For words and promises, that yoke The conqueror, are quickly broke; Like Samson's cuffs, though by his own Direction and advice put on.
For if we should fight for the Cause
And only do what they call just,
By rules of military laws,
The Cause would quickly fall to dust.
This we among ourselves may speak; But to the wicked, or the weak, We must be cautious to declare Perfection-truths, such as these are. This said, the high, outrageous mettle Of Knight began to cool and settle. He lik'd the Squire's advice, and soon Resolv'd to see the business done; And therefore charg'd him first to bind Crowdero's hands on rump behind, And to its former place and use The wooden member to reduce; But force it take an oath before,
Ne'er to bear arms against him more. Ralpho dispatched with speedy haste,
And having ty'd Crowdero fast,
He gave Sir Knight the end of cord,
To lead the captive of his sword
In triumph, whilst the steeds he caught,
And them to further service brought.
The Squire in state rode on before,
And on his nut-brown whinyard bore The trophy-fiddle and the case, Leaning on shoulder like a mace. The Knight himself did after ride, Leading Crowdero by his side; And tow'd him if he lagg'd behind, Like boat against the tide and wind. Thus grave and solemn they march'd on Until quite thro' the town th' had gone; At further end of which there stands An ancient castle, that commands Th' adjacent parts: in all the fabric You shall not see one stone nor a brick :
But all of wood; by pow'rful spell Of magic made impregnable. There's neither iron-bar nor gate, Portcullis, chain, nor bolt, nor grate, And yet men durance there abide, In dungeon scarce three inches wide; With roof so low, that under it They never stand, but lie or sit ;-
And yet so foul, that whoso 's in, Is to the middle-leg in prison; In circle magical confin'd,
With walls of subtle air and wind,
Which none are able to break through, 1145 Until they're freed by head of borough. Thither arriv'd, th' advent'rous Knight And bold Squire from their steeds alight At th' outward wall, near which there stands
A bastile, built to imprison hands;
By strange enchantment made to fetter The lesser parts, and free the greater; For though the body may creep through,
The hands in grate are fast enough:
And when a circle 'bout the wrist
On top of this there is a spire,
On which Sir Knight first bids the Squire
The fiddle and its spoils, the case,
In manner of a trophy place.
That done, they ope the trap-door gate, 1165
And let Crowdero down thereat;
Crowdero making doleful face,
Like hermit poer in pensive place. To dungeon they the wretch commit, And the survivor of his feet:
But th' other, that had broke the peace And head of knighthood they release; Though a delinquent false and forged, Yet, being a stranger he's enlarged,
While his comrade, that did no hurt, Is clapp'd up fast in prison for't. So Justice, while she winks at crimes, Stumbles on innocence sometimes.
The scatter'd rout return and rally, Surround the place; the Knight doth sally, And is made pris'ner: then they seize Th' enchanted fort by storm, release Crowdero, and put th' Squire in's place, I should have first said Hudibras.
Ah me! what perils do environ The man that meddles with cold iron; What plaguy mischiefs and mishaps Do dog him still with after-claps!
For though dame Fortune seem to smile
And leer upon him for awhile,
She'll after show him, in the nick
Of all his glories, a dog-trick. This any man may sing or say,
I' th' ditty call'd, What if a Day?
For Hudibras, who thought h' had won The field, as certain as a gun;
And, having routed the whole troop,
With victory was cock-a-hoop;
Thinking h' had done enough to purchase 15
Thanksgiving-day anong the churches,
Wherein his mettle, and brave worth,
Might be explain'd by Holder-forth, And register'd, by fame eternal, In deathless pages of diurnal; Found in few minutes, to his cost, He did but count without his host;. And that a turnstile is more certain Than, in events of war, dame Fortune.
For now the late faint hearted rout, O'erthrown, and scatter'd round about, Chas'd by the horror of their fear, From bloody fray of Knight and Bear
(All but the dogs, who, in pursuit Of the Knight's victory, stood to❜t, And most ignobly fought to get The honour of his blood and sweat) Seing the coast was free and clear O' th' conquer'd and the conqueror, Took heart again, and fac'd about, As if they meant to stand it out: For by this time the routed Bear, Attack'd by th' enemy i' th' rear, Finding their number grew too great For him to make a safe retreat, Like a bold chieftain, fac'd about; But wisely doubting to hold out, Gave way to fortune, and with haste Fac'd the proud foe, and fled, and fac'd; Retiring still, until he found
H' had got the advantage of the ground; And then as valiantly made head To check the foe, and forthwith fled; Leaving no art untry'd, nor trick Of warrior stout and politic, Until, in spite of hot pursuit, He gain'd a pass, to hold dispute On better terms, and stop the course Of the proud foe. With all his force He bravely charg'd, and for a while Forc'd their whole body to recoil; But still their numbers so increas'd, He found himself at length oppress'd; And all evasions so uncertain,
To save himself for better fortune,
That he resolv'd, rather than yield,
To die with honour in the field, And sell his hide and carcase at A price as high and desperate As e'er he could. This resolution He forthwith put in execution, And bravely threw himself among The enemy, i' th' greatest throng; But what could single valour do Against so numerous a foe
Yet much he did, indeed too much
To be believ'd, where th' odds were such. But one against a multitude
Is more than mortal can make good: For while one party he oppos'd, His rear was suddenly inclosed; And no room left him for retreat, Or fight against a foe so great.
For now the mastiffs, charging home,
To blows and handy gripes were come:
While manfully himself he bore,
And setting his right foot before, He rais'd himself, to show how tall His person was above them all. This equal shame and envy stirr'd In th' enemy, that one should beard So many warriors, and so stout, As he had done, and stav'd it out, Disdaining to lay down his arms, And yield on honourable terms. Enraged thus, some in the rear Attack'd him, and some ev'ry where, Till down he fell; yet falling fought, And, being down, still laid about; As Widdrington, in doleful dumps, Is said to fight upon his stumps. But all, alas! had been in vain, And he inevitably slain,
If Trulla and Cerdon, in the nick, To rescue him had not been quick;
For Trulla, who was light of foot
As shafts which long-field Parthians shoot,
(But not so light as to be borne
Upon the ears of standing corn, Or trip it o'er the water quicker
Than witches, when their staves they liquor,
As some report,) was got among The foremost of the martial throng: There pitying the vanquish'd bear, She call'd to Cerdon, who stood near, Viewing the bloody fight; to whom, Shall we (quoth she) stand still hum-drum,
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