“ ‘Arm, warriors, arm for fight! The foe at hand, Whom fled we thought, will save us long pursuit This day; fear not his flight; so thick a cloud He comes, and settled in his face I see Sad resolution and secure. Let each His adamantine coat gird well, and each Fit well his helm, gripe fast his orbed shield, Borne even or high; for this day will pour down, If I conjecture aught, no drizzling shower, But rattling storm of arrows barbed with fire.’

“So warned he them, aware themselves, and soon In order, quit of all impediment; Instant, without disturb, they took alarm, And onward move embattled: when, behold! Not distant far, with heavy pace the foe Approaching gross and huge; in hollow cube Training his devilish enginry, impaled On every side with shadowing squadrons deep, To hide the fraud. At interview both stood A while; but suddenly at head appeared Satan, and thus was heard commanding loud: