Now evening spread her dusky mantle round,
And veil'd the prospect with her shadows dun,
When lo! we heard a dreadful rushing sound,
As when to battle armed myriads run;
The horrent clangor did our senses stun.
Now well we ken'd th' Egyptian host was nigh,
Ne mightier host beneath the circling sun,
Their steeds and camels terribly did neigh,
And shouts of barb'rous nations rent the vaulted sky.