He spake: and to confirm his words, out-flewMillions of flaming swords, drawn from the thighsOf mighty Cherubim; the sudden blaze [ 665 ]Far round illumin'd hell: highly they rag'dAgainst the Highest, and fierce with grasped armsClash'd on thir sounding Shields the din of war,Hurling defiance toward the vault of Heav'n

Thammuz came next behind,Whose annual wound in Lebanon allur'dThe Syrian Damsels to lament his fateIn amorous dittyes all a Summers day,While smooth Adonis from his native Rock