Page:Blackwood's Magazine volume 046.djvu/630

616 They met close to the gate of the garden, and then
 * His rough rival exclaim'd with a leer,

"What! Beau Billy! Be'st thou come here courting agen? Well, there's nought so conceited as you little men;
 * But thee'dst better be off, or look here!"

And while speaking, he shook a stout stick in the face
 * Of our beau, who a moment drew back,

Then advanced, and just gave his tall taunter a brace Of queer magical blows, that quite alter'd the case,
 * For he fell to the ground with a whack.

And felt shockingly sheepish, of course, as he'd caught
 * Just a glimpse of Sue's face peeping through

The half-closed cottage window, and therefore had thought He would show off his prowess, though fearless of aught
 * His diminutive rival could do.

There he lay; but his pride was more mortified still
 * When he saw thumping Robin and Tim,

The two other big suitors to Sue, mount the hill Just in time to behold him crow'd over by Bill,
 * In his dirty deplorable trim.

But as they were his friends, he call'd out for their aid,
 * And declared Bill had cowardly crept

Close behind him, and struck him two blows with a spade— For that nothing less pond'rous such marks could have made;
 * And the fallen bully blubber'd and wept.

Tim and Robin believed him, because they knew well
 * It was nonsense for Billy to try,

In a fair stand-up fight, such a fellow to fell: So they ask'd him the cause of his conduct to tell;
 * And he answer'd, "He's told you a lie!"

Then he boldly continued, "You both of you know
 * How oft here he has boasted his strength,

And I let it all pass; but I can't stand a blow, And he shook his stick at me, and threaten'd, and so
 * I have just made him measure his length.

"I had nought but this stick you see now in my hand:
 * You may stare, but 'tis perfectly true;

And affronts I'll endure from no man in the land, So ye great gaping louts, if ye don't understand,
 * Here I'm ready for either of you,

"Or for both, if ye like; so come on! do your worst,
 * And I pledge you my word I'll not run."

Thumping Bob swell'd with anger as ready to burst, While strong Tim laugh'd aloud, and cried, "I'll take him first—
 * We shall now have some capital fun."

The queer stick did its duty. Tim's guard down it beat,
 * And eke broke his thick head at one blow;

At the next he could hardly remain on his feet, But went tottering backward in awkward retreat,
 * Till the third on the ground laid him low.