Page:Hudibras - Volume 1 (Butler, Nash, Bohn; 1859).djvu/74

20
 * In th' holsters, at his saddle-bow,

Two aged pistols he did stow, Among the surplus of such meat As in his hose he could not get. These would inveigle rats with th' scent, To forage when the cocks were bent; And sometimes catch 'em with a snap, As cleverly as th' ablest trap. They were upon hard duty still, And every night stood sentinel, To guard the magazine i' th' hose, From two-legg'd, and from four-legg'd foes.
 * Thus clad and fortified, Sir Knight,

From peaceful home, set forth to fight. But first, with nimble active force, He got on th' outside of his horse. For having but one stirrup tied T' his saddle, on the further side, It was so short, h' had much ado To reach it with his desp'rate toe. But after many strains and heaves, He got upon the saddle eaves, From whence he vaulted into th' seat, With so much vigour, strength, and heat, That he had almost tumbled over With his own weight, but did recover, By laying hold on tail and mane, Which oft he used instead of rein. But now we talk of mounting steed, Before we further do proceed, It doth behove us to say something Of that which bore our valiant bumkin.