He tumbled down, and as he fell,

Did Murder, murder, murder, yell.
This startled their whole body so,

640

That if the knight had not let go

His arms, but been in warlike plight,

H' had won, the second time, the fight;
As if the Squire had but fall'n on,

545

He had inevitably done :

But he, diverted with the care

Of Hudibras his hurt, forbare

Το
press th' advantage of his fortune,
While danger did the rest dishearten.
For he with Cerdon b'ing engag'd
In close encounter, they both wag'd
The fight so well, 'twas hard to say
Which side was like to get the day.

And now the busy work of death

555

Had tir'd them so, th' agreed to breath,

Each striving to confirm his party

With stout encouragements, and hearty.

To use your victory as subdue,

They durst not, after such a blow

As you have giv'n them, face us now;

But from so formidable a soldier

570

Had fled, like crows when they smell powder.

Thrice have they seen your sword aloft,

575

Wav'd o'er their heads, and fled as oft.

But if you let them recollect

Their spirits, now dismay'd and check'd,

You'll have a harder game to play

Than yet y' have, to get the day.

580

Thus spoke the stout Squire; but was heard

By Hudibras with small regard.

His thoughts were fuller of the bang

He lately took, than Ralph's harangue ;

To which he answer'd, Cruel fate

Tells me thy counsel comes too late.

585

The clotted blood within my hose,

That from my wounded body flows,
With mortal crisis doth portend
My days to appropinque an end.
I am for action now unfit,
Either of fortitude or wit.
Fortue, my foe, begins to frown,

590

'Twere the best course: but if they find

600

We fly, and leave our arms behind.
For them to seize on the dishonor,
And danger too, is such, I'll sooner
Stand to it boldly, and take quarter,
To let them see I am no starter.
In all the trade of war, no feat
Is nobler than a brave retreat :
For those that run away, and fly,
Take place, at least, o' th' enemy.

605

610

This said, the Squire with active speed Dismounted from his bony steed,

To seize the arms which by mischance

Fell from the bold Knight in a trance.

These being found out, and restor❜d

To Hudibras, their natʼral lord,

As a man may say, with might and main

He hasted to get up again.

Thrice he essay'd to mount aloft,

But, by his weighty bum, as oft

615

620

He was pull'd back, till having found
Th' advantage of the rising ground,
Thither he led his warlike steed,

And having plac'd him right with speed
Prepar❜d again to scale the beast :

When Orsin, who had newly drest
The bloody scar upon the shoulder
Of Talgol, with Promethean powder,
And now was searching for the shot
That laid Magnano on the spot,
Beheld the sturdy Squire aforesaid
Preparing to climb up his horse-side :
He left his cure, and laying hold
Upon his arms, with courage bold

625

630

Cry'd out, 'Tis now no time to dally,
The enemy begin to rally:

Let us that are unhurt and whole,

Fall on, and happy man be 's dole.

This said, like to a thunderbolt

He flew with fury to the assault,
Striving th' enemy to attack

te 635

640

Before he reach'd his horse's back.

Ralpho was mounted now, and gotten

O'erthwart his beast with active vaulting,

Wriggling his body to recover

645

His seat, and cast his right leg over;

When Orsin rushing in, bestow'd

On horse and man so heavy a load,
The beast was startled, and begun
To kick and fling like mad, and run
Bearing the tough Squire like a sack,
Or stout King Richard on his back:
Till stumbling, he threw him down,
Sore bruis'd, and cast into a swoon.
Meanwhile the Knight began to rouse
The sparkles of his wonted prowess :
He thrust his hand into his hose,
And found both by his eyes and nose,

650

655