Ralpho, bear witness, and go fetch us A constable to seize the wretches: 1015 For though they're both false knaves and cheats, Imposters, jugglers, counterfeits, I'll make them serve for perpendic❜lars, As true as e'er were us'd by bricklayers. Upon the bench I will so handle 'em, 1020 Shall make all tailors' yards of one 1025 Unanimous opinion: A thing he long has vapour'd of, But now shall make it out by proof. To find friends that will bear me out: 1030 Nor have I hazarded my art, And neck so long on the state's part, To be expos'd i' th' end to suffer, By such a braggadocia huffer. Huffer! quoth Hudibras, This sword 1035 Shall down thy false throat cram that word. T' apprehend this Stygian sophister: Meanwhile I'll hold 'em at a bay, Lest he and Whachum run away. .1040 This b'ing resolv'd, he spy'd by chance Behind the door, an iron lance, That many a sturdy limb had gor'd, And legs, and loins, and shoulders bor'd; To make his way through Hudibras. With which he vow'd to do his work. But Hudibras was well prepar'd, And stoutly stood upon his guard: He put by Sidrophelo's thrust, 1050 1055 And in right manfully he rusht; 1060 The weapon from his gripe he wrung, And laid him on the earth along. Whachum his sea-coal prong threw by, And basely turn'd his back to fly; do! 10. 1065 As quick as lightning in the breech;20 Just in the place where honor 's lodg'd, As wise philosophers have judg'd ; Because a kick in that place, more 1 Hurts honor, than deep wounds before... 1070 Quoth Hudibras, The stars determine You are my prisoners, base vermin! That's mine, the law of arms allows. This said, in haste, in haste he fell 1075 1080 bal. 1085 To rummaging of Sidrophel; |