Page:Hudibras - Volume 1 (Butler, Nash, Bohn; 1859).djvu/185

CANTO III.] Thrice he essay'd to mount aloft; But by his weighty bum, as oft He was pull'd back: 'till having found Th' advantage of the rising ground, Thither he led his warlike steed, And having plac'd him right, with speed Prepar'd again to scale the beast, When Orsin, who had newly drest The bloody scar upon the shoulder Of Talgol, with Promethean powder, And now was searching for the shot That laid Magnano on the spot, Beheld the sturdy Squire aforesaid Preparing to climb up his horse-side; He left his cure, and laying hold Upon his arms, with courage bold Cry'd out, 'Tis now no time to dally, The enemy begin to rally: Let us that are unhurt and whole Fall on, and happy man be's dole. This said, like to a thunderbolt, He flew with fury to th' assault, Striving the enemy to attack Before he reach'd his horse's back. Ralpho was mounted now, and gotten O'erthwart his beast with active vau'ting, Wriggling his body to recover His seat, and cast his right leg over; When Orsin, rushing in, bestow'd On horse and man so heavy a load, The beast was startled, and begun To kick and fling like mad, and run, Bearing the tough Squire, like a sack, Or stout king Richard, on his back;