They leave the reg'iment of the Firm'aments seven,21
to them committed by his high command,
his pow'r sublime whose thoughtful will hath given
Order to skies, and angry seas, and land:
Then instant gather in th' assize of Heaven
those who are throned on far Arcturus' strand,
and those that Auster rule, and Orient tides,
where springs Aurora and clear Phœbus hides.
Reposèd there the Sire sublime and digne,22
vibrates whose hand the fierce Vulcanian ray,
on seat of starry splendour crystalline,
grand in his lofty gest of sovran sway:
Respirèd from his brow such air divine,
that to divine could change dull human clay;
bearing the crown and sceptre rutilant,
of clearer stone than clearest diamant.
On sparkling seats, with marquetry inlaid23
of gold and pearl-work, sat in lower state
the minor Godheads, marshall'd and array'd,
e'en as demanded reason, rank, and rate:
Highest the seniors of most honour'd grade;
lower adown the lower Deities sate:
When thus high Jove the deathless throng addrest
with awful accents, dealing gravest hest:—
