"Before them nations tremble, every face turns pale. Like warriors they charge, they mount the walls like men at arms, each marching in line, no confusion in the ranks, none jostling his neighbour, none breaking the line. They plunge through streams without halting their advance; they burst into the city, leap on to the wall, climb into the houses, entering like thieves through the windows. Before them the earth shakes, the heavens shudder, sun and moon are darkened, and the stars forebear to shine."