Old father Thames raised up his reverend head, But feared the fate of Simois would return;[183] Deep in his ooze he sought his sedgy bed, And shrunk his waters back into his urn. 233. The fire, mean-time, walks in a broader gross;[184] To either hand his wings he opens wide; He wades the streets, and straight he reaches cross, And plays his longing flames on the other side. 234. At first they warm, then scorch, and then they take; Now with long necks from side to side they feed; At length, grown strong, their mother-fire forsake, And a new colony of flames succeed. 235. To every nobler portion of the town The curling billows roll their restless tide; In parties now they straggle up and down, As armies, unopposed, for prey divide. 236. One mighty squadron with a side-wind sped, Through narrow lanes his cumbered fire does haste; By powerful charms of gold and silver led, The Lombard bankers and the Change to waste. 237. Another backward to the Tower would go, And slowly eats his way against the wind; But the main body of the marching foe Against the imperial palace is designed. 238. Now day appears, and with the day the king,[185] Whose early care had robbed him of his rest; Far off the cracks of falling houses ring, And shrieks of subjects pierce his tender breast. 239. Near as he draws, thick harbingers of smoke, With gloomy pillars, cover all the place; Whose little intervals of night are broke By sparks, that drive against his sacred face. 240. More than his guards his sorrows made him known, And pious tears, which down his cheeks did shower; The wretched in his grief forgot their own, So much the pity of a king has power. 241. He wept the flames of what he loved so well, And what so well had merited his love; For never prince in grace did more excel, Or royal city more in duty strove. 242. Nor with an idle care did he behold; Subjects may grieve, but monarchs must redress; He chears the fearful, and commends the bold, And makes despairers hope for good success. 243. Himself directs what first is to be done, And orders all the succours which they bring; The helpful and the good about him run, And form an army worthy such a king. 244. He sees the dire contagion spread so fast, That where it seizes all relief is vain; And therefore must unwillingly lay waste That country, which would else the foe maintain. 245. The powder blows up all before the fire;[186] The amazed flames stand gathered on a heap; And from the precipice's brink retire, Afraid to venture on so large a leap. 246.