Page:Hudibras - Volume 1 (Butler, Nash, Bohn; 1859).djvu/159

CANTO II.] The Knight himself did after ride, Leading Crowdero by his side; And tow'd him, if he lagg'd behind, Like boat against the tide and wind. Thus grave and solemn they march on, Until quite thro' the town they'd gone: At further end of which there stands An ancient castle, that commands Th' adjacent parts; in all the fabrick You shall not see one stone nor a brick, But all of wood, by pow'rful spell Of magic made impregnable: There's neither iron bar nor gate, Portcullis, chain, nor bolt, nor grate; And yet men durance there abide, In dungeon scarce three inches wide; With roof so low, that under it They never stand, but lie or sit; And yet so foul, that whoso is in, Is to the middle-leg in prison; In circle magical confin'd, With walls of subtle air and wind, Which none are able to break thorough, Until they're freed by head of borough. Thither arriv'd, the advent'rous Knight And bold Squire from their steeds alight At th' outward wall, near which there stands A Bastile, built t' imprison hands By strange enchantment made to fetter The lesser parts, and free the greater: Por tho' the body may creep through, The hands in grate are fast enow: And when a circle 'bout the wrist Is made by beadle exorcist, The body feels the spur and switch. As if 't were ridden post by witch,