Page:Lancashire Legends, Traditions, Pageants, Sports, Etc., with an Appendix Containing a Rare Tract.djvu/311



For fear did flee For they took him to be Some strange, outlandish hedgehog. To see this fight, all people there Got upon trees and houses; On churches some, and chimneys some, But they put on their trowses; Not to spoil their hose. As soon as he rose, To make him strong and mighty, He drank by the tale, Six pots of ale, And a quart of aqua-vitæ. It is not strength that always wins, For wit doth strength excel; Which made our cunning champion Creep down into a well; Where he did think, This dragon would drink; And so he did in truth; And as he stoop't low He rose up and cryed, bo! And hit him in the mouth. Oh! quoth the Dragon; pox take you! come out Thou that disturb'st me at my drink; And then he turned and spit at him— Good lack! how he did stink, Beshrew thy soul, Thy body is foul, Thy dung smells not like balsame; Thou son of a witch, Thou stink'st so sore, Sure thy dyet is unwholesome.

Our politick knight, on the other side, Crept out upon the brink, And gave the Dragon such a doust, He knew not what to think; By cock, quoth he,