19

He spake: and to confirm his words, out-flew

Millions of flaming swords, drawn from the thighs

Of mighty Cherubim; the sudden blaze [ 665 ]

Far round illumind hell: highly they ragd

Against the Highest, and fierce with grasped arms

Clashd on thir sounding Shields the din of war,

Hurling defiance toward the vault of Heavn.

There stood a Hill not far whose griesly top [ 670 ]

Belchd fire and rowling smoak; the rest entire

Shon with a glossie scurff, undoubted sign

That in his womb was hid metallic Ore,

The work of Sulphur. Thither wingd with speed

A numerous Brigad hastend. As when Bands [ 675 ]

Of Pioners with Spade and Pickax armd

Forerun the Royal Camp, to trench a Field,

Or cast a Rampart. Mammon led them on,

Mammon, the least erected Spirit that fell

From heavn, for evn in heavn his looks and thoughts [ 680 ]

Were always downward bent, admiring more

The riches of Heavns pavement, trodn Gold,

Then aught divine or holy else enjoyd

In vision beatific: by him first

Men also, and by his suggestion taught, [ 685 ]

Ransackd the Center, and with impious hands

Rifld the bowels of thir mother Earth

For Treasures better hid. Soon had his crew

Opnd into the Hill a spacious wound

And digd out ribs of Gold. Let none admire [ 690 ]

That riches grow in Hell; that soyle may best

Deserve the precious bane. And here let those

Who boast in mortal things, and wondring tell

Of Babel, and the works of Memphian Kings

Learn how thir greatest Monuments of Fame, [ 695 ]

And Strength and Art are easily out-done

By Spirits reprobate, and in an hour

What in an age they with incessant toyle

And hands innumerable scarce perform.