'Twas only choler, and not blood,
That from his wounded body flow'd.
This, with the hazard of the Squire,
Inflam'd him with despiteful ire:
Courageously he fac'd about,

660

And drew his other pistol out :

And now had half way bent the cock,

663

When Cerdon gave so fierce a shock,

With sturdy truncheon, 'thwart his arm,
That down it fell, and did no harm:
Then stoutly pressing on with speed,
Essay'd to pull him off his steed.
The Knight his sword had only left,

With which he Cerdon's head had cleft,

Or at the least cropt off a limb,

But Orsin came, and rescu'd him.

He with his lance attack'd the Knight 675 Upon his quarters opposite:

But as a bark, that in foul weather, a

Toss'd by two adverse winds together, of
Is bruised and beaten to and fro,

And knows not which to turn him to:
So far'd the Knight between two foes,
And knew not which of them t'oppose

680

Till Orsin, charging with his lance

At Hudibras, by spiteful chance,

Hit Cerdon such a bang, as stunn'd

685

And laid him flat upon the ground.

At this the knight began to cheer up,
And raising up himself on stirrup,
Cry'd out, Victoria, lie thou there,

And I shall straight dispatch another
To bear thee company in death;

690

This b'ing resolv'd, he spurr'd his steed

To run at Orsin with full speed,

While he was busy in the care

Of Cerdon's wound, and unaware:
But he was quick, and had already
Unto the part apply'd remedy:

705

And seeing th' enemy prepar'd,

Drew up, and stood upon

his guard.

Then like a warrior right expert

And skilful in the martial art,

The subtle Knight straight made a halt,

And judg'd it best to stay th' assault,

Until he had reliev'd the Squire,

710

Though sorely bruis'd: his limbs all o'er,
With ruthless bangs were stiff and sore:

720

Right fain he would have got upon

His feet again, to get him gone;'

When Hudibrass to aid him came.

Quoth he, and called him by his name,

This hand has sent to their long home;
And some lie sprawling on the ground,

With many a gash and blood wound.

Cæsar himself could never say

730

He got two vict'ries in a day;

As I have done, that can say, Twice I

735

Then lest they rally, and once more
Put us to fight the bus'ness o'er,

Get up

and mount thy steed, dispatch,

And let us both their motions watch.

Quoth Ralph, I should not, if I were

745

In case for action, now be here:

Nor have I turn'd my back, or hang'd

An arse, for fear of being bang'd.
It was for you. I got these harms,
Advent'ring to fetch off your arms.
The blows and drubs I have receiv'd,
Have bruis'd my body and bereav'd

7.50

My limbs of strength: unless you stoop,
And reach your hand to pull me up,

The one we oft to-day have done;

The other shall dispatch anon:

And tho' th' art of a diff'rent church,

I will not leave thee in the lurch.

This said, he jogg'd his good steed nigher, 765
And steer'd him gently tow'rd the Squire,
Then bowing down his body, stretch'd
His hands out, and at Ralpho reach'd;
When Trulla, whom he did not mind,
Charg'd him like lightning behind,
She had been long in search about
Magnano's wound to find it out;

But could find none, nor where the shot
That had so startled him, was got;

770