The wanting orphans saw, with watery eyes, Their founders' charity in dust laid low; And sent to God their ever-answered cries; For he protects the poor, who made them so. 275. Nor could thy fabric, Paul's, defend thee long, Though thou wert sacred to thy Maker's praise; Though made immortal by a poet's song, And poets' songs the Theban walls could raise.[191] 276. The daring flames peeped in, and saw from far The awful beauties of the sacred quire; But since it was prophaned by civil war, Heaven thought it fit to have it purged by fire. 277. Now down the narrow streets it swiftly came, And, widely opening, did on both sides prey; This benefit we sadly owe the flame, If only ruin must enlarge our way. 278. And now four days the sun had seen our woes; Four nights the moon beheld the incessant fire; It seemed as if the stars more sickly rose, And farther from the feverish north retire. 279. In the empyrean heaven, the blessed abode, The Thrones and the Dominions prostrate lie, Not daring to behold their angry God; And an hushed silence damps the tuneful sky. 280. At length the Almighty cast a pitying eye, And mercy softly touched his melting breast; He saw the town's one half in rubbish lie, And eager flames drive on to storm the rest.[192] 281. An hollow crystal pyramid he takes, In firmamental waters dipt above; Of it a broad extinguisher he makes, And hoods the flames that to their quarry drove. 282. The vanquished fires withdraw from every place,[193] Or, full with feeding, sink into a sleep: Each household genius shows again his face, And from the hearths the little Lares creep. 283. Our king this more than natural change beholds; With sober joy his heart and eyes abound: To the All-good his lifted hands he folds, And thanks him low on his redeemed ground. 284. As when sharp frosts had long constrained the earth, A kindly thaw unlocks it with cold rain; And first the tender blade peeps up to birth, And straight the green fields laugh with promised grain. 285. By such degrees the spreading gladness grew In every heart which fear had froze before; The standing streets with so much joy they view, That with less grief the perished they deplore. 286. The father of the people opened wide His stores, and all the poor with plenty fed: Thus God's anointed God's own place supplied, And filled the empty with his daily bread. 287. This royal bounty brought its own reward, And in their minds so deep did print the sense, That if their ruins sadly they regard, 'Tis but with fear the sight might drive him thence. 288.