Page:Hudibras - Volume 1 (Butler, Nash, Bohn; 1859).djvu/181

 As that which Diomed did maul Æneas on the bum withal; Yet big enough, if rightly hurl'd, T' have sent him to another world, Wliether above ground, or below, Which saints, twice dipt, are destin'd to. The danger startled the bold Squire, And made him some few steps retire; But lludibras advanc'd to's aid, And rous'd his spirits half dismay'd. He n'isely doubting lest the shot O' th' enemy, now growing hot, Might at a distance gall, press'd close To come, pell-mell, to handy-blows, And that he might their aim decline, Advanc'd still in an oblique line; But prudently forbore to fire, Till breast to breast he had got nigher; As expert warriors use to do, When hand to hand they charge their foe. This order the advent'rous Knight, Most soldier-like, observ'd in fight, When Fortune, as she's wont, turn'd fickle, And for the foe began to stickle. The more shame for her Goodyship To give so near a friend the slip. For Colon, choosing out a stone, Levell'd so right, it thump'd upon His manly paunch, with such a force, As almost beat him oft' his horse, He loos'd his whinyard, and the rein. But laying fast hold on the mane, Preserv'd his seat: and, as a goose In death contracts his taloua close,