Of slaughter'd brutes, the well-oil'd champion shone.
Sternly he gazed around, with many a frown
Fierce menacing, provoked the tardy foe.
For now each combatant, that erst so bold
Vaunted his manly deeds, in pensive mood
Hung down his head, and fix'd on earth his eyes,
Pale and dismay'd. On Hobbinol at last
Intent they gaze, in him alone their hope;
Each eye solicits him, each panting heart
Joins in the silent suit. Soon he perceived
Their secret wish, and eased their doubting minds.
Ye men of Kiftsgate! whose wide spreading fame In ancient days was sung from shore to shore, To British bards of old a copious theme; Too well, alas! in your pale cheeks I view Your dastard souls. O mean, degenerate race! But since on me ye call, each suppliant eye Invites my sovereign aid, lo! here I come,
The bulwark of your fame, though scarce my brows Are dry from glorious toils just now achieved,
To vindicate your worth. Lo! here I swear,
By all my great forefathers' fair renown,
By that illustrious wicker, where they sate
In comely pride, and in triumphant sloth
Gave law to passive clowns; or on this spot,
In glory's prime, young Hobbinol expires,
And from his dearest Ganderetta's arms
Sinks to death's cold embrace; or by this hand
That stranger, big with insolence, shall fall
Prone on the ground, and do honour right.”
Forthwith the hilts he seized; but on his arm Fond Ganderetta hung, and round his neck Curl'd in a soft embrace. Honour and love A doubtful contest waged, but from her soon He sprung relentless, all her tears were vain, Yet oft he turn'd, oft sigh'd, thus pleading mild: "Ill should I merit these imperial robes, Ensigns of majesty, by general voice. Conferr'd, should pain, or death itself avail To shake the steady purpose of my soul.
Peace, fair one! Heaven will protect the man
By thee held dear, and crown thy generous love.”
Her from the listed field the matrons sage
Reluctant drew, and with fair speeches soothed.
Now front to front the fearless champions meet:
Gorgonius, like a tower whose cloudy top
Invades the skies, stood lowering; far beneath
The strippling Hobbinol, with careful eye
Each opening scans, and each unguarded space
Measures intent. While negligently bold,
The bulky combatant, whose heart elate
Disdain'd his puny foe, now fondly deem'd
At one decisive stroke to win, unhurt,
An easy victory; down came at once
The ponderous plant, with fell malicious rage,
Aim'd at his head direct; but the tough hilts,
Swift interposed, elude his effort vain.
The cautious Hobbinol, with ready feet
Now shifts his ground, retreating; then again
Advances bold, and his unguarded shins
Batters secure; each well-directed blow
Bites to the quick; thick as the falling hail,
The strokes redoubled peal his hollow sides.
The multitude amazed with horrour view
The rattling storm, shrink back at every blow,
And seem to feel his wounds; inly he groan'd,
And gnash'd his teeth, and from his blood-shot eye
Red lightning flash'd; the fierce tumultuous rage
Shook all his mighty fabrick; once again
Erect he stands, collected, and resolved
To conquer or to die. Swift as the bolt
Of angry Jove, the weighty plant descends;
But wary Hobbinol, whose watchful eye
Perceived his kind intent, slipp'd on one side
Declining; the vain stroke from such an height,
With such a force impell'd, headlong drew down
The unwieldy champion: on the solid ground
He fell rebounding, breathless and astunn'd
His trunk extended lay: sore maim'd, from out
His heaving breast he belch'd a crimson flood.
Full leisurely he rose, but conscious shame
Of honour lost his failing strength renew'd.
Rage and revenge and ever-during hate
Blacken'd his stormy front; rash, furious, blind,
And lavish of his blood, of random strokes
He laid on load; without design or art
Onward he press'd outrageous, while his foe
Encircling wheels, or inch by inch retires,
Wise niggard of his strength. Yet all thy care,
O Hobbinol! avail'd not to prevent
One hapless blow; o'er his strong guard the plant
Lapp'd pliant, and its knotty point impress'd
His nervous chine; he wreathed him to and fro
Convolved, yet thus distress'd, intrepid bore
His hilts aloft, and guarded well his head.
So when the unwary clown with hasty step
Crushes the folded snake, her wounded parts
Groveling she trails along, but her high crest
Erect she bears in all its speckled pride,
She swells inflamed, and with her forky tongue
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