“As yet this world was not, and Chaos wild Reigned where these Heavens now roll, where Earth now rests Upon her centre poised; when on a day (For time, though in eternity, applied To motion, measures all things durable By present, past, and future), on such day As Heaven’s great year brings forth, the empyreal host Of Angels, by imperial summons called, Innumerable before the Almighty’s throne Forthwith from all the ends of Heaven appeared Under their Hierarchs in orders bright: Ten thousand thousand ensigns high advanced, Standards and gonfalons, ’twixt van and rear, Stream in the air, and for distinction serve Of Hierarchies, of orders, and degrees; Or in their glittering tissues bear emblazed Holy memorials, acts of zeal and love Recorded eminent. Thus when in orbs Of circuit inexpressible they stood, Orb within orb, the Father Infinite, By whom in bliss embosomed sat the Son, Amidst, as from a flaming mount, whose top Brightness had made invisible, thus spake: