Page:Hudibras - Volume 1 (Butler, Nash, Bohn; 1859).djvu/164

88 Retiring still, until he found He'd got th' advantage of the ground; And then as valiantly made head To check the foe, and forthwith fled, Leaving no art untry'd, nor trick Of warrior stout and politick; Until, in spite of hot pursuit, He gain'd a pass, to hold dispute On better terms, and stop the course Of the proud foe. With all his force He bravely charg'd, and for a while Forc'd their whole body to recoil; But still their numbers so increas'd, He found himself at length oppress'd, And all evasions so uncertain, To save himself for better fortune, That he resolv'd, rather than yield, To die with honour in the field. And sell his hide and carcase at A price as high and desperate As e'er he could. This resolution He forthwith put in execution, And bravely threw himself among Th' enemy i' th' greatest throng; But what could single valour do Against so numerous a foe? Yet much he did, indeed too much To be believ'd, where th' odds were such; But one against a multitude Is more than mortal can make good: For while one party he oppos'd, His rear was suddenly enclos'd. And no room left him for retreat, Or fight against a foe so great. For now the mastiffs, charging home, To blows and handy-gripes were come; While manfully himself he bore, And, setting his right foot before, He rais'd himself, to show how tall His person was, above them all.