168 PARADISE LOST. BOOK VI: To pieces, and o'erwhelm whatever flands Adverfe: that they fball fear we have difarm'd The Thunderer of his only dreaded bolt. Nor long (hall be our labor ; yet e'er dawn, Effect than end our wifh. Mean while revive ; Abandon fear ; to ftrength and counfel join'd Think nothing hard, much lefs to be defpair'd, He ended, and his words their drooping cheat Inhghten'd, and their languifh'd hope reviv'd. The' invention all admir'd, and each, how he To be th',inventor lo eafy it feeLn'd 499 Once found, which yet unfound molt would have 1mpoffibie. Yet haply of thy race [thought in future days (if malice fbculd abound) Some one intent on mifchief, or inlpir'd With devlifh machination, might devife Like inftrument, to plague the ions of men soy For fin on war and mutual (laughter bent. Forthwith from Council to the work they flew, None arguing flood : innumerable hands Were ready ; in a moment up they turn'd Wide the cceieflial foil, and faw beneath 510 Th' originals of nature in their crude Conception : fulpnrous and nitrous foam They found, they mingled, and with fade art, Concoaed and adufled they reduc'd To black(-ft grain, and into fore convey'd. 515 Part, hidden veins digg'd up (nor bath this earth infra is unlike) of mineral and Hone; Whereof to found their engines, and their balls Ot miffive ruin : part, incentive reed Provide, pernicious with one touch to fire. 520 So all e'er day- fpring, under confcious night, Secret they finifh'd, and in order fet, With fluent cietumfpeaion unefpy'd. Now 490 495
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