Page:Hudibras - Volume 1 (Butler, Nash, Bohn; 1859).djvu/109

CANTO II.] For, as our modern wits behold, Mounted a pick-back on the old, Much further off; much further he Rais'd on his aged beast, could see; Yet not sufficient to descry All postures of the enemy; Wherefore he bids the squire ride further. T' observe their numbers, and their order; That when their motions he had known, He might know how to fit his own. Meanwhile he stopp'd his willing steed, To fit himself for martial deed: Both kinds of metal he prepared, Either to give blows, or to ward; Courage and steel, both of great force, Prepared for better, or for worse. His death-charged pistols he did fit well, Drawn out from life-preserving vittle; These being primed, with force he labour'd To free's blade from retentive scabbard; And after many a painful pluck, From rusty durance he bail'd tuck: Then shook himself, to see that prowess In scabbard of his arms sat loose; And, raised upon his desp'rate foot, On stirrup-side he gazed about, Portending blood, like blazing star, The beacon of approaching war.