Classic Poem

As when 'gainst murmuring shores a Western Breese
Drives frequent Billows on, which by degrees
At Sea first mustering, quickly after reach
The Land, wind-driven, with a thundring breach,
The trending Bayes congested waters charge,
And briny Mountaines troubled Foame disgorge.
So thick the Greeks were up in Bodyes drawn,
Each Captain leading his owne Squadron on:
So silent were they, you would say, among
Such numerous Bands, not any had a Tongue:
Their Officers obeying on they march
In armes which emulate Heavens glittering Arch;
But clamourous Trojans shout; like fleecy Flocks,
Which within Foulds the wealthy Shepheard locks,
At milking from their Young, when wofull Dams
Answer the bleatings of their tender Lambs:
With such a noyse their numerous Army rung,
Nor were their voyces all alike, nor tongue,
Languages mixt, with various shouts and cryes,
Of ayds from severall Countries, deafd the Skyes;
The Trojans, Mars, Pallas , the Greeks lead on,
Terror and Flight, and wilde Contention,
The dreadfull Sister of the slaughtering God,
Joynd in Commission, in his Chariot rode;
Little at first she swiftly growing shrowds,
Stalking on Earth, her head amongst the Clouds,
To both destructive, through the Rancks and Files
She runs augmenting of their groans and toyles.
When both the Armies their Battalia clos'd,
Then mighty men, compleatly armd, oppos'd;
So neer they drawing deadly Javelins flung,
That their bossd Targets, interclashing, rung:
Through all the field commixed clamour runs,
Showts of insulting Victors, and the Groans
Of those that fell; from wounds red Rivers glide,
Till earths pale face a purple Deluge dyde;
As when rough torrents falling from the Hill,
The fertill Vale with swallowing waters fill;
Rivelets and Gutters big with sudden raine,
In one great Channell tumble to the Maine;
The Shepheard hears lowd fragors from a Height:
So in the medley, Clamour shewd, and Flight.