Page:Hudibras - Volume 1 (Butler, Nash, Bohn; 1859).djvu/309

CANTO II.] 'Twas well we made so resolute A brave retreat, without pursuit; For if we had not, we had sped Much worse, to be in triumph led; Than which the ancients held no state Of man's life more unfortunate. But if this bold adventure e'er Do chance to reach the widow's ear, It may, being destin'd to assert Her sex's honour, reach her heart: And as such homely treats, they say, Portend good fortune, so this may. Vespasian being daub'd with dirt Was destin'd to the empire for't; And from a scavenger did come To be a mighty prince in Rome: