Hudibras Part 6

172 In military, &c.] Paris Garden, in Southwark, took its name from the possessor.

231 Though by, &c.] Promethean fire. Prometheus was the son of Iapetus, and brother of Atlas, concerning whom the poets have feigned, that having first formed men of the earth and water, he stole fire from heaven to put life into them; and that having thereby displeased Jupiter, he commanded Vulcan to tie him to mount Caucasus with iron chains, and that a vulture should prey upon his liver continually: but the truth of the story is, that Prometheus was an astrologer, and constant in observing the stars upon that mountain; and, that, among other things, he found the art of making fire, either by the means of a flint, or by contracting the sun-beams in a gla.s.s. Bochart will have Magog, in the Scripture, to be the Prometheus of the Pagans.

He here and before sarcastically derides those who were great admirers of the sympathetic powder and weapon salve, which were in great repute in those days, and much promoted by the great Sir Kenelm Digby, who wrote a treatise ex professo [of his own knowledge] on that subject, and, I believe, thought what he wrote to be true, which since has been almost exploded out of the world.

267 And 'mong, &c.] Cossacks are a people that live near Poland. This name was given them for their extraordinary nimbleness; for cosa, or kosa, in the Polish tongue, signifies a goat. He that would know more of them, may read Le Laboreur and Thuldenus.

275 And tho', &c.] This custom of the Huns is described by Ammia.n.u.s Marcellinus, Hunni semicruda cujusvis Pecoris carne vesc.u.n.tur, quasi inter femora sua & equorum terga subsertam, calefacient brevi. P. 686. [The Huns stoutheartedly eat half-raw meat, which is warned briefly by being hedl between their thighs and their hoeses' backs.]

283 - -- He spous'd in India, Of n.o.ble House, a Lady gay.

The Story in Le Blanc, of a bear that married a king's daughter, is no more strange than many others, in most travellers, that pa.s.s with allowance; for if they should write nothing but what is possible, or probable, they might appear to have lost their labour, and observed nothing but what they might have done as well at home.

343 In MAGIC he was deeply read, As he that made the Brazen-Head; Profoundly skill'd in the Black Art; As ENGLISH MERLIN for his Heart.

Roger Bacon and Merlin. See Collier's Dictionary.

368 d As JOAN, &c.] Two notorious women; the last was known here by the name of Moll Cutpurse.

378 e Than the Amazonian, &c.] Penthesile, Queen of the Amazons, succeeded Orythia. She carried succours to the Trojans, and after having given n.o.ble proofs of her bravery, was killed by Achilles. Pliny saith, it was she that invented the battle-ax. If any one desire to know more of the Amazons, let him read Mr. Sanson.

385 f They wou'd not suffer the stout'st Dame To swear by HERCULES's Name.

The old Romans had particular oaths for men and women to swear by, and therefore Macrobius says, Viri per Castorum non jurabant antiquitus, nec Mulieres per Herculem; AEdepol autem juramentum erat tum mulieribus, quam viris commune, &c. [Men did not swear by Castor in ancient times, nor women by Hercules; however women swore by AEdepol as much as men did.]

393 g As stout, &c.] Two formidable women at arms, in romances, that were cudgelled into love by their gallants.

395 h Of GUNDIBERT &c.] Gundibert is a feigned name, made use of by Sir William d' Avenant in his famous epic poem, so called; wherein you may find also that of his mistress. This poem was designed by the author to be an imitation of the English Drama: it being divided into five books, as the other is into five acts; the Cantos to be parallel of the scenes, with this difference, that this is delivered narratively, the other dialoguewise. It was ushered into the world by a large preface, written by Mr. Hobbes, and by the pens of two of our best poets, viz. Mr. Waller and Mr. Cowley, which one would have thought might have proved a sufficient defence and protection against snarling critics. Notwithstanding which, four eminent wits of that age (two of which were Sir John Denham and Mr.

Donne) published several copies of verses to Sir William's discredit, under this t.i.tle, Certain Verses written by several of the Author's Friends, to be reprinted with the second Edition of Gundibert in 8vo. Lond. 1653. These verses were as wittily answered by the author, under this t.i.tle, The incomparable Poem of Gundibert vindicated from the Wit Combat of four Esquires, Clinias, Damoetas, Sancho, and Jack-Pudding; printed in 8vo. Lond. 1665, Vide Langbain's Account of Dramatic Poets.

496 i What OEstrum, &c.] OEstrum is not only a Greek word for madness, but signifies also a gad-bee or horse-fly, that torments cattle in the summer, and makes them run about as if they were mad.

525 k Wore in their Hats, &c.] Some few days after the King had accus'd the five Members of Treason in the House of Commons, great Crowds of the rabble came down to Westminster-Hall, with printed copies of the Protestation tied in their hats like favours.

526 l When 'twas resolv'd by either House Six Members Quarrel to espouse.

The six Members were the Lord Kimbolton, Mr. Pym, Mr.

Hollis, Mr. Hampden, Sir Arthur Haslerig, and Mr. Stroud, whom the King ordered to be apprehended, and their papers seized; charging them of plotting with the Scots, and favouring the late tumults; but the House voted against the arrest of their persons or papers; whereupon the King having preferred articles against those Members, he went with his guard to the House to demand them; but they, having notice, withdrew.

578 m Make that, &c.] Abusive or insulting had been better; but our Knight believed the learned language more convenient to understand in than his own Mother-tongue.

650 n And is indeed the self same Case With theirs that swore t' Et caeteras.

The Convocation, in one of the short Parliaments, that ushered in the long one, (as dwarfs are wont to do knights-errant,) made an oath to be taken by the clergy for observing canonical obedience; in which they enjoined their brethren, out of the abundance of their consciences, to swear to articles with, &c.

652 o Or the French League, in which men vow'd To fight to the last Drop of Blood.

The Holy League in France, designed and made for the extirpation of the Protestant Religion, was the original out of which the Solemn League and Covenant here was (with the difference only of circ.u.mstances) most faithfully transcribed.

Nor did the success of both differ more than the intent and purpose; for after the destruction of vast numbers of people of all sorts, both ended with the murder of two Kings, whom they had both sworn to defend: And as our Covenanters swore every man to run one before another in the way of Reformation, so did the French, in the Holy League, to fight to the last drop of blood.

PART I.

CANTO III.

THE ARGUMENT.

------------------------------------------------- The scatter'd rout return and rally, Surround the place; the Knight does sally, And is made pris'ner: Then they seize Th' inchanted fort by storm; release Crowdero, and put the Squire in's place; I should have first said Hudibras.

Ah me! what perils do environ The man that meddles with cold iron!

What plaguy mischiefs and mishaps Do dog him still with after-claps!

For though dame Fortune seem to smile 5 And leer upon him for a while, She'll after shew him, in the nick Of all his glories, a dog-trick.

This any man may sing or say, I' th' ditty call'd, What if a Day? 10 For HUDIBRAS, who thought h' had won The field, as certain as a gun; And having routed the whole troop, With victory was c.o.c.k a-hoop; Thinking h' had done enough to purchase 15 Thanksgiving-day among the Churches, Wherein his mettle, and brave worth, Might be explain'd by Holder-forth, And register'd, by fame eternal, In deathless pages of diurnal; 20 Found in few minutes, to his cost, He did but count without his host; And that a turn-stile is more certain Than, in events of war, dame Fortune.

For now the late faint-hearted rout, 25 O'erthrown, and scatter'd round about, Chas'd by the horror of their fear From b.l.o.o.d.y fray of Knight and Bear, (All but the dogs, who, in pursuit Of the Knight's victory, stood to't, 30 And most ign.o.bly fought to get The honour of his blood and sweat,) Seeing the coast was free and clear O' th' conquer'd and the conqueror, Took heart again, and fac'd about, 35 As if they meant to stand it out: For by this time the routed Bear, Attack'd by th' enemy i' th' rear, Finding their number grew too great For him to make a safe retreat, 40 Like a bold chieftain, fac'd about; But wisely doubting to hold out, Gave way to Fortune, and with haste Fac'd the proud foe, and fled, and fac'd; Retiring still, until he found 45 H' had got the advantage of the ground; And then as valiantly made head To check the foe, and forthwith fled; Leaving no art untry'd, nor trick Of warrior stout and politick, 50 Until, in spite of hot pursuit, He gain'd a pa.s.s to hold dispute On better terms, and stop the course Of the proud foe. With all his force He bravely charg'd, and for a while 55 Forc'd their whole body to recoil; But still their numbers so increas'd, He found himself at length oppress'd, And all evasions, so uncertain, To save himself for better fortune, 60 That he resolv'd, rather than yield, To die with honour in the field, And sell his hide and carcase at A price as high and desperate As e'er he could. This resolution 65 He forthwith put in execution, And bravely threw himself among The enemy i' th' greatest throng.

But what cou'd single valour do Against so numerous a foe? 70 Yet much he did indeed, too much To be believ'd, where th' odds were such.

But one against a mult.i.tude Is more than mortal can make good.

For while one party he oppos'd, 75 His rear was suddenly inclos'd; And no room left him for retreat, Or fight against a foe so great.

For now the mastives, charging home, To blows and handy gripes were come: 80 While manfully himself he bore, And setting his right-foot before, He rais'd himself, to shew how tall His person was above them all.

This equal shame and envy stirr'd 85 In th' enemy, that one should beard So many warriors, and so stout, As he had done, and stav'd it out, Disdaining to lay down his arms, And yield on honourable terms. 90 Enraged thus, some in the rear Attack'd him, and some ev'ry where, Till down he fell; yet falling fought, And, being down, still laid about; As WIDDRINGTON, in doleful dumps, 95 Is said to light upon his stumps.

But all, alas! had been in vain, And he inevitably slain, If TRULLA and CERDON, in the nick, To rescue him had not been quick; 100 For TRULLA, who was light of foot As shafts which long-field Parthians shoot, (But not so light as to be borne Upon the ears of standing corn, Or trip it o'er the water quicker 105 Than witches, when their staves they liquor, As some report,) was got among The foremost of the martial throng; There pitying the vanquish'd Bear, She call'd to CERDON, who stood near, 110 Viewing the b.l.o.o.d.y fight; to whom, Shall we (quoth she) stand still hum-drum, And see stout Bruin all alone, By numbers basely overthrown?

Such feats already h' has atchiev'd, 115 In story not to be believ'd; And 'twould to us be shame enough, Not to attempt to fetch him off.

I would (quoth he) venture a limb To second thee, and rescue him: 120 But then we must about it straight, Or else our aid will come too late.

Quarter he scorns, he is so stout, And therefore cannot long hold out.

This said, they wav'd their weapons round 125 About their heads, to clear the ground; And joining forces, laid about So fiercely, that th' amazed rout Turn'd tale again, and straight begun, As if the Devil drove, to run. 130 Meanwhile th' approach'd th' place where Bruin Was now engag'd to mortal ruin.

The conqu'ring foe they soon a.s.sail'd; First TRULLA

stav'd, and CERDON tail'd, Until their mastives loos'd their hold: 135 And yet, alas! do what they could, The worsted Bear came off with store Of b.l.o.o.d.y wounds, but all before: For as ACHILLES, dipt in pond, Was ANABAPTIZ'D free from wound, 140 Made proof against dead-doing steel All over, but the Pagan heel; So did our champion's arms defend All of him, but the other end, His head and ears, which, in the martial 145 Encounter, lost a leathern parcel For as an Austrian Archduke once Had one ear (which in ducatoons Is half the coin) in battle par'd Close to his head, so Bruin far'd; 150 But tugg'd and pull'd on th' other side, Like scriv'ner newly crucify'd; Or like the late corrected leathern Ears of the Circ.u.mcised Brethren.

But gentle TRULLA into th' ring 155 He wore in's nose convey'd a string, With which she march'd before, and led The warrior to a gra.s.sy bed, As authors write, in a cool shade, Which eglantine and roses made; 160 Close by a softly murm'ring stream, Where lovers us'd to loll and dream.

There leaving him to his repose, Secured from pursuit of foes, And wanting nothing but a song, 165 And a well-tun'd theorbo hung Upon a bough, to ease the pain His tugg'd ears suffer'd, with a strain, They both drew up, to march in quest Of his great leader and the rest. 170

For ORSIN (who was more renown'd For stout maintaining of his ground In standing fight, than for pursuit, As being not so quick of foot) Was not long able to keep pace 175 With others that pursu'd the chace; But found himself left far behind, Both out of heart and out of wind: Griev'd to behold his Bear pursu'd So basely by a mult.i.tude; 180 And like to fall, not by the prowess, But numbers of his coward foes.

He rag'd, and kept as heavy a coil as Stout HERCULES for loss of HYLAS; Forcing the vallies to repeat 185 The accents of his sad regret.

He beat his breast, and tore his hair, For loss of his dear Crony Bear; That Eccho, from the hollow ground, His doleful wailings did resound 190 More wistfully, by many times, Than in small poets splay-foot rhimes That make her, in their rueful stories To answer to int'rogatories, And most unconscionably depose 195 To things of which she nothing knows; And when she has said all she can say, 'Tis wrested to the lover's fancy.

Quoth he, O whither, wicked Bruin Art thou fled to my -- Eccho, Ruin? 200 I thought th' hadst scorn'd to budge a step For fear. (Quoth Eccho) Marry guep.

Am not I here to take thy part?

Then what has quelled thy stubborn heart?

Have these bones rattled, and this head 205 So often in thy quarrel bled?

Nor did I ever winch or grudge it, For thy dear sake. (Quoth she) Mum budget Think'st thou 'twill not be laid i' th' dish Thou turn'dst thy back? Quoth Eccho, Fish. 210 To run from those t'hast overcome Thus cowardly? Quoth Eccho, Mum.

But what a vengeance makes thee fly From me too, as thine enemy?

Or if thou hast no thought of me, 215 Nor what I have endur'd for thee, Yet shame and honour might prevail To keep thee thus from turning tail: For who would grudge to spend his blood in His honour's cause? Quoth she, A puddin. 220 This said, his grief to anger turn'd, Which in his manly stomach burn'd; Thirst of revenge, and wrath, in place Of sorrow, now began to blaze.

He vow'd the authors of his woe 225 Should equal vengeance undergo; And with their bones and flesh pay dear For what he suffer'd, and his Bear.

This b'ing resolv'd, with equal speed And rage he hasted to proceed 230 To action straight, and giving o'er To search for Bruin any more, He went in quest of HUDIBRAS, To find him out where-e'er he was; And, if he were above ground, vow'd 235 He'd ferret him, lurk where be wou'd.

But scarce had he a furlong on This resolute adventure gone, When he encounter'd with that crew Whom HUDIBRAS did late subdue. 240 Honour, revenge, contempt, and shame, Did equally their b.r.e.a.s.t.s inflame.

'Mong these the fierce MAGNANO was, And TALGOL, foe to HUDIBRAS; CERDON and COLON, warriors stout, 245 As resolute, as ever fought; Whom furious ORSIN thus bespoke: Shall we (quoth be) thus basely brook The vile affront that paltry a.s.s, And feeble scoundrel, HUDIBRAS, 250 With that more paltry ragam.u.f.fin, RALPHO, with vapouring and huffing, Have put upon us like tame cattle, As if th' had routed us in battle?

For my part, it shall ne'er be said, 255 I for the washing gave my bead: Nor did I turn my back for fear O' th' rascals, but loss of my Bear, Which now I'm like to undergo; For whether those fell wounds, or no 260 He has receiv'd in fight, are mortal, Is more than all my skill can foretell Nor do I know what is become Of him, more than the Pope of Rome.

But if I can but find them out 265 That caus'd it (as I shall, no doubt, Where-e'er th' in hugger-mugger lurk) I'll make them rue their handy-work; And wish that they had rather dar'd To pull the Devil by the beard. 270

Quoth CERD0N, n.o.ble ORSIN, th' hast Great reason to do as thou say'st, And so has ev'ry body here, As well as thou hast, or thy Bear.