Page:Hudibras - Volume 1 (Butler, Nash, Bohn; 1859).djvu/189

CANTO III.] And tho' th' art of a diff'rent church, I will not leave thee in the lurch. This said, he jogg'd his good steed nigher, And steer'd him gently toward the Squire; Then bowing down his body, stretch'd His hand out, and at Ralpho reach'd; When Trulla, whom he did not mind, Charg'd him like lightning behind. She had been long in search about Magnano's wound, to find it out; But could find none, nor where the shot That had so startled him was got: But having found the worst was past She fell to her own work at last, The pillage of the prisoners, Which in all feats of arms was hers: And now to plunder Ralph she flew, When Hudibras his hard fate drew To succour him; for, as he bow'd To help him up, she laid a load Of blows so heavy, and plac'd so well, On th' other side, that down he fell. Yield, scoundrel, base, quoth she, or die, Thy life is mine, and liberty: But if thou think'st I took thee tardy, And dar'st presume to be so hardy, To try thy fortune o'er afresh, I'll wave my title to thy flesh, Thy arms and baggage, now my right: And if thou hast the heart to try't, I'll lend thee back thyself awhile, And once more, for that carcase vile, Fight upon tick.—Quoth Hudibras, Thou offer'st nobly, valiant lass, And I shall take thee at thy word. First let me rise, and take my sword;