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

That riches grow in Hell; that soyle may best

Opnd into the Hill a spacious wound

Against the Highest, and fierce with grasped arms

Rifld the bowels of thir mother Earth

Or cast a Rampart. Mammon led them on,

Who boast in mort九-九-藏-书-网al things, and wondring tell

Of Babel, and the works of Memphian Kings

The work of Sulphur. Thither wingd with speed

Forerun the Royal Camp, to trench a Field,

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

Of mighty Cherubim; the sudden blaze藏书网 [ 665 ]

A numerous Brigad hastend. As when Bands [ 675 ]

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

For Treasures better hid. Soon had his crew

Shon with a glossie scurff, undoubted sign

Millions of flaming swords, drawn from the thighs

In vision beatific: by him 九_九_藏_书_网first

Mammon, the least erected Spirit that fell

Learn how thir greatest Monuments of Fame, [ 695 ]

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

What in an age they with incessant toyle

Clashd on thir sounding Shields the din of war,

Belchd fire and rowling smoak藏书网; the rest entire

And hands innumerable scarce perform.

By Spirits reprobate, and in an hour

Were always downward bent, admiring more

Deserve the precious bane. And here let those

Then aught divine or holy else enjoyd

The riches of Heavns pavement, trodn Gold,

Hurling defiance99lib•net toward the vault of Heavn.

Ransackd the Center, and with impious hands

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

And Strength and Art are easily out-done

Far round illumind hell: highly they ragd

Of Pioners with Spade and Pickax armd

That in his womb was hid metallic Ore,