Beguil❜d by fair idolatresses, fell To idols foul. Thammuz came next behind, Who mourn'd in earnest, when the captive ark 448 The Syrian damsels] Compare Bionis Idyll. i. 22. Ασσύριον βοόωσα πόσιν, καὶ παῖδα καλεῦσα, 449 amorous ditties] dolorous ditties. Bentl. MS. 451 Ran purple] Ov. Metam. xii. 111. Purpureus populari cæde Caicus 445 450 455 See Maundrell's Travels, p. 34. We had the fortune to see what may be supposed to be the occasion of that opinion which Lucian relates concerning this river (Adonis, called by the Turks, Ibrahim Bassa,) viz. that this stream, at certain seasons of the year, especially about the feast of Adonis, is of a bloody colour, which the Heathens looked upon as proceeding from a kind of sympathy in the river, for the death of Adonis. Something like this, we saw, actually came to pass, for the water was stained to a surprising redness, and as we observed in travelling, had discoloured the sea a great way into a reddish hue, occasioned doubtless by a sort of minium, or red earth, washed into the river by the violence of the rain, and not by any stain from Adonis' blood.' See also Milton's answer to Eikon Bas. p. 410: 'Let them who now mourn for him as for Tammuz.' Maim'd his brute image, head and hands lopt off Whom he had vanquish'd. After these appear'd Osiris, Isis, Orus, and their train, With monstrous shapes and sorceries abus'd Their wand'ring gods disguis'd in brutish forms, 460 grunsel edge] See Beaumont's Psyche, c. viii. st. 136. 'In Dagon's Temple down the idol fell, Quite broke his godship on the stronger sell.' 460 465 470 475 480 And Quarles' Emblems, p. 302, and groundsild every floor.' Lisle has also used this word in his Transl. of Du Bartas, p. 96, 'to lay the grunsill-plot.' The calf in Oreb; and the rebel king These were the prime in order and in might; 485 490 495 500 505 489 bleating] v. Exod. xii. 12. Numb. xxxiii. 3, 4. and Virg. Æn. viii. 698. 'Omnigenumque deum monstra, et latrator Anubis.' Newton. Their boasted parents. Titan, heaven's first-born, 510 Of Doric land; or who with Saturn old 515 520 All these and more came flocking; but with looks Down-cast and damp, yet such wherein appear'd Obscure some glimpse of joy, to have found their chief Not in despair, to have found themselves not lost 525 In loss itself; which on his count'nance cast Like doubtful hue: but he, his wonted pride Soon recollecting, with high words, that bore Semblance of worth not substance, gently rais'd Their fainting courage, and dispell'd their fears. Then straight commands, that at the warlike sound Of trumpets loud and clarions, be uprear'd His mighty standard: that proud honour claim'd Azazel as his right, a cherub tall; 530 Who forthwith from the glittering staff unfurl'd 535 Th' imperial ensign, which, full high advanc'd, Shone like a meteor, streaming to the wind, 515 snowy] v. Hom. Il. i. 420. xviii. 615. Οὐλύμπου νιφόεντος. Newton, With gems and golden lustre rich imblaz'd, 540 545 550 A shout that tore hell's concave, and beyond 555 560 550 Dorian mood] See Val. Maximus, Lib. ii. c. 6. §. 2. Ejusdem (Spartana) civitatis exercitus non ante ad dimicandum descendere solebant, quam tibiæ concentu, et anapæsti pedis modulo cohortationis calorem animo traxissent, vegeto et crebro ictus sono.' And Cic. Tusc. Quæst. ii. 16. Spartiatarum, quorum procedit mora ad tibiam, nec adhibetur ulla sine Anapestis pedibus hortatio.' 551 soft recorders] See Giles Fletcher, Eclg. 1. 'And while the sad Recorder sweetly plains.' |