Page:The battle of the books - Guthkelch - 1908.djvu/114

40 ing makes thee more barbarous: thy study of humanity more inhuman: thy converse amongst poets more grovelling, miry, and dull. All arts of civilising others, render thee rude and untractable: courts have taught thee ill manners: and polite conversation has finished thee a pedant. Besides, a greater coward burdeneth not the army. But never despond; I pass my word, whatever spoil thou takest shall certainly be thy own, though I hope that vile carcase will first become a prey to kites and worms."

B-ntl-y durst not reply, but half choked with spleen and rage, withdrew in full resolution of performing some great achievement. With him, for his aid and companion, he took his beloved W-tt-n, resolving by policy or surprise to attempt some neglected quarter of the Ancients' army. They began their march over carcasses of their slaughtered friends, then to the right of their own forces, then wheeled northward till they came to Aldrovandus's tomb, which they passed on the side of the declining sun. And now they arrived with fear toward the enemy's out-guards, looking about if haply they might spy the quarters of the wounded, or some straggling sleepers, unarmed and