That whom they hit none on their feet might stand, Though standing else as rocks, but down they fell By thousands, Angel on Archangel rolled, The sooner for their arms: unarmed, they might Have easily, as Spirits, evaded swift By quick contraction or remove; but now Foul dissipation followed, and forced rout; Nor served it to relax their serried files. What should they do? If on they rushed, repulse Repeated, and indecent overthrow Doubled, would render them yet more despised, And to their foes a laughter; for in view Stood ranked of Seraphim another row, In posture to displode their second tire Of thunder; back defeated to return They worse abhorred. Satan beheld their plight, And to his mates thus in derision called: