The graceful figure of a human shape:— 40 Equal the strength and number of each foe, Sixteen appear’d like jet, sixteen like snow. As their shape varies various is the name, Different their posts, nor is their strength the same. There might you see two Kings with equal pride 45 Gird on their arms, their Consorts by their side; Here the Foot-warriors glowing after fame, There prancing Knights and dexterous Archers came And Elephants, that on their backs sustain Vast towers of war, and fill and shake the plain. 50 And now both hosts, preparing for the storm Of adverse battle, their encampments form. In the fourth space, and on the farthest line, Directly opposite the Monarchs shine; The swarthy on white ground, on sable stands 55 The silver King; and then they send commands. Nearest to these the Queens exert their might; One the left side, and t’other guards the right: Where each, by her respective armour known. Chooses the colour that is like her own. 60 Then the young Archers, two that snowy-white Bend the tough yew, and two as black as night; (Greece call’d them Mars’s favourites heretofore, From their delight in war, and thirst of gore). These on each side the Monarch and his Queen 65 Surround obedient; next to these are seen The crested Knights in golden armour gay; Their steeds by turns curvet, or snort or neigh. In either army on each distant wing Two mighty Elephants their castles bring, 70 Bulwarks immense! and then at last combine Eight of the Foot to form the second line, The vanguard to the King and Queen; from far Prepared to open all the fate of war. So moved the boxen hosts, each double-lined, 75 Their different colours floating in the wind: As if an army of the Gauls should go, With their white standards, o’er the Alpine snow To meet in rigid fight on scorching sands The sun-burnt Moors and Memnon’s swarthy bands. 80 Then Father Ocean thus; you see them here, Celestial powers, what troops, what camps appear. Learn now the sev’ral orders of the fray, For e’en these arms their stated laws obey. To lead the fight, the Kings from all their bands 85 Choose whom they please to bear their great commands. Should a black hero first to battle go, | Instant a white one guards against the blow; | But only one at once can charge or shun the foe. | Their gen’ral purpose on one scheme is bent, 90 So to besiege the King within the tent, That there remains no place by subtle flight From danger free; and that decides the fight. Meanwhile, howe’er, the sooner to destroy Th’ imperial Prince, remorseless they employ 95 Their swords in blood; and whosoever dare Oppose their vengeance, in the ruin share. Fate thins their camp; the parti-coloured field Widens apace, as they o’ercome or yield, But the proud victor takes the captive’s post; 100