a scorn, And all his host derided, while they stood A while in trouble; but they stood not long; Rage prompted them at length, and found them Against such hellish mischief fit to oppose. [arms Forthwith, behold the excellence, the power Which GOD hath in his mighty angels plac'd! Their arms away they threw, and to the hills, For earth hath this variety from heaven 640 Of pleasure situate in hill and dale, Light as the light'ning glimpse they ran, they flew, From their foundations loos'ning to and fro They pluck'd the seated hills with all their load, 625 understand] This equivocation adopted from Shakespeare's Two G. of Verona, ii. 5. 'My staff understands me,' &c. Johnson. 626 understood] under-stoop. Bentl. MS. 'Saxum ingens, quod vix plena cervice gementes Rocks, waters, woods, and by the shaggy tops 645 Till on those cursed engines triple-row 650 They saw them whelm'd, and all their confidence Under the weight of mountains buried deep, Themselves invaded next, and on their heads Main promontories flung, which in the air 654 Came shadowing, and opprest whole legions arm'd; Their armour help'd their harm, crush'd in and bruis'd Into their substance pent, which wrought them pain Long struggling underneath, ere they could wind 661 Betook them, and the neighbouring hills uptore ; So hills amid the air encounter'd hills, 665 Hurl'd to and fro with jaculation dire, Vertere humo, murisque valent inferre juvenci, 670 Shrin'd in his sanctuary of heaven secure, Upon his enemies, and to declare 675 All power on him transferr'd: whence to his Son Th' assessor of his throne he thus began. Effulgence of my glory, Son belov'd, Son in whose face invisible is beheld 630 690 Second Omnipotence! two days are past, 674 advis'd] A participle adverbial, and very elegant; it means advisedly, as Hor. Ode I. iii. 21. Richardson. 700 For thee I have ordain'd it, and thus far Of all things, to be heir and to be king That shake heaven's basis, bring forth all my war, He said, and on his Son with rays direct Shone full; he all his Father full exprest Ineffably into his face receiv'd; And thus the filial Godhead answering spake. O Father, O Supreme of heavenly thrones, First, Highest, Holiest, Best, thou always seek'st 720 To glorify thy Son, I always thee, 725 My exaltation, and my whole delight, That thou in me well pleas'd declar'st thy will |